Study in Germany

Germany offers students the opportunity to study at world-class universities as well as enjoying relatively low tuition costs, extensive personal and academic support, and some great post-graduation employment prospects.  

Many students who choose to study in Germany find that they are able to enjoy a high quality of life by engaging in their studies, spending time with friends, and exploring some of the countries' big cities. 

Why study in Germany?

Germany is an increasingly popular choice among students who are looking to study abroad. Our Best Student Cities rankings names three of Germany’s major cities among some of the top choices in the world.

The city of Munich ranks the highest of the three, followed by the country’s capital, Berlin and Stuttgart. Munich scores well for the student view, student mix and desirability indicators, painting it as a city with a vibrant student community. 

There are many reasons why these cities, and Germany as a whole, is popular with students. There is a sociable culture which encourages quality time with friends and family. Spending time outdoors when possible is also popular among citizens, students and visitors.

Furthermore, due to its popularity, there is a lot of diversity in Germany, particularly in the student community. Students come from all over the world to study in Germany’s top universities which often offer programmes in German or English. This diversity creates a welcoming environment and the use of more than one language gives students the opportunity to learn another language while studying. 

The quality of Germany’s universities is a major draw for many prospective international students. German education facilities tend to adopt a practical teaching style which focuses on supplying students with real-world skills and giving them the opportunity to apply these skills in a workplace setting.

Moreover, many universities in Germany offer very low tuition fees in comparison to other countries. Some public universities even offer free education to both domestic and international students. It's a popular destination for students who have limited funding options but do not want to compromise on the quality of their education. 

Finally, like all countries in the European Union, Germany is a popular destination because of the opportunity it gives students to travel while studying. Any student with a German visa will be allowed to travel anywhere within the Schengen area which includes most countries within Europe.

The ability to travel is a major attraction for students who are looking to explore the world and have a wide range of experiences during their time at university. 

Choosing a university 

There are nearly 50 German universities in this year’s World University Rankings. Among the top universities in Germany are:

Technical University of Munich 

Technical University of Munich describes itself as ‘a marketplace of knowledge’ with a focus on innovation and creativity. Collaboration and community are at the heart of the teachings at the university. 

Ludwig-Maximillians Universität München 

Ludwig-Maximillians Universität München was initially established in 1472. It focuses on culture and creativity with research-led teaching methods. 

Universität Heidelberg 

With degree options across several disciplines, humanities, social sciences, life sciences and medicine, Universität Heidelberg aims to use an interdisciplinary approach to ensure students get a well-rounded education. It is also Germany’s oldest university and was established in 1386. 

Freie Universitaet Berlin 

Freie Universitaet Berlin is a public university. The university’s goal is to be a research hub within the city of Berlin. It offers over 150 degree programmes and has over 100 partnerships with research universities around the world to achieve this. 

RWTH Aachen University 

Innovation and research are at the core of RWTH Aachen University. It specialises in STEM subjects such as natural sciences, technology and engineering. 

Germany's top student cities

Berlin 

Germany’s capital Berlin is a city rich in history which is also very modern. It has a wide variety of cafes, restaurants, parks, museums, theatres, shopping centres and much more.

There is plenty of nightlife to enjoy in Berlin as well as a rich culinary tradition with German dishes such as Bratwurst, a German grilled sausage, spätzle, a noodle dish, schnitzel, a cut of meat coated in breadcrumbs, and black forest gateau, a rich chocolate and cherry flavoured cake. 

Top universities in Berlin include Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin and Technische Universität Berlin. The city’s also home to campuses of prestigious business schools such as ESCP Europe, GISMA Business School and ESMT Berlin.

Munich 

Thanks to its world-famous Oktoberfest (a huge annual beer festival), Munich will forever be associated with Germany’s beer-brewing tradition. But there’s more to this southern German city, which is often voted one of the world’s most liveable cities. For one thing, Munich is home to Technische Universität München and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.

A sleek modern financial hub, Munich can be a little on the pricey side but it won’t cost you anything to enjoy the beautiful Bavarian countryside which surrounds it. There’s plenty of history to enjoy too, and no visit to München would be complete without a visit to King Ludwig’s palaces and grottos.

