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🇩🇪Germany

Study in Germany for Free

World-class education at tuition-free public universities. Germany offers excellent engineering programs, strong industry connections, and a clear pathway to work and settle in Europe's largest economy.

€0

Tuition at Public Unis

400K+

International Students

18 Months

Job Seeker Visa

2,000+

English Programs

Why Choose Germany?

Free Tuition

No tuition fees at most public universities for international students

Industry Leaders

Home to BMW, Siemens, SAP, Bosch, and world-leading industries

English Programs

2,000+ Master's programs taught entirely in English

Work While Studying

120 full days or 240 half days of work permitted per year

Post-Study Options

18-month job seeker visa to find employment after graduation

Central Location

Easy access to travel across Europe with excellent infrastructure

Visa Types & Work Authorization

Student Visa (Study Purpose)

For international students enrolled in German universities

Duration: Duration of study + preparation courses
Work Rights: 120 full days or 240 half days per year
Pathway: Job Seeker Visa → EU Blue Card → PR

Job Seeker Visa

For graduates to find employment in Germany

Duration: 18 months after graduation
Work Rights: Job search, not full employment
Pathway: Find job → EU Blue Card → PR

EU Blue Card

Work visa for highly qualified professionals

Duration: 4 years, renewable
Work Rights: Full-time work with sponsoring employer
Pathway: PR after 21-33 months

Settlement Permit (Permanent)

Permanent residence after qualified period

Duration: Permanent
Work Rights: Unrestricted work rights
Pathway: After EU Blue Card: 21-33 months

Cost of Studying in Germany (EUR)

Tuition Fees

Public Universities€0 - €500/semester (admin fee only)
Private Universities€10,000 - €30,000/year

Baden-Württemberg: €1,500/semester for non-EU

Living Expenses

Munich€12,000 - €15,000/year
Berlin€10,000 - €12,000/year
Smaller Cities€8,000 - €10,000/year

Mandatory Costs

Blocked Account€11,904/year (mandatory proof)
Health Insurance€110/month (public)
Semester Ticket€150 - €350/semester

Total Estimated Cost: €10,000 - €15,000/year (mostly living expenses - tuition is free!)

Top 12 Universities in Germany

TU Munich

#1 Germany

Munich, Bavaria

Programs: Engineering, CS, Physics

💰 Free (€144/semester)

LMU Munich

#2 Germany

Munich, Bavaria

Programs: Medicine, Law, Sciences

💰 Free (€144/semester)

Heidelberg University

#3 Germany

Heidelberg

Programs: Medicine, Natural Sciences

💰 Free (€171/semester)

Humboldt University

#4 Germany

Berlin

Programs: Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences

💰 Free (€315/semester)

RWTH Aachen

#5 Germany

Aachen

Programs: Engineering, Technology

💰 Free (€310/semester)

Technical University Berlin

#6 Germany

Berlin

Programs: Engineering, Architecture

💰 Free (€312/semester)

University of Freiburg

#7 Germany

Freiburg

Programs: Environmental Sciences, Medicine

💰 Free (€155/semester)

KIT Karlsruhe

#8 Germany

Karlsruhe

Programs: Engineering, IT, Physics

💰 €1,500/semester (Non-EU)

University of Tübingen

#9 Germany

Tübingen

Programs: AI, Medicine, Humanities

💰 €1,500/semester (Non-EU)

University of Göttingen

#10 Germany

Göttingen

Programs: Sciences, Agriculture

💰 Free (€386/semester)

TU Dresden

#11 Germany

Dresden

Programs: Engineering, Microelectronics

💰 Free (€280/semester)

University of Bonn

#12 Germany

Bonn

Programs: Mathematics, Economics

💰 Free (€314/semester)

Scholarships (DAAD & More)

DAAD Study Scholarships

Amount: €934/month + health insurance + travel
Eligibility: Graduates from all countries for Master's/PhD
Deadline: October 15 (varies by country)

Deutschlandstipendium

Amount: €300/month (€150 from Bund + €150 from sponsors)
Eligibility: High-achieving students enrolled at German universities
Deadline: Varies by university (usually April-July)

Heinrich Böll Foundation

Amount: €992/month + €300 book allowance
Eligibility: Students with social/political engagement (Green values)
Deadline: March 1 / September 1

