Study Abroad Germany
Study in Germany: Germany has over the years become one of the top destinations for Indian students wanting to study abroad. As per data available from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, about 20,810 Indian students are currently enrolled in German universities (2021). Germany is home to world-class education complete with modern amenities and a major part of the country’s GDP is diverted towards the maintenance of the education system of the country.
All state-owned universities (public universities) in Germany are free and do not charge tuition fees to students. When we talk about the cost of living in Germany, as of January 1, 2022, keeping the rate of inflation in mind, the mandatory amount required in the Blocked Account for studying in Germany is €11,172 for an entire year or €931 for a month.
Why Study in Germany?
Considered a mecca for engineering studies, Germany is a popular study-abroad destination among Indians for all the right reasons. Germany is home to world-class universities offering a wide selection of courses many of which are taught in English. Public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees but have an administration fee (Euros 300-500) that needs to be paid at the start of every semester. The cost of studying and living in the country is comparatively lower when compared to countries such as the US and the UK. Germany boasts a strong economy and has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the European Union that currently dwindles at 4.31% (source: Statista 2020)
Study in Germany 2023: Highlights
| Universities in Germany | 140+ |
| Average Living Expense | INR 4.0 Lakhs |
| Popular Courses in Germany | MIM in Germany | MS in Germany | BBA IN Germany | MIM in Germany | MBA in Germany |
| Part-time Work Allowance | 20 hours/week |
| Work visa in Germany post-study | 18 months |
| Germany Study Visa cost | Euro 75 |
Education System in Germany
The German education system lays focuses on creativity and innovation, which makes it a great place for students to learn. There are three types of schools in Germany- public schools (free), private schools (not free), and vocational schools (employers pay for). Public schools are mandatory for children aged six to 16 and it’s the state that pays for them. Private schools are not mandatory, but they do offer better education opportunities. Vocational school is an alternative to university that can be paid for by employers as well as through loans or scholarships.
The German education system is different in many ways from the ones in other countries and the classes are conducted in German and English. Public universities are financed by the government and do not charge tuition fees or just charge a small amount of money as Administration Fee at the start of the academic every year. Private universities in contrast are financed by the fees paid by students and these can be quite expensive. Germany has a larger number of public universities than private ones. German law says that education should be offered to everyone and everyone should be able to afford adequate education.
| Cheap and Affordable Universities in Germany | Universities in Germany that Teach in English |
| Steps to Study in Germany for Free for International Students | Top Countries to Study MBA Abroad |
Top Universities in Germany
In this section, we are going to be talking about the top universities in Germany. While public universities are the most sought-after in the country, however admission to them is an uphill task. Your application would require a certificate understanding of the German Language and exceptional academic records to be considered for admission to public universities in Germany. Candidates can opt for private universities in Germany which provide the same quality of education but have a less complex admission process.
| Universities in Germany | QS World University Rankings 2023 | Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2023 |
| Technical University of Munich | #49 | #30 |
| Ludwig Maximilians University Munich | #59 | #33 |
| Heidelberg University | #65 | #43 |
| Free University of Berlin | #118 | #91 |
| Humboldt University of Berlin | #131 | #86 |
| KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | #141 | #189 |
| RWTH Aachen University | #147 | #99 |
| Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin) | #158 | #156 |
| Eberhard Karls Universidad Tübingen | #169 | #86 |
| Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg | #189 | #113 |
Top Courses in Germany
While Germany is home to multiple programmes for candidates looking to study abroad. However, Germany is often described as the mecca for engineering studies. The technical universities in Germany are some of the best universities for engineering studies worldwide. Popular programmes across Germany include
- Computer Science and Information Technology (IT)
- Engineering Studies
- Social Sciences
- Management Studies
- Humanities and creative arts
- Cost of Studying in Germany
While the public universities in Germany are financed by the state, tuition fees will have to be paid for private university enrolments. Candidates opting to study in public universities in Germany would be required to pay a semester fee of between 300 – 500 euros at the start of each semester. Private higher education institutions that are equally good will demand a more substantial fee for their degree.
