Preliminary Documentation (VPD) by uni-assist
The University Application Service for International Students uni-assist e.V. processes international student applications as an external partner for the Technical University of Munich.
Be sure to check whether you need a preliminary documentation (VPD) before applying to TUM. If the document is required for your application, you need to apply for a VPD via uni-assist as well as apply to TUM directly via TUMonline.
An application for a VPD via uni-assist alone does not qualify as an application for a degree program at TUM. An application via TUMonline is always necessary.
Uni-assist performs preliminary processing and evaluation of the applicant's university entrance qualification (for bachelor's) or master qualification materials (for master's), running a check of the applicants’ certificates to determine which grades they have on the German grading system. This preliminary documentation (VPD) informs applicants whether they qualify to study all subjects (general qualification), only certain subjects (subject-restricted qualification) or postgradual studies (master's).
In addition, the VPD contains a conversion of all your credits and grades into the German grading system or the ECTS grading system.
- All applicants for a Bachelor’s or teaching degree, who did not obtain their university entrance qualification in Germany or from a school that offers the equivalent of the German Abitur exam. This also applies for applicants pursuing a spot in an advanced semester of any degree program.
- All applicants for a Master’s degree who did not obtain their qualification for postgraduate studies (usually a Bachelor’s degree) in a country within the EU/EEA. Applicants with a qualification for postgraduate studies obtained in Switzerland do not need a preliminary documentation. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree from the UK must apply via uni-assist.
Please note: For applications for studies starting from winter semester 2025/26, all applicants with a entrance qualification for Master’s degree programs that was not obtained at a German university must apply for a preliminary documentation (VPD); this also applies to entrance qualifications obtained in EU/EEA countries. - All applicants with an International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) who do not yet have a Notification of the Office for Certificate Recognition.
- Applicants who have completed preparatory studies in a Studienkolleg in Germany. This also applies to applicants who were enrolled at TUM during the Studienkolleg, as well as those who already had admission to a Bachelor's program at TUM but were unable to take it up.
On page 3 of the VPD, the average grade of your secondary school certificate from your home country is listed. Your overall average grade (averaged from the grade from your home country with the grade from the Feststellungsprüfung certificate) can be found on page 4 of the VPD under the item “Bewertung” (Evaluation). Please note that uni-assist only converts the individual grades of your secondary school certificate from your home country into the German grading system in the VPD. When processing your application, TUM will then average the individual grades from your assessment test certificate with the individual grades from your home country.
For a Bachelor’s:
- All applicants who obtained their higher education entrance qualification in Germany or their Abitur certificate (graduation diploma) from a school that applies the German Abitur examination rules.
- Students seeking admission to the Studienkolleg must apply directly to TUM, not through uni-assist!
- Graduates of European Schools: A certificate showing proof of general higher education qualification from a European School is treated as equivalent to the German certificate. Please upload your complete European School Certificate and the corresponding decision of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs issued by the German inspector for the European Schools. You will receive both documents from your school.
- AbiBac applicants: Along with their qualification certificate, these applicants must submit the “certificate of general university entrance qualification” to the TUM.
- Graduates of the German Schools system in Greece: Along with your supplementary examination certificate, please submit your Apolytirio (school-leaving certificate).
- Applicants with an International Baccalaureate Diploma who already have a Notification of the Office for Certificate Recognition
- Applicants for Double Degree Programs at TUM.
For a Master’s:
- Applicants with a qualification for postgraduate studies (e.g. a Bachelor’s degree) obtained within the EU / EEA or Switzerland. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree from the UK must apply via uni-assist.
Please note: For applications for studies starting from winter semester 2025/26, all applicants with a entrance qualification for Master’s degree programs that was not obtained at a German university must apply for a preliminary documentation (VPD); this also applies to entrance qualifications obtained in EU/EEA countries.