Study in Germany

Why study in Germany?

Low or no tuition fees at state universities

There are generally no tuition fees for Bachelor’s or most Master’s courses at Germany’s state universities. You pay a semester contribution, which at many institutions includes a local transport ticket. There are exceptions, such as Baden-Württemberg (see “Education and living costs” below).

A choice of universities and programmes

Germany has two main kinds of higher education institution: research-focused universities and practice-oriented universities of applied sciences. Many Master’s programmes for international students are taught in English, and you can search them in the DAAD’s database of international programmes.

Work during and after your studies

You may work part time while you study, and after graduation you can stay for up to 18 months to look for a job (see “Working while you study and after graduation” below).

The education system

Universities and universities of applied sciences

• Universities mainly teach theoretical knowledge and emphasise research. Some are specialised, such as technical universities (TU).
• Universities of applied sciences (HAW or FH) are practice-oriented, with subjects such as technology, business, social work and media. Work placements, project phases or a practical semester, often in a company, are part of the course.
• Colleges of art and music train artists, musicians, architects and designers, and usually hold an entrance examination.

Public and private institutions

Most students study at state-funded institutions, which mostly charge no tuition fees. There are also privately run and church-run institutions that are approved by the state; some private institutions charge high tuition fees. A degree from a private or church-run institution is valid on the international job market only if the institution is state-approved, so always check this before you apply.

Degrees and ECTS credits

Germany uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). One credit point stands for about 30 hours of work, and full-time students usually earn about 30 credit points a semester.

Many Master’s programmes expect a Bachelor’s degree of at least 180 ECTS credits, and some ask for 210. Whether your three-year or four-year Indian degree meets a programme’s requirement is decided by the university, so read each programme’s admission rules carefully.

As of October 2026 — sources: DAAD – the right university, DAAD – the basics.

Popular universities

All of the following are state (public) institutions:

• Technical University of Munich (TUM)
• Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU)
• RWTH Aachen University
• Heidelberg University
• Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
• University of Stuttgart
• University of Mannheim
• Technical University of Berlin
• Humboldt University of Berlin
• Free University of Berlin
• TU Dresden
• University of Hamburg

Heidelberg, KIT, Stuttgart and Mannheim are in Baden-Württemberg, so non-EU tuition fees apply there, and TUM also charges non-EU students tuition fees.

Entry requirements

Every university sets its own admission rules for each programme, so always read the programme page. You apply either through uni-assist (the University Application Service for International Students) or directly to the university – the programme page tells you which. uni-assist charges €75 for your first choice of programme and €30 for each further programme in the same semester; some universities pay this fee for their applicants.

At most institutions, applications for the winter semester run from early May to 15 July, and for the summer semester from early December to 15 January. Many programmes, especially for international applicants, close earlier, so check each deadline.

Master’s studies

• A recognised Bachelor’s degree in a related subject, usually with good marks
• An APS certificate (see below), if your degree is from India
• Proof of English or German, depending on the language of instruction
• Usually a CV and a motivation letter; some programmes also ask for letters of recommendation or a minimum number of credits in particular subjects

Degrees from private Indian universities must be from institutions listed with “H+” status in the German anabin database; APS India cannot issue a certificate otherwise.

Bachelor’s studies

An Indian Class 12 certificate alone does not usually give direct entry to a German Bachelor’s programme. From the winter semester 2026/27, the updated criteria require at least 70% of the maximum overall marks in Class 12, whatever your board. There are then two main routes:

• Studienkolleg: Class 12 plus an APS certificate can lead to admission to a Studienkolleg, a preparatory course (usually two semesters) that ends with an assessment test, the Feststellungsprüfung.
• One year of university study: Class 12 plus an APS certificate plus one successfully completed year of a regular Bachelor’s programme at a recognised institution can lead to direct admission in the same or a closely related subject.

As of October 2026 — sources: DAAD – application process, uni-assist – handling fees, DAAD – Studienkollegs, APS India – news.

APS certificate

The Academic Evaluation Centre (APS) is part of the German Embassy in New Delhi. It verifies academic documents issued by Indian institutions for students who want to study in Germany. Most applicants with Indian school or university certificates need an APS certificate both to apply to German universities and for the student visa. APS does not decide on your admission or your visa.

How to apply for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree holder:

1. Register online at aps-india.de, then print and sign the application form.
2. Pay the fee of ₹18,000 – online through CCAvenue (recommended, as it is faster) or by bank transfer. The fee is non-refundable.
3. If the dMAT applies to you (see below), take it first.
4. Send copies of your documents with the signed form by courier to APS India – do not send originals. The checklist includes your Class 10 and 12 marksheets, all semester marksheets, your degree or provisional certificate, your language certificate, a copy of your passport and Aadhaar, and a signed student authorisation letter.
5. APS verifies your documents and may contact your college or university, so tell them to expect a query.
6. Successful applicants receive a digital APS certificate by email. Submit the PDF exactly as you received it.

APS says verification takes at least two weeks and can take longer, depending on the number of applications and how quickly schools and universities reply.

The dMAT for selected Master’s applicants

The Digital Master Test (dMAT) is an aptitude test run by g.a.s.t. that is now part of the APS documentation for selected Master’s applicants, based on the field of their previous degree. It applies to the summer semester 2027 intake and later. The test fee is €150. APS India has said that the next test sessions will be in mid-January and mid-March, mainly for the winter semester 2027/28, and that it will publish the updated list of affected fields and the registration date on its website.

