Study in Germany 2026-27: Guide for Indian and Pakistani Students
Everything students from India and Pakistan need to study in Germany: universities, costs, admission, the visa and the first weeks after arrival. Amounts are in euro (EUR). The EU and EEA are the European Union and a few more European countries; India and Pakistan are outside it.
Germany Study Guide
Why Germany Stands Out
Education
Respected degrees at low cost
Language
Many courses in English
Work
140 full days a year while studying
Career
18 months to find a job after you graduate
20,000+
Degree courses
EUR 11,904
Blocked account for the first year (2026)
18
Months to look for a job
Why Choose Germany for Your Studies?
Respected Universities
German universities are among the most respected in the world.
Key Benefits
Low Cost
Respected degrees at a relatively low cost.
Key Benefits
Work and Career
Germany lets students work and stay to find a job.
Key Benefits
Safe and Open
A diverse country with strong health care.
Key Benefits
Germany at a Glance
Essential information about Germany to help you get oriented for your study abroad journey.
Language
Courses in German or English
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Population
About 84 million
When courses start
Winter (October) and summer (April)
20,000+
Degree courses
EUR 11,904
Blocked account for the first year (2026)
140 full or 280 half
Work days a year while studying
18
Months to look for a job after graduating
Top Universities in Germany for International Students
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Engineering
- Master of Science
- Master of Arts
- Master of Engineering
Bachelor's
The first degree that qualifies you for a job.
- 3 to 4 years.
- Needs a school certificate that lets you enter university, or a preparatory college first.
Master's
An advanced degree for further job skills.
- 1 to 2 years.
- Usually needs a first degree.
Master's in Germany
What students from India and Pakistan need to know about a master's in Germany.
Key Advantages of MS in Germany:
Low cost
In most German states, public universities charge no tuition. Some states and universities charge students from outside the EU and EEA.
Program Duration
1 to 2 years
Language Requirements
TUM example: IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 88, PTE 65; German-taught: DSH-2 or TestDaF level 4 (German tests)
Winter Semester
Example: Stuttgart master's 15 July
• Starts in October.
• Courses start in this semester.
Summer Semester
Example: Stuttgart master's 15 January
• Starts in April.
• Some master's courses start in April.
Application Tips:
- • If you apply through uni-assist, apply at least 8 weeks before the university's deadline.
- • India: get your APS certificate (from the Academic Evaluation Centre) early.
Master's in Germany
Builds on your first degree.
- • 1 to 2 years.
- • Usually needs a first degree.
- • Many courses are taught in English.
Admission Requirements for Studying in Germany
Everything you need to know about eligibility criteria, required documents, and application processes for Germany universities.
| Course Level | Academic Requirements | Language Requirements | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | University entrance qualification; India: normally 12 years of school | Course language at the level the course asks | Preparatory college (Studienkolleg) if your school certificate is not enough |
| Master's | A first degree | TUM example: IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 88, or DSH-2 | Some courses use interviews or tests |
Choose courses
Check each course's language, papers and deadline.
India: get APS
India only. APS checks Indian school and university papers. It takes at least two weeks.
Apply
Through uni-assist (a service that checks papers for many universities; EUR 75 for your first course in a semester), the university's own website or Hochschulstart (the national application site for some courses).
Visa
Apply on the German government's online visa website (Consular Services Portal) with a blocked account of EUR 11,904 and health insurance.
Arrive and register
Register your address within 14 days of moving in. Then enrol at your university. Then apply for your residence permit (the card that lets you live in Germany while you study) before your visa ends.
Winter intake
Summer intake
Special Programs
Tip: Check each university’s website for application dates and processing times.
Academic Documents
- School-leaving certificate and mark sheets
- Degree certificate and transcript (for master's)
- Language certificate
- APS (Academic Evaluation Centre) certificate (India)
Personal Documents
- Motivation letter
- A CV in a table that lists all your training, qualifications and activities
- Passport page with your photo
Document Preparation Tips for Germany
- • Upload every page of each certificate and mark sheet.
- • Translations must come from a sworn translator (a translator approved by a court).
