Study abroad Germany

Are you an international student who is planning to move to Germany for higher education? There is no doubt that Germany is one of the best student cities in the world.  In fact, Germany’s highest-ranked university in the QS World University Rankings. The city is home to some prestigious institutions that attract students from all over the world. 

Germany is one of the countries that offers tuition-free in public universities. Students are drawn to come and study in Germany for this reason and many others. These universities are hard to get with a very low acceptance rate, qualifying only the best students to get admission into their institutions.

For one, Germany is known to have some of the best universities to study in Europe. But, keeping that aside, it is also one of the best student destinations as it is affordable in terms of living. And with the tuition-free universities, makes it appealing for students to apply and study in Germany. Students can afford to study in Germany as the government has eased this for international students.

But Germany is also a country that is  welcoming, and inclusive, with a multicultural scene, great history and hospitable locals.

Education System in Germany

The education system in Germany is divided into:

• Early Childhood Education (up to year 4)
• Primary Education ( Years 1-6)
• Secondary Education (lower and upper secondary level)
• Tertiary Education (colleges, universities and vocational schools)

In this context, we will discuss higher education in Germany. These are some of the categories of higher education institutions in Germany:

Universities – They offer bachelor’s, postgraduate and doctoral degrees in all subjects.

• If you choose to study for a bachelor’s degree in Germany, it will take 3 – 4 years to complete the study.
• If you choose to study post – graduate degree in Germany, it will take 1.5 to 2 years to complete the degree. 
• As for a doctoral degree, it will take 3-5 years depending on the research and its field of study. 

Colleges of Music , Arts and Film

• This is another category where many colleges in Germany offer aspiring artists to study at the German School of arts and Music. 

Universities of Education

• These are institutions that offer special teaching programs for students who are interested in pursuing their careers in the field of teaching. 

Admission Requirements to Study in Germany

There are different level of education in Germany and they have different entry requirement, but, the general requirements are these listed below:

Standardised Test To Study in Germany

English Proficiency Tests Required to Study in Germany

Student visa requirements for Germany

If you are applying for a student visa for Germany after being accepted into any universities, you will need:

Letter of Acceptance:

This is a document to prove that you are accepted to study in a recognised institution in Germany.

Proof of funds

This is a document to prove that you can cover the expenses in Germany. As of 2024, you will need a proximate amount of  €11,208 per year (about €934 per month).

You can provide proof of funds in the bank, scholarship offers or sponsorship letters. 

Health Certificate

This is a very important part of proving that you are medically certified to be in good health. 

Valid passport

You have to show a valid passport for the whole stay in Germany.

Understanding of language

If you study in English-taught programs, you will need to prove English language scores.

If you study in German-taught courses, you will need to prove TestDaF and DSH.

Educational papers

You have to show all your education records like certificates and transcripts.

Other supporting documents

• Receipt of the visa fee
• Recommendation letter
• Resume
• Proof of accommodation

Types of student visa for Germany

Cost to study in Germany

As we mentioned above, most of the public universities are free for UG programs. There will be some administrative fee of about €200 – €800.  As for private institutions, here’s a breakdown:

Cost of  living in Germany

The cost of living in Germany will come to about €640 – €1,590 / month. This will exclude student rent and your tuition fees. But this will include the expenses on food, travel, utilities and your personal spending’s. 

Top universities to study in Germany

Technical University of Munich

Times Higher Education: 30th globally

Tuition Fee: 2000-6000 euros

Acceptance Rate: 8%

This is one of the top-rated institutions in Germany and received a high global ranking and rating worldwide. It laid its foundation in 1868 and is a member of the TU9 (a prestigious association in Germany). The institution is highly recognised for its research, teaching, and innovation. If you seek to study in Germany, this is one of the best universities in Germany. The acceptance rate is low making it very competitive to get admissions too. 

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich)

Times Higher Education: 38th globally

Tuition Fee: Free

Acceptance Rate: 10 -15%

This is one of the premier institutions in the nation with worldwide rankings and reputation. Since its foundation in 1472, it has attracted students from across the world. For one, it is free, and second, it is one of the top research universities in Europe. For those of you seeking to study in this institution, you should know that with a low acceptance rate, there’s a very high competition for admissions into this university. 

Universität Heidelberg

Times Higher Education: 47th globally

Tuition Fee: 1.500 euro per semester

Acceptance Rate: 16.3%

You will be surprised to know that this is one of the oldest universities in Germany. It was founded in the year 1386, and ever since,  it has received a global ranking and reputation and a leading role in the scientific community. If you plan to study in Germany, this is one of the best institutions that educates students and supports outstanding early-career researchers, etc.

Humboldt University of Berlin

Times Higher Education: 87th globally

Tuition Fee: No Fee; except for continuing education programs

Acceptance Rate: 18%

Founded in the year 1810, it is known to be the mother of modern universities. It is one of the top 10 universities in Germany, where during the outset of its foundations had 4 classical faculties of Medicine, Law, Theology and Philosophy. If you seek to study in one of the best institutions, you should consider Humboldt University of Berlin. There is no tuition fee except for some small fees like standard fees. 

RWTH Aachen University

Times Higher Education: 90 globally

Tuition Fee: No Fee; with the exception of the programs from RWTH Academy

Acceptance Rate: 10%

If you seek to study in Germany, you should know that choosing this university is the best choice. It is one of the top and largest institutions of technology in Germany. Most students who aspire to start their careers in the IT field apply to this university. Every student who has studied at this university has gained benefits from its world-class teaching of quality courses provided with excellent facilities. 

Top courses to study in Germany

Engineering

When it comes to engineering, Germany is known to be one of the best study destinations. It is one of the most popular & demanding courses in Germany, as it translates to an MS degree. Some of the best universities to study engineering are Technical University of Munich, RWTH AACHEN, and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. The popular courses in engineering are:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Automotive Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering

Business Management

For those who seek to pursue an MBA and other business studies, this is one of the most preferred choices among students. The business schools in Germany are known for providing the best courses for students. Some of the best places to study business in Germany are Mannheim Business School, WHU-Otto Beisheim School of Management, TUM School of Management, and many others. The popular courses in business management are:

• Business Studies 
• Business with Finance
• Business with Marketing
• Bachelor of Business

Humanities and Art

When it comes to this field of study, Germany has become a popular choice for many international students. In this field of study, many branches of study give students the option to choose what they want to pursue. Some of the best universities that offer humanities and arts in Germany are the University of Berlin, the University of Hamburg, the Ludwig-Maximillian University of Munchen, and many others. The popular courses arts & humanities  are:

• Archaeology
• English Studies
• Fine arts
• History
• Music
• Philosophy
• Heidelberg University