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Study Abroad Content Specialist
Highlights:
- Rankings: Germany has 5 MA granting public universities among top 100 institutes (QS WUR by Subject 2024: Arts and Humanities), including, Humboldt University of Berlin, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Free University of Berlin.
- Intakes: The universities in Germany mostly offer MA admission in April for Winter intake (October start), and in December for Summer intake (April start).
- Tuition Free Education: There is no tuition fee in German public universities, with a semester ticket or student contribution of 85-403 EUR (7,742-36,708 INR) per semester.
- Language Requirement for Jobs: Graduates who are proficient in German language are preferred by employers in Germany.
MA in Germany is a 2-years graduate degree, available mostly in Arts and Humanities disciplines. You can choose from hundreds of specializations like: Social Sciences, International Relations, English Studies, German Studies, History, Film Studies, Culture and Media Management, International economics and more. MA degree in Germany is available in both English and German-taught methods.
For admission to the universities in Germany for Masters in Arts, Indian students require a 3-4 years bachelor’s degree, relevant to their selected program, with 70% or higher overall score. For German-taught courses, the universities in Germany expect a German language proficiency of TestDaF 4-5 or DSH 2. You require an IELTS score of 4.0 or above in some universities like Freie Universitaet Berlin. Other institutes like University of Cologne, and University of Göttingen require 7.0 IELTS score or equivalent for admission to the English taught courses.
While all public higher education institutions in Germany are tuition-free, you will have to pay a semester fee between 85-403 EUR (7,742 to 36,708 INR) per semester. Now, you must also be able to demonstrate the availability of at least 934 EUR (85,098 INR) per month in your German bank account as cost of living in Germany. Indian students in financial hardships can get various scholarships in Germany like DAAD-scholarships, Deutschlandstipendium, and SIST LMU Study Scholarship among others. These scholarships cover up to 650 EUR per month. These scholarships cover partial fees and living expenses, reducing your financial burden.
After completing MA in Germany, you can pursue a career in Journalism, History, Academics, Project Management, Content Writing and in several other roles. Currently, MA graduates in Germany reportedly earn an average salary of 45,000 EUR (41 lakhs INR) per annum, reflecting a good return on investment.
Top Universities for MA in Germany
Master of Arts in Germany is available in either English or German or both across the top universities in Germany. Following are some top-ranked universities in Germany, their popular MA programs, and corresponding application deadlines:
| QS WUR by Subject 2024: Arts and Humanities | University | MA Programs | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| #=29 | Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin | International Relations | Media Studies | Social Sciences | Mid Jan 2025 | Late May 2025 |
| #=38 | Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München | English Studies | Journalism, Media & Globalisation | Environment and Society | Jan 15, 2025 | Jul 15, 2025 |
| #41 | Freie Universitaet Berlin | Culture and Media Management | English Studies | Film Studies | History | Jan 15, 2025 | May 31, 2025 |
| #=72 | Universität Heidelberg | English Studies | History | German Studies | Program-specific (Sep 15, 2024 | Nov 15, 2024 | Mar 15, 2025) |
| #=100 | Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen | Sociology with a Focus on Empirical Research | Sep 15, 2024 |
| #=132 | Goethe-University Frankfurt | Audiovisual and Cinema Studies | Curatorial Studies | Aug 31, 2024 |
| #=157 | University of Cologne | Political Science | Jun 15, 2025 |
| #=164 | Universität Hamburg | German Literature | European Studies | History | Journalism and Mass Communication | Winter: Mar 31, 2025 | Summer: Course-specific deadlines |
| #=188 | University of Göttingen | Finance, Accounting, and Taxes | Global Business | International Economics | Jan 15, 2025 | Jul 15, 2025 |
| #=244 | Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn | Applied Linguistics | Archaeological Sciences | Comparative Literature | Winter: Course specific, until Sep 2, 2024 | Summer: Jan 31, 2025 |
| #=261 | Universität Leipzig | Anthropology | Linguistics | Translatology | Course specific, (Between Feb 29, 2025 and May 31, 2025) |
| =273 | University of Münster | Social Anthropology | Jul 15, 2025 |
| #=286 | Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin) | Design and Computation | Media Studies | German as a Foreign Language | Feb 28, 2025 | May 1, 2025 |
Why Study MA in Germany?
Some important factors that make Germany one of the best places to study MA are:
- Academic Excellence and Access to Advanced Facilities: The German universities like Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, University of Cologne, and University of Göttingen among others are known for modern technology-based world-class education. Currently, 5 of the top 100 (QS WUR by Subject 2024: Arts and Humanities, 2024) are German universities, offering MA through German and English language.
- No Tuition Fee: The public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees from any students. This reduces the financial burden of Indian students. However, you will have to pay a minimal semester fee between 85-403 EUR (7,742-36,708 INR) per semester.
- Affordability: Germany has a moderate living expense as compared to other European countries. The estimated monthly living expense in Germany is about 933 EUR (85,013 INR), excluding the semester fees. An average hard-working student can manage their living expenses in Germany with part-time jobs or Graduate Assistantships pursued while studying.
