Study in Germany: A Guide for International Students
Why Choose Germany as Your Study Abroad Destination? When talking about Germany, we think of beer and luxury cars like Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Porsche, right? But there’s so much more to the country! With world-class universities, rich culture, and affordable education Germany is gradually climbing the ladder and ranks as the third most popular study abroad destination in the world, beating Australia. The public universities in Germany often charge zero to minimal tuition fees, making it one of the most affordable destinations in Europe for students. Despite German being the national language, the country also offers a wide variety of programs in English, making it a perfect choice for international students. With over 367,578 international students in 2023 in Germany, India became the top country sending first-semester students to Germany, surpassing China with approximately 49,008 students in 2023-2024. All this and so much more adds to our list of Germany being a top favourite study abroad destination for 2025. German Education System With an amazing concept of Compulsory Education in Germany, the country ensures that every child receives an education once they reach the age of six until they complete 10 years of full-time schooling in general education schools. The German School System is structured into 5 main stages: Popular Student-Friendly Cities in Germany Being home to over 300 recognised universities, you are sure to find the perfect blend of culture, innovation, academic richness and whatnot in the best student cities of Germany. Here’s the list of the top 3 cities as per the QS Best Student Cities 2025: City Number of InternationalStudents Approx. no. ofUniversities Top PublicUniversity Munich 55,291 20 Technical Universityof Munich Berlin 39,595 33 Free University Berlin Stuttgart 34,375 15 Universität Stuttgart Top Universities to Study in Germany in 2025 International students have a plethora of university options to choose from throughout Germany. From Munich to Berlin, they are sure to find their dream university in Germany. Here’s the list of the top 5 universities in Germany as per the QS World University Rankings 2025: Rank(As per QS World University Rankings 2025) University City 28 Technical University of Munich Munich 59 Ludwig-Maximilian’s-Universität München Munich 84 Universität Heidelberg Heidelberg 97 Freie Universitaet Berlin Berlin 99 RWTH Aachen University Aachen Top Courses to Pursue in Germany in 2025 Choosing the right course marks the most important step in your academics and career. Germany offers some of the best courses available throughout the world for students to excel. Some of these courses include: Known for its top-notch engineering programs, Germany welcomes around 300,000 engineering students each year. These programs combine strong academic standards with hands-on training and offer excellent career prospects and competitive starting salaries of up to INR 12,00,000 per annum. Berlin International College and Dresden International University are the top picks for students aspiring to choose this program with a tuition fee of €1,500-€3,000/year. Closely aligned with global business practices, the Business Management program in Germany welcomes almost 60,000 students every year. These internationally recognised programs offer real world problems and solutions enough to lead the way to the best companies in the world with packages up to INR 15,00,000 per annum. Berlin School of Business and Innovation, Munich Business School, and EU Business School in Munich are the top picks for students aspiring to choose this program with a tuition fee of €2,000-€4,000/year. Wish to get some hands-on experience during your academic course? Well, no place like Germany! With hundreds of museums and galleries, art enthusiasts are surely in for a treat. Attracting thousands of international students eager to explore and shape the cultural landscape, these programs focus on critical analysis and creative expression and help students make up to INR 8,00,000 per annum. Berlin International College, Berlin School of Business and Innovation, Dresden International University, Munich Business School and EU Business School in Munich are the top picks for students aspiring to choose this program with a tuition fee of €1,500-€3,000/year. Also referred to as a tech-innovation hub, Germany has over 120,000 students in computer science programs. Preparing students for high-quality courses like AI and cybersecurity, the country produces high-demand jobs in tech companies with salaries up to INR 14,00,000 per annum. Macromedia University of Applied Sciences, University of Europe for Applied Sciences and SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences are the top picks for students aspiring to choose this program with a tuition fee of €1,500-€3,000/year. Providing students with a deep understanding of societal issues and human behaviour, this program invites around 80,000 students to Germany every year. The country’s diverse society and strong academic resources make it an ideal place to study and help students earn up to INR 10,00,000 per annum. Berlin International College, Berlin School of Business and Innovation, Dresden International University, Munich Business School and EU Business School in Munich are the top picks for students aspiring to choose this program with a tuition fee of €1,500-€3,000/year. Intakes in German Universities 2025 Following a more structured academic calendar unlike other countries, admissions in Germany are done for two intakes: Winter and Summer. The Winter Intake is Germany’s most popular intake attracting the maximum students. Beginning in September or October, most German universities follow this intake. With undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs accepting the maximum applications during this intake, the Winter intake stands as the most comprehensive option for students. The application deadline for this intake takes place in May/July, with some universities extending it to August. The Summer Intake, usually referred to as the secondary intake at German universities, begins in March or April. Though this intake has fewer programs, it serves as a great opportunity for students enrolling for master’s programs, doctoral research, and specialised courses. With a smaller application set, this course promises a personalised academic experience and closer interactions with professors and peers. The application deadline for this intake takes place between the month of November and January. Cost of Studying in Germany 2025 Being cheaper as compared to other top study abroad destinations in