How to Study Bachelor's in Germany for Free
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Studying a Bachelor's degree in Germany can be a great opportunity for Indian students. Germany is becoming one of the top choices for Indian students who are planning to study abroad. The Bachelor's degree in Germany usually takes 3 to 4 years and is offered by many public universities.
A Bachelor's in Germany is a good option for Indian students who want to study abroad but don’t want to spend too much money. Most public universities in Germany do not charge any tuition fees. This makes Germany one of the most affordable countries to study in.
Bachelor’s in Germany mainly includes programs in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), along with business, economics, and social sciences. Germany offers quality education and is also known for its practical learning system. Students doing a Bachelor’s in Germany can also take part in internships and part-time jobs while studying. These opportunities help students gain real-world skills.
Students planning to study in Germany must know the eligibility rules, application process, and the documents required for a Bachelor’s degree in Germany.
Read: Why Study in Germany?
- Top-Ranking Bachelor's Universities in Germany
- Popular Bachelor's Courses in Germany
- Eligibility Requirements to Study a Bachelor's in Germany
- What is Studienkolleg?
- Language Requirements to Study Bachelor's in Germany
- English-Taught Bachelor’s Courses in Germany (Free)
- Documents Required for Bachelor’s Application in Germany
- Cost of Studying in Germany
Top-Ranking Bachelor's Universities in Germany
Here are some of the top universities in Germany offering Bachelor's courses. These are based on QS Rankings 2026.
| German Universities |
QS World University Rankings 2026 |
QS World University Rankings 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Technical University of Munich (Munich, Germany) |
22 |
28 |
| Ludwig Maximilians University Munich (Munich, Germany) |
58 |
59 |
| (Heidelberg, Germany) |
80 |
84 |
| (Berlin, Germany) |
88 |
97 |
| (Aachen, Germany) |
105 |
99 |
| Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) (Karlsruhe, Germany) |
98 |
102 |
| (Berlin, Germany) |
130 |
126 |
| Technical University of Berlin (TUB) (Berlin, Germany) |
145 |
147 |
| (Hamburg, Germany) |
193 |
191 |
| Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg (Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany) |
201 |
212 |
| University of Tuebingen (Tübingen, Germany) |
215 |
222 |
Related Reads: Admission Deadlines for German Universities
Popular Bachelor's Courses in Germany
Here are some of the most popular Bachelor’s programs in Germany and the universities that offer them:
| Course |
Top Universities |
|---|---|
| TUM, RWTH Aachen, LMU Munich |
|
| RWTH Aachen, TU Berlin |
|
| Bachelor's in Data Science |
LMU Munich, University of Mannheim |
| Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering |
KIT, TU Berlin |
| Frankfurt School, Mannheim University |
|
| TUM, Saarland University |
|
| LMU Munich, University of Bonn |
Most of these courses are technical or STEM programs, but Germany also has good management and humanities courses.
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Eligibility Requirements to Study a Bachelor's in Germany
To apply for a Bachelor's program in Germany, international students are required to have completed 13 years of formal education. However, in India, students complete 12 years of schooling (up to Class 12), which creates a one-year academic gap as per German university standards.
To bridge this gap, Indian students can choose from a few pathways to become eligible for a Bachelor's program in Germany.
What is Studienkolleg?
Studienkolleg is a course that helps Indian students complete the extra 1 year of education needed for Germany. It prepares students for the German university system. You can choose from 5 types of courses based on what you want to study:
| Course Type |
For Students Interested In |
|---|---|
| T-Kurs |
Engineering, Maths, Technology |
| M-Kurs |
Medicine, Biology |
| W-Kurs |
Business, Economics |
| G-Kurs |
Literature, History |
| S-Kurs |
Language, Culture |
There are 2 kinds of Studienkolleg:
- For public universities (Universität), it is a better choice as you can apply to all universities
- For applied sciences universities (Fachhochschule), you can only apply to the applied sciences.