Heidelberg 

Despite being part of one of Germany’s most densely populated areas, Heidelberg manages to retain a certain quaint rustic charm. It’s popular with tourists, who come to see its ancient castle and red-roofed town center.

Top universities in Heidelberg include the famous Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, which is Germany’s oldest university. It boasts connections with more than 50 Nobel Prize winners, of whom 10 were (or are) professors at the university.

Cologne 

Cologne is known for its dramatic cathedral, Kölner Dom, its pleasant riverside, and its liberal and tolerant nature. It has a vibrant student community, is peppered with museums and art galleries, and does a good line in beer halls and independent stores, particularly in the Agnesviertel district.

Direct trains run to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, and Luxembourg isn’t too far away either, so Cologne could be a good choice for those keen to explore Western Europe. Universities in Cologne include the flagship Universität Köln (University of Cologne), one of Germany’s largest universities.

Frankfurt am Main 

The beating heart of Germany’s financial and business sectors, Frankfurt is also the home of the European Central Bank. Accordingly, its city centre is a mass of gleaming skyscrapers, and its airport is the busiest in continental Europe.

However, it’s not all work and no play. Frankfurt is known for offering some of the best nightlife in Germany and hosts a number of colourful festivals throughout the year.

As for universities in Frankfurt, the most prestigious is Universität Frankfurt am Main.

Tuition fees in Germany 

Tuition fees in Germany vary based on the programme that you are applying to, whether you are an international or EU student and whether your university is private or publicly funded. 

In a public university, tuition fees are paid for by the government, however students will be expected to pay for a semester fee. This is generally much more affordable than tuition fees and will usually cost €100-€350 per semester.

In some universities, international students are required to pay an additional fee of €1,500-€3,000 per semester. Some will also have an increased semester fee if you have already completed a degree programme and are applying for a second degree.  

Tuition fees at private universities are more expensive and varies more significantly depending on the programme: 

• Bachelor's degrees – between €5,000 and €20,000 per year 
• Master’s degrees – between €10,000 and €40,000 per year 
• MBA programmes – between €15,000 and €60,000 per year 

Doctoral programmes are often free in both public and private universities with the candidate receiving a monthly stipend. In some universities, they will be required to pay the semester fee of €1,000-€3,000 per semester but this is not common. 

For students in need of financial aid, there are plenty of scholarship options to help with fees. Some of these are government funded whereas some come from private organisations or the universities themselves. QS also offers scholarship opportunities as part of our QS ImpACT initiative.  

In order to get a student visa for Germany, students must submit the following as part of their application: 

• Their visa application documents 
• Personal documents – valid passport, two copies of your passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), child(ren)’s birth certificate (if applicable), passport-style photographs, and copies of previous German resident titles (if applicable). 
• Proof of financial resources – at least €11,904 per year to cover living expenses as well as funds or scholarship agreements to cover tuition and semester fees. 
• Proof of admission into a university 
• Previous school transcripts 
• Proof of German health insurance or a Global Health card 
• Proof of at least a B2 proficiency in English or German depending on the programme 
• Visa processing fee of €75 per person 

To apply for a visa, hand in all your documents at your local German embassy or consulate and book an appointment for a visa interview.

You can expect to wait up to 25 days to receive a decision on whether your application was successful although this can take up to three months during busy periods, so it is important to apply for your visa with plenty of time in advance. 

Career opportunities

If you are a resident of an EU country, you can remain in Germany to apply for jobs without a work permit due to freedom of movement. 

If you are not from an EU country, but still want to remain in Germany after graduation, you can apply for a visa extension for 18 months after your final exams.

If you are able to find a job with a minimum of a year long fixed contract before the 18-month deadline, you should then apply for an EU Blue Card, which is the main residency permit for university graduates. This can extend your stay for up to four years.

After 27 months of living and working in Germany, you are eligible to apply for permanent residency. 

Germany has many thriving industries where students can begin their careers. Some of these include medicine, business management, education, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, finance, consulting, accounting, law, technology and sales. 

Support services 

Many universities in Germany have a student services office which offer a variety of different types of support. The exact support offered will depend on the university however it will usually include advice for international students, scholarship and financial support, one on one mentoring and technological support. 

To find out more about the exact support services that a student offers, make sure to check the university’s website.