Application Documents

For your first-choice preference, please include a cover letter (max. 1–1.5 pages) with your application. It should include:

1. On your motivation

• a paragraph explaining your academic reasons for wanting to study abroad. If you are applying for a Baden-Württemberg program, please also list your (ideally three) preferred universities or campuses for placement within the Baden-Württemberg program.
• one paragraph on your personal interest in the study abroad program
• if releveant a paragraph on other aspects of your motivation

2. Your study plan

• listing different courses you would be interested in, preferably in tabular form
• If you are applying to a Baden-Württemberg program: Please list here your (preferably three) preferred universities/campuses for placement within the Baden-Württemberg program. List your study plans for your first-choice university or campus;
• If applying to one of the following Japanese universities, please also specify your preferred program here—i.e., for Kyoto University: KUINE/GEA/GESR; for NAIST: Special Research Student/Special Auditing Student; for Osaka University: FrontierLab/OUSSEP/iExPO/Maple; for Tohoku University: JYPE/IPLA/DEEP/COLABS

Please structure your statement of purpose clearly according to the sections listed above. In doing so, discuss your motivation, your goals, and your plans while there. You do not need to refer to previous experiences in your resume or your personal qualifications in the statement of purpose.

For your additional priorities 2–5, a detailed statement of purpose is not required. However, we expect a brief description of your study plans

• listing different courses you would be interested in, preferably in tabular form
• If you are applying for a Baden-Württemberg program, please also list here your (preferably three) preferred universities or campuses for placement within the state program.
• If you are applying to one of the following Japanese universities, please also specify the desired program here—i.e., for Kyoto University: KUINE/GEA/GESR; for NAIST: Special Research Student/Special Auditing Student; for Osaka University: FrontierLab/OUSSEP/iExPO/Maple; for Tohoku University: JYPE/IPLA/DEEP/COLABS

• in tabular form

1. General Information

• Please indicate the language(s) of instruction for your desired courses in the online application.
• You must provide appropriate credentials for the languages of instruction.
• If you plan to take courses taught in English, please submit credentials demonstrating your English proficiency. Credentials for demonstrating English proficiency can be provided in the form of a TOEFL test, a DAAD language certificate, or NEW: a Duolingo English Test (DET). The following table outlines the options available for demonstrating your English proficiency.

• Proof of proficiency in the local language is sometimes required by partner universities and is always an advantage. It may be submitted in English or in the target language.
• All language proficiency certificates can be uploaded via the application portal. It is not required to submit original paper copies. However, you may need them later on in the process, so it might make sense to keep them safe.
• Please also note the application requirements (which may be higher in some cases) of the respective partner university when applying. 

2. TOEFL

• Preparation options: Preparation course at the Language Center
• Register in a timely manner: Please check with ETS well in advance for available dates and take your TOEFL iBT test in a timely manner. Test slots can fill up quickly, so early registration is advisable. You are also welcome to use the iBT Home Edition. However, the TOEFL iBT Home Edition is not accepted by all partner universities. Please verify the requirements at your preferred university.
• Submitting Score Reports: ETS makes TOEFL scores available electronically approximately 6–16 days after the test date. Please be sure to upload your electronic score report to our application portal. In addition, you can have your score sent to the International Students Office via Data Manager using the “Institutional Code” 0683.
• You also have the option of requesting an original (paper) TOEFL certificate. You do not need this for the first internal application process with the IStO. However, it may prove helpful or be required later on, so you should keep it in a safe place.
• Information and Registration: TOEFL iBT Test Resources – Answers to Your FAQs
• Cost: approx. $250 (as of Fall 2025)

3. DAAD Language Certificate

• Can be taken at the KIT Language Center for a small fee. 
• Dates are limited, and spots fill up quickly, especially right before application deadlines, so early registration is recommended.
• This is what the certificate you’ll receive looks like.
• Information and registration: KIT - Language Center - Tests & Exams - Language Test - DAAD/Erasmus
• Cost: approx. 35€ (as of Feb 2026)

4. NEW: Duolingo English Test (DET)

• Online language test, no appointment required
• Information and registration: Duolingo English Test
• Cost: approx. 70€ (as of Feb 2026)

• Make sure that the transcript includes an overall grade.
• Master’s students must submit their transcripts for both the bachelor’s and master’s phases of their studies. Please combine the transcripts into a single PDF file (max. 5 MB). Please also submit your most recent transcript even if it does not yet contain any grades.

Regarding the number:

Regarding Content and Form:

• Academic letters of recommendation may be issued by professors or PhD graduates.
• This recommendation letter template may be used to draft the letter, provided there are no other requirements from the partner university.
• On the letterhead of the issuing institute or institution
• If you are applying to multiple exchange programs, the letter of recommendation should be kept general enough, without reference to a specific host university.
• It is recommended that you specify the desired department at the host university and then obtain the letter of recommendation from the relevant KIT field. This may be particularly relevant if you are enrolled in an interdisciplinary degree program at KIT.

Regarding submission:

• Letters of recommendation are confidential. They can be sent directly by the author to overseas∂intl KIT edu. (Sending the original by mail is no longer necessary.)
• In general, letters of recommendation may also be submitted via email as usual before you begin the application process.
• Please refrain from contacting the secretary’s office with any questions.