Study in Germany

Indian students opting to study in Germany is on the rise. The number of Indian students in Germany has grown by 15.1% over the last year and stands at 49,483 (Winter Semester 2023-2024). According to data released by the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, India is the largest source of international students in Germany. Considered a top destination for engineering, medicine and tech related studies, Germany boasts world-class education with contemporary facilities, and a substantial portion of the country's GDP is dedicated to sustaining its education system.

As part of their initiative to provide affrodable quality education to all, state-owned universities (public universities) in Germany are free and do not charge tuition fees to students. While the admission process to public universities is complex, however both international and locals are not required to pay tuition fees but an administration fee amounting to (300-500euros) as part of the admission process. When we talk about the cost of living in Germany, keeping the rate of inflation in mind, the mandatory amount required in the Blocked Account for studying in Germany is €11,904 for an entire year or €992 for a month. One should be aware of key changes in for students in Germany in 2025 before applying for the German universities.

Study in Germany 2024: Highlights

Education System in Germany

The German education system lays focuses on creativity and innovation, which makes it a great place for students to learn. There are three types of schools in Germany- public schools (free), private schools (not free), and vocational schools (employers pay for). Public schools are mandatory for children aged six to 16 and it’s the state that pays for them. Private schools are not mandatory, but they do offer better education opportunities. Vocational school is an alternative to university that can be paid for by employers as well as through loans or scholarships.

The German education system is different in many ways from the ones in other countries and the classes are conducted in German and English. Public universities are financed by the government and do not charge tuition fees or just charge a small amount of money as administration fee at the start of the academic every year. Private universities in contrast are financed by the fees paid by students and these can be quite expensive. Germany has a larger number of public universities than private ones. German law says that education should be offered to everyone and everyone should be able to afford adequate education.

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Top Courses in Germany

While Germany is home to multiple programmes for candidates looking to study in Germany. However, Germany is often described as the mecca for engineering studies. The technical universities in Germany are some of the best universities for engineering studies worldwide. Popular programmes across Germany include

• Computer Science and Information Technology (IT)
• Engineering Studies
• Social Sciences
• Management Studies
• Humanities and creative arts

German Permanent Residence Permit

Once a candidate has found a job that he would like to accept, he is required to apply for a work permit from his earlier ‘Job Seeking Visa.’ The candidate can remain in Germany while their application is pending. Furthermore, if the candidate is looking to permanently settle down in Germany (PR in Germany), he/she can apply for an ‘EU Blue Card’ - Residence Permit as early as two years after receiving his work permit.

The EU Blue Card is a permanent residence permit for European countries. However, if the candidate is looking to apply for an EU Blue Card he will be allowed to work and live in any of the EU states. To be eligible to apply for an EU Blue Card, the applicant must be offered a job that pays at least €53,000 (~US$57,844) a year or at least €41,808 (~US$45,629) a year for mathematicians, engineers, natural scientists, technicians or physicians. Candidates are advised to check with the foreign residents’ registration office for advice on which permit to apply for and what documents they would need as part of the admission process.

Admission Requirements to Study in German Universities

Admission requirements to Study in Germany are set very high by German Universities. For UG courses as much as 90% is expected for admission. Also, students need to either complete 1 year of Bachelors's study in India and appear for IITJEE or Fa exam to be eligible to apply for a UG course in Germany. In addition to this students need to appear for IELTS or TOEFL to prove their efficiency in the English language. An  IELTS score of 6.0 or TOEFL score of 100 is a minoimum requirement for candidates looking to study in Germany.

For PG courses: students are expected to have at least 70-75% from a reputed Indian University. They are also required to appear for GRE (accepted by some Universities) and a score of above 300 should do the needful. Also, it can boost a student's profile if he or she appears for the course even though the University has not requested it.

The courses meant for international students are called International study programmes and are taught in English. Hence, students looking for courses exclusively in English must look under the section specified above for their course or under ‘Internationals'. Unless a student has sound knowledge of the German language no point in opting for courses taught in German otherwise. Some courses also have the option of doing a dissertation in German for which students need to prove their efficiency in German beforehand.

The students willing to learn German must do it through certified sources and in India students need to contact only Max Muller Bhavan and clear TesDaf. The level to be cleared is generally specified on the University website as it depends on what percentage of classes are conducted in German.

Timeline for Admission to German Universities

Universities can have a particular intake season or opt for rolling admissions where the selective university won’t have a deadline. When we talk about intake season, the academic year is divided into two semesters i.e. Summer Semester and Winter Semester. Candidates can also get in touch with our Shiksha Study Aboard counsellors who primarily look at assisting with university admissions.

Scholarships to Study in Germany

Merit-based scholarships provided by universities are another great way for candidates to bring down their tuition costs. However, students will have to show an exceptional academic track record to avail scholars of higher value. One of the primary names for funding your study in Germany is the German Academic Exchange Service or DAAD. The organization helps you not merely shortlist a suitable college but also helps you with a variety of scholarship options depending on your chosen discipline or field of research. Apart from DAAD, candidates can also check out German university scholarships to study in the country on our website.

Education Loan for studying in Germany

One of the major drawbacks of studying abroad is the cost of studying in a foreign country. To cover such expenses, students can borrow education loan for abroad studies from banks and NBFC. You can explore schemes and offers of education loans for studying in Germany. 

Part-Time Work Options for International Students in Germany

International students who are travelling to Germany to study will be allowed to work for a total of 140 full or 280 half days in a year. A student will not be allowed to work for more than 20 hours a week during the term. Students, however, can take up full-time employment during vacations. The option to work part-time in Germany for international students is provided with the German Study Visa and does not need to be applied for separately. As of January 2025, the minimum wage for working in Germany is to be raised at €12.82 euros per hour.

Post-Study Work Visa in Germany

Students who have completed their education in Germany are eligible for working in Germany after their studies. This is time over and above the duration of the study period granted in their German Study Visa. For their post-study work visa in Germany, students can apply for an extended 18-month Job Seeking Visa otherwise called the post-study work visa to find work related to their studies. In these 18 months, the candidates can work as much as they like and take up any kind of employment to support themselves.

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Study in Germany FAQs

What should I know before deciding to study in Germany?

The admission process is not easy. However, you can get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad counsellors for assistance with university admissions. It is important to have all documents in place for the university admission letter. For the German Student Visa, it is important to have sufficient money in your Blocked Account (slightly more than prescribed which would be deducted as bank charges). Know a little German. And above all enjoy the process.

How can an Indian student study in Germany?

Germany is one of the favourite study destinations for Indians. Germany is home to world-class universities offering a wide selection of courses many of which are taught in English. Public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees but have an administration fee that needs to be paid at the start of every semester. The country also provides affordable education, a multitude of course options, job opportunities, and immigration options