Everything you need — from university applications and visa processes to scholarships, language requirements, and student life in Germany's top cities.
Top public & private universities ranked by subject
Student visa requirements & application steps
DAAD, Erasmus & other funding opportunities
Admission documents and eligibility criteria
Monthly budgets across German cities
German language levels, exams & resources
Housing, healthcare, transport & culture
Answers to the most common questions
Germany has over 400 accredited universities. Most public universities charge no tuition fees — only a semester contribution of €150–€350.
One of Germany's top universities and a global leader in engineering, natural sciences and technology. Strong industry connections with BMW, Siemens and more.
One of Germany's oldest and most prestigious universities with 42 Nobel Prize winners among its faculty and alumni.
Germany's oldest university, renowned for research excellence. Beautiful campus in one of Germany's most picturesque cities.
A leading research university in Germany's capital with very strong international connections and a vibrant campus in Berlin-Dahlem.
Formed by the merger of Universität Karlsruhe and Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe — a powerhouse of engineering and technology research.
Germany's largest technical university. Renowned for engineering excellence and industry partnerships with automotive leaders.
*Tuition-free for public universities. Semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) applies. View all 400+ universities →
Non-EU students need a student visa or residence permit to study in Germany. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the process.
Apply and receive an official admission letter (Zulassungsbescheid) from a German university. This is the most critical document — you cannot apply for a student visa without it.
Prove you can financially support yourself. You must deposit €11,904 per year (€992/month) into a German blocked account. Providers include Fintiba, Expatrio, and Deutsche Bank.
You must have valid health insurance coverage for Germany. Public insurance (TK, AOK, Barmer) is recommended. Private travel insurance is only accepted for short stays.
Schedule an appointment at the German Embassy or Consulate in your home country. Book early — appointments can be booked out 2–3 months in advance.
Attend your visa interview. Bring all required documents. The interview tests your German or English proficiency and your motivation to study in Germany.
Within 2 weeks of arriving in Germany, register your address at the local Residents' Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) and then apply for your Residence Permit.
⏱️ Processing Time
Allow 6–12 weeks for visa processing. Apply at least 3 months before your semester starts.
Germany offers numerous scholarships for international students. Many are need-based or merit-based — and the applications are free.
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is the world's largest funding organization for international student exchange. Covers tuition, living expenses, travel & more.
Government and private sector co-funded scholarship. Apply directly through your university. Based on academic excellence and social engagement.
For students from EU partner countries. Covers exchange semesters in Germany with additional travel grants and language course support.
Politically close to the Green Party. Supports students committed to democracy, ecology and human rights. Includes a comprehensive network of fellow scholars.
Christian democratic orientation. One of the most generous scholarships in Germany. Supports leadership-minded students across all subjects.
Specifically for Muslim students in Germany. Supports academic excellence and community engagement. Applications open twice per year.
Requirements vary by university and program level. Here's a comprehensive overview for each degree level.
Your Abitur equivalent from your home country. Must be evaluated by the German anabin database or KMK. Some countries' certificates directly qualify, others require a foundation year (Studienkolleg).
For German-taught programs: DSH-2 or TestDaF TDN 4. For English-taught programs: IELTS 6.0+ or TOEFL iBT 80+. Check individual university requirements.
Many programs have restricted admission with a grade cutoff (Numerus Clausus). Popular programs like medicine have very high NCs. Check each program's NC value.
Some universities require aptitude tests (e.g. TestAS for international students). TestAS covers core competencies and subject-specific reasoning.
School transcripts (officially translated), passport copy, language certificate, APS certificate (required for Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese students), and motivation letter.
If your school certificate isn't recognized directly, you may need to complete a 1-year preparatory course (Studienkolleg) before entering a Bachelor's program.
A recognized Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject with a minimum GPA. Most programs require a final grade of "Good" (2.5 on German scale or equivalent).
English programs: IELTS 6.5–7.0 or TOEFL iBT 90+. German programs: DSH-2, TestDaF TDN 4, or Goethe-Zertifikat C1.
A detailed motivation letter explaining your academic background, research interests, and why you've chosen that specific program and university.
Typically 2 academic letters of recommendation from professors who can speak to your academic ability and research potential.
Some programs, especially in business and sciences at private universities, may require GRE or GMAT scores. Most public universities do not require these.
Some professional Master's programs require relevant work experience (typically 1–3 years). Research-oriented programs generally do not.
A Master's degree (or equivalent) with above-average grades. Some research positions (Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter) can be obtained with a strong Bachelor's.
A detailed research proposal or exposé (10–20 pages) outlining your planned research topic, methodology, and expected outcomes.
In Germany, you must find a professor (Doktorvater/Doktormutter) willing to supervise your dissertation before formal enrollment is possible.
Prior research experience or publications are a strong advantage, though not always required for a first PhD application.
Most PhD students in Germany are employed as research assistants (paid positions). Apply for DAAD or DFG funding, or look for advertised PhD positions on academics.de.
Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang. Levels DSH-1 (basic), DSH-2 (standard admission), DSH-3 (advanced). Offered by universities in Germany.
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache. Scored TDN 3–5 per skill. Most universities require TDN 4 in all four areas. Offered worldwide at certified test centers.
Official German language certificate from the Goethe Institute. C1 or C2 required for most university programs. Accepted by most public universities.
International English Language Testing System. Score of 6.0–6.5 required for most programs. 7.0 for competitive master's. Academic version required.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (Internet-Based). Score 80–100 required. Some top universities require 100+. Valid for 2 years.
Accepted by a growing number of German universities. Score of 100–110 required. Cheaper and faster than TOEFL/IELTS, taken from home.
Germany is affordable for students, especially compared to UK or USA. Here's a breakdown of typical monthly expenses.
The Common European Framework (CEFR) defines 6 language levels. Most university programs require at least B2 in German, or C1 for some programs.
Basic greetings, numbers, simple phrases. ~150 hours of study.
Simple everyday conversations, shopping, directions. ~200 hours.
Can handle most situations while traveling. Required for some programs. ~350 hours.
Fluent conversation on abstract topics. Required for most German programs. ~500 hours.
Academic and professional fluency. Required for medical & law degrees. ~650 hours.
Near-native fluency. Understands virtually everything. ~800+ hours.
Germany offers an exceptional quality of life for students. Here's what to expect when you arrive.
Apply for student dormitories (Studentenwohnheim) through the Studentenwerk. Waiting lists can be long in big cities — apply early. WG (shared apartments) are a popular alternative.
Germany has an excellent public health system. Students under 30 pay just ~€110/month for comprehensive public health insurance (TK, AOK, Barmer). Doctor visits are free with the Gesundheitskarte.
Most universities include a Semesterticket in the semester contribution — giving you free or cheap use of buses, trams, U-Bahn & regional trains. The Deutschlandticket (€49/month) covers all of Germany.
Germany is known for its vibrant student culture — from Karneval in Cologne to Oktoberfest in Munich. Most universities have hundreds of clubs (Hochschulgruppen) for every interest.
Non-EU students can work 120 full days or 240 half-days per year. Mini-jobs (up to €520/month) are tax-free and ideal for students. Working as a HiWi (university assistant) is popular.
Germany offers an 18-month post-study work visa (Job Seeker Visa) to find employment after graduation. With a job offer, you can convert it to a work permit and eventually apply for permanent residency.
Answers to the most common questions we receive about studying in Germany.