Study in Germany
Germany is a popular destination for international students – and for good reason. With a large number of universities, practice-oriented courses of study and often low tuition fees, Germany offers excellent educational opportunities. But what are the requirements for international students? And what can you expect after graduation? In this article, you will learn about the opportunities that studying in Germany has to offer.
University landscape
Are you considering a course of study in Germany? The German education system provides international students with various paths to obtaining academic and professional qualifications. Depending on your career goal and personal preference, there are several options:
- Universities: Classic universities with a strong scientific orientation; particularly suitable for research-oriented courses of study and doctorates.
Degrees: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate - Universities of art and music: Specialised universities for artistic subjects such as fine arts, dance, design, music or theatre; admission is often via an aptitude test or an artistic portfolio.
Degrees: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Diploma (depending on the university) - Universities of applied sciences: Practical training with close links to business; often compulsory internships and application-related projects.
Degrees: Bachelor’s, Master’s - Dual study programme: Combination of studies and practical work in a company. Students are often employed and receive remuneration.
Degrees: Bachelor’s, sometimes Master’s. - Vocational training (dual training): Combination of theoretical instruction at a vocational school and practical training in a company; particularly relevant for non-academic professions. Qualifications: State-recognised vocational qualification.
Each of these educational paths offers different career opportunities. While universities primarily qualify for academic and research-related professions, universities of applied sciences and dual courses of study are more practice-oriented. Art and music colleges are aimed at young creative talents with special gifts.
Study in Germany: visa requirements for students
International students from non-EU/EEA countries usually need a visa to study in Germany. You should begin with the application process as early as possible, since processing can take several weeks to months, depending on your country of origin. After entering Germany, this visa must be converted into a residence permit for the purpose of study within 90 days, which is initially valid for one to two years and can be extended until graduation.
Requirements for a study visa:
- Admission to a German university: An official letter of admission from a German university, university of applied sciences or equivalent educational institution is required for the visa. It is not possible to apply for a visa without confirmation of acceptance to a course of study.
- Proof of financial security: In order to ensure that students can finance their living expenses in Germany independently, proof of financial resources is required. This can be done by means of a blocked account with at least 11,904 euros per year (as of 2025), a scholarship or an official declaration of commitment from a third party.
- Proof of health insurance: In Germany, health insurance is compulsory, even for students. Statutory or private health insurance must be taken out that covers the entire period of study. Without a valid health insurance, the residence permit will not be issued.
- Language skills, if applicable: Depending on the degree programme, proof of language proficiency at level B2 (CEFR) may be required. This must be presented when applying.
Students with a study visa are allowed to work on a limited basis while studying. Up to 20 hours per week are allowed without the need for additional approval.
Staying in Germany
After graduation, the important question for many international graduates is: What happens next? If you want to stay and work in Germany after your studies, you have various options:
Working
If you have already found a job or have a job offer, there are various residence titles that you can apply for which allow you to stay in Germany, depending on your salary and qualifications. There are two options that offer you a long-term perspective: the EU Blue Card or a residence permit for skilled workers.
Job search
Not all graduates will have a permanent job directly after graduation. If you do not have a job offer yet, you can apply for an 18-month residence permit to look for a job after graduation apply for. This allows you to stay in Germany while you look for qualified employment. During this time, you are allowed to take any kind of job to secure your livelihood. If you find suitable employment within the 18 months, you can apply directly for an EU Blue Card or a residence permit for skilled workers.
You can find more information and tips in our article “Working in Germany”.
Self-employment
If you do not want to work as an employee, you can settle in Germany with a residence permit for purposes of self-employment. There are two forms of self-employment with different requirements:
- Entrepreneurs with an innovative business idea and an economic interest in Germany
- Freelancers without a permanent employment relationship
Further education
Instead of entering the labour market directly, further education or training can be a sensible option:
- Master’s degree or second degree: If you want to deepen your specialist knowledge or go in a different direction, you can take up another degree programme. To this end, you will have to extend your residence permit for study purposes .
- Doctorate: Universities offer doctoral programmes for graduates, often with scholarships or as research assistants. The residence permit for research purposes is available for this purpose.
- Vocational training: If you want to continue learning but at the same time gain practical experience in a company, vocational training could be right for you. To do this, you will need a residence permit to complete vocational training.
FAQs: Study in Germany
Yes, it is possible to study in Germany with only English language skills, as many universities, especially at Master’s level, offer English-language degree programmes. These are rarer at undergraduate level, however. It is important to check the language requirements of the respective university, as some programmes still require a basic knowledge of German. An overview of English-language degree programmes can be found in the DAAD database.
Yes, the DAAD scholarship is hard to get, as there are many applicants. Very good academic performance, a convincing letter of motivation, relevant research experience (for master’s and doctoral programmes) and social commitment are decisive. The choice of course of study and its compatibility with the funding programme also play a role. Further information on the application process and the requirements can be found on the official DAAD website.
No CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) is generally defined as required for a DAAD scholarship. The requirements vary depending on the programme, course of study and university. In general, however, good to very good academic performance is expected, which in many cases corresponds to a CGPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. It is recommended that you check the specific requirements of the desired DAAD programme directly on the official DAAD website.
A dual course of study can be useful if you want to gain professional experience and acquire an academic degree at the same time. Since you will continue to receive a salary, this study option provides financial security but also requires a high level of resilience and good time management. Especially in business, IT and engineering, dual studies can improve career opportunities. However, without strong motivation, the double burden can be challenging.
The required grade point average varies depending on the company and university, but many companies expect at least a grade of 2.5, often better in popular courses. Smaller companies also accept a grade of 3.0 in some cases. In addition to grades, practical experience, motivation and soft skills count, often supplemented by aptitude tests or assessment centres.
The dual study programme salary varies depending on the industry and company. As a rule, it is between 800 and 1,500 euros gross per month in the first year. As your studies progress, the salary can rise to 1,200 to 2,000 euros, especially in large companies or in areas such as engineering, business or IT. Some companies also offer additional services such as commuting expenses, bonuses or further training opportunities.
The best paid are dual courses of study in technical, economic and IT professions. Salaries are particularly high in aviation, where air traffic controllers can earn up to 4,000 euros gross per month. Industrial engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science are also well paid, with salaries of between 1,200 and 2,000 euros gross. In industry, banks and insurance companies, income is usually between 1,100 and 1,800 euros. Large companies often pay more than smaller companies.
Author
Jasmine Chegaing, Content Writer
Jasmine joined lingoking as a working student in November of 2024. She supports the content marketing team with its SEO strategy and writes for the lingoking guide and other media. Her motto: “The most radical thing you can do is be yourself.”
Translation
Dr. Tracey Kimmeskamp
A native of Northern Ireland, Tracey has lived in Germany’s Ruhrgebiet for over 20 years. She has been working with lingoking as a translator since 2016, all the while diligently training for her dream career in mochi quality control.
