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All international students who want to study in Germany must have a German student visa. With this student visa, you can stay in Germany for the length of your course. Obtaining a Germany study visa is not very expensive. However, you must overcome several administrative obstacles to get one. Therefore, here we will discuss all the details about the Germany student visa.
Below are some important reasons that might convince you to study in Germany.
Hosts 49 universities from QS Ranking Universities
Affordable Tuition Fees (around €3000 per year)
Option of various English taught-programs
High Chances of Visa Approval
Part of a Schengen countries
3 Years of Post Study Work Permit
Scholarship Opportunities (Worth EUR 1200 to EUR 9960)
There are three types of visas for Germany for which international students can apply. Before applying for a Germany student visa, it is essential to know all three different types of student visas in detail. So, let’s explore them below.
Visa Zur Studienzwecken - The primary German student visa, known as the Visa Zur Studienzwecken, is for students admitted to a university program.
Language Course Visa - This visa is for individuals who are accepted into a three- to one-year-long language preparatory course.
Visum Zur Studienbewerbung - The Student Applicant Visa, also known as Visum Zur Studienbewerbung, is intended for individuals who have not yet selected a course of study or who are awaiting acceptance confirmation.
German intakes primarily occur twice a year, during the summer and winter. Winter intake is the primary application time for German universities. The majority of programs collect applications during this intake session.
Let's check the distinctions between Germany's summer and winter intake in detail:
Intake 1: Summer intake in Germany: This intake starts in the month of March and August, and its deadline falls between January and February.
Intake 2: Winter intake in Germany: This intake starts in October and February, and its application deadline falls between July and August.
You can check the deadline for higher study courses in Germany.
Higher Study Options |
Duration |
Intake Months |
Deadline to Apply |
Bachelor |
3 - 4 Years |
Oct (Major) & Mar (Minor) |
8-10 months before the intake month |
Master (MS/MBA) |
2 Years |
Oct (Major) & Mar (Minor) |
Germany is considered one of the most preferred study-abroad destinations for international students. There are many reasons behind it! Let’s explore them below.
Public universities in Germany are ranked highly by the QS World University Ranking and are among the best in the world. These colleges are well-known across the globe and are highly regarded by students due to the high calibre of education they offer.
No matter what career you choose to enter in, German universities offer a wide range of courses to support your dream career.
Compared to other popular study-abroad destinations, the cost of studying and living in Germany is quite affordable.
The Germany student visa allows international students to work 120 days of full-time employment and 240 days of part-time jobs in a year, which is an excellent opportunity to manage your cost of living.
Since Germany is a member of the Schengen countries, its student visa allows you to travel to the other 25 European countries that are part of the Schengen region.
You can quickly make wonderful local friends in Germany because Germans are kind and vibrant people. You may also spend your free time participating in various sports and leisure activities, like clubbing, going to the movies, or going to the theatre. You can even attend museums or music concerts.
Below are some more benefits of studying in Germany.
Higher Study Options
|
Part-time work duration allowed |
Post-study work permit |
Can departments work full-time? |
Is schooling free for department children |
PR option available for post-study and work |
Bachelor |
20 Hours per week |
18 months temporary residence permit |
No |
No |
No |
Master (MS/MBA) |
20 Hours per week |
Here are some of the top universities in Germany for international students.
Germany Rank |
QS Rank 2024 |
University |
1 |
37 |
Technical University of Munich |
2 |
54 |
Ludwig-Maximillians-Universität München |
3 |
=87 |
Universität Heidelberg |
4 |
98 |
Freie-Universität Berlin |
5 |
106 |
RWTH Aachen University |
6 |
119 |
KIT, Karlsruher-Institut für Technologie |
7 |
120 |
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin |
8 |
=154 |
Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin) |
9 |
=192 |
Albert-Ludwigs-Universtaet Freiburg |
10 |
205 |
Universität Hamburg |
Below is a list of some of the best universities and courses offered in those universities in Germany.
Universities |
Programs |
Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg |
Masters |
EU Business School |
MBA |
Frankfurt School of Finance and Management |
MBA |
Free University of Berlin |
Bachelors |
Masters |
|
Bachelors, Masters |
|
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz |
MBA |
Bachelors, Btech, Masters |
|
Leipzig University |
MBA |
Masters |
|
Bachelors, Masters, MBA |
|
Bachelors, Masters |
|
University of Bayreuth |
MBA |
University of Berlin |
Masters |
MBA |
|
MBA |
|
University of Munich |
Btech, Masters, MBA |
University of Stuttgart |
Btech |
University of Tubingen |
Masters |
Popular courses to study in Germany for international students are as follows -
Popular programs
Computer Science
Cybersecurity
Aerospace
Electronics and Data Engineering
Management and Technology
Applied Intercultural Linguistics
Business Mathematics
Data Science
International Information Systems Management
Language, Communication and Economics in Europe
Social Sciences in Europe
Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Applied Computer Science
Automotive Informatics
Computer Science
Business Administration
Digital Management
Energy and Materials Physics
BA English-Speaking Cultures
Marine Geo Sciences
Natural Sciences for Sustainability
Applied Computer Science
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
Biochemistry, Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Culture & Society, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Archaeologies
Geodesy and Geoinformation
Law
In Germany, international students get various scholarship opportunities, which help them reduce the burden of tuition fees. Below are some of the best scholarships available for Indian students in Germany.