- Easy Loan Repayment: If you are considering a loan for your MA program in Germany, be rest assured to repay it on time from your full time salary, if you study properly. The salary difference between India and Germany is significant, hence loan repayment is quite easy after securing a job.
- Visa Extension: The visa policy in Germany is favourable for Indian students. You can extend your stay in Germany for up to 18 months after completion of studies to seek suitable jobs, provided you have sufficient funds to sustain.
The high quality lifestyle of Germany is appealing, with excellent public services, healthcare, transportation, and safety. Studying in Germany will provide you the opportunities of experiencing a rich cultural heritage, interact with a global student community, and learn a new language.
MA in Germany Admission Requirements
For admission to MA in Germany, Indian students should successfully complete a bachelor’s degree in a field related to their desired program of study. While no German university specifies a minimum score for admission to MA, you should have at least 70% or above academic score to increase your chance of admission. The other admission requirements for MA in Germany are as follows:
- Language proficiency test scores (German and/or English)
- Convincing motivation letter of 500 to 600 words
- Research proposal of 800 to 2000 words
Work experience requirement is not common for admission to MA programs in Germany. However, your personal touch in CV, and motivation letter can make it easy to get admission in Germany.
- According to current students, you should get multiple LORs from professors, dean, or professional supervisors to strengthen your application.
- Some institutes like University of Cologne requires Indian students to apply for admission through VPD (preliminary review documentation).
- Uni-Assist issues this VPD certificate, used to apply to the university of your choice.
Note: The VPD has information on your educational certificates presented to uni-assist, possible university entrances using these certificates, and rating of your grades by uni-assist within German system of grades.
The detailed language proficiency requirements for admission to MA in Germany for international students are as follows:
| University | German Language Proficiency Requirements | English Language Proficiency Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin | Goethe-Zertifikat C1, DSH-1, TestDaF | IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL iBT: 72 |
| Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München | DSH 2, TestDaF-Niveaustufe 4 | IELTS: 5.5 | TOEFL: 72 | DET: 100 |
| Freie Universitaet Berlin | TestDaF level 4 | DSH 1 | IELTS: 4.0-6.5 | TOEFL iBT: 71-94 | PTE: 43-75 |
| Universität Heidelberg | DSH Level 2 | Goethe-Zertifikat C2 | - |
| Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen | DSH 2 | TestDaF 4 or 5 | IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL iBT: 79 |
| Goethe-University Frankfurt | DSH-2 or equivalent | - |
| University of Cologne | B2 level or German | TOEFL iBT: 95 | IELTS: 7.0 | PTE: 76 |
| Universität Hamburg | TestDaF 16 points (no test part below 3) | DSH 2 | Goethe-Zertifikat C2 | IELTS: 6.5 | TOEFL iBT: 90 |
| University of Göttingen | TestDaF Level 4 (TDN 4) in at least 4 categories | DSH 2 | IELTS: 7 | TOEFL iBT: 80 |
| Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn | DSH level 2 | TOEFL iBT: 72 IELTS: 5.5 | PTE: 59 |
| Universität Leipzig | DSH 2 | TDN 4 | - |
| University of Münster | - | IELTS: 6 | TOEFL iBT: 80 |
| Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin) | TestDaf with TDN 3 | DSH 1 | IELTS: 4.0-5.0 | TOEFL iBT: 43-71 | PTE: 43-58 |
German Student Visa Application
For German student visa application, certificate of APS (Academic Evaluation Centre) is a mandatory requirement. It is the proof of authenticity of your Indian academic documents. Know more about German Student Visa.
MA in Germany Fees
All of the public universities in Germany offer tuition fee waiver to the students. However, few institutes like Humboldt University of Berlin charge up to 10,000 EUR (9.11 lakhs INR) in tuition fees for specific disciplines. You must pay a semester fee between 85 and 403 EUR (7,742 and 36,708 INR) per semester in all the universities in Germany. The semester contribution at the top universities in Germany are as follows:
| University | Semester Contribution (EUR) | Equivalent in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin | 315 | 28,725 |
| Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München | 85-152 | 7,750 to 13,861 |
| Freie Universitaet Berlin | 304.40 | 27,760 |
| Universität Heidelberg | 151.05 | 13,775 |
| Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen | 166.80 | 15,212 |
| Goethe-University Frankfurt | 337.63 | 30,790 |
| University of Cologne | 304.15 | 27,738 |
| Universität Hamburg | 332 | 30,275 |
| University of Göttingen | 403.92 | 36,836 |
| Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn | Summer: 298,06 | Winter: 313,16 | Summer: 27,182 | Winter: 28,559 |
| Universität Leipzig | 269.90 | 24,614 |
| University of Münster | 320.17 | 29,198 |
| Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin) | 299.35 | 27,300 |
Cost of Living in Germany
Indian students should prove that they have at least 934 EUR (85,098 INR) at their disposal, independent of any job. This amount should reflect on your German bank account, to be used for rental fees, grocery, leisure time, and miscellaneous expenses).
