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 sometimes feels like big dream, especially with high university fees abroad. But there is a country where you can get good education, job chances, and almost no tuition fees. That country is Germany.

Studying in Germany is a top choice for many international students. Germany has strong universities, many English-taught programs, and often no tuition fees at public universities. This makes it very attractive. Living costs are cheaper in Germany than other big countries. You can work part-time while studying in Germany. This is usually 120 full days or 240 half days per year and after you graduate you can get up to 18 months to search for a job in Germany. Many students find jobs in engineering, computer science, business and natural sciences. Scholarships (like DAAD) and part-time work help with costs. Application rules and deadlines differ by university, and many places use uni-assist or direct online portals. Below are facts, checklists you should check before you apply for Germany.

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Why choose Study in Germany

• High quality public universities and applied sciences (Fachhochschule) with strong links to industry.
• Many programs in English for Master’s and some Bachelor’s; plenty of research options.
• Public universities: usually no tuition for many degree courses, you pay a small semester fee (about €150–€350) that covers admin and sometimes public transport card. Private colleges charge tuition.
• Strong job market for STEM grads and good internship chances. Germany pushes practical training, so you get hands-on experience.

Can I Study in Germany Free?

Many students are surprised that most public universities in Germany don’t ask tuition fees, even if you come from India. There is small semester fee (around €100 to €300) but it covers useful things like public transport and student services. No hidden costs. No big study loans of INR 25 lakh.

This is true for bachelor’s, master’s, and even Ph.D. programs. It is big relief for students and families trying to study abroad without selling things or taking 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.

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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. 

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.

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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