Scholarship Name |
Offered By |
Value |
Deadline |
DAAD Scholarship Programs |
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) |
€934 for graduates and €1,200 for doctoral/Ph.D. students |
September - October
|
Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships |
Heinrich Böll Foundation |
Up to €934 per month |
March 1st and September 1st of each year. |
DeutschlandStipendium National Scholarship Program |
By the Germany Government Body |
300 euros per month |
start of the academic year |
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship |
KAS Foundation |
For Graduates: €934 for two years For PhD: €1,400 per month for three years |
7th February 2024
|
Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarships |
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Foundation |
monthly stipend of €830 - €850 family allowance of €276 for students with children |
30 April |
EMS Undergraduate Scholarship |
European Management School |
50% of tuition fees |
April 15 |
Hamburg University of Applied Sciences Scholarship |
HAW Hamburg University of Applied Sciences |
Up to €1,000 to €1,800 |
April 15 |
Humboldt Research Fellowship Scholarship |
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation |
amount up to €2,670 for 6 to 24 months. |
Every March, July and November |
ULM University Scholarship |
Land of Baden-Wuerttemberg (LGFG) |
€1,200 per month. |
29 February |
RWTH Aachen Scholarship |
WTH International Academy |
up to 25% in the tuition fee |
1 March |
Applicants seeking higher education in Germany must meet specific prerequisites to enrol in prestigious universities. Therefore, verify your eligibility for master's and bachelor's degree programs in Germany below.
Higher Study Options |
Minimum Educational Requirement |
Minimum Required Percentage |
IELTS/PTE/TOEFL Score |
Backlogs Information |
Other Standardised Tests |
Pre- Bachelor |
12 Years of Education (10+2) |
65% |
Overall, 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each band |
1-2 backlogs (some private universities universities may accept more) |
TestAS |
Bachelor |
13 years of Education (12 years of schooling + 1 year of bachelor's) |
73% for public universities and 65% for private universities |
Overall, 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each band or B2 level proficiency |
The minimum SAT score required is 1350/1600 |
|
Master (MS/MBA) |
3/4 Years of Graduate Degree |
73% for public universities and 65% for private universities |
Overall, 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each band or B2 level proficiency |
GRE 310/340 and GMAT 520/700 and work experience of 1-3 years may be required for Engineering and MBA programs, respectively |
Below are some essential documents required to apply for a Germany Study Visa.
A valid passport.
Application form and statement, properly completed in line with Section 54 of the Residence Act.
A4-sized copy of the data page from your passport.
A certificate from the Academic Evaluation Center, or APS.
Evidence of enrollment in the study program or preparatory college (original and two copies), together with details about the instruction's language.
Certificates (original and two copies) for every academic degree you have already earned
Updated resume.
Evidence of your ability to pay for the expenses incurred throughout your study.
Three passport photos that are no more than six months old and meet biometric requirements.
The duration of travel health insurance is from the time of arrival in Germany to the enrollment date at the university (specified in your admission letter), which is around three months.
A letter from your German healthcare provider and proof of travel health insurance covering the period from the date of travel to the effective date of the public German health insurance serve as proof of coverage.
Check the step-by-step procedure for applying for a student visa for Germany from India.
Step 1: Check whether you qualify for a student visa to Germany.
Step 2: Put together all necessary paperwork.
Step 3: Use the internet to apply for a German visa.
Step 4: Await the status of the approval.
Step 5: Take a plane to Germany to begin your study abroad journey.
Indian students have to pay the same 90€ as all other applicants for a German student visa. Students are required to pay the visa fees in Indian Rupees (INR), the native currency. Therefore, you must constantly verify the most recent currency rate before visiting India's German consulate or embassy.
Apart from this, Demand Drafts are accepted as payment at all German embassies in India. All national banks in India accept demand drafts as long as they are no more than two months old. Notably, cash is also accepted at the German Embassy in New Delhi. The visa fees are non-refundable. So, in any case, if your visa gets rejected, then you won’t receive any amount back.
