Study in Germany: Find Universities, Costs, Courses, Visa, Rankings, Scholarships

Renowned as the world's most popular non-anglophone study destination, over 350,000 international students study in Germany. Germany is one of the top study-abroad destinations among international students, the country is home to over 9 top universities in Germany that make the world’s top 200 prestigious institutes.

From a globally reputed curriculum with 21,000 courses to extremely low tuition rates, the country has proved itself a perfect overseas destination for international applicants after Canada, UK, and the USA. India is the largest senders of international students (26%) in Germany. According to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), in the winter semester of 2022-23, Germany witnessed a significant increase in international students, welcoming a total of 367,578 individuals, marking a 5% rise from the previous academic year of 2021-22.

In the 21st Century, Germany has presented itself as a global powerhouse and is currently the 3rd largest GDP in the world. This adds to its credit when it comes to seeking employment opportunities post-graduation which is also reflected in its high employment rate of nearly 80%. Apart from this, it’s a gradual decrease in the rate of unemployment over the decade just makes the country more promising for international students seeking to study in Germany.

Study in Germany: Top Universities for International Students

Germany has a range of prestigious institutes across both public and private sectors for the applicants to choose from. To aid you in the process, we have compiled a list of the 10 most reputed universities in the country along with their corresponding international student percentage.

Some of the top institutes in the country along with their enrollment statistics are depicted in the graph below.

Why Study in Germany?

From globally reputed universities to almost free education at the Undergraduate level, Germany offers a great deal of promise for all individuals across the globe. Extensive student support, scholarships, and thousands of diverse programs are some of the attractions that fascinate international students seeking to study in the nation.

Some other factors that contribute to credibility in the country's favour are listed below.

• Germany is home to top-tier educational institutions according to the 2024 QS World University Rankings, with the Technical University of Munich ranked 37th, RWTH Aachen University ranked 106th, University of Hamburg ranked 205th, Leibniz University Hannover ranked 481st, and TU Dortmund University ranked between 851st and 900th. These universities are well-known for providing excellent education. Around 10 best universities in Germany are ranked in the world’s top 210 universities.
• The majority of the top universities in Germany do not require tuition fees, as they are waived for international students. In cases where tuition fees are applicable, tuition fees for Indian students in Germany fall within a range of 624 EUR to 11,000 EUR (equivalent to 55,326 to 9.75 lakhs INR) per year.
• A wide array of courses: There are more than 1,800 international programs along with 21,000 bachelor's, Master and doctoral degree programs to choose from.
• Economical cost of living: The cost of living in Germany amounts to 1,486 EUR (1.30 lakhs INR) per month, which is quite low compared to its European counterparts.
• Financial Aid and Scholarships: Plenty of scholarships are offered to both undergraduate and postgraduate students in Germany by DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) and other non-governmental foundations.
• Employment/Job opportunities for graduates: Graduates have the potential to earn an average salary of 38,800 EUR (approximately INR 34.32 lakhs). Nearly 77% of the graduates find employment in Germany within months of completing their degrees.
• International students can extend their residence permit by up to 18 months after graduating to find jobs in Germany.

What to Study in Germany?

Germany provides thousands of varied courses across its 400 public and private universities that provide a perfect fit program for every individual. Since the tuition fee in the country is comparatively lower than in other nations around the world, Germany majorly attracts students of STEM courses looking for degrees in Computer science, Mathematics, and Engineering along with programs in Natural science, Business, Economics, etc.

Other popular top courses to study in Germany among international students in the country comprise Law, Psychology, Medicine and Dentistry, Natural Sciences and Architecture are also equally popular. Below is the list of popular UG and PG programs along with other relevant information regarding the same are mentioned below.

*Total annual semester fees for universities that do not charge tuition fees.

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How to Study in Germany: Application Process

If you have reached a final decision that Germany is the country you are applying to in the upcoming session, it is highly recommended to start working on your application at the earliest possible opportunity. To serve you in the process, the step-by-step guide for the application process in Germany is compiled below.

• Explore your options: Check out global rankings such as QS and THE World University Rankings for selecting top universities in Germany.
• Plan your finances: Germany is renowned for offering almost free to affordable education to aspirants irrespective of their nationalities. While most public universities in the country are free of cost, private and master programs might charge fees at par with other renowned institutes of the world.
• Prepare your application: Some institutes in Germany are organized centrally and accept applications via UniAssist. Make sure you have carefully gone through all the eligibility requirements of your particular course.
• Submit your application: The country has 2 admission seasons with their deadlines. Applicants are highly encouraged to send in applications at least 4 to 6 months before these deadlines, especially if they have to apply for a visa to avoid last-minute complications like the rejection of a visa etc.
• Apply for a study in Germany visa: As soon as you have received your acceptance letter, apply for a student visa at your nearest German Embassy along with relevant documents like passport, health insurance and proof of funds. The average cost of a German student visa application is EUR 75 (6,696 INR).

Admission Requirements to Study in Germany

Some basic information regarding the admission process and basic requirements are as tabulated below.

When to Study in Germany: Application Cycle

Germany offers two intakes for international students: Summer and Winter. Here is a breakdown of the deadlines for both:

Study in Germany Cost

The total cost of living in Germany can be calculated by adding total annual tuition fees and cost of living in Germany.

Study in Germany: Tuition Fees

Cost of Living in Germany

Living in Germany costs more than in India. For one person, monthly expenses, excluding rent, are about 939.9 EUR (83,157 INR). International students spend around 1,486 EUR (1.30 lakhs INR) per month.

Scholarships For Indian Students to Study in Germany

Since the tuition fee in the country is so low, any candidate can actually study in the country for free if he/she obtains a studentship to fund their education. The German Academic Exchange Service, popularly known as the DAAD provides a range of awards and funding services for international students hoping to enroll at a reputed institute in the country. These scholarships are offered to both domestic and international candidates at all levels including academics and researchers.

Another source of gaining funding for studying in Germany is the Federal Ministry of Education and Research or BMBF that hosts a site dedicated to providing information on scholarships for the aspirants of the country.

Below is the table that lists the available scholarships in Germany for Indian students. The eligibility criteria and award value of the scholarships are also mentioned.

Jobs after Studying in Germany

Thanks to the generous immigration policy of Germany, students from any background and nationalities can stay in the country for up to 18 months post completing their degrees and find their desired job in the time span. The majority of students prefer to enter the professional world post their graduation and this is where having a strong command of the German language will add wonders to your job profile.

Some of the highest paying jobs pursued by graduates in Germany and the average annual salaries offered are as follows:

In a nutshell, Germany is rightly one of the coveted destinations for studying overseas that not only provides an impressive education curriculum and innovative research options, but also some of the finest jobs in the industry. From trendy Berlin to traditional Munich, the nation harbors a rich diversity and welcomes applications from around the globe that are considered on equal grounds without any partiality.

The country thus is a worthwhile pursuit for bright and diligent aspirants, especially for MS in Germany, and should definitely make your list if you are considering studying abroad in the near future.

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