What is a Zulassungsbescheid and how is it different from a VPD?

A Zulassungsbescheid is the university's admission decision (your admission letter) — it is not a "pre-approval". A VPD (Vorprüfungsdokumentation) is a preliminary review document that uni-assist issues for applications to universities that use the VPD procedure; it is not an admission.

#VPD

• uni-assist documents which certificates you submitted, how it evaluates them and how your grade translates into the German grading system.
• It is only needed for universities that have instructed uni-assist to use the VPD procedure; not every university asks for one.
• It is issued specifically for the university you apply to.
• After you receive it, you still have to apply directly to the university and submit the VPD before the university's deadline.

#Zulassungsbescheid

• It is issued by the university after examining your application; uni-assist does not decide on admission.
• It can be conditional (for example on a language requirement); the conditions for final enrolment are stated in the decision.

#Order of steps

1. Check the university's application route: direct, via uni-assist, or the VPD procedure.
2. For the VPD procedure, get the VPD from uni-assist first, then apply to the university.
3. The university assesses your application and sends its decision (Zulassungsbescheid or rejection).

Source: uni-assist — VPD