Study in Germany

Admissions, entry and visa requirements

The fees charged at German universities depend on where you are studying. Universities in most Länder (regions) don’t charge fees, but some do (Bavaria, Lower Saxony and Hamburg – all which are home to popular universities); though at a maximum of €500 (around US$660) a semester, they are hardly the highest.

The application process you have to go through depends on a few factors. If you have a European qualification, such as a baccalaureate or A-levels, then you will only need to prove you can speak German (unless you’re enrolling on a course taught in English) and can apply directly for a university level course.

Students with other qualifications may have to sit the Feststellungsprüfung entrance examination after attending a preparatory Studienkolleg. High-achieving students may be able to bypass this.

Your subject will also play a part. For most, you can apply directly to the international office of the university. Alternatively, you can use uni-assist, a centralized admissions portal for international students.

For some subjects, though, there is a nationwide cap on the number of students who can enrol. For these subjects –mostly life sciences – students from the EU (and Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) need to apply through the Foundation of Higher Education Admission. Students from outside of the EU should apply as normal.

Visa restrictions depend on your country of origin.

Applicants from the EU (and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein):

• Do not need a visa or a residence permit to study in Germany.
• Must get a residence permit from the Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt (registration authority).
• Will need to prove you have or will have enough money for the first year of your stay (€659 – around US$870 – a month) and have purchased statutory health insurance if you’re under 30. Certain countries have bilateral agreements with Germany, which mean that insurance policies in the student’s home country will be applicable in Germany.
• If your course is in German, you will need to prove your proficiency at the application stage, for which a TestDaF or DSH score will be required. If your course is in English, as some are (though mostly at graduate level) then you’ll need to come up with an IELTS or TOEFL score.

Applicants from outside the EU:

• If you are from Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland or the US you will not need a visa to enter the country but you will need to register at the local Residents’ Registration Office and the Aliens’ Registration Office (Ausländeramt) in order to obtain a Residence Permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis).
• If you are from Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco, San Marino or Taiwan you will only need a visa if you want to work before or after your degree. You will need to apply for a residence permit.
• If you are from any other country you will need to obtain a visa from your local German embassy before you enter Germany, as well as a residence permit. Ensure that you apply for a National Visa for the purpose of study rather than a Schengen Visa which will only allow you to stay in Germany for three months.
• In order to get a residence permit you will need to present confirmation that you’ve registered at the Residents’ Registration Office, proof you have health cover (your university will help with this), proof of your financial means (see above), your passport (with visa if you need one) and a tenancy agreement which shows you have found somewhere to live. It will be valid for two years, after which time you must get in renewed.
• To obtain a visa, you will need to present the same list of things as you would for a Residence Permit. You may also have to provide proof that you don’t have a criminal record and are free of certain diseases. The specific list will depend on the embassy.
• The same language requirements apply as specified in the requirements for EU students. You may also need to produce this evidence at the visa stage.

Search universities in Germany >