Germany is one of the top destinations in the world for international students and is widely recognized as the most popular non-English-speaking host country. Most public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees for bachelor’s degrees, but there are important exceptions. Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students €1,500 per semester for bachelor’s and several other degree programs, and some Bavarian universities may charge tuition for non-EU/EEA students depending on the institution and program. All students should also expect to pay a semester contribution, which may cover student services and, in many cases, local transportation. Private universities, on the other hand, usually charge tuition fees, so students should always check the current fee page of each institution before applying. This makes Germany an attractive option for students looking for high-quality education at a comparatively affordable price.
Germany is a popular study destination for international students, and many universities provide clear information about their application processes. However, requirements, deadlines, and application portals vary by university and program. Before applying, it helps to explore undergraduate courses in Germany so you can compare programs, tuition, and study options in one place. Below is a guide on how to get started with your undergraduate studies in Germany. Let’s take a look at how you can obtain a bachelor’s degree in Germany!
Bachelor’s Degree Admission Requirements
The following are commonly required documents for undergraduate admissions in Germany.
1. Application Form
The application form is one of the first documents you need when applying for a bachelor’s degree in Germany. It tells the university about you and is an important part of your application. It usually contains your personal information, desired course or courses, educational history, and other important details. Depending on the university and program, the application form may be available through the university’s own portal, uni-assist, or the Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung. Some applications are completed fully online, while others may require printed or certified documents, so always follow the instructions on the official program page.
2. University Admission Qualification
A university admission qualification, also called a university entrance qualification or Hochschulzugangsberechtigung, shows that your previous education qualifies you for university-level study in Germany. For many applicants, this is a school-leaving certificate that gives access to higher education in their home country. In some cases, applicants may also need to complete a few semesters of comparable university study in their home country or attend a Studienkolleg in Germany before starting a bachelor’s degree.
It lets the university know whether you are qualified to apply for all available courses, which is known as a general qualification, or only certain courses, which is known as a subject-restricted qualification. Use this website to check whether your secondary school certificate may qualify you for study in Germany. The final decision is always made by the university.
3. Academic Transcripts
This document contains your grades from secondary and post-secondary school, if applicable. If your transcript is not issued in German or another language accepted by the university, you may need an officially certified translation. An academic transcript is one of the documents used to check whether you are qualified to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Germany.
Other documents German universities may ask for include a curriculum vitae, motivational letter, reference letters, proof of language proficiency, a passport photo, and a copy of your passport.
Language Proficiency Tests Needed for Undergraduate Studies
Aside from the documents mentioned above, strong German language skills are usually needed for a bachelor’s degree in Germany because most programs are taught in German. English-taught bachelor’s programs are available, but they are less common than German-taught programs. For English-taught or international programs, you may not need proof of German for admission, but you will usually need proof of English proficiency. Always check the exact language requirements of your chosen program.
Several German language certificates are commonly recognized by universities. These include the TestDaF Certificate, often with the required level set by the university for each of the four sections, the DSH Certificate, where DSH II is sufficient for most courses, the Goethe-Zertifikat C2, the telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule, and the Deutsches Sprachdiplom level II. Some degree programs may also accept Goethe-Zertifikat B2 or C1, ÖSD B2 or C1, or other certificates, depending on the university.
The best test depends on your program requirements and where you plan to take the exam. TestDaF is offered at licensed test centers worldwide, while DSH is usually taken directly at German universities. Goethe-Institut and telc certificates are also widely used, but each university decides which certificates and minimum levels it accepts. For this reason, you should check the official admissions page for every program on your list.
For information on test locations and dates, check the official websites of the test providers and the admissions pages of your chosen universities.
You may also have the option to take German preparatory courses at your chosen university before starting your undergraduate degree. However, this can add time and cost to your study plans. Learning German before applying can help you meet admission requirements earlier and may make daily life in Germany easier.
If your chosen course is taught in English, you may be asked for proof of English language proficiency, such as IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge English, or another accepted certificate. Required scores and waiver rules vary by university and program, so always check the official program page.
Bachelor’s Degree Application Process
In Germany, many universities accept incoming bachelor’s students twice a year. For the winter semester, which usually starts in September or October, applications at many higher education institutions open around early May and often close on July 15. For the summer semester, which usually starts in March or April, applications often run from early December to January 15. However, deadlines vary by university, program, applicant group, and application portal. Some programs accept applications only once a year, some have earlier deadlines, and some require applications through uni-assist or another portal. For this reason, your first step should always be to check the official page of your chosen program.
Step 1. Know Where to Apply
The first general step in applying for a bachelor’s degree in Germany is deciding where you want to study. This means researching universities beforehand. You should consider the university’s location, international student community, available courses, reputation, language of instruction, tuition fees, and other factors you care about. Then, compile them into a list in order of priority and visit their websites. There, you should find a detailed list of their requirements and prerequisites for admission.
These are some well-known universities in Germany:
If you scroll through these pages, you will notice that their application processes vary greatly from one another. This is why it’s so important to make a list and visit their sites individually before starting your application. There is no single standard procedure for all German universities, and you could end up submitting an incomplete or late application if you do not check the official instructions first.
Some universities have their own application portals, while others use uni-assist, a centralized application service used by many German universities. Here’s the uni-assist application video if you are interested:
Step 2. Figure Out the Language
While researching each university, you should also check the language requirements. Some programs require proof of German and/or English fluency, some require proof at the application stage, and others allow proof to be submitted later before enrollment. Universities may also accept different certificates or set different minimum scores. For this step, it is helpful to identify the accepted certificates early and plan your test date well before the application deadline.
Step 3. Compile Your Application Documents
Once you’ve figured out which universities to apply to, it’s time to put together your application. Again, make sure to read through all of your chosen university websites to ensure you have all the necessary documents and have followed all instructions. Most university websites provide detailed admissions information for international applicants. Submit your application as early as possible so you have time to correct missing documents if the application portal allows it.
Step 4. Prepare Your Finances
After you’ve submitted your application, it’s time to plan your finances. There are two things you need to do.
First, look at all available scholarship options at your university and through external scholarship databases. International students can apply to numerous organizations for scholarships, including the DAAD, political foundations, business-affiliated foundations, and other funding bodies. You should look into these options early to reduce the financial burden of studying abroad.
Second, start saving and preparing proof of financial resources for your visa or residence permit. In most cases, students must show that they have €11,904 available for one year. This can often be shown through a blocked account, but other forms of proof may be accepted depending on the German embassy, consulate, or authority handling your application.
Even if you get accepted to your university of choice, you will not be able to attend if you do not secure the required visa or residence permit. Having sufficient funds is a crucial final step in your journey to Germany.
We hope that this article provides helpful information about applying for an undergraduate degree in Germany. To find out more about your study options, take a look at the Available Courses and check out more articles and tips in the Study in Germany section!
