Bachelor's programs in Germany attract over 100 thousand international students every year[1]. This trend can be attributed to several key factors. Firstly, German education holds a reputation for being exceptionally high in quality. According to the QS rating, an impressive 30 German universities rank among the top 500 globally[2]. Secondly, studying at state universities in Germany is free, with the exception of Baden-Württemberg. The only expenses students might incur are annual administrative fees, which cover transportation, library subscriptions, and provide access to museums and cafes. However, it's important to note that the cost of living in Germany is not the cheapest — at least 10,705 USD per year.
#119 QS Rankings#140 THE Rankings#301-400 ARWU Rankings
from14,988USD
Key aspects of bachelor’s programs in Germany
Bachelor’s programs at German universities typically span 3-4 years. The academic year is structured into two semesters: spring runs from April 1st to September 30th, while winter spans from October 1st to March 31st.
Bachelor's programs are structured into two distinct phases:
Grundstudium — during the initial two years of study, students have the opportunity to explore a variety of subjects.
Hauptstudium — the subsequent two years constitute the main course, which readies students for their professional endeavors. In this phase, instead of lectures and seminars, laboratory sessions and project work take precedence.
An interim exam, referred to as the Zwischenprüfung, is administered between these two educational phases. This assessment evaluates the students’ acquired knowledge and is generally a written exam lasting around 2-3 hours.
German universities place significant emphasis on practical experience. In the final semester, students are required to complete an internship aligned with their study profile at a company.
Class structure and learning approach
German universities offer students a great deal of academic freedom. Typically, there are only around 5-6 mandatory subjects, leaving students free to select the rest of their courses based on their preferences.
The instructional format varies. Alongside the traditional lectures and seminars, group projects are frequent occurrences and are often conducted on a weekly basis. Expect a substantial amount of written assignments throughout your academic journey at German universities, even during holidays. Exams are primarily conducted in written form as well.
Dropout rates at German universities
German universities witness a notably high dropout rate among foreign students — 45%[3]. This trend can be attributed to a combination of factors. On one hand, the lack of strict control can lead to reduced student motivation. On the other hand, demanding exams require not only attending lectures, but also dedicating significant extracurricular time to study extensive materials.
If a student fails to pass a subject after the third attempt, they are expelled without the chance to re-enter the chosen program. However, the period provided to address these academic challenges can extend up to 7 years, leading many students to remain at the university for a duration longer than the standard 4 years.
If applying after completing the 11th grade of a school or college, your initial step should be to undertake preparatory courses at a Studienkolleg. Upon gaining admission to a university, you will be directed to these courses.
After finishing the preparatory courses and successfully passing the FSP final exam, the next step involves reapplying to your chosen university. For many institutions, this process is largely a formality, resulting in automatic enrollment. Should you decide to opt for a different university, you can employ the same FSP results and certification. There is no need to revisit the Studienkolleg phase.
For those who attended a private Studienkolleg, the procedure remains the same — completing the FSP, gathering your high school diploma and language certificate, and applying to the university. It's advisable to search for a private Studienkolleg offering the universally recognized FSP program.
You can also directly apply to a German university, bypassing the Studienkolleg phase. This route suits school graduates who have already completed a year of bachelor’s studies in their home country. However, your chosen field of study must align with the program in which you intend to enroll in Germany. Additionally, ensure that your university holds recognition in Germany. You can verify this information on the Anabin website.
Important
If you intend to study at a university in your home country before pursuing education in Germany, it's essential to monitor your academic performance. Your grades hold significance beyond mere formalities, as they will contribute to your GPA when you apply to a German university.
Required documents
Completed application form
Passport copy
Notarized translation in English or German of your high school certificate and transcripts
Language exam results (if applicable)
Final exam results from Studienkolleg or university transcripts for the first year
Proof of financial solvency — sufficient funds in your bank account at a rate of 10,958 USD / year
Document submission is usually overseen by the uni-assist service. However, admission to programs subject to national quotas may require additional registration.
Numerus clausus — university admission quotas:
In Germany, a Numerus clausus system exists to regulate the allocation of study placements. This results in universities falling into three distinct categories:
Unrestricted admission. This includes universities that do not impose any limitations on the number of available spots and admit all candidates who meet the requirements. This is more common at institutions with high dropout rates and in fields like mathematics, physics, and engineering. The rate of students who do not pass exams can rise as high as 94% in such cases[4].
Local quotas. Given that federal states and universities have significant autonomy in educational organization, they can independently enforce restrictions on the number of admission slots. These limitations may apply to specific fields or even the entire university. In such scenarios, admission not only depends on entrance exams, but also motivation letters, recommendations, CVs, and interviews. This selection method is becoming more and more common at German universities[5].
National quotas. Across all German universities, quotas are in place for specific fields, including dentistry, veterinary medicine, medicine, and pharmaceuticals. These programs allocate only a small fraction, approximately 4-6%, of the total study spots to foreign students[6].
Document submission deadlines might vary if the university employs the VPD procedure (Vorprüfungsdokumentation) — a preliminary documentation evaluation of previous diplomas. Upload your documents well in advance on the university's website, as processing a VPD request can typically take from 4 to 6 weeks[7].
Following university graduation, you have the option to prolong your visa for a year and a half to search for employment (Aufenthaltsgenehmigung). The German job market is notably competitive, and the unemployment rate is 5.9%. To provide context, the European average stands at 6.5%[8].
In March 2020, the priority check system was canceled. As a result, EU citizens no longer hold an official employment advantage over foreigners[9]. And, even if you face challenges in the German job market, opportunities can still be pursued in other EU countries. A German diploma carries substantial global recognition and esteem.
In Germany, master's programs taught in English are widespread. Consequently, the number of foreign graduate students surpasses that of bachelor students, with figures standing at 197000 against 130000[1].
Abundant scholarships are available for students pursuing master’s programs. Besides DAAD, which offers financial support across all study levels, the Heinrich Böll Foundation is another notable option. This foundation concentrates its scholarships exclusively on undergraduate and doctoral students.