Cost of Studying in Germany by University
| University | Cost of studying in Germany |
| Public Universities | EUR 300-500 /Semester |
| Private Universities | 12,000 – 15,000 euros/year |
Cost of Studying in Germany by Course
| Popular Courses | Cost of studying in Germany |
| BTech | INR 1.50 Lakhs |
| BSc | INR 80.0K |
| MA | INR 1.00 Lakh |
| MBA | INR 13.12 Lakhs |
Cost of Living in Germany
Accommodation, food, clothing and recreational activities, are generally covered under the ambit of living costs. Every year, according to the prevailing economic conditions as well as the relevant fee structure, every university would request that a monthly sum be provided for the student to facilitate his living expenses in the country as well as for completing his education, this money is deposited in a Blocked Account.
As of September 2022, keeping the rate of inflation in mind, the mandatory amount required in the Blocked Account for studying in Germany is €11,172 for an entire year or €931 for a month. This would include rent, travel expenses, expenditures for food, clothing, learning materials, health insurance, telephone, Internet, radio and TV license fees, and recreational activities.
Germany Student Visa
To stay in Germany for more than 90 days as a student, you are required to get a residence permit or a German Study Visa. The cost of a Germany Student Visa is €75. The processing time could take up to 25 days if all your documents are in order. A lot of times applicants are required to provide more/additional documents. For such cases, the processing time for the Germany Student Visa could go up to 12 weeks. A residence permit issued to students is valid for a maximum of two years. It needs to be renewed if the duration of the course is longer than the stated two years.
Student visa requirements for Germany
You will have to apply for your German Student Visa in person. Visa fees amount to €75 (to be paid in INR). In addition, you should provide two sets of application documents containing the following documents:
- Valid passport
- Copy of your passport’s information page (A4 size copy)
- Application form
- A declaration stating the information provided is true and complete information
- APS Certificate: Mandatory component November 2022 onwards
- Cover Letter explaining the reason for your visa application. You may be required to submit a German translation of this document.
- Letter of Admission from a German University
- University Certificates and transcripts – Degree certificates and mark sheets
- Proof of Language Proficiency (German language test scores). Applicants for PhD studies and Erasmus Mundus Scholarship holders are exempt from this rule.
- Proof of funds
- 3 passport pictures according to biometric specifications, not older than 6 months
- Demand Draft for the Student Visa Fee
- German Permanent Residence Permit
Once a candidate has found a job that he would like to accept, he is required to apply for a work permit from his earlier ‘Job Seeking Visa.’ The candidate can remain in Germany while their application is pending. Furthermore, if the candidate is looking to permanently settle down in Germany (PR in Germany), he/she can apply for an ‘EU Blue Card’ – Residence Permit as early as two years after receiving his work permit.
The EU Blue Card is a permanent residence permit for European countries. However, if the candidate is looking to apply for an EU Blue Card he will be allowed to work and live in any of the EU states. To be eligible to apply for an EU Blue Card, the applicant must be offered a job that pays at least €53,000 (~US$57,844) a year or at least €41,808 (~US$45,629) a year for mathematicians, engineers, natural scientists, technicians or physicians. Candidates are advised to check with the foreign residents’ registration office for advice on which permit to apply for and what documents they would need as part of the admission process.
Admission Requirements to Study in German Universities
Admission requirements are set very high by German Universities. For UG courses as much as 90% is expected for admission. Also, students need to either complete 1 year of Bachelors’ study in India and 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.
The courses meant for international students are called International study programmes and are taught in English. Hence, students looking for courses exclusively in English must look under the section specified above for their course or under ‘Internationals’. Unless a student has sound knowledge of the German language no point in opting for courses taught in German otherwise. Some courses also have the option of doing a dissertation in German for which students need to prove their efficiency in German beforehand.
The students willing to learn German must do it through certified sources and in India students need to contact only Max Muller Bhavan and clear TesDaf. The level to be cleared is generally specified on the University website as it depends on what percentage of classes are conducted in German.
Timeline for Admission to German Universities
Universities can have a particular intake season or opt for rolling admissions where the selective university won’t have a deadline. When we talk about intake season, the academic year is divided into two semesters i.e. Summer Semester and Winter Semester. Candidates can also get in touch with our Shiksha Study Aboard counsellors who primarily look at assisting with university admissions.
| Summer Semester | starts in March/April |
| Winter Semester | starts in September/October |
| Rolling Admissions | colleges review applications as they’re sent in |
Top German cities preferred by students
German universities have an extensive range of programs, with many different study areas and disciplines. The German university system is structured on the principle of cooperation between universities, research institutes, and companies. Top German cities preferred by Indian students include Berlin, Munich, Heidelberg, Cologne, and Frankfurt Am Main among others.
