However, studying in Germany entails various specific prerequisites and procedures; let’s look at what requirements to study in Germany for Indian students will enable them to embark on their education journey.
Furthermore, national and international students’ zero or low tuition fees make education affordable and Germany everyone’s first choice for higher education.
According to the latest data released by the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, India sends the highest number of international students to Germany. The number of Indian students studying in Germany has increased by 26% in 2022-23 and has doubled in five years. However, many students find it challenging to comprehend the process of studying in Germany as an Indian student. This article will help students understand the prerequisites for admission to a German institution.
Find University and Study Program
Choosing right university and the course could be a crucial decision for students. There are many possibilities accessible, as Germany has over 400 accredited higher education institutions that provide over 20,000 courses. The students should be clear about their future goals or receive guidance from counsellors regarding the best-suited course. They should begin gathering information two months before the application deadline.
Requirements to Study in Germany for Indian Students
Now that students have set their goals, the next step is to know what they need to do to achieve them. Students need to check the entrance requirements at the university of their choice.
They should visit the university’s website and study the section on admittance requirements attentively. They can also take notes and form a strategy to finish each criterion one at a time if necessary. If there is anything about the procedures they don’t understand, they should contact the institution by email. Entry requirements to study in Germany for Indian students change from university to university depending on the chosen course.
For Bachelor’s Degree in Germany:
Eligibility Criteria
A student must be at least 18 years old.
A student must have a certified 12th-grade mark sheet with a minimum of 50%.
Depending on the course and university, a student should have SAT or ACT scores ranging from 400 to 1600.
According to university requirements, a student must have received the appropriate band scores on the English proficiency test.
Documents Required
12th Standard Certificate and Scorecard
Transcript of Grades
Proof of Language Proficiency
ID or Valid Passport Copies
Letter of Motivation or Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Bachelor’s Degree Application Cycle in Germany
Undergraduate courses often begin in September or October. By March, students must shortlist 8–12 universities to which they wish to apply. The deadlines for applications are usually in May and June.
Language Proficiency Requirements for Bachelor’s Degree in Germany
Students will need to submit scores on a standardized language proficiency test. In Germany, almost all undergraduate courses are taught in German. So, if students plan to attend such a course, they will have to learn German. Very few German universities offer courses with English as the medium of instruction. For such institutions, you must have the English language proficiency test scores of IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE.
An Indian candidate seeking an MA, MSc, or MBA in Germany must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution. If you have completed a four-year bachelor’s degree, you qualify for direct general admission, whereas if you have completed a three-year bachelor’s degree, you might have to complete a preparatory course (Studienkolleg) for one year before starting your master’s. It strengthens you academically and linguistically to take a course in a German institution.
Students must demonstrate English language proficiency by achieving at least 6.0 in IELTS (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component) or 50 in PTE to be eligible to pursue masters in Germany.
In Germany, a student must be 21 years old to pursue a master’s degree.
For an MS or MBA course, a candidate must have GRE or GMAT scores, with more than 300 scores in GRE and GMAT scores ranging from 550 to 600.
Documents Required
Recognized Bachelor Degree
An official transcript of grades
Language Proficiency Proof (German or English)
A Letter of Motivation or Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Important References or Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
Professional Experiences (Optional)
Curriculum Vitae
The Master’s Degree Application Cycle in Germany
Every institution has its own set of application events, which may or may not be identical to those of other colleges. Students can apply for the summer session from December to the January 15th. For the winter semesters, it runs from the beginning of April until July 15th.
Language Proficiency for Master’s Degree in Germany
In contrast to undergraduate courses, many master’s level courses are taught in English, either partially or totally. Before applying, students must complete a standardized language test to demonstrate their language skills.
The language skill required to apply for a Master’s degree in Germany varies based on the students’ university, course, and exam.
There are many English-only courses available in Germany. However, some courses are taught in English and German, which is an excellent opportunity to improve German language skills.
DSH – German universities only accept this test, and it is one of two German language tests accepted by German institutions.
TestDaF – This is a test that colleges recognize in over 100 countries.
Goethe-Zertifikat C1 – This test certifies you of advanced skills in the German language.
For courses taught entirely in English, students must take English proficiency tests:
University Application Process for Indian Students
Students must submit their university applications after completing the application paperwork. Students can complete the application online, by mail, or in person. It is worth noting that, while online applications are the most common, certain German universities only accept applications submitted by mail or in person.
The UniAssist platform, which allows students to apply for courses online, is used by most German universities. On the other hand, several universities operate their own online application portals. Students must submit their application paperwork in PDF or JPG format in any case.
Germany Study Visa Requirements for Indian Students
An Indian student must obtain a visa before enrolling in a German university. They must take a printout of the admission letter and visit the German consulate in their native country after they have received it. Officers on the premises will list the paperwork and procedures to complete to apply for a student visa to study in Germany.
