Germany
Germany is a top destination for international students, renowned for its world-class education (often with no tuition fees at public universities), high quality of life, and strong economy.
General Information for Germany
- Academic Requirements: Generally, a 10+2+3 education is required for Master’s programs. A strong GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), or around 75%, is recommended for top universities. Some programs may require specific subject knowledge or entrance exams.
- English Proficiency: The lowest accepted scores are typically IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80. However, competitive programs usually require IELTS 6.5-7.0 or TOEFL 90+.
- Accommodation: Options include student halls of residence (Studentenwerk), which cost €250 – €450/month, and private shared flats (Wohngemeinschaft – WG), which are more expensive at €400 – €700/month, especially in big cities like Munich and Berlin.
- Bank Savings / Blocked Account (Sperrkonto): This is a mandatory requirement for the student visa. As of 2025, the required amount is €11,208 per year (€934 per month). This money is deposited into a special blocked account in Germany, and students can withdraw a fixed amount each month.
- University Payment: For public universities, there’s no large upfront tuition payment. Students pay a semester contribution fee of €150 – €350 before the start of each semester. This fee covers administrative costs and often includes a public transport ticket. For private universities, a deposit or the first semester’s tuition is required after receiving the admission letter.
- Application Deadlines:
- Winter Semester (starts Oct): Applications open in May, close on July 15th.
- Summer Semester (starts Apr): Applications open in December, close on January 15th.
- Embassy Fees: The German National Visa (for study purposes) application fee is €75.
- Mock Interview Process: The visa interview is straightforward. Key questions focus on:
- Why did you choose this specific university and course?
- How will this course help your future career?
- How will you finance your studies and living costs?
- Do you plan to stay in Germany after your studies? (Answer should align with visa rules, focusing on returning home with new skills).
- Job Opportunities:
- Weekly Job Hours: International students can work 20 hours per week during the semester or 120 full days/240 half days per year.
- Per Hour Salary: The national minimum wage is approximately €12.41 per hour. Student jobs in cities may pay €13 – €15 per hour.
- Document Notary & Attestation: German universities and the embassy typically require notarized copies of academic documents.
Top Universities in Germany
University Name | University Area Name | Tuition Fees (Public) | Application Fee | Lowest English Score (IELTS) |
Technical University of Munich (TUM) | Munich, Bavaria | Semester Fee: €150-€200 | €0 – €75 (via uni-assist) | 6.5 |
Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) | Munich, Bavaria | Semester Fee: €150-€200 | €0 – €75 (via uni-assist) | 6.5 |
Heidelberg University | Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg | €1,500/semester (for non-EU) | €0 – €75 (via uni-assist) | 6.5 |
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) | Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg | €1,500/semester (for non-EU) | €0 – €75 (via uni-assist) | 6.0 |
RWTH Aachen University | Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia | Semester Fee: ~€320 | €0 | 6.5 |
Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin) | Berlin | Semester Fee: ~€310 | €75 (via uni-assist) | 6.5 |
Humboldt University of Berlin | Berlin | Semester Fee: ~€315 | €75 (via uni-assist) | 6.5 |
Free University of Berlin | Berlin | Semester Fee: ~€315 | €75 (via uni-assist) | 6.5 |
University of Hamburg | Hamburg | Semester Fee: ~€340 | €75 (via uni-assist) | 6.0 |
University of Stuttgart | Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg | €1,500/semester (for non-EU) | €70 | 6.0 |