Germany Revises University Admission for Chinese Qualifications: 70% in the Gaokao Allows Direct Bachelor’s Entry in Related Subjects from Summer Semester 2027

The Akademische Prüfstelle (APS) at the German Embassy in Beijing has announced that the assessment proposals for Chinese qualifications seeking admission to German universities have changed. They apply to everyone applying with Chinese educational certificates for summer semester 2027 or later, and all APS applications received on or after September 1, 2026 (by signed receipt date) are assessed under the new rules. They are based on proposals adopted by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education (KMK) on June 18, 2026; the APS page states they took effect on September 15, 2026.

New admission rules

• High school graduates who took the Huikao and the gaokao with at least 70% of the gaokao total: direct admission (related subjects).
• High school graduates who took the Huikao and the gaokao with at least 60%: the university entrance assessment exam or a foundation course (related subjects).
• Gaokao at 60% plus at least 2 semesters of a regular four- or five-year full-time bachelor's at a recognised Chinese university: direct admission (related subjects).
• Admission to a recognised Chinese university plus at least 4 completed semesters of a bachelor's there: direct admission (related subjects).
• Gaokao plus a completed three-year full-time college diploma: assessment exam or foundation course (related subjects).
• A bachelor's diploma and degree from a regular four- or five-year full-time program at a recognised Chinese university: direct admission (all subjects).

"Gaokao" means the National College Entrance Examination. The list of recognised Chinese universities is on the APS website.

Special rules

• Vocational bachelor's students and graduates qualify only through their gaokao under the conditions above; without the gaokao, vocational bachelor's study does not confer eligibility.
• Diploma-to-bachelor's upgrade students gain direct admission (related subjects) only after receiving the bachelor's diploma and degree; before that, they can take the assessment exam based on the three-year diploma.
• University students and graduates without a Chinese high school diploma must first obtain a bachelor's diploma and degree.
• Not currently eligible: two-year diploma students and graduates, current three-year diploma students, and adult education students and graduates (including self-study exams and open universities).

The APS process

• Eligible current bachelor's students at Chinese universities who have not yet taken TestAS or an interview can take TestAS instead of the interview; the latest sitting, TestAS 060, is on October 24, 2026, with registration closed on August 14. The fee is RMB 2,500, covering the test and one interview.
• Successful candidates receive a permanent digital APS certificate valid for all German universities; unsuccessful ones are moved to the interview.
• Bachelor's graduates, three-year diploma graduates and students at non-211 universities with fewer than 3 semesters, among others, continue to take the interview.

What it means for students and families

• High school graduates with strong gaokao results may apply directly to related bachelor's subjects in Germany without first studying at a Chinese university or a foundation course; "related subjects" are determined by the APS result and the German university.
• Students planning to start in summer semester 2027 or later and preparing for APS should re-check their eligibility under the new rules.
• Most German bachelor's programs are taught in German, so language and other requirements still apply; check your target university and program.

Sources: Akademische Prüfstelle (APS), Cultural Section of the German Embassy in Beijing: New assessment proposals for university admission; Admission requirements for German universities; TestAS in the general China procedure. Check the official sources for the latest policy.