The following are the most crucial documents for an Indian student who wishes to study in Germany:
University admission letter
Proof of financial resources “Finanzierungsnachweis”
Proof of health insurance coverage
University entrance qualification
Proof of language proficiency
The German Blocked Account confirmation letter is one of the most crucial documents. It verifies that students have sufficient funds to study and live in Germany for a year as international students.
Being one of the most diverse and vibrant countries, Germany has affordable rented apartments at the most popular locations. We recommend you look out for affordable rented apartments located near the university. If you cannot find an apartment online, you can make a list of addresses where accommodations are available at affordable rates.
You can also look for students who want to share their accommodation. That will save some extra costs. If you don’t have any relatives in Germany, then you can join the online forums made by Indian students already living there and ask them if anyone is willing to share the apartment.
To be eligible to study in Germany as an international student, they must have sufficient money. The government is interested in providing opportunities to self-sufficient students and does not anticipate relying on government funds, which would strain the country’s budget. Students can demonstrate their financial means to study in Germany in various ways, with the blocked account being by far the most appropriate. To be granted a visa and be permitted to study in Germany, Indian students must have at least EUR 11,208 deposited in their restricted account.
Some Universities Charge Fees
The majority of international students, especially those from India, are confused by the fees charged in German universities. The majority of public higher education in Germany is free. However, there are several states in Germany where universities charge nominal tuition rates, and private colleges in Germany also charge tuition fees to international students.
Work with studies –
Students can cover a specific portion of their expenditure by working part-time and their studies. Germany allows overseas students to work up to 20 hours a week.
Best German Universities for Indian Students
Based on the QS World University Rankings 2024: Top Global Universities data, the following are the best German universities for Indian students:
Health Insurance Coverage for Indian Students Studying in Germany
Having healthcare insurance is mandatory for international students. Indian students should have a health care policy that can cover all their medical needs in a health emergency. You need to apply for healthcare coverage before enrolling in any German university.
With a commitment to providing quality education at affordable prices, upGrad Abroad has launched study abroad programs. These programs enable students to study for one year online from home and then on-campus for the following years. With this, learners can save a lot on living costs or other additional expenses. Our programs cost around 1/10th of the regular on-campus studies and learners can save up to 80% of their tuition fees. We have partnered with excellent German institutions like IU International University of Applied Sciences. With partnered universities, we provide high-quality education at affordable fees. upGrad Abroad will also provide students support throughout the application process, visa process, and more.
Germany offers multiple courses to study after 12th. However, every university has its own admission requirements and process. Students must shortlist their choices of university and course selections before proceeding to the application process.
What are the application cycles for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Germany?
Undergraduate courses often begin in September or October. By March, students must shortlist 8–12 universities to which they wish to apply. The deadlines for applications are usually in May and June. Whereas, for a Master’s degree, students can apply for the summer session from December to the fifteenth of January. For the winter semesters, it runs from the beginning of April until July 15th.
Can I Study in Germany without knowing German?
Yes. Many universities offer several courses in English; students can definitely study in Germany without knowing the German Language.
What are the German study visa requirements for Indian students?
The following are the most crucial documents for an Indian student who wishes to study in Germany:
University admission letter
Proof of financial resources “Finanzierungsnachweis”
Proof of health insurance coverage
University entrance qualification
Proof of language proficiency
The German Blocked Account confirmation letter is one of the most crucial documents. It verifies that students have sufficient funds to study and live in Germany for a year as international students.
How much money is required to study master’s in Germany?
The tuition fee in Germany is either zero or nominal. Besides, the minimal tuition fee, an Indian student will need an average Euros 10,300 annually as living costs. The student accommodation may require Euro 300 per month and overall expenses can be about Euro 1300 monthly. However, it depends on the lifestyle of the individual.
What are the requirements to study MS in Germany?
A candidate should fulfill the Germany university admission requirements for international students. These are as follows:
A candidate must have completed a four-year undergraduate course. Some universities may ask for at least 75% or a CGPA 7.5/10 in the undergraduate level.
It is important that the candidate must clear the English language entrance exam for Germany. IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT or GRE scores are valid for admissions to universities in Germany.
Some universities may ask for a basic knowledge of the German language; therefore, a certification in the same could be asked.
How to get a post-study work visa in Germany?
A student can extend the post-study work (PSW) visa after finishing the course. With upGrad abroad, you can get a post-study work visa for 18 months.
The documents required to apply for a PSW are:
Passport
University degree certificate or an official document from the university that you have completed your course from
Proofs to show that you can financially support yourself
Anupriya Mukherjee is a passion-driven professional working as a Content Marketer and earlier worked as a Digital Marketeer. With around 6 years of work experience, she has experience creating high-quality, engaging content for websites, blogs, news articles, video scripts, brochures, and ebooks.
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