Do Vietnamese Students Need Both APS and Translation for Germany?

💡 Yes, you need both: a certified translation of your Vietnamese academic documents AND an APS certificate from the German Embassy in Hanoi. They are not interchangeable. The certified translation makes your documents readable in English or German; APS verifies your credentials are genuine. Translation comes first - you cannot apply to APS without it.

The direct answer: you need both, and order matters

Many Vietnamese students wonder whether APS verification replaces the need for a certified translation of their Vietnamese diploma, or whether translation alone is sufficient. Neither is correct. APS and certified translation serve different purposes and must happen in the right sequence.

The APS (Akademische Prüfstelle), run by the German Embassy in Hanoi, examines whether your Vietnamese school and university qualifications are genuine and equivalent to German educational standards. To do that, APS staff must be able to read your documents - which means your transcripts and diplomas must already be in English or German before you apply. That is exactly what the certified translation provides.

What is APS and why does Germany require it for Vietnamese students?

APS stands for Akademische Prüfstelle (Academic Testing Centre). Germany requires it for applicants who completed all or part of their education in Vietnam, China, or India, because German universities need independent verification of academic credentials from those countries before making admissions decisions.

The APS process includes a document review and an in-person academic interview in Hanoi. For Vietnamese applicants, APS interviews are held twice a year - in May and in November. The APS Vietnam office is at the German Embassy, 29 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi. Processing takes 6 to 8 weeks and costs €240. An APS certificate is valid indefinitely and accepted by German universities through uni-assist, as well as Austrian and Swiss equivalent bodies. PhD applicants who hold a formal supervision agreement or direct doctoral admission are generally exempt from APS.

What certified translation does APS actually need?

For your APS application, the standard package includes certified translations of your high school diploma and transcript, and - if you completed university studies in Vietnam - your university degree and transcripts too. Each document requires a certified true copy plus a certified translation in English or German.

APS accepts both English and German translations. You do not need a German-language translation specifically for APS. A well-prepared certified Vietnamese academic document translation in English, covering your diploma, transcripts, and supporting certificates, satisfies the APS requirement and can be reused for English-medium universities and visa applications afterward. Every translation must be complete and format-faithful, with a signed translator's certificate of accuracy accompanying each document.

The correct order: translation, then APS, then university application

Here is the sequence most Vietnamese students follow when applying to German universities:

• Obtain certified true copies of your diplomas and transcripts from a Vietnamese notary office (van phong cong chung) or People's Committee. These are government-issued - a translator does not issue them.
• Commission certified English or German translations of those certified copies from a qualified certified translator.
• Submit the certified copies and translations to APS Vietnam with your completed application form and €240 fee - well before the May or November interview window.
• Attend the APS academic interview in Hanoi and receive your APS certificate, approximately 6 to 8 weeks after the interview.
• Apply to German universities through uni-assist or directly, submitting your APS certificate, certified translations, and originals as required.

For guidance on when to certify the copy versus when to translate, see our guide on whether to certify the copy before or after translation.

Will the September 2026 apostille rule change your APS application?

Vietnam joins the Hague Apostille Convention on 11 September 2026. From that date, a single apostille from Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs replaces the multi-step consular legalization chain for documents going to Hague member states, including Germany.

An apostille authenticates the official seal on the original document - it does not translate the document and does not replace APS verification. Some German universities or visa authorities require original Vietnamese documents to carry an apostille in addition to the certified translation and APS certificate. Check the specific requirement of your target institution. For the full picture of what changes in September 2026, see our apostille vs consular legalization guide. For more on academic documents, see certified Vietnamese diploma and transcript translation and our study-abroad certified translation guide.

Ready to prepare your translations before the next APS window? Request a quote for certified Vietnamese academic translation and give yourself enough time.

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