Studying in Germany

How the German higher education system works

Universities, known as Universitäten, closely connect teaching with research. Theory, research methods and independent analysis are central to their programmes. This category also includes technical universities such as TUM and RWTH Aachen, whose courses focus largely on engineering and the sciences.

Hochschulen für angewandte Wissenschaften, also known as Fachhochschulen or universities of applied sciences, take a more practical approach. Their programmes often include projects for businesses, classes taught by professionals with industry experience and placement semesters. They award bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the same qualification levels as traditional universities. The main difference is their approach to teaching.

Bachelor’s degrees usually take three to four years, while master’s degrees take one to two years. Art and music colleges offer a separate range of programmes, where admission often depends on a portfolio, audition or aptitude test.

English-taught degrees and language requirements

Not speaking German does not rule out studying in the country, but it does affect your choice of programmes. English-taught degrees in Germany are more widely available at master’s level. They include computer science, economics, the natural sciences and some engineering specialisms. For example, LMU Munich offers English-taught master’s programmes in economics and physics.

The choice is smaller at undergraduate level, although public universities also offer some programmes in English. One example is Computer Science at Saarland University, which is taught entirely in English. Private institutions, including Constructor University in Bremen, also offer degrees in English.

German-taught programmes require a certificate or another accepted form of evidence of language proficiency. Each university sets the requirements for its programmes, so there is no single language level or document required nationwide. The same applies to proving your English proficiency: accepted tests, minimum scores and exemptions depend on the admissions rules.

German is useful even when all your classes are in English. It makes finding accommodation, handling administrative tasks and communicating with employers easier. This is particularly relevant to internships and jobs that involve speaking with customers or a local team.

What you can study

Engineering and computer science degrees are among the first subjects that come to mind. Mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, automation, civil engineering, computer science and energy technologies feature prominently at German universities. Alongside established programmes, institutions are developing specialisms in data analysis, artificial intelligence and the energy transition.

There is an equally broad choice in economics, finance and management. You can study these subjects at a large university, a specialist business school or a university of applied sciences. Depending on the programme, the emphasis may be on quantitative methods, business management, financial markets or the use of analytical tools in business.

Other options include psychology, political science, communication, philosophy, history and foreign languages. Students interested in design, architecture, art or music can choose from university programmes and specialist arts institutions. Although their technical strengths are well known, universities in Germany offer much more than engineering and technology.

Well-known universities in Germany

Technical University of Munich

TUM is one of Germany’s best-known technical universities. Its programmes include computer science, engineering and the natural sciences, as well as courses combining technology with management. The campus in Garching, just outside Munich, is an important part of the university and brings together academic departments, laboratories and research institutions. Alongside academic activity, entrepreneurship initiatives help students and researchers turn technological ideas into business ventures. TUM operates across several locations, so the student experience also depends on the campus and subject area. It is a particularly interesting option for those who want to understand the foundations of technology and work on its applications.

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

LMU Munich is a large, broad-based university covering the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and mathematics. Students can pursue interests as diverse as philosophy, psychology, economics and physics. It has long been among Germany’s leading institutions in international rankings, including the Shanghai Ranking. Its master’s programmes have a strong research focus, and some are taught in English. The wide range of subjects also encourages students to bring together perspectives from different disciplines. LMU suits those looking for a traditional university with a strong research environment who would like to study in a major city.

Heidelberg University

Founded in 1386, Heidelberg University is Germany’s oldest university. Its programmes span subjects including the natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, social sciences and law. Historic buildings in the city centre sit alongside the extensive Neuenheimer Feld campus, which houses much of the university’s natural sciences activity. Heidelberg is a research university, with teaching grounded in rigorous methodology and work within the chosen discipline. Its breadth of subjects and international research partnerships attract students with a wide range of interests. It is also a city where the university’s presence has a noticeable influence on everyday life.

RWTH Aachen University

RWTH Aachen has strong ties to engineering and technological development. Its programmes include mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, civil engineering and architecture. The university’s character is reflected in its interdisciplinary research areas, which bring together different specialisms to address challenges in energy, manufacturing and new materials. Engineering students first build a strong foundation in mathematics and theory, preparing them for more specialised work later on. RWTH is particularly appealing to those who enjoy solving complex problems and want to understand both the design and operation of technical systems.

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

KIT, or Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, combines the work of a university with that of a major research centre belonging to the Helmholtz Association. Its strengths include the natural sciences, computer science and engineering, while its programmes also extend to economics, the humanities and social sciences. Research areas include energy and technologies aimed at addressing the challenges facing modern industry. KIT emphasises the connection between teaching and research, as well as opportunities for students to become involved in projects during their degree. These two roles make it an institution where theory, experimentation and technical applications are closely connected.

University of Mannheim

The University of Mannheim is particularly well known for economics, management and the social sciences. It also stands out for programmes combining business with other disciplines, such as computer science or the humanities. A distinctive feature is its campus in a Baroque palace, which houses some of its teaching spaces and university facilities. Data analysis, quantitative methods and an international perspective play an important role in its business programmes. English is used in teaching, but this does not mean every degree can be completed without German. For example, the Bachelor in Business Administration includes classes in both languages.