Friedrich Ebert Foundation

Amount: €992/month (Master's)
Eligibility: Students with social-democratic engagement
Deadline: Ongoing applications

Konrad Adenauer Foundation

Amount: €992/month + €300 book allowance
Eligibility: Christian-democratic values, academic excellence
Deadline: January 15 / July 15

DAAD WISE (for Indian students)

Amount: €934/month for 2-3 months
Eligibility: Indian UG students for research internships
Deadline: November 1

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters

Amount: €1,400/month + travel + tuition
Eligibility: International students for joint EU programs
Deadline: December-February (varies)

SBW Berlin Scholarship

Amount: Living costs + mentoring
Eligibility: Students from developing countries
Deadline: February

Salary Expectations (EUR)

RoleEntry LevelMid Level (5+ years)
Software Engineer€50,000 - €65,000€70,000 - €100,000
Data Scientist€50,000 - €60,000€65,000 - €90,000
Mechanical Engineer€48,000 - €58,000€65,000 - €85,000
Automotive Engineer€52,000 - €62,000€70,000 - €95,000
Consultant€50,000 - €65,000€75,000 - €110,000
Financial Analyst€45,000 - €55,000€60,000 - €85,000

Frequently Asked Questions

Is studying in Germany really free?

Yes, most public universities in Germany don't charge tuition fees for international students. You only pay a semester contribution (€150-400) which usually includes a public transport ticket (Semesterticket). Exception: Baden-Württemberg charges €1,500/semester for non-EU students.

What is a blocked account (Sperrkonto)?

A blocked account is mandatory proof of financial resources for your visa. You must deposit €11,904 (as of 2024) and can withdraw €992/month. Popular providers: Fintiba (€89 fee, fastest setup), Expatrio (€49 fee), Deutsche Bank (€0 fee but slower). Open 8-12 weeks before visa application.

Do I need to know German to study in Germany?

Not necessarily. Over 2,000 Master's programs are taught entirely in English. However, learning German (A2-B1 level) is highly recommended for daily life, working student jobs (Werkstudent), and career opportunities. German-taught programs require TestDaF (TDN 4) or DSH-2.

How long can I stay in Germany after graduation?

Germany offers an 18-month Job Seeker Visa (Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Arbeitsplatzsuche) after graduation to find employment. Once you find a job matching your qualification with minimum €45,300/year salary, you can apply for an EU Blue Card, which leads to permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) after 21-33 months.

What is the Bavarian Formula for grade conversion?

The Bavarian Formula (Modified Bavarian Formula) converts international grades to German grades: German Grade = 1 + 3 × (Nmax - Nd) / (Nmax - Nmin). Where Nmax is maximum grade, Nd is your grade, Nmin is minimum passing grade. Example: Indian 8.5/10 CGPA ≈ German 1.75. Use our GPA converter for automatic calculation.

Can I work while studying in Germany?

Yes! Students can work 120 full days OR 240 half days per year without additional permit. Working student (Werkstudent) jobs in tech pay €12-20/hour. During semester breaks, you can work full-time. Mini-jobs (€520/month) don't count towards the limit.

How do I find student housing in Germany?

Options: 1) Studentenwerk dormitories (€200-400/month, apply early via local Studierendenwerk), 2) WG (shared flat) on WG-Gesucht.de, 3) Private apartments on ImmoScout24. Munich is most expensive; smaller cities like Dresden, Leipzig are affordable. Start searching 3-4 months early.

Which health insurance do I need?

Public health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) is mandatory and costs ~€110/month for students under 30. Main providers: TK (Techniker Krankenkasse), AOK, Barmer. Students over 30 or with private insurance from home may use private insurance (Mawista, Care Concept).

When are application deadlines for German universities?

Winter semester (October start): Deadline July 15 for international students. Summer semester (April start): Deadline January 15. Some programs via uni-assist have earlier deadlines (April-May for winter). Apply through uni-assist.de for most universities or directly for TU Munich, LMU.

Do I need uni-assist for applications?

Most German universities require applications through uni-assist.de (€75 first uni + €30 each additional). However, some universities accept direct applications: TU Munich, LMU Munich, Heidelberg. Check each university's website. Process takes 4-6 weeks.

Useful Tools for Your Germany Journey