₦airaland Forum

Hello everyone
Please I’m currently preparing my application for my Master’s program in Germany and I keep seeing that I need to submit certified copies of my documents (like degree, transcript, and WAEC).
Can this certification be done in any lawyer or notary public office?
For those who used uni-assist, did you still need certified documents before applying or after admission?
I’ll really appreciate responses from people who have gone through this process recently.

Ifeanyi221:
Hello everyone
Please I’m currently preparing my application for my Master’s program in Germany and I keep seeing that I need to submit certified copies of my documents (like degree, transcript, and WAEC).
Can this certification be done in any lawyer or notary public office?
For those who used uni-assist, did you still need certified documents before applying or after admission?
I’ll really appreciate responses from people who have gone through this process recently.

Certified copies are generally required during the application process, not just after admission, and can be done by the German Embassy/Consulate, a Notary Public, or relevant local public institutions (like university registrars). Through uni-assist, you must upload certified copies, and for many, mail them, with the German Consulate in Lagos/Abuja offering free certification for study purposes.

3

Ifeanyi221:
Hello everyone
Please I’m currently preparing my application for my Master’s program in Germany and I keep seeing that I need to submit certified copies of my documents (like degree, transcript, and WAEC).
Can this certification be done in any lawyer or notary public office?
For those who used uni-assist, did you still need certified documents before applying or after admission?
I’ll really appreciate responses from people who have gone through this process recently.

You can use any notary public in Nigeria

Hello all,
I would like to inquire if my sister of 34 years can apply for a Bachelors degree in Germany and what will be her chances of getting a visa approval. Please note that she already has a Bachelor and Master degree in Nigeria.

Osunguy:
Hello all,
I would like to inquire if my sister of 34 years can apply for a Bachelors degree in Germany and what will be her chances of getting a visa approval. Please note that she already has a Bachelor and Master degree in Nigeria.

Yes, your sister, at 34 years old, can absolutely apply for a Bachelor’s degree in Germany, regardless of having already completed a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Nigeria. German universities do not have upper age limits, and "non-traditional" students are common

1. Application Process (University Admission)
Equivalency: Since she already has a Bachelor’s from Nigeria, she can likely apply directly to universities, but her qualification must be recognized as equivalent to a German university entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung). She should check this on the anabin database.
Study Direction: It is highly advisable that the new Bachelor’s degree is in a different field or a significant specialization of her previous studies (e.g., changing from humanities to IT) to justify the need for a second, lower-level degree.
Language Skills: Most Bachelor's programs are in German. She will likely need at least B2/C1 German proficiency (Goethe-Zertifikat/TestDaF).

2. Chances of Visa Approval
The visa success rate for Germany is generally high (around 90–95%). However, for a 34-year-old with a Master's seeking a Bachelor's, the scrutiny will be higher than for a 22-year-old.

Factors that will impact her visa chances:
Strong Motivation Letter (LOM): This is the most crucial document. She must convincingly explain why a German Bachelor’s degree is necessary for her career, why a Master's or PhD in Germany wasn't chosen, and how this specific program in Germany differs from her previous education.
Study Gap: She must justify any gaps in her resume with work experience certificates.
Financial Proof: She must prove she has sufficient funds (approx. €11,904 per year for 2026, usually in a blocked account).
German Language: Demonstrating a commitment to learning German (A1-B1) significantly improves visa chances.

3. Key Challenges to Consider
University Admission: The chosen program must not be "too similar" to her previous studies, or the university might reject the application for lack of "fresh motivation".
Visa Rejection Risk: A high risk is the suspicion of "study hopping" or "seeking immigration" rather than education. If the Motivation Letter does not clearly explain the academic/professional necessity of this step, the visa may be rejected.
Age and Health Insurance: Students over 30 cannot take advantage of cheap student public health insurance and will have to pay higher private insurance rates.

Alapereketu:
Yes, your sister, at 34 years old, can absolutely apply for a Bachelor’s degree in Germany, regardless of having already completed a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Nigeria. German universities do not have upper age limits, and "non-traditional" students are common

1. Application Process (University Admission)
Equivalency: Since she already has a Bachelor’s from Nigeria, she can likely apply directly to universities, but her qualification must be recognized as equivalent to a German university entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung). She should check this on the anabin database.
Study Direction: It is highly advisable that the new Bachelor’s degree is in a different field or a significant specialization of her previous studies (e.g., changing from humanities to IT) to justify the need for a second, lower-level degree.
Language Skills: Most Bachelor's programs are in German. She will likely need at least B2/C1 German proficiency (Goethe-Zertifikat/TestDaF).

