Germany is one of the most popular destinations for international students worldwide. Nearly 13% of students at German Universities come from abroad. Germany is an attractive place to study in germany, and German university degrees are highly respected by employers and HE institutions around the world.

A variety of universities:

You can study at universities, universities of applied sciences and colleges of art, film and music. Most universities in Germany are publicly financed. A few universities receive their funding from the Protestant or Catholic Church.

However, there are 120 private universities – most of them universities of applied sciences – whose degrees are recognised by the state.The quality of education is comparably high at all institutions of higher education.

• Universities:

  Universities offer strong theoretical and research-oriented Degree Programmes and a broad range of disciplines. Some universities are specialised in certain subject areas, for example, technical universities, medical schools and colleges of education. If you would like to pursue a doctorate (earn a PhD) at some point, a university is the right place for you.

• Universities of applied sciences:

  Education at universities of applied sciences is strongly practice-oriented. The course work provides the theoretical background and prepares students for the real-world requirements of professional life. Internships and practical semesters form an integral part of the degree programmes.

• Colleges of art, film and music:

  Colleges of art, film and music offer postgraduate study in artistic subjects, such as Fine Art, Acting, Dance, Industrial and Fashion Design, Graphic Art, Instrumental Music and Singing.

Different types of Masters degree programme:

There are more than 8,000 Master degree programmes offered by German higher education institutions which generally last for two years. These are either consecutive or non-consecutive degree programmes.

Consecutive Master programme: choosing a Master programme in the same field as your undergraduate degree
Non-consecutive Master programme: also requires a Bachelors degree, but gives you the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills in a new field

You can study in English:

More and more courses and degree programmes are being offered in English – there are currently more than 1,300 Master and PhD programmes. This is good news if you do not know any German or if your German skills are not yet good enough.

Very affordable study and living costs:

All students, whether EU or non-EU, generally do not pay tuition fees at German public universities as most German universities receive considerable funding from the government. Also, in the case of non-consecutive Master programmes in particular and generally for degree programmes offered by private universities, students may be required to pay tuition fees.

Compared to other European countries, the cost of living in Germany is quite reasonable. The prices for food, accommodation, clothing, cultural events, etc. are basically in line with the EU average. You will need around 800 euros a month to cover your living expenses.

Learn a language which can open many doors:

German is one of the ten most spoken languages in the world. Some 185 million people worldwide can speak German.You can still study in Germany even if you do not know German, but having some knowledge of the language can make everyday life easier and help you make friends faster.

Knowing a foreign language also looks great on a CV and may increase your employability! Nobody says that German is an easy language, but there are many ways to learn German – in a course, with a tandem partner or with German flatmates.

A generous immigration policy:

EU students are automatically entitled to seek work in Germany and can remain in the country without any restrictions.

Non-EU students can apply for an 18-month residence permit as a jobseeker. During these 18 months, you may take up any kind of employment to support yourself and found your job search. If you have already found a job that corresponds to your qualifications before graduating, you can jump this step. You can apply for your residence permit as soon as you have passed your final exam.

Various conditions are attached to both these residence permits. Depending on what you are planning to do in the future, either the German residence permit or the EU Blue Card can be advantageous for you. If you intend subsequently to live and work in another EU state, the EU Blue Card may be more advantageous for you than the German residence permit.