Shahid Mustaq Murshed Study Abroad Content Specialist
Study Abroad Content Specialist
Germany has emerged as a top destination for Indian students pursuing master’s degrees, thanks to its high-quality education, minimal tuition fees at public universities, and strong industry-academia collaboration, especially in STEM fields. As of the latest data, 49,008 Indian students are currently studying in Universities (TU9) and Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule) in Germany. Indians are the largest group of international students in the country. A significant number of these students opt for master’s programs in engineering, computer science, management, and social sciences.
To secure admission to a masters program in Germany, Indian students need to meet specific academic, language, and documentation requirements. These include a bachelor’s degree with relevant coursework, proficiency in English or German, a strong academic record (often with a minimum GPA), and standardized test scores like IELTS/ TOEFL or GRE for some programs.
Know More: Study in Germany
Why Study Master Degrees in Germany?
Check out a few common benefits of studying a master's degree in Germany.
- Affordable education: You can study free in Germany as all public universities offer tuition-free education and only charge a small administration fee of 150-250 EURO (13,000 to 22,000 INR) per semester.
- Affordable cost of living: You need approximately 992 EURO (92,000 INR) per month to live comfortably in Germany. At the same time, it is 2000 USD in USA (1,66,000 INR), 1,000 GBP in UK (1,11,000 INR), and 2,500 CAD in Canada (1,53,000 INR).
- Work during/ after study opportunities: You can work part-time during your studies. Also, with an extended residence permit, you can stay in Germany for up to 18 months after graduation to find jobs.
- Scholarship opportunities: The DAAD Scholarship Program, Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships, or DeutschlandStipendium National Scholarship are great options for international students.
- Student diversity: Germany has international students from all corners of the world, including China, Italy, and France among others.
Also Read: Post Study Work Permit in Germany
Eligibility for Masters in Germany
Regarding admission to MS in Germany, eligibility and requirements are two different factors. The country sets eligibility and requirements are set by universities. Hence, a clear idea about the two is a must. The eligibility criteria for masters in Germany for Indian students are following.
Undergraduate Qualification
You need to have an undergraduate degree, equivalent to a German bachelor's degree, with 16 years of formal education (12 years of school + 4 years of university). German universities accept undergraduate degrees from all universities across the world. With a diploma, you can also apply for a master’s degree even before completing your bachelor’s.
Exam for MS in Germany
To be eligible, you have to be proficient in English or German or both, as required by your chosen degree and university. Some common options include
- TestDaF (Test of German as a Foreign Language): TDN 4 level
- DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang): Level 2 to level 3
- Goethe-Zertifikat or Telc: Minimum C1 level
- TOEFL iBT: 90-100
- IELTS Academic: 6.5 to 7.0
Also Read: Exams Required to Study in Germany
Entrance Exam for MS in Germany
Though not mandatory, some universities like RWTH Aachen, TU Munich may require GRE scores.
- GRE: Minimum 160 in both sections.
- GMAT: Minimum 600 or as required by the chosen business school/ program.
- GATE: Technical universities may require a GATE score 90th percentile to be eligible.
Financial Proof
The German government requires international students to have access to a minimum of 992 EURO per month (87,860 INR) or 11,904 EURO per year (10.54 lakhs INR) as living expenses, which must be deposited in a German Blocked Account (Sperrkonto).
Health Insurance
International students need health insurance to be eligible for a master's in Germany. If you are under 30, you can opt for public health insurance, costing around 105–110 EURO (9,300 to 9,742 INR) per month. For students over 30, private insurance is preferable.
Academic Transcripts
You may need to convert your academic mark sheets into transcripts to be eligible for a master's in Germany. You can ask your institution or get help from service providers like WES evaluation to get your mark sheets verified, certified, and converted into standards as per German universities.
German Student Visa
International students planning to study in Germany must obtain a German Student Visa (Residence Permit) for programs exceeding 6 months. Short-term courses of six months or less can be pursued with a Schengen visa.
For a student visa, applicants must provide proof of finances and health insurance. Indian students applying for a Long Stay Student Visa must also submit an APS Certificate, which verifies the authenticity of their Indian academic credentials. These requirements are essential for eligibility to pursue a master’s degree in Germany. The visa processing can take 6–12 weeks, so apply well in advance. The visa application requires the following documents:
- University admission letter.
- Proof of financial resources (blocked account confirmation).
- Proof of health insurance.
- Valid passport.
- Academic transcripts.
- Visa application form and photographs.
Documents Required for Masters in Germany
Check out all the necessary documents required to study master’s in Germany.
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of German or English language Proficiency
- Standardized/ entrance test scores
- Personal essays
- SOP for Germany/ motivation letter
- Updated CV
- Valid passport
- LOR
- Proof of financial resources (blocked account)
- Proof of health insurance
- Portfolio
- Work experience certificate (if required)
Application Process for Masters in Germany
Applications for master's programs are either submitted directly to the university or via the online Uni Assist portal. Application deadlines for master’s courses are often earlier than the bachelor's courses. It is recommended to submit the completed application by paying the application fee at least 8 weeks before the deadline expires. Deadlines can vary depending on the university, however, the common application deadlines are:
- Summer intake: January 15 of each year
- Winter intake: July 15 of each year
Note: Uni Assist application fee is 75 EURO for the first chosen course of study and 30 EURO for each additional course in the same semester.
Steps to Apply for a Masters Degree in Germany
You can apply for your suitable master's degree by following the simple steps mentioned below
- Step 1: Find a suitable university and program
- Step 2: Check the eligibility and entry requirements
- Step 3: Meet the required language proficiency
- Step 4: Fulfill standardized test requirements
- Step 5: Apply by paying the application fee
- Step 6: Wait for the admission decision
- Step 7: Get your health insurance
- Step 8: Get your finances in order
- Step 9: Apply for the German student visa
Depending on the university, you may be asked to sit for an online interview or audition. These virtual interviews are usually 30–40 minutes long and are conducted over platforms like Zoom or Skype.
FAQs
Ques: What is the eligibility to study MS in Germany?
Ans: You need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, proficiency in English (IELTS/TOEFL) or German (TestDaF/DSH), and, for some programs, GRE scores. A good SOP, LORs, CV, financial proof (€11,208 in a blocked account), and an APS Certificate (for Indian students) are also required.
Ques: Is 7.5 CGPA good for MS in Germany?
Ans: Yes, 7.5 CGPA is good for many universities. For competitive programs or top universities, a higher CGPA might be needed.
Ques: What GPA is required for MS in Germany?
Ans: A GPA equivalent to 65% or above works for most programs. Top universities may prefer 75–80% or higher.
Ques: Is IELTS mandatory for MS in Germany?
Ans: Yes, for most English-taught programs, IELTS (6.5–7.0) is required. You can skip it if your previous education was in English and you have proof like an MOI certificate.
Ques: Can I settle in Germany after MS?
Ans: Absolutely! You get 18 months to find a job. Once employed, you can apply for a work visa or Blue Card and later for permanent residency after 21–33 months.
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