International students who wish to pursue a master’s degree in technology, engineering, or mathematics choose to study in Germany. All of this is due to its high-quality education and inexpensive pricing.
If you want to study Engineering, Natural Sciences, or Law and don’t mind learning a little German, getting your master’s degree in Germany is a great option.
The country provides high-quality education, conducts cutting-edge research, and is home to some of the world’s best universities. But that’s not the end of it. Germany also offers affordable tuition prices, welcoming immigration policies, and work prospects with companies such as Adidas, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW!
Continue reading to learn everything there is to know about studying in Germany.
Why should you study in Germany?
Germany attracts over 150,000 international students each year, making it one of the most popular study abroad destinations.
Let’s investigate why-
12 German universities are among the world’s top 200 universities.
Electrical engineering, computer science, automotive engineering, chemical engineering, data science, law, mathematics, and other courses attract students from all over the world.
Germany ranks quite well in terms of employability.
You can work in Germany for up to 18 months following graduation.
The country has a rich culture that is worth studying, and it is connected to some of the world’s most attractive countries, such as Spain, Paris, and Italy.
Most notably, education in Germany is extremely affordable — practically all German public universities do not charge international students any tuition fees.
If that isn’t enough to convince you to study in Germany, Continue reading!
Is MS free in Germany?
Yes, all of Germany’s public universities provide free education to all students. All you’d have to do is pay a minimal enrollment fee of 250 euros each semester.
If you apply to any of the private universities, however, you will be required to pay the usual tuition rates.
Although most programmes in Germany are free, some programmes, such as MBAs, levy tuition fees to their students since they require you to demonstrate work experience after graduation.
Is it necessary for me to study German?
This is determined by three factors: the university to which you are applying, the course you choose to pursue, and your post-graduation intentions.
You won’t need to learn German if the university programme you’re applying for is taught in English.
However, if you intend to stay in Germany after graduation and look for work, you will be required to learn the language and pass a test to demonstrate your proficiency.
Master’s degree programmes at Germany’s top universities
Germany boasts a variety of Universities of Applied Sciences and Technical Universities, making it a leader in STEM courses, Law, and Economics.
While the former is for individuals seeking bachelor’s and master’s degrees, the latter, which also offers Ph.D.s to prospective international students and is less research-oriented, offers Ph.D.s to aspiring international students.
Let’s look at some of Germany’s best public colleges and see how to make a personalised selection.
University |
Ranking |
Popular MS Programs offered |
Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich |
32 |
English, CS, Data Science, Management, Economics |
Technical University of Munich |
43 |
Management, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science |
Heidelberg University |
44 |
Physics, Data Science, English, Electrical Engineering, Economics |
Humboldt University Berlin |
74 |
Economics, English, Social Work, Data Science |
Charite Universitatmedizin Berlin |
80 |
Neuroscience, epidemiology, medicine, health science |
University of Freiburg |
86 |
English, CS, Robotics, Embedded Systems |
University of Tubingen |
91 |
Machine learning, CS, Economics, English |
There are no such things as “best public universities in Germany,” according to the DAAD.
You must first determine if you want to pursue a research-oriented or non-research-oriented course, as well as whether you meet their admissions standards.
Only then will you be able to narrow down your list of universities to apply to.
Cost of Studying
As previously stated, the cost of attending a public university is quite low. All you have to do is pay a semester-by-semester enrollment fee of 250 euros.
When it comes to private universities, however, the cost of studying in Germany can range from 3000 to 19,500 euros, depending on the subject and university.
Here’s a list of possible options for you to consider:
The cost of tuition at public colleges ranges from 250 to 620 euros.
Private university tuition prices range between 3000 and 19,500 euros.
When it comes to living expenses, the average monthly cost of living in Germany is roughly 850 euros.
The cost of studying in Europe, like in other nations, varies by city.
Living in Munich, for example, would require more money than living in a smaller city like Leipzig. In Germany, the majority of students live in residence halls, sharing a flat with roommates.
Finding a part-time job that allows you to work 20 hours a week is another way to reduce your living expenditures.
Scholarships available
Scholarships are the only option for overseas students who want to study for free in Germany. You have three options for making your full MS in Germany free of charge:
1) The Deutschlandstipendium
A public-private partnership resulted in the creation of this scholarship. A commercial business (any corporation or individual) and the German government agreed to bear the burden of each individual student equally in these student scholarships in Germany for Indian students. The scholarship recipients of the Deutschlandstipendium are chosen at the discretion of the university administration.
2) Scholarships from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
The DAAD, or German Academic Exchange Service, is Germany’s main support institution for international academic cooperation. Thousands of overseas students seeking a free education in Germany benefit from DAAD scholarships. Students who pursue free post-graduate studies in Germany have a better chance of receiving DAAD funding.
3) Erasmus+
Erasmus + is a European student exchange programme that can assist you in achieving your aim of studying for free in Germany.
It’s worth noting that such scholarships for Indian students in Germany are primarily available to those who have maintained a strong academic record throughout their studies. However, there are plenty of deserving students out there, and tailoring your profile to meet scholarship requirements can certainly help.
The university admissions procedure in Germany
The German university admissions procedure involves a significant amount of research. That’s why it’s best to start 6 months before the Summer intake applications open in September (or July for the Winter intake)-
- The first thing you should know is that you must acquire a Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB), which translates to “higher education entry certification,” before you can study in Germany.
- Once you have that, check to see if the German university you wish to apply to accepts your credentials.
- Conduct thorough study to pick a programme and a university that best meets your academic and personal goals.
- After that, look into the university’s linguistic requirements. In order to apply to a largely German-taught programme, you should have proof of German language competency up to B2 level, and basic B1 level for English-taught programmes.
- Submit your GRE, GMAT, IELTS/TOEFL, and other exam scores, as well as your previous education scores and applicable documentation.
- All that remains is for you to submit your applications and await the results.
But, hold on, is it easy to find work in Germany?
The unemployment rate in Germany is 2.4 percent! This indicates that only 24 people out of 1000 in Germany are unemployed.
So, yeah, finding a job in Germany after graduation is relatively straightforward — the country is an industrial powerhouse!
Graduates can always find work in industries that employ Engineers, Scientists, Researchers, Architects, Accountants, and other professionals.
These positions can pay you anywhere from 90,700 euros to 162,000 euros per year, depending on the city and field in which you find a job!
You also have 6 months to look for a new employment and 18 months to stay in the country and work!
Is Germany the right place for me?
What more could you ask for than almost free tuition, a high-quality education, research opportunities, high-end jobs, and the option to remain back?
Germany is a lovely country full of adventure and opportunity for anyone interested in studying STEM in a foreign country.
What does it matter if you have to study German in order to get there? It’ll just be another arrow in your quiver.
What’s the next step, then? Make a list of the best universities in Germany for your master’s degree. And if you get stuck, don’t hesitate to contact us or leave a remark! We’d be delighted to assist.