Scholarships to study in Germany
Merit-based scholarships provided by universities are another great way for candidates to bring down their tuition costs. However, students will have to show an exceptional academic track record to avail scholars of higher value. One of the primary names for funding your study in Germany is the German Academic Exchange Service or DAAD. The organization helps you not merely shortlist a suitable college but also helps you with a variety of scholarship options depending on your chosen discipline or field of research. Apart from DAAD, candidates can also check out scholarships available to study in Germany on our website.
Education Loan for studying in Germany
One of the major drawbacks of studying abroad is the cost of studying in a foreign country. However, a lot of times a positive return on investments can make students turn to banks and other financial institutions to opt for education loans for studying in Germany.
Part-Time Work Options for International Students in Germany
International students who are travelling to Germany to study will be allowed to work for a total of 120 full or 240 half days in a year. A student will not be allowed to work for more than 20 hours a week during the term. Students, however, can take up full-time employment during vacations. The option to work part-time in Germany for international students is provided with the German Study Visa and does not need to be applied for separately. As of January 2022, the minimum wage for working in Germany is set at €12 euros per hour
Post-Study Work Visa in Germany
Students who have completed their education in Germany are eligible for working in Germany after their studies. This is time over and above the duration of the study period granted in their German Study Visa. For their post-study work visa in Germany, students can apply for an extended 18-month Job Seeking Visa otherwise called the post-study work visa to find work relating to their studies. In these 18 months, the candidates can work as much as they like and take up any kind of employment to support themselves.
Job prospects in Germany (ROI)
Most students opting to study abroad are concerned about their return on their investments (ROI). Students want the most for their buck and rightly so. The cost of studying abroad is huge and a possibility of a high return on investments is a major push for students going abroad. While it is difficult for us to predict the future jobs market for when you graduate. In this section we have highlighted the most frequently sought jobs in Germany.
Most frequently sought jobs in Germany
| Software developer and programmer | Electronics engineer, electrician |
| Healthcare workers and nurse | IT consultant, IT analyst |
| Economist, business administrator | Account manager, client consultant |
| Production Assistant | Sales representative, sales assistant |
| Sales manager, product manager | Architect, structural engineer |
Popular Job Sectors in Germany
The German economy is projected to grow by 4.1% in 2022 and 2.4% in 2023 – as reported in a detailed study by Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Hence, while the effects of the pandemic have been hard-hitting, we can still hope for a bright future in the jobs market. Top job sectors in Germany for Indian students include
- Building & Construction Sector
- Electrical and Electronics Industry
- Health Sector and Medicine
- Information Technology and Telecommunications
- Mechanical and Automotive Sector
Germany is home to a range of multinational companies such as
| Adidas | Allianz | BASF |
| Bayer | BMW Group | Bosch |
| Continental | Daimler | Deutsche Bank |
| Deutsche Post | Haribo | Hugo Boss |
| Lidl | Siemens | Volkswagen |
The average salary in Germany – By Job
| Executive Management & Change | $132,000 |
| Legal & Paralegal | $126,000 |
| Legal Department | $120,000 |
| Airline | $106,000 |
| Logistics, Operations & Purchasing | $92,000 |
| Compliance, AML, KYC & Monitoring | $91,000 |
Study in Germany FAQs
What should I know before deciding to study in Germany?
The admission process is not easy. However, you can get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad counsellors for assistance with university admissions. It is important to have all documents in place for the university admission letter. For the German Student Visa, it is important to have sufficient money in your Blocked Account (slightly more than prescribed which would be deducted as bank charges). Know a little German. And above all enjoy the process.
How can an Indian student study in Germany?
Germany is one of the favorite study destinations for Indians. Germany is home to world-class universities offering a wide selection of courses many of which are taught in English. Public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees but have an administration fee that needs to be paid at the start of every semester. The country also provides affordable education, a multitude of course options, job opportunities, and immigration options