Public universities
Many public universities charge no tuition fees, or lower fees than in most other countries, but the terms depend on the federal state, the university and the programme.
EUROPE / GERMANYApplying
Applying
to universities
in Germany
We check that your qualification is recognised, select the programmes that fit and set out a precise application route.
In Germany the route to admission depends on the qualifications you hold, the language of instruction, the degree programme and the university you choose. An application may go directly to the university, through uni-assist or through another procedure the university specifies.
Studying in Germany
The key features that shape the route to admission.
Checking your qualification
Before we choose programmes, we establish whether your qualification gives direct access to study or whether an additional step is required.
Different application routes
A university may handle applications itself, work through uni-assist or ask for a preliminary check documented in a VPD – preliminary review documentation (Vorprüfungsdokumentation).
Universities in Germany
The types of institution and typical examples. Click a name to open the university card.
- Traditional universities
A research environment and a broad academic profile, from the humanities to medicine.
- Technical universities
Engineering, the natural sciences and computer science. Many master’s programmes are taught in English.
- Universities of applied sciences
Practice-led teaching, projects with companies and a compulsory work placement within the programme.
- Private business schools
Management and finance, taught mainly in English, with a strong career focus.
The names open cards and link to the universities’ own websites. They map the academic landscape rather than form a ready-made list: the conditions of a specific programme are checked for the current year of entry.
How admission works
The first step is to check whether the document you hold counts in Germany as a university entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung, HZB), and whether it meets the academic requirements of the programme.
Next we establish the application channel. It can depend on your nationality, on the qualification you hold, on the degree programme and on the university’s own rules. In some cases a Studienkolleg (preparatory course), a VPD, a selection procedure or evidence of subject-specific prerequisites is required.
Even where documents have been checked in advance, the final decision on admission and enrolment rests with the university.
Entry requirements
The exact conditions depend on the programme you choose and on your documents.
Entitlement to study
We check whether your school or university qualification is accepted for direct entry at the level you are applying to.
Academic fit
For a master’s degree, what matters most is the subject content of the previous degree, the number of relevant credits and the grades achieved.
Language
German-taught programmes require a recognised German language certificate; English-taught programmes require proof of English on the terms set by the programme.
Additional conditions
A VPD, a Studienkolleg, a test, a portfolio, an interview or local admission restrictions are all possible.
Documents you may need
The exact set depends on the university and the programme.
- passport and the university’s application form
- school-leaving certificate (attestat) or degree certificate with its academic transcript
- translations and certified copies, where the procedure requires them
- language certificate
- CV and letter of motivation, where the programme requires them
- course descriptions, letters of recommendation, a portfolio or test results, where needed
Tuition fees and funding
At many public universities there are no tuition fees for undergraduate study and for a number of master’s programmes, or the fees are limited, but there are exceptions by federal state, by university and by type of programme.
Every student normally pays a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag). Accommodation, insurance, study materials, visa costs and the funds you must show as proof of financial resources (Finanzierungsnachweis) are budgeted separately.
When to start preparing
Every programme has its own calendar. We bring the stages together into a single plan.
Checking access
We assess the qualification you hold and the possible route to admission.
Choosing programmes
We check the language, the academic prerequisites and the application route.
Preparation
We assemble translations, certificates and the application materials.
Submission
We manage direct applications, uni-assist submissions and the VPD.
Enrolment
We check the conditions attached to the decision and the enrolment procedure.
Visa
We plan the documents and the proof of financial resources.
What we take on
Strategy, a strong application and control of the process – applied to the admissions system of the country you choose.
Checking the route
We establish whether direct access is possible and which procedures will apply.
Selecting programmes
We compare academic requirements, language, cost and application channels.
Documents and submission
We strengthen the materials and manage applications, the VPD and correspondence.
Enrolment and visa
We take you through enrolment and prepare you for the visa stage.
The university makes the final decision.
We strengthen everything that lies within our control.
Questions about applying to Germany
Sources and verification date
The admission requirements on this page were checked against primary official sources. Last verified on . Requirements and amounts change between admission cycles, so we check them again before an application is submitted.
- study-in-germany.com
Entry requirements and the routes open to applicants with a foreign school-leaving qualification.
- anabin.kmk.org
Official database used to establish whether a qualification gives direct access to study.
- daad.de
Role of the Studienkolleg and when a preparatory year is required.
- uni-assist.de
Application routes: direct to the university or via uni-assist.
EDMONT / GERMANYStart
Start
with strategy
Tell us about your education, your goals and your budget. We check your starting point and identify which options are worth considering.
From the first assessment through to enrolment