Germany is the most popular study destination, due to its tuition-free university education. There are a total of 426 higher education universities in Germany, including 106 universities, 216 universities of applied sciences, 52 colleges of art and 16 theological universities. The majority of them are primarily sponsored by the state and do not charge tuition to both domestic and international students.
According to DAAD Snapshot survey, at least 330,000 international students are currently enrolled to study in Germany. Despite the Covid-19 outbreak, the number of international first-semester students has increased substantially. According to German law, any international student wishing to study in Germany must have at least 8,72,519 INR in their bank account in order to pay for their studies and cost of living in Germany for at least the first year.
Why Study in Germany?
- Minimal Or No Tuition Fees - The German higher education system comprises over 400 schools, which are divided into public "tuition-free" colleges that serve over 2.4 million students across Germany and a smaller number of private institutions that serve less than 5% of the total student body
- Top-Ranked Universities - According to the DAAD, German educational institutions offer over 2084 international study programs. These programs are provided in English and are intended to meet international standards. Check: Universities in Germany
- Scholarships for International Students - DAAD and Deutschlandstipendium are the generic scholarship providers, which provide up to 50% of the scholarships on tuition fees and accommodation. Check: Scholarships in Germany
- Job Opportunities - According to German law, international students are permitted to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week or 120 full days per year. More than 60% of current international students are projected to work part-time while studying in Germany. Explore! Part-time jobs in Germany
- Affordable Costs of Living - When compared to other neighboring nations, the cost of living in Germany is relatively low. In Germany, the average cost of living is around 74,000 INR per month or 8.9 lakh INR per year. Also Check: Travel and Student Accommodation in Germany
Top Universities in Germany
It is home to some of the world’s most prestigious academic universities. According to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), six of the top 100 universities were German.
| S. No. | University | QS World University Rankings | GRE (Quant) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Technical University of Munich | #=50 | 157 |
| 2. | Heidelberg University | #63 | 163 |
| 3. | Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich | #64 | Not required |
| 4. | Humboldt University | 117 | 160 |
| 5. | Free University of Berlin | 130 | Not required |
| 6. | Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | 131 | Not required |
| 7. | RWTH aachen university | 145 | 160 |
| 8. | Technical University Berlin | 148 | Not required |
| 9. | Technical University Dresden | =173 | Not required |
| 10. | Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | =175 | 106 |
Germany has the third best education system in the world, after the United States and the United Kingdom, according to US News & World Report. It can be attributed to the country’s research-intensive curricula and world-class infrastructure.
Under the Bologna reform, universities in Germany provide all students with a uniform and internationally-recognized degree. The country also practices a dual education system wherein students can do apprenti*ceships in a company while pursuing a vocational course at a vocational school.
Admission Process to Study in Germany
International students interested in studying in Germany can apply through the DAAD or Uni-assist application platforms. Uni-assist is a forum that reviews your application, and most colleges require you to fill out the application form through uni-assist. Another option is to apply directly to German colleges via their official websites.
- A valid passport.
- Passport-size photograph
- Copy of secondary school-leaving certificate (Hochschulreife)
- Certified copy of subjects studied and grades
- Language Proficiency Score
- If appropriate, aptitude test results
- Statement of Purpose
- Proof of work experience, if applicable
Also Check: Exams required to study in Germany
English Language Requirements
For admission to study in Germany, international applicants must meet both German and English language competency requirements. The required scores for the most common language tests to study in Germany are listed below.
| S. No. | University | IELTS | TOEFL iBT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Technical University of Munich | 6.5 | 88 |
| 2. | Heidelberg University | 6.5 | 79 |
| 3. | Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich | 6.5 | 80 |
| 4. | Humboldt University | 6.0 | 84 |
| 5. | Free University of Berlin | 6.5 | 100 |
| 6. | Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | 6.5 | 90 |
| 7. | RWTH aachen university | 6.5 | 95 |
| 8. | Technical University Berlin | 6.0 | 80 |
| 9. | Technical University Dresden | 6.0 | 79 |
| 10. | Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | 6.0 | 79 |
Academic Requirements
| S. No. | University | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Technical University of Munich | Bachelor's degree; Statement of Purpose; CV; GRE |
| 2. | Heidelberg University | Bachelor's degree; SOP; CV; GRE |
| 3. | Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich | Bachelor's degree; SOP; CV |
| 4. | Humboldt University | Bachelor's degree; Letters of recommendation; CV; GRE |
| 5. | Free University of Berlin | Bachelor's degree; SOP; CV; LOR |
| 6. | Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | Bachelor's degree; CV; Work Experience; LOR |
| 7. | RWTH aachen university | Bachelor's degree; SOP; CV; GRE |
| 8. | Technical University Berlin | Bachelor's degree; SOP; CV |
| 9. | Technical University Dresden | Bachelor's degree; SOP; CV; LOR |
| 10. | Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | Bachelor's degree; LOR; Work Experience; GRE |
Visa Requirements to Study in Germany
Cost to Study in Germany
Tuition-free education at Germany's public universities is the primary reason for studying there. Tuition expenses at German public universities are relatively low. Although many colleges do not charge tuition, you must pay semester fees for administrative costs, the student union, and public transportation. The semester charge ranges from EUR 200 to EUR 300, or around 17,000- 26,000 INR.
