[5] For the third time the title East German Footballer of the year was awarded, going to Horst Weigang of SC Leipzig.
[6] On the strength of the 1964–65 title Vorwärts qualified for the 1965–66 European Cup where the club was knocked out by Manchester United in the first round.
Seventh-placed club SC Aufbau Magdeburg qualified for the 1965–66 European Cup Winners' Cup as the seasons FDGB-Pokal winner and was knocked out by West Ham United in the quarter-finals.
Fourth-placed SC Leipzig qualified for the 1965–66 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup where it was knocked out in the second round by Leeds United.
[7] The 1964–65 season saw two newly promoted clubs, Dynamo Dresden and SC Neubrandenburg.