If you’re planning to study in Germany, you’ve probably come across Uni-Assist, the centralized platform where many international students submit their university applications. And if you’ve looked into it, you might have heard this line repeated everywhere:
“75 EUR for the first university application and 30 EUR for each additional application within the same semester.”
Sounds simple, right?
Well, it’s technically correct — but confusing in practice.
Let me break it down for you based on my real experience.
My Uni-Assist Story
When I first started applying to German universities, I believed what most YouTubers and websites said —
pay €75 for the first application and then €30 for every next one.
So I thought:
“Great! I’ll pay 75 EUR once, and then it’s just 30 EUR for all my next universities — even if I apply later.”
But I missed the most important part:
‘within the same semester.’
What Does “Within the Same Semester” Actually Mean?
This phrase “within the same semester” doesn’t refer to your academic term at a university — it refers to your intake season.
Germany has two major intakes:
Winter Intake (usually October start)Summer Intake (usually April start)
So when Uni-Assist says “within the same semester,” it basically means “within the same intake.”
My Mistake (And What I Learned)
In my case, I applied late for the Winter Intake because my APS certificate was delayed. I managed to apply to only one course, paying €75 for that single application.
Unfortunately, I didn’t receive an offer — so I decided to reapply in the Summer Intake.
Naturally, I thought I’d pay just €30, since I already paid €75 before. But to my surprise, I had to pay €75 again for my first application in Summer!
After a long chat with ChatGPT (yes, really 😅) and checking Uni-Assist’s official info, I finally understood:
The €75 + €30 rule applies per intake, not per lifetime or per account.
The Real Cost Breakdown (Simplified)
Here’s how the Uni-Assist fee system actually works:
For Winter Intake:
1st application: €752nd, 3rd, etc. applications: +€30 each
For Summer Intake:
Again, 1st application: €75Each additional application: +€30 each
Every new intake resets the cycle. So even if you’ve paid €75 before, you’ll pay it again when applying for the next intake.
Example Scenario
Let’s say:
You apply to 3 universities in Winter 2025
→ You’ll pay 75 + 30 + 30 = 135 EUR
Next, you apply to 2 universities in Summer 2026
→ You’ll pay 75 + 30 = 105 EUR
✅ Total spent: €240
❌ Not €180 (because each intake starts a new cycle)
Why It’s Important to Know This
Many students, especially first-time applicants from countries like India, assume the €75 is a one-time setup fee. But knowing how the fee resets each intake helps you:
- Plan your budget properly
- Apply strategically (try to apply to multiple unis within one intake)
- Avoid unnecessary surprises
- Understand why timing matters — applying earlier in the same intake can save money
Bonus Tip: Save Money with Better Planning
Here are a few personal tips I wish I knew earlier:
Apply to multiple universities in one intake.
It’s cheaper than applying separately across two.
Prepare documents early.
Things like APS, IELTS, and LORs take time — delays can push you into the next intake, which restarts the fee.
Use Uni-Assist’s “My Account” efficiently.
Once verified, you can reuse your documents and apply to multiple universities in just a few clicks.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, it’s a small detail — but it can save you both money and confusion.
Most popular YouTubers don’t explain the “same semester” part clearly, and that’s what tripped me up too.
So here’s the clear takeaway:
🔹 Uni-Assist charges €75 for your first application and €30 for each additional one within the same intake.
🔹 When you move to the next intake (e.g., from Winter to Summer), the cycle resets.
Simple, right? But essential to know before you start applying.
If you found this post helpful, share it with someone planning to study in Germany — it might just save them €75. 😉