Study in Germany

With courses taught in both German and English, Germany combines academic excellence with a rich cultural experience, making it a top destination for international students seeking a high-quality education

Often referred to as the 'land of poets and thinkers', Germany is home to many renowned musicians, writers, scientists, and philosophers. If you choose to study here, there is plenty to see and do, with a wide range of landmarks, museums, and libraries to explore. Main attractions in the country include the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, the Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig, the Germanic National Museum in Nuremberg, and Cologne Cathedral.

The country is known for its hospitality, offering visitors the chance to enjoy a beer and bratwurst (grilled sausage) as they take part in the annual Bavarian folk festival Oktoberfest.

Alternatively, you can marvel at the light projections and video art of the Festival of Lights in Berlin or be enchanted by a performance at the Black Table Magic Theatre in Aachen. And if you're around for the festive period, you must sample the delights of the Christmas markets in cities such as Cologne, Frankfurt, and Hamburg.

By choosing to study in Germany, you'll benefit from a generous fee system and have the perfect opportunity to learn one of the world's most spoken languages.

German universities

Germany is home to more than 380 higher education institutions, which collectively offer around 20,000 study programmes. Of the impressive 48 featured in the QS World University Rankings 2025, three appear in the top 100:

Technical University of Munich (28th)
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (59th)
Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg (84th).

Almost 95% of students in Germany are based within the public university system.

Irrespective of whether the institution is public or private, it will fall under one of the following categories:

Universities - courses are academically focused and offered in a variety of subjects at Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate level. Specialist institutions such as technical universities dedicated to engineering and natural sciences, as well as colleges of education, are also part of this group.
Universities of Applied Science (UAS) - UAS institutions offer practical courses in fields such as technology, economics, medicine, and social work up to Masters level. These courses are designed to prepare students for the workplace.
Colleges of Art, Film, and Music - These specialist colleges cater to students of creative disciplines and have varying entry requirements. While genuine talent is a prerequisite, candidates may also need to pass an entrance exam and/or present a portfolio.

Some universities and UAS institutions also offer dual qualifications, where you'll sign a contract with a company and split your time between studying and working. However, you'll need a good grasp of German to pursue this type of programme.

ESMT Berlin

The top ranked business school in Germany and our graduates have gone on to form Germany's most international alumni network.

EU Business School

EU - a triple-accredited, multicampus, international business school offers innovative Bachelor, Master and Doctorate of Business Administration programmes.

Institute for Law and Finance

With more than 48,000 students, 7,600 of which are international, the ILF is a centre for academic excellence in teaching and research.

Degree courses in Germany

The academic year in Germany is divided into two semesters - summer and winter. The summer semester runs from April to September, while the winter semester runs from October to March. Lectures typically end in late July, and there are breaks for Christmas and other holidays.

Study programmes in Germany are similar to those in the UK. Undergraduate degrees are available as Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), and Bachelor of Engineering (BEng), and generally require a minimum of three years to complete. You can study full time or part time, and many universities offer online or distance learning options.

While most undergraduate courses are taught in German, there are also plenty of English-speaking options available.

To pursue higher education in Germany, you will generally need:

A-levels or equivalent qualifications
proof of language proficiency (if required)
evidence of financial support throughout your studies
health insurance.

For specific entry requirements, you can visit the international student office (akademische auslandsamt) at the university you want to apply to or check the database of admissions requirements provided by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

You can search for a Bachelors course in Germany by using DAAD's international programme database.

Masters degrees

German Masters degrees are similar to those in the UK as they use titles such as Master of Arts (MA), Master of Laws (LLM), and Master of Science (MSc).

Masters courses typically last for one to two years and are delivered through taught modules, including lectures, seminars, and independent research, followed by a final project or dissertation. Afterwards, you will be assessed based on an oral presentation of your thesis.

In contrast to the UK, Germany uses a five-point grading system for awarding Masters degrees, ranging from 1.0 for the best to 4.0 for those who narrowly pass the course. A grade of 5.0 signifies a fail.

Universities now also provide European Credits Transfer System (ECTS) grades alongside the German grade, with a Masters degree usually worth 120 ECTS.

There are two pathways to Masters study:

Consecutive Masters degrees - These follow on from a closely related undergraduate degree, such as studying for an MSc in biochemistry after completing a BSc in biology.
Non-consecutive Masters degrees - These involve taking your qualification in another direction, which may require professional work experience and your undergraduate degree to be accepted.

Explore Masters courses in Germany by searching DAAD's international programme database.

PhDs

Around 30,000 students a year study for their PhD in Germany, in one of two formats:

Individual PhDs - This traditional path is taken by three-quarters of all PhD students, as you can tailor your research to suit your needs. You can choose to study at a university, research organisation or in industry, and are responsible for identifying and securing a supervisor. Individual PhDs usually take between three and five years to complete, but they have no set deadlines or attendance requirements.
Structured PhDs - This type of PhD is modelled around a curriculum, involves intense supervision and includes learning and development to help you improve your soft skills and research methods. Again, structured PhDs typically last from three to five years.

