GERMANY · CHAPTER 1
Why Germany,and is it right for you?
Most German public universities charge no tuition to international students, only a semester contribution. Germany is strong in engineering, computer science and research, and graduates get up to 18 months to find a job. Trade-offs: German is important for daily life and many jobs, Indian applicants need an APS certificate, and you must show €11,904 a year in a blocked account.
Published by Althéa Consulting · Adviser: Harshita Kohli
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- Public tuition
- €0 in most states
- Baden-Württemberg €1,500/semester; TUM charges fees
- Blocked account
- €11,904 / year
- 2026
- Job search after degree
- Up to 18 months
- APS for Indians
- Required
What Germany does well
- No or low tuition at most public universities
- Leading technical universities and universities of applied sciences
- Many English-taught master's programmes
- 18-month post-study job-search permit
- EU Blue Card with lower salary thresholds for recent graduates
The honest trade-offs
Daily life and most non-tech jobs need German. Admission is competitive and deadlines are strict. Bureaucracy (address registration, residence permit appointments) takes time, especially in big cities.
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Germany at a glance for Indian students
- No or low tuition at most public universities
- Strong engineering, computer science, automotive and research programmes
- 18 months to look for work after graduating
- EU Blue Card and a fast path to permanent residence for skilled workers
- German language matters for daily life and most jobs outside tech
- Paperwork: APS, blocked account, city registration and residence permit
Popular student cities
| City | Strengths | Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Munich | Engineering, automotive, TUM, LMU | Highest |
| Berlin | Start-ups, tech, arts, research | High |
| Aachen | RWTH engineering | Medium |
| Stuttgart / Karlsruhe | Automotive, engineering, KIT | Medium–high |
| Dresden / Leipzig | Microelectronics, research, lower costs | Lower |
| Hamburg / Frankfurt | Logistics, finance, media | High |
QUICK ANSWERS
Your questions, answered.
Most public universities charge no tuition, but every student pays a semester contribution, and Baden-Württemberg and TUM charge non-EU students. You must also show about €11,904 a year in a blocked account for living costs.
Not for English-taught master's programmes, but basic German (A2–B1) makes daily life and part-time jobs much easier, and most jobs outside tech need B2.
WHERE TO GO NEXT
Keep going: the pages that help next.
Each card says what you will find there. Looking for something else? See every page on the site.
GERMANY GUIDE
Universities & degrees
Universities vs universities of applied sciences, bachelor's and master's structure, winter and summer intakes and tuition by state.
GERMANY GUIDE
Fees & cost of living
Semester contribution, tuition exceptions, €11,904 blocked account, health insurance and monthly living costs in Munich, Berlin and other cities.
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FROM INDIA
Month-by-month timeline
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FRANCE
Study in France
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