Study in Germany
Semester fee only
Tuition at most public universities
18 months
Job-search permit after graduation
€11,904 / year
Blocked account (2026)
October and April
Main intakes
Studying in Germany: the overview
Germany is Europe's largest economy and one of the most popular destinations for Indian students of engineering, computer science and the natural sciences. Its public universities are funded by the states, and most charge international students no tuition, only a semester contribution that often includes a public transport ticket.
There are two main types of university: research universities (Universitäten) and universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen or Hochschulen), which focus on practical training and industry projects. Many master's programmes are taught entirely in English.
Not everything is free. Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students €1,500 per semester, and a few universities, including the Technical University of Munich, have introduced tuition for non-EU students. Private universities charge full fees. Indian students also need an APS certificate before applying for the visa, and must fund a blocked account for living costs.
Learning German is not always required for your course, but it matters a great deal for part-time jobs, internships and your career after graduation. We encourage every student to reach at least B1 before or during their studies.
- Student visa
- National visa (Type D) for study, then a residence permit
- Visa fee
- €75
- Blocked account
- €11,904 for 12 months (€992 / month) in 2026
- APS certificate
- Required for Indian students
- Work during study
- 140 full days or 280 half days a year
- Post-study work
- 18-month residence permit to look for work
- Intakes
- Winter semester (October), summer semester (April)
- Language tests
- IELTS or TOEFL for English-taught courses; TestDaF or DSH for German-taught courses
- Health insurance
- Public or approved private insurance is compulsory
Why Indian students choose Germany
Little or no tuition
Most public universities charge only a semester contribution of around €150 – 400, which often includes a transport ticket.
Engineering and research excellence
Germany is home to world-leading automotive, machinery, chemical and renewable energy industries, and research institutes such as the Max Planck and Fraunhofer societies.
18 months to find a job
Graduates can stay for up to 18 months to look for work related to their qualification, and can work in any job meanwhile.
EU Blue Card route
Graduates with qualifying job offers can apply for an EU Blue Card, which can lead to permanent settlement.
English-taught master's
Hundreds of master's programmes are taught in English, especially in engineering, IT and business.
Centre of Europe
Travel easily across the Schengen area during semester breaks.
Popular courses in Germany
Mechanical and automotive engineering
Germany's automotive and machinery industries are among the strongest in the world.
Computer science and data science
Growing tech sectors in Berlin, Munich and Hamburg, with many English-taught master's programmes.
Electrical engineering and renewable energy
The energy transition creates demand for electrical and power engineers.
Mechatronics and robotics
A German speciality tied to industrial automation.
Business and management
Private business schools and public universities offer English-taught management programmes.
Natural sciences
Physics, chemistry and life sciences benefit from strong research institutes.
Top student cities
Munich
Home to major engineering and technology firms, with a high quality of life and the highest rents in Germany.
Berlin
The capital and start-up hub, with a large international community. Housing is competitive.
Aachen
A compact city known for engineering education, close to the Dutch and Belgian borders.
Stuttgart
The heart of the automotive industry. Note Baden-Württemberg's tuition fee for non-EU students.
Hamburg
A port city with logistics, media and aviation employers.
Frankfurt
Germany's financial centre, with banking and consulting employers.
Intakes and deadlines
Winter semester
October
Apply by: Usually 15 July for applications through uni-assist; many international programmes close earlier, between January and May
The main intake. Book your visa appointment early, as waiting times in India can be long.
Summer semester
April
Apply by: Usually 15 January; some programmes close in November
Fewer programmes are available, especially in English.
Cost of studying in Germany
Converted at about ₹110 to 1 EUR. Your bank's rate on the day you pay will differ.
| Item | In EUR | In rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Public university semester contribution | €150 – 400 / semester | ₹16,500 – 44,000 / semester |
| Public university tuition in Baden-Württemberg (non-EU) | €1,500 / semester | about ₹1.65 lakh / semester |
| Public universities with non-EU tuition (such as TUM) | €2,000 – 6,000 / semester | ₹2.2 – 6.6 lakh / semester |
| Private university bachelor's or master's | €10,000 – 25,000 / year | ₹11 – 28 lakh / year |
| PhD | Usually no tuition; semester contribution only | ₹33,000 – 88,000 / year |
| Item | In EUR | In rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (shared flat or student hall) | €350 – 750 / month | ₹39,000 – 83,000 / month |
| Food and groceries | €200 – 300 / month | ₹22,000 – 33,000 / month |
| Health insurance | €130 – 150 / month (public student rate) | ₹14,000 – 17,000 / month |
| Phone and internet | €20 – 40 / month | ₹2,200 – 4,400 / month |
| Transport | Often included in semester contribution; otherwise about €63 / month for the Deutschlandticket | about ₹7,000 / month |
| Books and personal | €80 – 150 / month | ₹8,800 – 16,500 / month |
Fees, costs and visa rules change often. Figures here are indicative and were last reviewed in September 2026. Always confirm with the university and the official government website before you pay or apply.
Admission requirements
Academic entry
- Undergraduate: Class 12 alone is often not enough for direct entry. Students usually need a year of university study in India, a Studienkolleg (foundation course) or strong JEE Advanced results, depending on the university.
- Master's: a relevant bachelor's degree, usually with good marks; some universities use the German grading formula to convert Indian percentages.
