Study In Germany

Germany has over the years become one of the top destinations for Indian students wanting to study abroad. As per data available from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, about 20,810 Indian students are currently enrolled in German universities (2021). Germany is home to world-class education complete with modern amenities and a major part of the country’s GDP is diverted towards the maintenance of the education system of the country.

All state-owned universities (public universities) in Germany are free and do not charge tuition fees to students. When we talk about the cost of living in Germany, as of January 1, 2022, keeping the rate of inflation in mind, the mandatory amount required in the Blocked Account for studying in Germany is €11,172 for an entire year or €931 for a month.

Why Study in Germany?

Considered a mecca for engineering studies, Germany is a popular study-abroad destination among Indians for all the right reasons. 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 (Euros 300-500) that needs to be paid at the start of every semester. The cost of studying and living in the country is comparatively lower when compared to countries such as the US and the UK. Germany boasts a strong economy and has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the European Union that currently dwindles at 4.31% (source: Statista 2020)

Study in Germany 2023: Highlights

Universities in Germany	140+
Average Living Expense	INR 4.0 Lakhs
Popular Courses in Germany	MIM in Germany | MS in Germany | BBA IN Germany | MIM in Germany | MBA in Germany
Part-time Work Allowance	20 hours/week
Work visa in Germany post-study	18 months
Germany Study Visa cost	Euro 75

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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Steps to Study in Germany for Free for International Students	Top Countries to Study MBA Abroad

Top Universities in Germany

In this section, we are going to be talking about the top universities in Germany. While public universities are the most sought-after in the country, however admission to them is an uphill task. Your application would require a certificate understanding of the German Language and exceptional academic records to be considered for admission to public universities in Germany. Candidates can opt for private universities in Germany which provide the same quality of education but have a less complex admission process.

Universities in Germany	QS World University Rankings 2023	Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2023
Technical University of Munich	#49	#30
Ludwig Maximilians University Munich	#59	#33
Heidelberg University	#65	#43
Free University of Berlin	#118	#91
Humboldt University of Berlin	#131	#86
KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology	#141	#189
RWTH Aachen University	#147	#99
Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin)	#158	#156
Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen	#169	#86
Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg	#189	#113

Top Courses in Germany

While Germany is home to multiple programmes for candidates looking to study abroad. 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

Cost of Studying in Germany

While the public universities in Germany are financed by the state, tuition fees will have to be paid for private university enrolments. Candidates opting to study in public universities in Germany would be required to pay a semester fee of between 300 – 500 euros at the start of each semester.  Private higher education institutions that are equally good will demand a more substantial fee for their degree.

Cost of Studying in Germany by University

University	Cost of studying in Germany
Public Universities	EUR 300-500 /Semester
Private Universities	12,000 – 15,000 euros/year

Cost of Studying in Germany by Course

Popular Courses	Cost of studying in Germany
BTech	INR 1.50 Lakhs
BSc	INR 80.0K
MA	INR 1.00 Lakh
MBA	INR 13.12 Lakhs

Cost of Living in Germany

Accommodation, food, clothing and recreational activities, are generally covered under the ambit of living costs. Every year, according to the prevailing economic conditions as well as the relevant fee structure, every university would request that a monthly sum be provided for the student to facilitate his living expenses in the country as well as for completing his education, this money is deposited in a Blocked Account.

As of September 2022, keeping the rate of inflation in mind, the mandatory amount required in the Blocked Account for studying in Germany is €11,172 for an entire year or €931 for a month. This would include rent, travel expenses, expenditures for food, clothing, learning materials, health insurance, telephone, Internet, radio and TV license fees, and recreational activities.

Germany Student Visa

To stay in Germany for more than 90 days as a student, you are required to get a residence permit or a German Study Visa. The cost of a Germany Student Visa is €75. The processing time could take up to 25 days if all your documents are in order. A lot of times applicants are required to provide more/additional documents. For such cases, the processing time for the Germany Student Visa could go up to 12 weeks. A residence permit issued to students is valid for a maximum of two years. It needs to be renewed if the duration of the course is longer than the stated two years.

Student visa requirements for Germany

You will have to apply for your German Student Visa in person. Visa fees amount to €75 (to be paid in INR). In addition, you should provide two sets of application documents containing the following documents:

• Valid passport
• Copy of your passport’s information page (A4 size copy)
• Application form 
• A declaration stating the information provided is true and complete information
• APS Certificate: Mandatory component November 2022 onwards
• Cover Letter explaining the reason for your visa application. You may be required to submit a German translation of this document.
• Letter of Admission from a German University
• University Certificates and transcripts - Degree certificates and mark sheets
• Proof of Language Proficiency (German language test scores). Applicants for PhD studies and Erasmus Mundus Scholarship holders are exempt from this rule.
• Proof of funds
• 3 passport pictures according to biometric specifications, not older than 6 months
• Demand Draft for the Student Visa Fee