The average cost of living in Germany is about 933 EUR (85,013 INR) per month. This cost is estimated by University of Cologne for international students. Your monthly expense will vary based on whether you are living in a city or town, personal requirements, and habits. The monthly rent of a 1-bedroom apartment for university students in popular Germany cities are as follows:
MA in Germany Scholarships
Although tuition fees are waived across the public universities in Germany, there are minimal semester fees. This is why, students can get univerity-provided scholarships of up to 1,500 EUR per semester. Some popular scholarships in Germany for Indian students are as follows:
| Scholarship | Eligibility Criteria | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DAAD-scholarships | Indication of scholarship interest in admission application form | 725 EUR towards cost of living, 2500 EUR towards tuition fees |
| SIST LMU Study Scholarship | Full-time international students at LMU with demonstrated financial need | 650 EUR per month |
| Deutschlandstipendium (Germany Scholarship) | Highly talented students at all participating universities in Germany | 300 EUR |
| PROMOS | FU Berlin students who independently organize their projects abroad, relevance of purpose of study, academic achievements, language skills, LOM, project suitability for study/research process | Partial scholarship rate, variable travel grant, course fee grant of 500 EUR (For selected course) |
Also Check: Externally funded popular scholarships in Germany.
MA in Germany Jobs and Salaries
Indian students should look for a mentor before going to Germany. A mentor, currently working in a relevant field, will provide you with proper guidance in decision-making. You can avoid possible mistakes that the mentor might have committed during initial days in Germany. According to Indians graduated and established in Germany, students actively researching on the market are prone to securing high-paying jobs in Germany even before completing their degree.
MA graduates in Germany annually earn 45,000 EUR (41 lakhs INR) per annum. You can work as a Research Associate, Journalist, Historian, Academician, Project Manager, Content Writer and in several other roles after MA in Germany. The popular companies hiring MA graduates and their respective average salaries are as follows:
Germany is a great place to study abroad in terms of top universities, affordability, work opportunities and even location. If you are unable to get a scholarship in Germany, you can look for loans between 7-8 lakhs INR to cover the living expenses and semester contribution, depending on your family background. Once graduated, you can repay loans within 1-2 years of employment. Considering all these factors, you can choose Germany as your study abroad destination.
FAQs
Ques. Is MA free in Germany?
Ans. This is partially true. The German public universities do not charge any tuition fee for MA programs. However, students need to pay a stipulated amount of Semester fee / Semester ticket / Student contribution in every semester. This semester fee ranges between 85 and 403 EUR (7,742 and 36,708 INR) per year.
Ques. Is IELTS required for MA in Germany?
Ans. Yes. IELTS score is required for admission to the universities in Germany offering MA programs in English. You need an IELTS score between 4.0 and 7.0 across the German universities. Alternatively, you can also submit TOEFL iBT score of 71-94 or equivalent PTE score for admission to MA in Germany.
Ques. How much does MA in Germany cost?
Ans. MA in the German Public universities do not cost any tuition fee. However, you will have to pay a semester fee of 85-403 EUR (7,742-36,708 INR) per semester for all the semesters of your study. The semester fee depends on factors like student government contribution, administration fee, and semester ticket, and varies across universities. Besides, you need to have at least 934 EUR (85,098 INR) at your disposal, every month, as the cost of living in Germany. This amount should reflect in your bank account in Germany and is to be used for accommodation rent, grocery, leisure, and other miscellaneous expenses.
Ques. Do Indians get job after MA in Germany?
Ans. Yes, Indians are eligible for Post Study Work Visa in Germany after their MA program. Germany allows students to extend their stay in Germany for up to 18 months after completing education to seek suitable jobs. The common job roles for MA graduates in Germany include Academician, Research Associate, Historian, Journalist, Content Writer, and Project Manager.
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Comments
Found 4 Comments
Germany is a great destination to pursue a Master's degree, especially an MA program. some of the different types of MA programs offered in Germany are MA in Humanities, MA in Social Sciences, MA in Arts, MA in Business Administration, MA in Law etc.
Germany offers a broad spectrum of master's programs across various fields. These include Art, Design & Media, Business & Management, Computer Science & IT, Engineering & Technology, Environment & Agriculture, Humanities, Law, Medicine & Health, Natural Sciences & Mathematics, and Social Sciences. With world-renowned universities and diverse academic offerings, Germany provides ample opportunities for advanced studies in these disciplines.
What's the difference between a Universität (University) and a Fachhochschule (University of Applied Sciences) when considering an MA program?
In Germany, the higher education system differentiates between two main types of institutions: Universitäten (Universities) and Fachhochschulen (Universities of Applied Sciences). They offer a wider range of Master's programs, including research-oriented programs leading to PhD studies. Environmental Management programs at Universities might have a stronger emphasis on environmental science, policy analysis, and research methodologies.
The application process seems complicated. Can I apply to multiple universities for the same program?
Yes, you can absolutely apply to multiple universities in Germany for the same MA program! In Germany, applications for Master's programs typically go through a centralized system called Universities Admissions Services (Uni-assist). Research universities offering MA programs in Environmental Management that interest you.