Type of expense |
Student Visa Germany cost in Euros |
Equivalent Cost in INR |
APF |
200 euros (approximately) |
18,000 INR (approximately) |
Embassy fees |
90 euros (approximately) |
8127 INR (approximately) |
Insurance charges |
70 - 100 euros |
6320 INR - 9030 INR (approximately) |
Compared to other study-abroad destinations, Germany is quite an affordable place to study. The tuition fees are very low. In public universities, international students can study for free, but they have to pay regional taxes. Below is the approximate tuition fee for international students.
Higher Study Options |
Average Tuition Fee per Year |
Visa Fee |
Living Expenses for 1 Year/Proof of funds for 1 year |
Is opening a bank account in the country required to show proof of funds? |
Bachelor |
Public universities - 150 to 1500 EUR/Semester (6 months) Private universities - 11,000 to 15,000 EUR per year (approx.) |
75 Euros |
11,208 Euros |
The student needs to open a blocked account of 11,208 Euros to show proof of living expenses |
Master (MS/MBA) |
A Germany study visa may take up to six months to process. It depends upon the German embassy and the nation from which you are applying. You can check the visa status once you apply.
After completing higher education studies in Germany, international students are applicable to get post-study work visa. The validity of this visa extends beyond the time you will be enrolled in classes. Following the 18-month job seeker visa, there will be a post-study work visa. Depending on the length of employment, your work visa may be extended if your company permits you to stay on.
As long as the anticipated pay is enough to cover their living expenses, students may still be granted a residence permit despite receiving a part-time job offer.
Let's say a student wishes to remain and settle permanently in Germany. If so, he/she might apply for an EU Blue Card or permanent residence card within two years after obtaining them.
Degrees |
No. of years |
Bachelor’s degrees |
18 months of post-study work permit allowed |
Master’s degrees |
18 months of post-study work permit allowed |
All doctoral qualifications |
18 months of post-study work permit allowed |
You can get counselling at any branch of Meridean Overseas Education Consultants to support your dream. Our counsellors will assist you in choosing the top colleges and programs. To help you obtain high band scores and improve your chances of being accepted into Germany’s best colleges, they will assist you in obtaining a student visa and offer you English language instruction for the TOEFL and IELTS exams.
Question: Can I get permanent residency in Germany after my studies?
Answer: After your academic success, you can apply for a German work visa. If you are hired, you will be granted a skilled worker residence visa in Germany. After working there for two years, you can apply for a PR in Germany.
Question: Is ielts required for a Germany student visa?
Answer: Yes, demonstrating your fluency in English is one of the conditions for a study permit to Germany. A band score of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any section on the IELTS is the minimal criterion for a Germany student visa. However, if you are applying for German-taught programs, you might not require an IELTS score.
Question: Is getting a German student Visa difficult for international students?
Answer: Obtaining a study visa for Germany is simple. Any Indian national who wants to pursue coursework toward a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree can apply for a student visa. According to current figures, 95% of visa applications are granted.
Question: Can I work part-time in Germany with a student visa?
Answer: International students are allowed to work in Germany while they study. Students can work 120 days of full-time employment and 240 days of part-time employment with their student visa. Students who work while they study can better manage their finances by controlling their spending.
Question: How can I apply for a free German learning program?
Answer: To study for free in Germany, one must pay either no tuition at all or very little. Particularly at public universities, where tuition is waived, only regional taxes are to be paid. One of the entrance requirements that can help you achieve a scholarship for several universities is an average of 80% or fluency in German.
Question: What is the minimum bank balance for a German visa?
Answer: Depending on each applicant's unique situation, a different amount of bank balance is needed for a German tourist visa from India. But generally speaking, for every day that you are in Germany, you need to have at least 7,200 INR (€80) in your bank account.
Question: What are the types of Germany study visas?
Answer: Broadly, there are three types of student visas for Germany: the German Student Visa, the German Student Applicant Visa, and the German Language Course Visa.
Question: Is it required to be able to communicate in German in order to study in Germany?
Answer: No, you do not need to speak German to study in Germany. Various postgraduate and graduate programs offered in English are available at several universities. Additionally, it will depend on the course you want to take.
Question: What is the list of best universities in Germany as per QS Ranking?
Answer: Some of the best universities to study in germany for international students, as per QS world ranking, include the Technical University of Munich, Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität München, Universität Heidelberg, Freie-Universität Berlin, and RWTH Aachen University.
Question: How can I apply for a free German learning program?
Answer: To study for free in Germany, one must pay either no tuition at all or very little. This is accurate, particularly at public universities, where tuition is waived. One of the entrance requirements for several colleges is an average of 80% and fluency in German.
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