To apply for an individual PhD, you'll need to get in touch with potential supervisors directly with a research proposal. Structured PhD applicants should contact their institution's registration office and begin the standard application process. As in the UK, it's likely you'll require a Masters degree.

To find out more, see the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research's Research in Germany site - info for PhD students.

You can also visit the DAAD higher education database to search for PhD courses in Germany.

Student exchanges

The Turing Scheme, which is backed by over £100 million of funding, allows thousands of students from schools, colleges, and universities to gain study and work experience abroad.

The programme prioritises students from disadvantaged backgrounds and individuals with special needs. Make sure to verify if your institution is participating in the programme and offers the Turing Scheme.

Course fees

Every year, Germany attracts over 380,000 international students. One of the main reasons is that most publicly funded universities are free to attend, with the exception of a small semester contribution of up to €350 (£297) to cover basic administrative and registration costs.

However, the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg charges a fee of €1,500 (£1,270) per semester for non-EU students. Some universities may also charge tuition fees for students enrolling in non-consecutive Masters courses, although this is rare.

Private universities have the autonomy to set their own tuition fees, with some institutions charging around €30,000 (£25,415) per year.

When budgeting for studying in Germany, international students need to consider the cost of living. Under current law, international students need at least €11,208 (£9,495) per year in their bank account to cover their first year. This amount is based on the recommended monthly allowance of €934 per month (£791) to cover accommodation, food, transport, and other expenses. It's worth noting that living costs will be higher in large cities such as Berlin, Frankfurt, or Munich.

Read more about the finances you'll need at Studying in Germany - What does it cost to study in Germany?

Funding to study in Germany

In Germany, various organisations offer needs and merit-based scholarships and grants, such as federal states, foundations, religious organisations, and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

To explore funding options and find ideas, visit Study in Germany - Funding.

Additionally, contact the consulate or embassy in your home country for more information about available scholarships and how to apply. You can also search for scholarships using the database at DAAD - Finding scholarships.

Student visas

If you're a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA) - this includes EU member states as well as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein - you won't need a visa to study in Germany, as long as you:

are studying for more than three months
are enrolled at an approved university/other educational institution
have sufficient income (from any source) to live without needing income support
have comprehensive health insurance cover.

For those that require a visa, including those from the UK, there are three types:

German Student Visa - the standard student visa for international students who've been admitted to a German university and are about to begin a full-time programme.
German Student Applicant Visa - if you need to physically be in Germany to apply for university admission, this visa enables you to stay in the country during the application process.
German Language Course Visa - for those looking to study a German language course in the country.

To discover what you'll need to apply, see Studying in Germany – German student visa.

Students from outside the EEA must obtain a residence visa. This can be done from the German consulate or embassy in your home country for a fixed fee of €75 (£63.50). Within two weeks of arriving in Germany, you must register with the Aliens Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde) and the local registration office to obtain a residency permit.

Contact the German embassy or consulate in your home country before applying to find out which visa you need and how to apply. UK residents should visit the German Embassy in London. The approval process can be lengthy, so it's best to submit your visa application at least three months in advance.

Read more about German student visa requirements and the application process at SchengenVisaInfo.com - Student visa.

How to apply

To apply to universities in Germany, you'll need to contact them directly as there is no centralised application system. Some universities use a service called Uni-Assist to handle international applications, so it's a good idea to check if your university is part of this system. You can apply to as many universities as you'd like at the same time.

To apply, you'll need to fill out an application form, which can be found online or by contacting the university's registration office and submit it along with the required documents. Typically, this includes transcripts of your education and any necessary language certificates. If your application is successful, you may be asked to attend an interview or complete skills testing.

Deadlines for applications vary between institutions, as each university operates independently. As a general guideline, if you're looking to start a course in the summer, aim to submit your application by mid-January. For courses starting in the winter, aim for mid-July.

Language requirements

If you are a native English speaker and want to pursue a Masters degree in Germany, you will find many universities that offer courses taught in English. In this case, you won't need to prove your English proficiency.

If you are interested in enrolling in a course delivered in German, you will need to take one of the country's two recognised tests:

TestDaF - TestDaF examinations are available several times a year. The cost of taking the TestDaF in Germany is €195 (£165). It is cheaper in other countries, but you should ensure that you take the test well in advance to receive your results on time, as the process can take up to six weeks (compared to four weeks with the digital test). For exact exam dates, visit TestDaF.de.
DSH - the DSH can only be taken at German universities and it assesses your proficiency and suitability for university study. Costs vary between institutions.

If you need to demonstrate your grasp of English, you can do so through the TOEFL and IELTS tests.

Comparison to UK qualifications

German higher education qualifications are directly comparable to those offered in the UK, as both countries adhere to the European Bologna Process system. This ensures that course standards are equivalent across 49 participating European countries.

You should not have any trouble explaining your German or UK qualifications to universities or future employers. For more information on having your qualifications recognised, visit ENIC-NARIC.

Find out more

Discover what it's like to work in Germany.
Visit the official Study in Germany page.
Get more information at Erudera and Studying in Germany.