Study in Germany
A top-four global destination with roughly 59,000 Indian students. Public universities charge little or no tuition, 2,000+ programmes are taught in English, and graduates get an 18-month job-search permit.
Top universities
| University | QS 2026 | Tuition / year |
|---|---|---|
| TU Munich | 22 | €0 · semester €144.40 |
| LMU Munich | 58 | €0 · semester €100–€300 |
| Heidelberg | 80 | €3,000 |
| Freie Universität Berlin | 88 | €0 · semester €312.89 |
| KIT | 98 | €3,000 |
| RWTH Aachen | 105 | €0 · semester €300–€350 |
| Humboldt Berlin | 130 | €3,000 |
| TU Berlin | 145 | €0–€12,700 |
| University of Tübingen | 213 | €3,000 |
| University of Freiburg | 201 | €3,168.60 |
Programmes and what they cost
Non-EU rates. Public and private institutions are priced very differently — check which one you are looking at.
| Route | Tuition | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Masters (MS)Over 60% of programmes charge no tuition. German grade 2.5 — roughly 7.5 CGPA — is the usual bar. | €0 at public universities | 2 years |
| MBAAverage MBA salary around €55,000. GMAT ~600+, frequently waived. | €4,000–€10,000 public · €38,000–€49,000 private | 12–24 months |
| BachelorsMost Indian applicants need a year of Studienkolleg; German B1–B2. | €0 public · €250–€350 semester fee | 3–4 years |
| BTech / EngineeringEngineering unemployment sits near 3%; starting salaries €42,000–€54,000. | €0 public · €9,000–€13,000 private | 6–8 semesters |
Costs, visa and rules
Visa and permits
After you arriveRegister your address and convert the visa to a residence permit. Remonstration was abolished on 1 July 2025 — a refused file has to be reapplied for, so get it right first time.
How to apply, step by step
- 1Get your APS certificate
Mandatory for Indian applicants: about €120 (₹18,000) and 4–8 weeks through aps-india.de. Start this before anything else — nothing moves without it.
- 2Check recognition in Anabin
Confirm your degree is graded H+ in the Anabin database before you build a shortlist.
- 3Sit the dMAT if it applies
From Summer 2027 the €150 Digital Master Test covers engineering, commerce/finance and business/management masters. It is not pass/fail, and you are exempt if your APS was submitted before 29 June 2026. Registration opens 29 June 2026; the test runs 26 September 2026.
- 4Prove your language level
IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL 80–90 for English-taught programmes; TestDaF 4, DSH-2 or C1 for German-taught ones.
- 5Apply through Uni-Assist
180+ universities use it: €75 for the first application, €30 for each additional one.
- 6Open the blocked account
€11,904 through Fintiba or Expatrio, plus health insurance, before the visa appointment.
- 7File the visa
€75 and 8–12 weeks. The winter intake closes 15 July, summer 15 January.
Working and staying on
18-month job-search residence permit. The points-based Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) is the alternative — minimum 6 points, up to a year to find work, €1,027/month in funds.
After 24 months of skilled employment with B1 German. EU Blue Card holders qualify in 21–33 months.
What to know before you apply
APS certificate is mandatory for Indian applicants: roughly €120–₹18,000 and 4–8 weeks. Start it before anything else.
New for 2026: the dMAT Digital Master Test (€150) applies to Masters applicants in engineering, commerce/finance and management from Summer 2027 — exempt if your APS was submitted before 29 June 2026.
Applications route through Uni-Assist for 180+ universities: €75 for the first, €30 for each additional.
The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) is a points-based route — minimum 6 points, up to a year to find work, €1,027/month in funds.
Remonstration (visa appeal) was abolished from 1 July 2025 — a refused file must be reapplied, so get it right first time.
Scholarships
Intakes
Winter (October start) is primary — deadline 15 July. Summer starts April — deadline 15 January.
Check my eligibilityOther destinations
Applying for the next intake?
Deadlines close months before term starts. Get your timeline mapped this week.