2. Chances of Visa Approval
The visa success rate for Germany is generally high (around 90–95%). However, for a 34-year-old with a Master's seeking a Bachelor's, the scrutiny will be higher than for a 22-year-old.

Factors that will impact her visa chances:
Strong Motivation Letter (LOM): This is the most crucial document. She must convincingly explain why a German Bachelor’s degree is necessary for her career, why a Master's or PhD in Germany wasn't chosen, and how this specific program in Germany differs from her previous education.
Study Gap: She must justify any gaps in her resume with work experience certificates.
Financial Proof: She must prove she has sufficient funds (approx. €11,904 per year for 2026, usually in a blocked account).
German Language: Demonstrating a commitment to learning German (A1-B1) significantly improves visa chances.

3. Key Challenges to Consider
University Admission: The chosen program must not be "too similar" to her previous studies, or the university might reject the application for lack of "fresh motivation".
Visa Rejection Risk: A high risk is the suspicion of "study hopping" or "seeking immigration" rather than education. If the Motivation Letter does not clearly explain the academic/professional necessity of this step, the visa may be rejected.
Age and Health Insurance: Students over 30 cannot take advantage of cheap student public health insurance and will have to pay higher private insurance rates.

Thank you very much for the detailed explanation. I really appreciate it.

Alapereketu:
Certified copies are generally required during the application process, not just after admission, and can be done by the German Embassy/Consulate, a Notary Public, or relevant local public institutions (like university registrars). Through uni-assist, you must upload certified copies, and for many, mail them, with the German Consulate in Lagos/Abuja offering free certification for study purposes.

Thank you I really appreciate

Hello everyone.

I was recently awarded a DAAD Doctoral Scholarship, with a preparatory language course starting 1st of June this year, while my insurance starts 17th May.

The issue I'm having is that the Lagos Consulate (ditto: VFS Global) which handles study visa applications for Southern region, is at full capacity and I've been asked to join a waitlist.

This is different from my colleague's experience with the embassy at Abuja, which provided appointment dates, after only email correspondence.

Worstill, the Lagos Consulate is not responding to email enquiry unlike Abuja. Are there chances that my application would be prioritized if I go ahead with the online submission?

Prinxly:
Hello everyone.

I was recently awarded a DAAD Doctoral Scholarship, with a preparatory language course starting 1st of June this year, while my insurance starts 17th May.

The issue I'm having is that the Lagos Consulate (ditto: VFS Global) which handles study visa applications for Southern region, is at full capacity and I've been asked to join a waitlist.

This is different from my colleague's experience with the embassy at Abuja, which provided appointment dates, after only email correspondence.

Worstill, the Lagos Consulate is not responding to email enquiry unlike Abuja. Are there chances that my application would be prioritized if I go ahead with the online submission?

Yes, you should proceed with the online submission and urgently request prioritization. As a DAAD scholar with a firm start date, you are eligible for fast-tracked appointments. Follow the VFS Global Nigeria and German Embassy Lagos websites for specific expedited procedures.

hello guys I have a bit of an issue
my appointment is in 10 days time and I was told that one need to take his/her enrolment document along when going for interview

And my uni is saying I must have visa before I can apply for enrolment

been solved

ChromeTheory314:
hello guys I have a bit of an issue
my appointment is in 10 days time and I was told that one need to take his/her enrolment document along when going for interview

And my uni is saying I must have visa before I can apply for enrolment

Good morning all, please I would like to know the procedure for bachelors degree in Germany as I am looking at My daughter going for one there although she’ll be done with high school next year.

I actually wanted to go for my doctoral program and then they come later to join me thereby making it easy to start school there but getting the doctoral admission isn’t child’s play so I resorted to her going for Bsc. She wants to study mechatronics.

Please any advice?

Thanks

Abby212:
Good morning all, please I would like to know the procedure for bachelors degree in Germany as I am looking at My daughter going for one there although she’ll be done with high school next year.

I actually wanted to go for my doctoral program and then they come later to join me thereby making it easy to start school there but getting the doctoral admission isn’t child’s play so I resorted to her going for Bsc. She wants to study mechatronics.

Please any advice?

Thanks

1. Register her for a German class, perhaps up to B2 level.
2. Let her gain admission into 100 L at least
3. Plan towards proof of sustenance (block account or sponsorship)
4. Register her on the wait list at the embassy.

Alapereketu:
Yes, you should proceed with the online submission and urgently request prioritization. As a DAAD scholar with a firm start date, you are eligible for fast-tracked appointments. Follow the VFS Global Nigeria and German Embassy Lagos websites for specific expedited procedures.

Thanks for the clarification.