- • India: the German Missions (the German embassy and consulates) do not use attestation or apostille.
Preparatory college (Studienkolleg)
- For: Students whose school certificate is not enough for a German bachelor's
- Ends with: A university entrance exam (Feststellungsprüfung)
Costs and Scholarships for Studying in Germany
Get a comprehensive overview of tuition fees, living expenses, and scholarship opportunities for international students in Germany.
| Program Level | Public Universities |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's at TUM | Usually EUR 2,000 or 3,000 a semester (students from outside the EU and EEA) |
| Master's at TUM | Usually EUR 4,000 or 6,000 a semester (students from outside the EU and EEA) |
| Baden-Württemberg (Stuttgart, Mannheim) | EUR 1,500 a semester (students from outside the EU and EEA) |
| Expense Category | Major Cities | Smaller Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance (Techniker Krankenkasse student rate) | EUR 141.16 to 146.29 a month | EUR 141.16 to 146.29 a month |
| Deutschlandticket (one ticket for local buses and trains in all of Germany) | EUR 63 a month, EUR 66.80 from 1 January 2027 | EUR 63 a month, EUR 66.80 from 1 January 2027 |
| TV and radio fee (Rundfunkbeitrag), for each household | EUR 18.36 a month | EUR 18.36 a month |
Munich area
Stuttgart
Mannheim
Master's study scholarship
Value:
EUR 992 a month
Eligibility:
Usually for graduates whose last degree is no more than 6 years old
Deutschlandstipendium (a grant from the university)
Value:
EUR 300 a month
Eligibility:
Students at a state or state-recognised university, if it offers the grant. Students waiting for admission can also apply.
TUM study grant
Value:
EUR 500 to 1,800 for one semester
Eligibility:
International students at TUM. You can apply again each semester.
Financial Aid Tips for Germany
- Plan without a scholarship: Most scholarships are not given to students at the start of their studies. Do not count on one.
- Know your work limit: Part-time work alone cannot pay all your costs.
Student Life in Germany
Discover what it's like to live and study in Germany from the experiences of international students.
Student groups
Almost every university has student groups where you meet people and help each other.
International office
Every university has one to help international students.
Munich
Start your housing search early.
Living in Germany: Cultural Tips
- • Learning German makes daily life and finding a job easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about studying in Germany as an international student.
Most German public universities charge no tuition. Everyone pays a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag), about EUR 100 to 450. From outside the EU and EEA: EUR 1,500 a semester in Baden-Württemberg, and EUR 2,000 or 3,000 (bachelor's) or EUR 4,000 or 6,000 (master's) at TUM.
EUR 11,904 for the first year in 2026, usually in a blocked account (Sperrkonto), a German bank account that holds your money. You can take out no more than EUR 992 a month.
On average EUR 900 to 1,200 a month. In the greater Munich area, about EUR 1,300 to 2,000 a month for one person.
India only. Most students who went to school or studied in India need the APS certificate. The Academic Evaluation Centre (APS) at the German Embassy New Delhi checks Indian school and university papers. It takes at least two weeks.
Each course decides. TUM accepts IELTS Academic 6.5, TOEFL iBT 88 or PTE Academic 65 (English tests). India, for the visa: PTE, Duolingo and the TOEFL home edition are not accepted.
Yes. Up to 140 full days or 280 half days a year, or up to 20 hours a week. The minimum wage is EUR 13.90 an hour since 1 January 2026.
Yes. After you graduate, you can get a residence permit for up to 18 months to look for a skilled job (a job that fits your degree). You may work in any job in that time.
Twice a year: the winter semester (half a study year) starts in October and the summer semester starts in April. Each course sets its own deadline.
Still have questions?
Our education counselors are here to answer all your queries about studying in Germany.
Your Complete Germany Study Guide
Navigate through our comprehensive resources to guide your educational journey in Germany from start to finish.
Universities, degrees, intakes and why Germany.
Eligibility, papers, tests and deadlines.
Tuition, living costs, money proof and scholarships.
Visa, insurance, housing and checklist.
Registration, enrolment, residence permit, bank and SIM.
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