Pre-Arrival Cost
To study in Germany, you will have to endure a certain cost prior to leaving your country. These include application fees, German student visa fees, exam fees, airfare, healthcare, and so on. The following are some of the estimates:
| Expenses | Fee (INR) |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | 6,330 |
| Visa fees | Schengen Visa - 7,088 National Visa (Above 18 yrs) - 6,600 |
| Health Insurance | 6,751- 1,26,597 |
| TOEFL Fees | 11,931- 18,644 |
| IELTS Fees | 13,796- 14,169 |
| TestDAF | 8,500 |
| GRE Fees | 17,154- 18,644 |
Tuition Fees at Top Universities in Germany for Indian Students
The table below shows the average tuition costs charged by universities in Germany:
| S. No. | University | Average Annual Tuition Fee in INR |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Technical University of Munich | 10,680- 12,386 |
| 2. | Heidelberg University | 28,333 |
| 3. | Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich | 21,287- 25,811 |
| 4. | Humboldt University | 50,978- 74,420 |
| 5. | Free University of Berlin | 26,423 |
| 6. | Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | 2,57,494 |
| 7. | RWTH aachen university | No tuition Fee |
| 8. | Technical University Berlin | No tuition Fee |
| 9. | Technical University Dresden | 23,307 |
Cost of Living in Germany
The average cost of living in Germany is around EUR 850 which is equivalent to almost 74,000 INR per month or EUR 10,236 i.e approximately 8.9 lakh INR per year.
The average cost of living in Germany per month is tabulated below:
| Expense Type | Monthly Cost in INR |
|---|---|
| Rent | 25,360- 59,174 |
| Utilities | 18,597 |
| Travel | 8,453 |
| Food & Drink | 12,680- 16,906 |
| Health Insurance | 8,876 |
| Entertainment | 4,226- 12,680 |
| Miscellaneous | 1,690 |
Scholarships to Study in Germany
Universities in Germany charge no to low tuition fees and yet offer a number of ways to fund your studies. Many waive or pay for expenses such as semester tickets, admission fees, examination fees, and even German language courses.
DAAD scholarships are highly popular among students too. In the recent year, the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) offered nearly 200 scholarships and funded more than 130,000 students across the globe.
| Scholarship | Details | Amount Granted (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| DAAD Scholarships | Eligible applicants must have completed their prior degree with a minimum aggregate of 85%. | Upto 1,01,337 INR/month |
| Einstein International Postdoctoral Fellowship | Supported by the Einstein Foundation for postdoctoral research at a college in Berlin | 16,88,964 INR/ year |
| Humboldt Research Fellowships for Postdoctoral Researchers | Postdoctoral grants for researchers and scholars of any subject and identity | 2,25,476 INR/month |
| Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Scholarships | Monthly masters and Ph.D. grants are accessible for international candidates under 30 | Masters- 71,781 INR/Month PhD- 1,01,337 INR/ month |
| Kurt Hansen Science Scholarships | Science scholarships to study in Germany, supported by the Bayer Foundation | 15,71,666 INR/ year |
Also Check: Scholarships to Study in Germany.
Great Job Opportunities
As Europe's largest economy and the world's fifth, Germany can provide international students with a diversity of job opportunities after graduation. Some of the home companies with prominent global presence in Germany are Audi, Mercedes, Volkswagen, and BMW. You can also work for international companies such as Amazon, BCG, Google, SAP, and others.
Many universities allow students to even work while studying to support themselves. EU students can easily take up a job. Students from non-EU countries must apply for a work permit. They can work for 190 full days or 240 half days per year. They can earn up to USD 30 per hour.
Average salary in Germany- By Job
In Germany, the average pay varies by industry. Executive Management & Change professionals in Germany are the highest paid, earning an annual salary of 8,250,000 INR.
| Job | Average Salary (in INR) |
|---|---|
| Executive Management & Change | 8,250,000 |
| Legal & Paralegal | 7,875,000 |
| Legal Department | 7,500,000 |
| Airline | 6,600,000 |
| Logistics, Operations & Purchasing | 5,688,000 |
| Compliance, AML, KYC & Monitoring | 5,648,000 |
Top Companies of Germany
The following is a list of the largest companies in Germany in 2021, along with their Fortune Global 500 rankings.
| Rank | Company | Fortune Global 500 Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Volkswagen | 10 |
| 2 | Daimler | 24 |
| 3 | Allianz | 38 |
| 4 | Deutsche Telekom | 53 |
| 5 | BMW Group | 54 |
| 6 | Bosch Group | 98 |
| 7 | Deutsche Post DHL Group | 113 |
| 8 | Munich Re Group | 117 |
| 9 | E.ON | 130 |
| 10 | BASF | 134 |
Highest Paying Degrees in Germany
Masters in Finance is the highest-paying degree in Germany, with alumni earning an average salary of 8,250,000 INR. Mentioned below are some of the highest paying degrees in Germany:
| Degree | Average Salary (in INR) |
|---|---|
| Masters in Finance | 8,250,000 |
| Executive MBA | 8,184,000 |
| MBA | 7,813,000 |
| Doctorate | 7,718,000 |
| BBA | 7,500,000 |
| Masters in Management | 7,425,000 |
Also Check: Jobs in Germany for International Students.
With 12% of the student body being international, universities in Germany embrace cultural diversity. The cost of living in Germany is USD 1,000-USD 1,530 per month which is relatively lesser than its European counterparts. According to the Economics Times, Germany is the best country to live in after Australia and Switzerland. On the safety scale, it scores a total of 64.25 which is higher than the US (52.71) and the UK (50.79).
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