Study in Germany as an International Student: Complete 2027 Guide

Yes, you can study in Germany in English as a non-EU student, and at many public universities you pay no tuition at all. You do need a recognised school or bachelor's certificate, proof of English, about €11,904 for one year to prove you can support yourself, and a national student visa.

This guide walks you through the whole journey for the 2027/28 intake, from choosing a program to staying after graduation. Each section links to a detailed guide, and every number comes from an official source such as DAAD, uni-assist, the Federal Foreign Office or the university itself.

Why international students choose Germany

Germany combines low or zero tuition at most state universities with a very large choice of programs. FindUniPath currently tracks 292 institutions in 148 German cities; 233 of them list at least one English-taught bachelor's or master's program in our database (October 2026).

• Low tuition: DAAD states there are generally no tuition fees for bachelor's and most master's programs at state universities.
• Work while you study: non-EU students may work 140 full days or 280 half days per year (DAAD).
• A route to a career: graduates can apply for a job-search residence permit of up to 18 months.
• Clear official processes: uni-assist, anabin and the Consular Services Portal are all public and free to read.

There are real difficulties too: long visa waits, German bureaucracy, a tight housing market and the fact that most programs are still taught in German. Read the honest version in studying in Germany: pros and cons.

Step 1: Find an English-taught program

Most degree programs in Germany are taught in German. English-taught options are concentrated at master's level: in FindUniPath's database there are 2,038 English-taught master's programs but only 434 English-taught bachelor's programs. If you are applying with a school-leaving certificate, your choice is much smaller.

Use the official databases, the DAAD international programmes database and Hochschulkompass, then confirm everything on the program page. Our guide to English-taught programs in Germany explains language scores and where German is still required.

Step 2: Check if your certificate gives university access

Germany needs a university entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung). You check your certificate in anabin or the DAAD admission database. The result can be direct access, subject-restricted access, access only after one or two years of university study at home, or a Studienkolleg (foundation course).

Step 3: Apply through the right channel

International applicants apply either through uni-assist, directly to the university, or via hochschulstart, depending on the university and program. uni-assist charges €75 for the first program and €30 for each extra program in the same semester.

uni-assist recommends applying at least 8 weeks before the deadline; evaluation usually takes 4 to 6 weeks. The full process is in how to apply to universities in Germany.

Step 4: Prepare documents and translations

You upload complete certificates in the original language plus a certified German or English translation. uni-assist only accepts translations by sworn translators or by the issuing institution, not by ordinary translation agencies. Certified copies can be made, for example, at a German embassy.

See documents, translation and legalization for Germany for the full checklist, including the ZAB Statement of Comparability (€208).

Step 5: Plan your budget and proof of funds

Bavaria is changing fast: TUM, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, TH Ingolstadt, Munich University of Applied Sciences and others now charge non-EU students, while LMU Munich lists no tuition for regular programs. Full breakdown in cost of studying in Germany and funding options in scholarships in Germany for international students.

Step 6: Get the student visa

With an admission letter you apply for a national (D) visa for study at the German mission responsible for your place of residence. Many missions accept applications online through the Consular Services Portal. The fee is €75. DAAD warns it can take months for a visa to be issued, and a tourist visa cannot be converted into a student visa.

Our Germany student visa guide has the full checklist, blocked account rules and what happens after a refusal.

Applying from Afghanistan

Step 7: Arrive, enrol and get your residence permit

1. 1

   Arrange housing before you travel

   Universities do not automatically give you a room. Apply early to the local Studierendenwerk residence or look for a shared flat.

2. 2

   Enrol at the university

   Pay the semester contribution and collect your student ID, which is often also your public transport ticket.

3. 3

   Register your address

   Register at the residents' registration office, usually within one week, and keep the Meldebestätigung.

4. 4

   Arrange German health insurance

   DAAD says students under 30 pay a reduced statutory rate of about €120–130 per month.

5. 5

   Apply for the residence permit

   Apply at the foreigners' office (Ausländerbehörde) before your visa expires. The fee is up to €100 and the card can take several months.

Step 8: Work during and after your studies

During your studies you can work 140 full days or 280 half days per year; work as a student assistant (HiWi) at the university has no day limit but must be reported. The minimum wage since January 2026 is €13.90 per hour. After graduation you can apply for a job-seeker residence permit of up to 18 months and later move to a work permit or EU Blue Card.

Read work and stay in Germany after graduation for the rules and realistic expectations.

Bachelor's or master's: which route fits you?

Your starting point decides how easy Germany is for you. The master's route is usually the most direct for English-speaking applicants: there are far more English-taught programs, and a recognised bachelor's degree normally gives access without a Studienkolleg.

Mistakes that cost applicants a full year

• Waiting for 15 July. Many English-taught master's programs close in spring or even in the previous autumn. Check the exact window for the 2027/28 intake on the program page.
• Using a normal translation agency. uni-assist rejects translations that are not made by a sworn translator or the issuing institution.
• Opening the blocked account too late. The visa file needs proof of funds, and banks and missions are busiest in summer.
• Paying agents for appointments. German missions do not work with brokers, and checklists and appointments are free.
• Travelling on a Schengen tourist visa. It cannot be converted into a student visa in Germany.

Your 2027/28 timeline at a glance

Deadlines change every year and differ by program. Track deadlines for free on FindUniPath to see each university's official dates, or browse all our Germany guides.