Master's degree in Germany

OpenNo. 1 of 4 in Germany's official demand list · Last checked 2026-11-03

Most public universities charge no tuition fee, which is why Germany is growing while the English-speaking destinations contract.

Source for this ranking: Federal Foreign Office — opening and closing a blocked bank account (checked 2026-11-03) · Study.eu — reported student blocked-account amount (commercial portal, cites no source) (checked 2026-11-03)

Can you go?

Student visa (Visum zu Studienzwecken)

Open

A residence permit for degree study at a German university, with the right to work part-time and to stay on afterwards to find work.

Germany names master's degree at No. 1 of 4 in its own shortage analysis. That is a ranking, and a ranking is not a job offer. It tells you the demand is real; it does not tell you that you will be hired.

Language level not stated in our sourcesNo recognition required by law9 to 24 monthsEUR 13,629 to EUR 17,379

Source: Federal Foreign Office — opening and closing a blocked bank account (checked 2026-11-03) · Study.eu — reported student blocked-account amount (commercial portal, cites no source) (checked 2026-11-03)

What do you need?

In the order you should actually do them. The first item is the longest one, so it goes first.

1
The language
Many master's programmes are taught in English. You can be admitted with no German at all — and then struggle to find part-time work or stay on afterwards without it.
2
Documented evidence of your qualification
Formal recognition is not required by law for this path. You will still need documented evidence of your training and experience, and the assessor may ask for training records as well as the certificate.
3
Every requirement of the Student visa
Each line below is a hard condition. Missing one closes this route.
- University admission, or admission to a preparatory course (Studienkolleg)
- Proof of financial resources: about EUR 11,904 in a blocked account, released at roughly EUR 992 per month
- Language proof as required by your programme — German for German-taught courses, English for English-taught ones
- Health insurance

How long will it take?

9 to 24 months

Admission cycles, not visas, set the pace. Application deadlines fall months before intake, document attestation takes weeks, and visa appointment waits in India have run long. Start 12 to 18 months before the intake you want.

How much will it cost?

Published costs for Germany on this track. Your largest single item is normally blocked account (proof of funds).

National visa fee

The same EUR 75 whichever route you apply on. Minors pay half. The residence permit issued after you arrive costs up to EUR 100 more.

Source: Federal Foreign Office — visa fees (checked 2026-11-03)

EUR 75You pay

Blocked account (proof of funds)

Your own money, released at about EUR 992 per month after arrival. Not a fee. Confirm the current figure with your embassy before transferring.

EUR 11,904You pay

Semester contribution (most public universities)

Charged per semester in place of tuition. Usually includes a local transport pass.

EUR 150 to EUR 400You pay

German course to B1 (required for Ausbildung, optional for English-taught degrees)

Source: Make it in Germany — Opportunity Card (Federal Government portal) (checked 2026-11-03)

EUR 1,500 to EUR 5,000You pay

Total to budgetEUR 13,629 to EUR 17,379

Where a blocked account appears above, that is your own money and it comes back to you monthly after arrival. It is not a fee to anyone, and no agent needs to hold it for you.

What changes because of where you are from

Where are you applying from?

Germany's rules are the same for everyone. What changes is how you prove your documents are genuine. Pick your country.

What do you do first?

Check where you actually stand, today

Free, no sign-up, no email. Built from the official requirements on this page. It will tell you what is blocking you as a master's degree and the fastest thing you can change. If the answer is no, it says no.

Start the check

Compare this against your other option

Most people are choosing between two things. This shows the two side by side on the lines that differ.

Master's degree in Germany, against something else

2 of 6 lines differ

Side one

Side two

Open Master's degree Open Ausbildung (vocational training)

Language level

The longest item on anybody's list. It decides your start date more than the visa does.

🇩🇪 Germany · Master's degree

Not stated in our sources

Many master's programmes are taught in English. You can be admitted with no German at all — and then struggle to find part-time work or stay on afterwards without it.