Study in Germany
No tuition fees at most public universities, hundreds of English-taught master's, and an 18-month job-seeker permit after graduation.
Why students choose Germany
Germany is the destination where the numbers work: public universities charge no tuition to international students in most states, engineering and science are world class, and graduates get 18 months to find a job in Europe's largest economy. The trade-off is process. Admission is document-heavy, the blocked account must be funded before the visa, and outside the university a working knowledge of German opens far more doors.
Intakes
Main intake. Apply by 15 July, earlier for many English-taught master's (March to May).
Fewer programmes. Apply by 15 January.
What international students study in Germany
After you graduate
After graduating you can extend your residence permit by 18 months to look for a job matching your qualification, and work any job meanwhile. Once employed you can move to an EU Blue Card or a skilled worker permit; permanent residence is possible after 21 to 27 months on a Blue Card with German language.
Residence permit for job seeking (Section 20 AufenthG)
18 months. Any job is allowed while searching. Move to an EU Blue Card once you have a qualifying offer.
Part-time work
140 full days or 280 half days a year (about 20 hours a week in term). Wages of €12.82 an hour minimum wage (2025).
Employment by sector
Mechanical, automotive and electrical engineering (high), Software and IT (high), Healthcare and nursing (high). Full picture.
What it costs to study in Germany
Living costs of €950 to €1,400 a month; the blocked account is set at €992 a month. Tuition of €0 to €3,000 at public universities (Baden-Württemberg charges €1,500 a semester to non-EU students) for undergraduate and €0 to €5,000 at public universities; €10,000 to €30,000 at private universities for postgraduate study. All students pay a semester contribution of €150 to €400 that usually includes a public transport ticket.
| Monthly cost | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | €350 to €750 (student halls cheapest, Munich highest) |
| Food and groceries | €200 to €300 |
| Transport | Often included in the semester ticket; Deutschlandticket €63 otherwise |
| Utilities and phone | €80 to €130 |
| Health insurance | About €130 a month for students under 30 on public insurance |
Fees and costs are indicative for the 2026/27 cycle, change with exchange rates and policy, and should be confirmed with the university or the relevant government before you decide.
National visa for study purposes (type D), converted to a residence permit after arrival
Documents you will need
- Admission letter (Zulassungsbescheid) or conditional admission
- Blocked account confirmation
- Health insurance confirmation
- Proof of language: English (IELTS 6.5 typical) or German (TestDaF, DSH)
- Academic certificates, APS certificate for students from India, China and Vietnam
- Motivation letter and CV
Funding for international students in Germany
| Scholarship | What it offers | Who awards it |
|---|---|---|
| DAAD scholarships | Monthly stipends of €992 for master's and €1,300 for PhD, plus insurance and travel, for a wide range of subjects. | DAAD |
| Deutschlandstipendium | €300 a month for talented students at participating universities, regardless of nationality. | Federal government and private sponsors |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Full scholarships for selected multi-country master's programmes. | European Union |
| State and foundation scholarships | Heinrich Böll, Konrad Adenauer, Friedrich Ebert and other foundations fund international students who match their values. | Foundations |
Germany in eight facts
Public universities are free or nearly free, but private universities and some business schools charge full fees.
The APS certificate (academic verification) is compulsory for students from India, China and Vietnam before a visa.
Uni-assist processes applications for over 170 universities for a fee.
Registering your address (Anmeldung) within two weeks of arrival unlocks everything else.
Many landlords ask for a Schufa credit report; student halls are the easier first option.
Deposit-return machines pay you back for bottles and cans.
Shops close on Sundays across Germany.
The Deutschlandticket covers all local and regional transport nationwide.
Where to study in Germany
Everything else about studying in Germany
Student visa
How to get a Germany student visa: fees, funds, documents and timeline
Cost of studying
What it costs to study in Germany: tuition, living and one-off fees
Cost of living
Monthly cost of living for students in Germany
Scholarships
Scholarships for international students in Germany
Work after graduation
Working in Germany during and after your degree
Education system
How the German education system works
Student life
Student life in Germany: housing, work, weather and culture
Best student cities
Best cities to study in Germany
Exams required
Which exams you need to study in Germany
Master's degrees
Studying a master's in Germany
Studying in Germany: what students ask
Is education really free in Germany for international students?
At most public universities, yes: no tuition, only a semester contribution of €150 to €400. Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students €1,500 per semester and some master's programmes are classified as continuing education and charge fees. Private universities charge full fees.
Do I need to speak German?
Not for admission to an English-taught programme, but daily life, part-time jobs and most graduate roles reward at least B1 German. We recommend starting a course before you fly.
How much is the blocked account?
€11,904 for the 2025 cycle, which releases €992 a month. The figure is updated most years in line with the student loan rate.
Ready to plan Germany?
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