Studying in Germany: All You Need to Know

Germany is one of the best European countries and a dream destination for students who want to settle in Europe after their studies. Well known for courses in Engineering especially Automotive, getting admission into German Universities can be a huge task. Education is free but there is always a price tag as there is nothing that comes for free. And the price is a good educational background!

Studying abroad can feel like a dream that’s way out of reach, especially with the kind of fees most universities abroad demand. But what if there was a country that offered high-quality education, solid career opportunities, and almost no tuition fees? That’s where Germany quietly stands out.

Over the last few years, more Indian students have started looking at Germany—not just because it’s affordable, but because it actually makes long-term sense. The education system here is strong, life isn’t shockingly expensive, and the student lifestyle? Surprisingly balanced.

If you're planning to build a long-term future in Germany after your studies, understanding the German permanent residency process can help you make informed academic and career choices early on.

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Can I Study in Germany Free? 

One of the first things students are surprised to learn is that most public universities in Germany don’t charge tuition fees—even if you’re coming from India. There’s a small semester fee (usually around €100 to €300), but that covers useful things like public transport and student services. No hidden costs. No INR 25 lakh Study Loans hanging over your head. And it applies to bachelor’s, master’s, and even Ph.D. programs. That’s a huge relief for students and families trying to make study abroad happen without selling assets or taking on debt.

Top Colleges in Germany

The country has produced lots of famous personalities in various fields of Arts, Literature, Philosophy and Media. There are about 70 Universities in Germany classified as Universities and the University of Applied Sciences. Universities: include Technical Universities as well. These are research-oriented and can award Doctorate degrees. Officially there are 13 technical universities. But the group is named TU9 and includes the following:

• RWTH Aachen
• TU Berlin
• TU Braunschweig
• TU Darmstadt
• TU Dresden
• University of Hanover
• University of Karlsruhe
• TU München
• University of Stuttgart
• University of Applied Sciences

Eligibility Requirements for Studying in Germany

Admission requirements are set very high by the German Universities. For UG courses as much as 90% is expected for admission. Also, students need to either complete 1 year of Bachelors's study in India, appear for IITJEE or Fa exam to be eligible to apply for a UG course in Germany. In addition to this students need to appear for IELTS or TOEFL to prove their efficiency in the language.

For PG courses: students are expected to have at least 70-75% from a reputed Indian University. They are also required to appear for GRE (by some Universities) and a score of above 300 should do the needful. Also, it can boost a student's profile if he or she appears for the course even though the University has not requested it. IELTS (6.0) or TOEFL (100) is also required.

The courses meant for international students are called International study programmes and are taught in English. Hence, students looking for courses exclusively in English must look under the section specified above for their course or under ‘Internationals'. Unless a student has sound knowledge of the German language no point in opting for courses taught in German otherwise. Some courses also have the option of doing a dissertation in German for which students need to prove their efficiency in German beforehand.

The students willing to learn German must do it through certified sources and in India students need to contact only Max Muller Bhavan and clear TesDaf. The level to be cleared is generally specified on the University website as it depends on what percentage of classes are conducted in German.

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Fees and Living Costs

Education in Germany is tuition-free at most Universities. The Public universities in Germany charge for per semester about €100 to €350 Euros which is utilized for the University's development, lab and such facilities. As per the cost of studying in Germany keeping the rate of inflation in mind, the mandatory amount required in the Blocked Account for studying in Germany is €11,904 for an entire year or €992 for a month. This would include your accommodation, living expenses, and even travel pass costs.

Also Read: Must-Know Changes for Students in Germany in 2025

Application Process to German Universities 

There are two intakes in a year for admission in Sep/Oct and in March/April. The application and visa process in total takes about 9 months so students need to plan accordingly. The deadline for Sep/Oct intake is 15 Jan and for March /April intake is 15 July. Hence, an early application is highly recommended.

Once the University receives the application it may take about 3-4 months to inform students of the outcome. Not all Universities may intimate, if the application is incomplete or lacking any documents, hence it is recommended that students send all the requested documents in one go to avoid any last-minute issues.

The students have two options for making an application. They can either apply directly or take help from UNI ASSIST. UNI ASSIST charges Euro 55 for their service of applying to 2-3 Universities. An additional Euro 15 per University for further applications. UNI ASSIST assists students with its partner Universities only.

Further Reading

Internships & Job Opportunities

Work during and after Studies: Students are allowed to work part-time for 90 full days or 180 days in a year. A graduate is allowed to stay in Germany for 18-24 months depending on his course to look for a job. Once they find a job they can convert their student permit to a residence permit for taking gainful employment. Once a student studies at the top universities in Berlin and other German cities, he/she has access to an excellent job market and employment opportunities. Read: Safety Tips for International Students in Germany

Popular Courses in Germany