How to study in Germany in English
by Ingo Joseph
Renowned for its world-class education system, vibrant international community and with many high-ranking universities offering English-taught degrees, Germany offers exceptional opportunities for studying, conducting research, and finding highly-skilled employment.
Our guide is here to be your trusty companion, answering all your questions about studying in Germany in English - so you don’t need to worry about getting lost in translation!
Find Bachelors & Masters in Germany
Both options can be valuable experiences, so the choice depends on your academic aspirations, financial situation, and availability. Here are some considerations to take into account:
50業子 Tip: Germany has a wealth of English-taught programmes at Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral level. And the list is growing! So if you have the availability to pursue your full degree abroad, don’t miss the opportunity and embark yourself on an extraordinary academic journey that will provide you with new perspectives, self-development, and unforgettable adventures.
There are typically no tuition fees at German public universities (with some exceptions), and moderate fees at private universities.
The fact that you can get a Bachelor or Master tuition-free has made Germany particularly popular with international students. However, while there are hundreds of English-taught programmes at public universities, places for these are also highly competitive. A large number of Bachelors and Masters in English are offered by private universities. However, these tend to charge tuition fees of between €8,000 and €20,000 per year.
As a general rule, you will need to prove that your English language skills are up to a certain level in order to be admitted to an English-medium degree in Germany. A language certificate, such as for example IELTS or TOEFL, will be required in most cases.
Language requirements vary according to the university (see table below). If your first language is not English and you haven’t studied in an English-medium school or university, then you will most probably have to obtain a language certificate.
Native speakers will not need a certificate, and there are exceptions for those who have studied in English-medium institutions before (either at high school or university level).
For PhDs, it is sometimes not necessary to present a formal certificate as English language proficiency can be assessed during an interview or an in-house test.
If you have to prove your level of English with a test result, IELTS and TOEFL are the most widely accepted tests at German universities. Some universities also allow other English-language tests (ELT) certificates, such as
Also, note that some institutions might accept different tests, or have different minimum score thresholds for each of their degrees. So it is important to check the requirements for each programme you are planning to apply to.
The level of English language proficiency you will need to demonstrate in order to be accepted into an English medium degree in Germany will vary according to the institution and the course type.
In general, it is recommended to have a minimum of a 6.5 overall band in IELTS or 90 in TOEFL (iBT), although there are courses that you can also get admitted to with lower scores.
This means that the basic level of English you will need is a B2 on the .
| University | Required IELTS score | Required TOEFL score |
|---|---|---|
| Constructor University | minimum overall band score of 6.5 | total of 90 |
| EU Business School | at least 6.5 | 89 |
| Freie Universität Berlin | minimum of 6.5, and the scores on individual parts must be no lower than 6.0 | minimum of 100 |
| Goethe University Frankfurt | at least 6.5 | at least 95 |
| Humboldt University of Berlin | minimum of 6.5 | at least 100 |
| Institute of Technology Deggendorf | between 5.5 - 6.5 points in each section, but some courses require 7.0 - 8.0 points | between 72 - 94, but some courses require 95 - 120 |
| International Graduate Center (HS Bremen) | at least 6.5 | 80-84 |
| SRH University | minimum overall band score of 6.5 | total of 87 for direct entry, between 79 and 86 with additional agreement |
| Technical University of Munich | minimum overall band score of 6.5 | total of 88 |
| Universität Hamburg | around 5.5 to 6.5, depending on the course | around 70 to 90, depending on the course |
Usually, non-EU citizens will be required to apply via the portal . In this case, you will be required to send paper copies of your documentation for your application to be assessed. It is essential to remember to send certified copies and not the originals, as documents will not be returned.
As in other countries, admission criteria will vary according to the institution and the course or programme type.
Some postgraduate degrees or business schools may require a GMAT or a GRE.
For non-EU/EEA students, there are some student visa requirements to keep in mind on top of the admission requirements for university. One of them are blocked bank accounts.
You don't need to speak perfect German to study in Germany. Both inside and outside the university you will find plenty of people that speak English to a very high level.
However, as with any other country you may wish to live, it’s always good to make the effort to study the language. Knowing German will be hugely important in your new personal and professional life: it will make it easier to make friends, find a job, and feel at home in your new country. Bachelors typically last three years, and Masters programs typically between 1.5 and 2 years - plenty of time to learn the basics of the German language, and then some!
As for job hunting, it is possible to find employment without speaking a word of Deutsch, especially in the big cities. However, your employment opportunities will natürlich be a lot broader if you speak German.
German may not be an easy language, but you’ll find that many words are very similar to English. Also, you don’t want to miss out on the chance of learning a language that has a word for everything, even the most undefinable of feelings – do you? That would personally give me Weltschmerz.
Want to learn more?
Study in Germany: Find Bachelors & Masters in English