Private universities and business schools

Notable private institutions include WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management, Frankfurt School of Finance & Management and Constructor University. WHU specialises in management and business, Frankfurt School combines business education with finance, and Constructor in Bremen offers English-taught degrees in areas including science, technology and economics.

Full-time degrees at institutions such as these can cost well over €10,000 and around €20,000 a year in tuition alone. For example, tuition for a bachelor’s programme at WHU is approximately €18,000 a year, while undergraduate tuition at Constructor is around €20,000. These figures illustrate the scale of costs rather than a standard fee across all private universities. Accommodation and living expenses need to be budgeted for separately.

Scholarships and tuition fee reductions are available under each institution’s own rules. Frankfurt School offers scholarships that reduce tuition by 15%, 25% or 50%, among other options, while WHU provides the possibility of partial or full tuition waivers for students who meet specific criteria. Deferred payment schemes and income-based financing are different from scholarships and involve an obligation to pay later.

Applying to universities in Germany

Admission to a bachelor’s degree requires a qualification that gives access to German higher education. This may be a foreign school-leaving qualification, a recognised international diploma or a combination of documents demonstrating previous education. The education system, subjects studied and results all matter. Being eligible to enter higher education does not in itself guarantee admission to a programme with a limited number of places.

If your previous education does not give you direct access to a degree, one possible route is a Studienkolleg. This usually involves two semesters of preparation followed by the Feststellungsprüfung assessment. The course’s subject focus determines the group of degree programmes you can subsequently apply to. Standard preparatory courses of this kind require German, even if your intended degree is taught in English.

Applications are submitted directly to the university or through uni-assist, depending on the procedure. Some institutions require a VPD, a preliminary assessment of your qualifications prepared by uni-assist. In this case, you must then submit a separate application to the university: obtaining a VPD is neither an application for a place nor an admission decision.

For master’s degrees, universities assess your previous qualification and how closely the courses you completed match the programme’s requirements. They may require a particular number of ECTS credits in a subject area, specific grades, proof of language proficiency or an additional selection process. Application deadlines vary between programmes and entry semesters.

Tuition fees at public universities

Many public bachelor’s programmes and master’s degrees that build on previous studies charge no tuition fees. Students do, however, pay a semester contribution, typically ranging from a few dozen to several hundred euros. This helps fund services such as student support and student representation. It often also includes a public transport pass or access to discounted fares.

There are important exceptions. In Baden-Württemberg, the standard fee for many non-EU students is €1,500 per semester, with exemptions available. TUM has also introduced tuition fees for some students from outside the EU and EEA. These can amount to several thousand euros per semester, depending on the programme. Separate tuition fees also apply to certain specialist and continuing education programmes, such as MBAs. A public university therefore does not automatically offer every programme free of tuition charges.

Living costs and accommodation

DAAD gives an indicative student living budget of €900 to €1,200 per month, but this will not be enough in every location. Accommodation makes the biggest difference: a room in a student residence or shared flat usually costs less than a studio of your own. Other expenses include food, transport, health insurance, phone bills, study materials and personal spending.

More expensive cities require a larger budget. TUM estimates the living costs of a one-person household in the Munich area at approximately €1,300 to €2,000 per month. This illustrates why tuition-free study does not necessarily mean a low-cost stay. In the first month, you will also need to allow for a rental deposit, travel and basic household essentials. The semester contribution and any tuition fees should be budgeted for separately.

Scholarships and funding

One well-known scheme is the Deutschlandstipendium, which provides €300 per month to students selected by participating universities. Selection takes account of achievements, engagement and personal circumstances. International students are also eligible, and funding is not awarded automatically when you receive an offer of admission.

DAAD is another major funding organisation. Its own scholarships are aimed primarily at graduates, doctoral students and researchers, making it a particularly relevant source of funding opportunities for those planning a master’s degree. Individual schemes have their own criteria relating to country of origin, subject area and stage of education.

Foundations and universities themselves offer additional support. This may take the form of a monthly allowance, a tuition fee reduction or funding for a particular period abroad. If your budget relies on a scholarship, it should reflect the amount actually awarded and how long payments will continue.

Internships and working while studying

You can gain experience through internships, projects with companies and student jobs related to your degree. A separate model is the dual study programme, which alternates university classes with practical periods at an employer. This route usually also requires a contract with a company and has a more structured schedule than a standard degree.

EU citizens can work without a work permit. Non-EU students living in Germany with the relevant student residence permit can generally work 140 full days or 280 half-days per year. An alternative arrangement allows work of up to 20 hours per week during the lecture period. Special rules apply to areas such as compulsory internships and student assistant roles at universities.

After graduating from a German higher education institution, non-EU graduates can apply for a residence permit of up to 18 months to look for qualified employment, provided they meet the residence requirements. Paid work is permitted during this period. A degree, experience gained while studying and German language skills provide a solid foundation for starting a career in the local job market.