Study in Germany for international students

Choosing the right university

Germany’s system splits into three types, and picking the right one matters more than picking the right ranking. Universities (Universitäten) are research-led and the route to a doctorate. Universities of applied sciences (HAW/FH) are practice-led, with compulsory internship semesters and closer industry ties — often the better choice if you want to work in Germany afterwards. Art, music and film colleges admit on portfolio and audition. Shortlist by subject, teaching language and city cost, then compare on our university directory.

English-taught programmes

More than 2,000 degree programmes in Germany are taught fully in English, concentrated at master’s level in engineering, computer science, natural sciences and business. Entry usually needs IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 88+. For German-taught degrees you need TestDaF 4x4, DSH-2 or telc C1 Hochschule. Even on an English-taught course, B1 German makes daily life, part-time work and internships far easier.

How to apply

Most international applicants apply through uni-assist, which checks foreign qualifications on behalf of the universities; nationally restricted subjects such as medicine go through hochschulstart.de, and some universities take applications directly. The main deadlines are 15 July for the winter semester (October start) and 15 January for the summer semester (April start). If your school qualification is not equivalent to the Abitur, you first complete a Studienkolleg year and the Feststellungsprüfung.

Visas & arrival

Non-EU students need a national visa (Visa D), normally backed by a blocked account of roughly €11,904 for the year, and applicants from India, China, Vietnam and Mongolia also need an APS certificate. After arriving you register your address and convert the visa into a residence permit — see our student visa & residence permit guide.

Funding your studies

Because public universities charge no tuition, German scholarships mostly fund living costs. The big routes are DAAD scholarships, the Deutschlandstipendium (€300 a month, awarded by your university), Erasmus Mundus joint master’s degrees and the political foundations such as Heinrich Böll and Konrad Adenauer. Browse all of them in our scholarship directory.

Working and staying after graduation

You may work 140 full days (or 280 half days) a year during your studies, and after graduating you can extend your residence permit for 18 months to find a job in your field — then move on to a work permit or the EU Blue Card.