How to Study in Germany for International Students

In the last few years, Germany has been one of the most popular destinations for students who wish to study abroad. Universities here offer high-quality education and have campuses with state-of-the-art facilities. You also get to immerse in the lively German culture and join their exciting festivals!

When it comes to the choices that are available, Germany currently has 359 universities, from which 260 universities are a part of the public sector and 99 universities are private institutions.

Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Germany you should definitely check out are Technical University of Munich, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, and Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg.

Being able to study in Germany as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Germany, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Germany

The cost of your studies is a big factor to consider when you're planning to study abroad. It can financially burden you, but here's the good thing: the public universities in Germany don't charge tuition fees to international students like you! Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig, Academy of Fine Arts Munich and Academy of Media Arts Cologne are some of the tuition-free schools. You will just be required to pay some registration and other study fees, but these won't be as high.

On the other hand, if you choose to study in a private institution, expect that you'll pay higher fees. Here are some of the private universities in Germany with their tuition fees:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Constructor University 20,000 Euros 20,000 Euros
Fachhochschule Dresden 6,384 Euros
Touro College Berlin 9,000 Euros 9,600 Euros
Medical School Hamburg 4,680 Euros - 8,340 Euros 5,940 Euros - 8,340 Euros
University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Ottersberg 3,744 Euros - 4,836 Euros 4,992 Euros
Bard College Berlin 22,100 Euros - 31,500 Euros
SRH University in North Rhine-Westphalia 8,160 Euros 5,040 Euros - 8,160 Euros
International Psychoanalytic University Berlin 9,500 Euros 3,600 Euros - 11,800 Euros
Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences 1,704 Euros - 7,440 Euros 1,700 Euros - 7,020 Euros
Coburg University of Applied Sciences 5,900 Euros - 7,800 Euros
IUBH School of Business and Management 4,428 Euros 6,468 Euros - 8,988 Euros
MD.H Mediadesign University of Applied Sciences 8,220 Euros - 10,200 Euros 10,800 Euros
University of Applied Management Studies 0 Euros - 7,080 Euros 0 Euros - 8,280 Euros
IU International University of Applied Sciences 2,628 Euros - 4,428 Euros 3,828 Euros - 6,468 Euros
PFH Private University of Applied Sciences 8,400 Euros 8,400 Euros - 11,800 Euros
AMD Academy of Fashion and Design 8,220 Euros - 8,700 Euros 7,140 Euros - 9,300 Euros
Brand University of Applied Sciences 11,600 Euros 14,500 Euros
Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane 9,960 Euros 9,960 Euros
Karlshochschule International University 8,280 Euros 8,280 Euros
Friedensau Adventist University 0 Euros - 4,800 Euros 5,320 Euros
VICTORIA International University of Applied Sciences 7,788 Euros 8,028 Euros
Witten/Herdecke University 9,936 Euros - 12,600 Euros 9,936 Euros - 13,800 Euros
bbw Hochschule – University of Applied Sciences 5,640 Euros - 6,600 Euros 7,140 Euros - 7,620 Euros
Reutlingen School of Theology 500 Euros 500 Euros
EBS University of Business and Law 14,700 Euros - 15,000 Euros 15,900 Euros
Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg 560 Euros 8,490 Euros
Kühne Logistics University 11,900 Euros - 13,300 Euros 13,900 Euros - 15,900 Euros
Hamburg School of Business Administration 7,980 Euros
International School of Management 10,600 Euros - 11,200 Euros 12,600 Euros - 23,400 Euros
EBC University of Applied Sciences 10,800 Euros 12,000 Euros
HMKW University of Applied Sciences for Media, Communication and Management 7,680 Euros 8,340 Euros
Zeppelin University 9,180 Euros - 12,000 Euros 9,660 Euros - 16,800 Euros
Georg Agricola University of Applied Sciences 0 Euros 0 Euros
Munich Business School 11,400 Euros 16,000 Euros
HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management 33,500 Euros - 39,500 Euros
CBS International Business School 13,200 Euros - 15,600 Euros 14,400 Euros - 23,200 Euros
Fresenius University of Applied Sciences 9,000 Euros - 10,800 Euros 9,000 Euros - 10,800 Euros
Jacobs University Bremen 20,000 Euros 20,000 Euros
SRH University Heidelberg 8,040 Euros 8,280 Euros - 9,480 Euros
Bucerius Law School 12,900 Euros 22,000 Euros
University of Europe for Applied Sciences 11,400 Euros - 12,300 Euros 12,600 Euros - 13,200 Euros
SRH University of Applied Sciences Berlin 9,000 Euros - 10,200 Euros 10,800 Euros - 12,900 Euros
Macromedia University of Applied Sciences 8,600 Euros - 10,600 Euros 10,600 Euros - 15,300 Euros
Munich School of Philosophy 0 Euros 0 Euros
FOM University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Management 13,600 Euros - 20,700 Euros
Frankfurt School of Finance and Management 14,100 Euros 27,000 Euros - 36,500 Euros
WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management 25,500 Euros 26,900 Euros - 33,200 Euros
Hertie School 34,500 Euros
FH Wedel University of Applied Sciences 4,740 Euros - 5,740 Euros
ESMT Berlin 29,500 Euros - 59,500 Euros

2. Requirements to Study in Germany for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Germany, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Germany, English and German are the languages of instruction. If you’re looking to study in any of the academic institutions here, you might need to prove language proficiency by taking standardized tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo for English. Depending on the institution and the language of instruction for your program, you might also have to prove your language proficiency by submitting DSH for German.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Germany and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Aalen University of Applied Sciences

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Academy of Fine Arts, Nuremberg

Master’s degree

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Germany

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Germany have online applications available on their websites, like Technical University of Munich and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Germany.

Technical University of Munich

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Germany differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Germany.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Germany

Now that you’re accepted into your chosen institution, it’s time to apply for a student visa in Germany. A student visa is an essential document for studying abroad. It’s an important government document that you need to present before going to Germany as an international student.

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Germany. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a German Student Visa .

To start your student visa application in Germany, you will need to present the following:

  1. Two filled-out and signed national visa forms
  2. Valid passport with two photocopies
  3. Birth certificate
  4. Two recently taken biometric portrait photographs
  5. Proof of financial capability. If you are a scholar, you may present the scholarship certificate
  6. Proof of admission to the university
  7. Original documents of previous education
  8. Curriculum Vitae
  9. Motivational Letter
  10. Travel Health Insurance

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Germany is 75 EUR.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

  1. Prepare the required documents and fill up the application form.
  2. Find the closest German Consulate or Embassy in your home country.
  3. Schedule a visa appointment,.
  4. Attend your visa appointment and submit the documents.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Germany. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!