As of October 2026 — sources: APS India, APS leaflet for Bachelor’s and Master’s degree holders (June 2026), APS India – dMAT, APS India – apply.

English and German language requirements

English-taught programmes: universities set their own minimum scores, usually at B2 or C1 level, and most accept IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT. Check the score your programme asks for, including any minimum per section.

German-taught programmes: you will usually need proof such as TestDaF (often at least 4 in each section) or the DSH-2.

For the visa: the German missions in India generally expect C1 language level for direct entry to a Bachelor’s or Master’s programme, in the language of instruction. They accept certificates from the Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan, ÖSD or telc for German, and IELTS or ALTE member tests for English. Duolingo, PTE and the TOEFL Home Edition are not accepted for visa applications in India. Do not submit “medium of instruction” letters or exemption letters in place of a test.

As of October 2026 — sources: German Missions in India – studies, national visa FAQs, DAAD – information for scholarship applicants.

Scholarships

• DAAD scholarships – the DAAD’s India office lists programmes open to Indian applicants, including Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) for professionals with at least two years’ work experience, the Helmut Schmidt Programme (Master’s in public policy and good governance), study scholarships for graduates in architecture, music, performing arts and fine art, film and design, and PhD scholarships. Check eligibility on each call: the DAAD’s general Study Scholarship for Master’s studies in all disciplines is not open to applicants from India.
• Deutschlandstipendium – €300 a month, open to students of all nationalities at participating universities. It is awarded on merit and wider criteria, and you apply through your university.
• University scholarships and fee waivers – some universities that charge non-EU tuition fees offer waivers or scholarships; check the university’s own pages.

Programmes as of October 2026 — sources: DAAD India – scholarships, DAAD – Study Scholarships for Master’s studies, Deutschlandstipendium FAQs.

Education and living costs

Private universities set their own fees, and other Bavarian universities may also charge non-EU students.

Proof of funds and the blocked account

For the visa you must show that you can pay for your living costs. As of October 2026, the German missions in India ask students to show €11,904 for the first year of studies (€992 a month). Most students do this with a blocked account (Sperrkonto), from which you can withdraw only the monthly amount once you are in Germany. Alternatives are a formal sponsorship declaration (Verpflichtungserklärung) from someone living in Germany, a German or EU scholarship that covers €992 a month, or proof of an education loan. A scholarship that covers only tuition does not replace the blocked account, and an Indian affidavit of support is not accepted. The blocked account cannot be used to pay tuition fees.

Figures as of October 2026 — sources: DAAD – costs of education and living, TUM – tuition fees, German Missions in India – studies, national visa FAQs.

Working while you study and after graduation

While you study

• Students from outside the EU may work 140 full days or 280 half days a year.
• Jobs as an academic or student assistant at the university have no day limit, but you must inform the foreigners’ office (Ausländerbehörde).
• Working more than the limit needs permission from the Federal Employment Agency and the foreigners’ office.
• Self-employment or freelancing is possible only if the foreigners’ office permits it.
• The minimum wage has been €13.90 an hour since January 2026.

After you graduate

When you complete your degree in Germany, you can get a residence permit of up to 18 months to look for a job, if you can show that you can support yourself during that time. You may work while you look. Apply to the foreigners’ office where you live, in good time before your student residence permit ends.

Rules as of October 2026 — sources: DAAD – side jobs, BAMF – skilled workers with an academic education.

Student visa

For a full degree programme, Indian students need a national (D) visa for study purposes. After you arrive, you apply for a residence permit at the local foreigners’ office.

How to apply

1. Apply online on the Consular Services Portal (CSP). For student visas this is compulsory. A questionnaire sets your visa sub-type, which you cannot change later without starting again. Choose India as your country of residence and the German mission responsible for your state – you cannot choose where to apply.
2. Upload your documents and complete the pre-check. Only then do you receive a link to book your appointment. Most student applications – including those that need an APS certificate – are handled at VFS Global.
3. Attend your appointment. Bring your original documents and two sets of copies. The visa fee is 75 euros (₹8,300) for applicants over 18, paid in rupees at the exchange rate on the day, and it is non-refundable. VFS charges a separate service fee.
4. Wait for the decision. Processing may take several months. Status enquiries are not answered in the first three months, and appointments cannot be moved earlier because your course starts soon.

Documents for a student visa

• Valid passport issued within the last 10 years, with at least two blank pages
• Admission letter for a full-time degree programme (or Studienkolleg)
• APS certificate (or recognition documents if you are exempt)
• Previous degree certificate and semester marksheets (for a Master’s)
• Language certificate for the language of instruction
• Motivation letter and CV in table form, in English or German, written by you
• Proof of funds – blocked account, sponsorship declaration, scholarship or education loan
• Proof of tuition payment, where fees apply
• Health insurance (statutory or private) valid from your planned date of arrival

The mission may ask for more documents or an interview. Since 1 January 2024 there is no remonstration (request for review) in India: the legal remedy against a refusal is an appeal to the administrative court in Berlin.

Process as of October 2026 — sources: German Missions in India – national visa, studies, national visa FAQs.