Applying for a Bachelor’s degree in Germany (2026)
Study in Germany: Land of ideas
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| 57 | universities offer Bachelors in Germany in English |
| 353 | Bachelors are available |
There are many great reasons to study for a Bachelor’s degree in Germany: high-quality education at well-ranked universities, many tuition-free public universities, a high standard of living at relatively low costs, strong career prospects, and excellent opportunities to stay and work after graduation.
Let’s take a look at how to apply for a Bachelor’s degree in Germany as an international student:
The official Study.eu database lists more than 300 Bachelors in Germany that are completely taught in English. Find yours today!
Start your study-abroad journey by exploring Bachelor’s programmes on Study.eu.
Germany is a popular destination for international students partly because most public universities do not charge tuition fees for Bachelor’s degrees. This applies equally to German students, students from the EU, and those from outside Europe. It is important to note, however, that exceptions exist in the state of Baden-Württemberg and at certain universities in Bavaria, where non-EU international students are now required to pay specific tuition fees.
Additionally, all students must pay a mandatory semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) of roughly €200 to €400, which covers administrative costs and includes a public transport ticket.
Germany also has private universities, and these usually charge tuition fees ranging from around €9,000 to €20,000 per year for Bachelor’s programmes.
Before deciding where to apply, make sure you understand whether a Bachelor’s programme charges tuition fees and how much you would need to pay, so there are no surprises later on.
For international applicants, there are three main application channels in Germany:
Which route you use depends on the university and programme, so the first step is always to check the “Application” or “International applicants” section on the degree’s webpage. Each route has its own process and fees, which you should factor into your budget alongside costs for translations, certifications, and language tests.
Admissions requirements to Bachelor programmes in Germany are very strict.
To qualify for direct admission to a Bachelor, your school diploma must be considered equivalent to a German high-school diploma. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case, so make sure to check your credentials on the DAAD website (easier to use) or Anabin database (in German) early on. These official tools let you see exactly how your specific school-leaving certificate is valued in Germany before you spend time and money on applications.
If your diploma is not considered equivalent, you may still be able to enrol at a German university after completing one or two semesters of a preparatory couse, called Studienkolleg. Following that, once you pass the Feststellungsprüfung or FSP, you will then be eligible to start your Bachelor's degree.
The rest of requirements depend on the university and application platform, but most Bachelor programme applications ask for the following:
Students from some countries (China, India, Vietnam) need to get their educational certificates checked by the APS, and can only proceed with their application if the result of the check is positive.
Since application deadlines in Germany are firm, you’ll want to get your paperwork ready ahead of time and double-check each university’s entry rules.
Most German universities follow two main application windows:
Universities can set earlier or later dates, so always follow the specific deadlines listed on the program’s own website or portal.
If you are applying via uni‑assist, your complete documents and the handling‑fee payment must reach uni‑assist before the university’s deadline, not just be uploaded on that day. Because uni‑assist processing can take 4-6 weeks, it is strongly recommended to submit everything at least 8 weeks before the deadline, so you have time to fix missing documents if needed.
Universities will only consider complete applications that arrive on time; anything late usually has to wait for the next semester intake. If you missed the deadline, you can also consider other European universities you can still apply to.
While studying for a Bachelor’s degree in Germany is relatively affordable compared to many other countries, international students still need to cover living costs and other expenses. Fortunately, there are many scholarships in Germany for Bachelor’s students that can help fund your studies.
A good starting point is the DAAD scholarship database, which lists nearly 200 scholarships for international students in Germany, of which many are open to undergraduate students. These scholarships are available for different nationalities, academic backgrounds, and fields of study. In addition, many German universities offer their own scholarships, grants, or tuition fee waivers, often based on academic merit or financial need.
It’s also worth contacting the admissions or international office of your chosen universities. They can provide up-to-date information on Bachelor’s scholarships in Germany and advise you on funding options you might otherwise miss.
Good to know: If you stay in Germany and start working after completing your Bachelor’s degree, study-related expenses (such as tuition fees, semester contributions, or relocation costs) may be tax-deductible. Keeping receipts from your studies could result in a tax refund once you file your first German tax return.
Once you’ve received an admission offer for a Bachelor’s degree in Germany and decided to accept it, the next important step is applying for a German student visa. Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality.
Because student visa processing times for Germany can be long, it’s essential to start the application process as early as possible.
One of the most important visa requirements for international Bachelor’s students is proof of sufficient financial resources. In most cases, this is shown through a blocked bank account (Sperrkonto) with the required minimum amount, although other forms of financial proof may also be accepted.
Once your Bachelor’s place and visa are sorted, it’s time to find somewhere to live. In big cities like Berlin or Munich, affordable housing can be tricky, so it’s best to start looking early.
Your university can also help. They often have tips on student dorms, shared flats (Wohngemeinschaften), or private apartments. You can also check out DSW (Deutsches Studierendenwerk, the German student union) and the DAAD housing database for listings.
All set with your admission, visa, and accommodation? Then it’s time to get ready for the journey! Germany is easy to reach by train from most of Europe, and if you’re coming from further away, there are plenty of flights to airports across the country.
Once you arrive, one of the first things to do is register your address (“Wohnsitz anmelden”) at the local registration office. This is a must for all students living in Germany.
If you’re coming from outside the EU/EEA, you’ll also need to apply for your student residence permit. Taking care of these steps early will make your start in Germany much smoother.
Bachelors in Germany mostly take between 3 years (6 semesters) to complete. Some programmes in engineering or applied sciences may last 3.5 to 4 years.
Bachelors at public universities in Germany are generally tuition-free for all students, with few exceptions. Private universities typically charge between €9,000 and €20,000 per year.
Ready to study in Germany?
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