Master's in Germany, the Netherlands and Italy: which portal, in what order.
European public universities don't share one application system. Each country has its own route, and each university sets its own deadline. Here is the order of steps for a Pakistani student applying for a master's.
Checked October 2026 · deadlines vary by university · 6 minute read
Germany: uni-assist, then the university
Many German universities send international applications through uni-assist, which checks the documents before the university sees them. Some ask uni-assist for a preliminary review (VPD) that the student then uploads to the university's own portal; others take applications directly. The programme page says which.
- Allow several weeks for uni-assist to process documents before the university's deadline.
- Winter-semester deadlines are often in mid-July, but many programmes close much earlier. Use the programme's own date.
- Whether a degree qualifies for a master's is judged against Germany's anabin database of foreign qualifications.
The Netherlands: Studielink, then the university
Students register for the programme in Studielink, the national system, then complete the university's own application with documents and a motivation letter. Universities often set earlier deadlines for students from outside the EU, to leave time for the residence permit, which the university applies for on the student's behalf once they are admitted.
Italy: the university, then Universitaly
The student applies to the university first, often through a pre-evaluation on its own portal. A student who needs a visa then completes pre-enrolment on Universitaly, which the Italian embassy reviews before the visa appointment. Deadlines vary widely between universities, and many open for non-EU students early in the year.
Documents most programmes ask for
- Bachelor's transcript and degree certificate, often with HEC attestation for Pakistani degrees.
- English test results, and sometimes GRE or GMAT for business and economics programmes.
- A motivation letter written for the programme, and a CV.
- Passport, and for some programmes references or a portfolio.
Polaris tracks each route
Each application records how it goes in: uni-assist, Studielink, Universitaly or the university's portal. The checklist follows the route, programme facts come from the Knowledge Base with their sources, and scholarships and housing sit beside the shortlist.
Quick answers.
What is uni-assist?
A service many German universities use to check international applicants' documents before the university decides. Some universities take applications directly instead; the programme page says which route applies.
Do Pakistani students apply to Dutch universities through Studielink?
Yes. Students register for the programme in Studielink and then complete the university's own application. The university applies for the residence permit once the student is admitted.
What is Universitaly pre-enrolment?
A step for students who need an Italian study visa: after applying to the university, they complete pre-enrolment on Universitaly, which the Italian embassy reviews before the visa appointment.
Sources: uni-assist.de, studielink.nl and universitaly.it, checked October 2026. Each university sets its own requirements and deadlines; confirm on the programme's own page before a student applies.