- Many universities apply through uni-assist, which checks your documents for a fee.
- Some programmes require GRE or GMAT scores.
Language
English-taught programmes typically ask for IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 88 – 95. German-taught programmes need TestDaF or DSH at a high level.
Even for English-taught courses, basic German (A2 – B1) makes life and part-time work much easier.
Documents you will need
- APS certificate from the Academic Evaluation Centre in New Delhi
- Class 10 and 12 marksheets and degree transcripts
- Language test certificate
- CV in German or European format
- Statement of purpose (motivation letter)
- Letters of recommendation
- Passport
National visa (Type D) for study
Indian students need a national visa to study in Germany. You apply at the German embassy or consulate responsible for your state, usually through VFS. After arriving, you register your address and convert the visa into a residence permit for study.
- 1Get your APS certificateApply to the Academic Evaluation Centre (APS) in New Delhi early, as processing can take several weeks.
- 2Receive admissionGet an admission letter from a German university.
- 3Open a blocked accountDeposit €11,904 (2026) with an approved provider.
- 4Buy health insuranceArrange travel insurance for the first days and public or approved private insurance for your studies.
- 5Book your visa appointmentApply through the relevant consulate or VFS centre and pay the €75 fee.
- 6Register and get your residence permitRegister your address in Germany and apply for your residence permit before your visa expires.
Documents you will usually need
- Valid passport
- Admission letter
- APS certificate
- Blocked account confirmation
- Health insurance proof
- Academic certificates
- Language certificate
- Motivation letter and CV
- Visa application form and photos
Proof of funds
The standard requirement for 2026 is €992 a month, or €11,904 for 12 months (about ₹13 lakh), usually held in a blocked account. A scholarship or a formal declaration of commitment from a sponsor in Germany may be accepted instead.
Processing time
Processing is often 4 – 12 weeks after your appointment, but appointment waiting times in India can be long. Apply as early as possible.
Work while you study, and after
During your course
Up to 140 full days or 280 half days a year. Working as a student assistant at a university is usually not counted toward this limit.
After you graduate
Graduates can apply for a residence permit of up to 18 months to look for a job related to their qualification. During this time you can work in any job. Once you find qualifying work, you can switch to an EU Blue Card or another work permit.
- EU Blue Card salary thresholds are set yearly, around €45,000 – 50,000 in 2026 depending on the occupation.
- German language skills are important for many jobs, especially outside the tech sector.
- Internships that are part of your curriculum do not count toward the work limit.
- Rules can change; check the official Make it in Germany portal and the German missions in India.
Careers and graduate salaries
| Sector | Typical roles | Indicative salary |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering and manufacturing | Mechanical engineer, automotive engineer, production engineer | €48,000 – 60,000 / year |
| Information technology | Software developer, data engineer | €50,000 – 65,000 / year |
| Electrical and energy | Electrical engineer, renewable energy engineer | €48,000 – 60,000 / year |
| Research and science | Research associate, lab scientist | €45,000 – 55,000 / year |
| Business and consulting | Business analyst, consultant | €45,000 – 60,000 / year |
Universities in Germany
Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Munich · Public · Founded 1868
One of Germany's Universities of Excellence
RWTH Aachen University
Aachen · Public · Founded 1870
One of Germany's Universities of Excellence and a member of the TU9 group
Technische Universität Berlin
Berlin · Public · Founded 1879
Member of the TU9 group of leading German technical universities
University of Stuttgart
Stuttgart · Public · Founded 1829
Member of the TU9 group of leading German technical universities
Heidelberg University
Heidelberg · Public · Founded 1386
Germany's oldest university and one of its Universities of Excellence
IU International University of Applied Sciences
Erfurt (campuses in Berlin, Munich and other cities) · Private · Founded 1998
State-recognised private university of applied sciences
Courses to explore
Scholarships for Germany
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarships for master's and doctoral students, especially in development-related fields. Political foundations such as the Heinrich Böll and Konrad Adenauer foundations fund talented students. The Deutschlandstipendium provides monthly support at many universities. With low tuition, most students focus their budget on living costs.
DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS)
Monthly stipend, health insurance, travel allowance and, where charged, tuition support
GovernmentDeutschlandstipendium
€300 a month, usually for at least two semesters
FoundationHeinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships
Monthly stipend with health insurance and family allowances where applicable
Studying in Germany: FAQs
Is studying in Germany really free?
At most public universities you pay only a semester contribution. Baden-Württemberg and a few universities, including TUM, charge non-EU students tuition, and private universities charge full fees.
What is the APS certificate?
A mandatory document check for Indian students applying for study visas, issued by the Academic Evaluation Centre in New Delhi.
How much money must I put in the blocked account?
€11,904 for 12 months in 2026, or €992 a month.
Do I need to speak German?
Not for English-taught programmes, but German helps greatly with jobs, internships and daily life.
How many hours can I work?
Up to 140 full days or 280 half days a year.
What happens after I graduate?
You can get an 18-month residence permit to look for work related to your degree.
Can I get into a German bachelor's programme after Class 12?
Usually not directly. Most Indian students need a year of university study, a Studienkolleg or strong JEE Advanced results.
When should I apply?
For the October intake, many international programmes close between January and May; the uni-assist deadline is usually 15 July.
Ready to apply to Germany?
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