Public vs Private Studienkolleg
You can choose between a public or private Studienkolleg. Below is the difference:
| Feature |
Public |
Private |
|---|---|---|
| Fees |
Free |
INR 5-10 lakhs |
| Language |
Mostly in German |
Often in English |
| Admission |
Hard, fewer seats |
Easy, more seats |
| Recognition |
Accepted everywhere |
Must be checked |
Students planning to join a private Studienkolleg must confirm whether their course is recognized by target universities, especially if they plan to apply to public universities later.
Read Details: German Student Visa 2025
Language Requirements to Study Bachelor's in Germany
Most public universities and Studienkollegs need German language knowledge. Usually, you need an A2 level, but it’s better to have a B1 level.
Some Bachelor's programs in Germany are in English, but many are in German. Since most Bachelor's programs in Germany are taught in German, it is highly recommended to develop proficiency in the language, especially for public university programs.
Also read- Is German Language Compulsory to Study in Germany?
English-Taught Bachelor’s Courses in Germany (Free)
There are some Bachelor’s programs in Germany in English and with no tuition fees. But they are limited.
How to Find Them
- Go to MyGuide.de
- Select filters:
- Language - English
- Degree Type - Bachelor's
- Tuition Fees - No tuition fees
According to recent data, there are about 416 English-taught Bachelor's programs in Germany. Out of which 173 are offered in public universities in Germany that are completely free of tuition fees.
Also read- List of Universities in Germany that Teach in English
Documents Required for Bachelor’s Application in Germany
To apply for a Bachelor's program in Germany, students generally need:
- Class 10 and 12 marksheets
- Passport
- German or English language test scores
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
- Entrance exam result, if needed
Also read- DAAD Scholarships: Eligibility, Benefits, Duration
Cost of Studying in Germany
If you go to public universities, there is no tuition fee. You only need to pay a small semester fee and your living expenses, which are around INR 6 to INR 8 lakhs per year.
If you choose a private Studienkolleg, the cost is higher - around INR 5 to INR 10 lakhs just for the 1-year foundation course.
However, studying a Bachelor's in Germany is much cheaper than in other countries like the USA or the UK. Here is the average cost:
| Item |
Average Cost (Per Year) |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (Public Universities) |
€0 (Free) |
| Semester Fees |
€250 - €350 |
| Living Expenses |
€8,000 - €10,000 |
| Health Insurance |
€100/month |
| Studienkolleg (Public) |
Free (semester fee only) |
| Studienkolleg (Private) |
INR 5 to INR 10 lakhs (full year) |
You can also do part-time work (120 full days or 240 half days per year), which helps cover living costs.
Check: Cost of Studying in Germany
Some of the reasons to study at the University of Europe for Applied Sciences are:
- UE Germany is one of the most diverse student bodies in Europe with students from more than 100 nationalities represented on campus
- Students at the university are globally connected through international projects, innovative digital learning projects or by directly interacting with international fellow students
- Offers a practice-oriented degree
The documents required in the visa process for Indian students at PFH Private University of Applied Sciences, Germany include:
- German national visa application form (2 completed and signed copies).
- Passport valid for at least three months from the date of the visa appointment with at least two blank pages (2 copies of the passport's bio page).
- Letter of acceptance from the university specifying the language of instruction.
- Proof of financial resources to cover expenses while studying in Germany.
- Health insurance coverage.
- Academic records and qualifications.
- Language proficiency certificates.
- Any other important documents as requested by the embassy or consulate.
Pick your stage and get free guidance from counsellors who've helped thousands get into top universities.
Starting research
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Exam preparation
SOP/LOR writing
Scholarship & finance
Visa application
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae
There is no fixed percentage, but it's better to have at least 70% marks in Class 12. Some top universities and technical courses like engineering may ask for 75–80% or more. Also, they may check your marks in specific subjects like maths or science. Higher marks give you a better chance of getting admission in Bachelor's in Germany.