Pls is there anyone who went for student visa interview around March-and as gotten visa approval

Hi Everyone,

Goodday, please I need (4) 3rd year bachelors, masters student or recent university graduates in Europe to participate in my research work. I study at Uppsala University and I am researching about the role of international education in shaping networking opportunities and graduate employability among African students in Europe and I want mixed perspectives based on different countries and not only Sweden. Please whoever is interested should kindly signify on here or if you have any contact of anyone or friends in other countries in Europe that might be interested in sharing their experiences in a 30-35mins interview between 15th-25th of April, 2026 with me. It is a confidential interview and your identity would be anonymized. Kindly drop your email if you would like to help me with this.

Thanks a million as I anticipate a feedback.

Alyssaxo:
Applied for visa appointment or went for interview oct 2025? Your comment is contradicting.

Went for interview ( visa application and submission ) in October 2025 since then no feedback

When is your program starting, winter this year?



Went for interview ( visa application and submission ) in October 2025 since then no feedback[/quote]

Greetings guys,
My question is, if I get a masters scholarship from a school. Do I still need to have a block account. Does a scholarship bypass it?

Hi,
I have been on the waiting list since March 2025. I deferred the admission I got last year to this year. I'm a bit confused by the possibility of getting appointment date before enrolment deadline on September. I heard the embassy is currently on July 2024

Pls is there any possible way to go about the appointment date ? Sincerely do appreciate 🙏

To secure your spot, immediately obtain a new letter of acceptance reflecting the updated deferral intake. Request a late arrival certificate from your university if your visa appointment falls after the September enrollment deadline, as this confirms you are still a student.

emma225:
Hi,
I have been on the waiting list since March 2025. I deferred the admission I got last year to this year. I'm a bit confused by the possibility of getting appointment date before enrolment deadline on September. I heard the embassy is currently on July 2024

Pls is there any possible way to go about the appointment date ? Sincerely do appreciate 🙏

Prinxly:
Hello everyone.

I was recently awarded a DAAD Doctoral Scholarship, with a preparatory language course starting 1st of June this year, while my insurance starts 17th May.

The issue I'm having is that the Lagos Consulate (ditto: VFS Global) which handles study visa applications for Southern region, is at full capacity and I've been asked to join a waitlist.

This is different from my colleague's experience with the embassy at Abuja, which provided appointment dates, after only email correspondence.

Worstill, the Lagos Consulate is not responding to email enquiry unlike Abuja. Are there chances that my application would be prioritized if I go ahead with the online submission?

Hello, did they still need you to submit a block account after the DAAD scholarship awarded.

No, you generally do not need to open a blocked account if you have been awarded a DAAD scholarship.

freshStarz:
Hello, did they still need you to submit a block account after the DAAD scholarship awarded.

Oluhgbengaa:
No, you generally do not need to open a blocked account if you have been awarded a DAAD scholarship.

Thanks a lot

Hello guys, I joined the waiting list in December 2024 and I’m yet to get an interview date, please which month and year is the list currently on?

Please has anyone attended a VFS global interview/documents submission for German student visa recently? If yes, do you have to already have a blocked account(with money in it) or sponsor for your application to be considered? Or do these come after?

you must have the blocked account already opened and fully funded (with the money in it)

Serenity55:
Please has anyone attended a VFS global interview/documents submission for German student visa recently? If yes, do you have to already have a blocked account(with money in it) or sponsor for your application to be considered? Or do these come after?

Classicolalered:
Hello guys, I joined the waiting list in December 2024 and I’m yet to get an interview date, please which month and year is the list currently on?

They are in July 2024

Hello Everyone, I’m planning for a master degree in Germany. Is APS now mandatory for Nigerians. I’m confuse if we really need it. I will appreciate any info regarding that.. wa wesere

As of early 2026, the Academic Evaluation Centre (APS) certificate is not generally mandatory for Nigerian applicants. The APS certificate is currently mandatory primarily for students from India, China, Vietnam, and Mongolia. It is a document verification process, not a test.

Majestybaba92:
Hello Everyone, I’m planning for a master degree in Germany. Is APS now mandatory for Nigerians. I’m confuse if we really need it. I will appreciate any info regarding that.. wa wesere

Oluhgbengaa:
As of early 2026, the Academic Evaluation Centre (APS) certificate is not generally mandatory for Nigerian applicants. The APS certificate is currently mandatory primarily for students from India, China, Vietnam, and Mongolia. It is a document verification process, not a test.

God will bless you a million time. My hope has been strengthened now

Oluhgbengaa:
As of early 2026, the Academic Evaluation Centre (APS) certificate is not generally mandatory for Nigerian applicants. The APS certificate is currently mandatory primarily for students from India, China, Vietnam, and Mongolia. It is a document verification process, not a test.

Do I have to certify my documents before applying to schools ? And if yes where/how can I certify it ? Thanks