BASIC QUESTIONS you must KNOW about Undergrad in Germany
🎓 Q1. Are there any particular entrance exams for undergrad in Germany?
Yes, but it depends on your academic background.
- Indian students coming from CBSE/ICSE/State boards (12th pass) usually do not directly qualify for German bachelor’s degrees.
- You must complete 1 year of undergraduate study in India (or appear for JEE Advanced) OR attend a Studienkolleg (1-year foundation course) in Germany.
- Some universities may ask for SAT, especially for English-taught business/management programs.
- For Engineering, JEE Advanced is sometimes accepted as a direct qualifier (like at TUM and RWTH Aachen).
Summary:
- ✅ Required: Studienkolleg (if applying post-12th), or 1 year of Indian university study.
- ❌ No national-level entrance exam like NEET or CUET.
- ✅ Optional but recommended: SAT / JEE Advanced (depending on university).
🗣️ Q2. Language requirements & English-taught courses
Language Requirements:
- Most public undergrad programs in Germany are in German.
- However, some English-taught bachelor’s programs exist, mostly in STEM and international business/management.
For English programs:
- IELTS (usually 6.5+) or TOEFL (90+ iBT).
For German programs:
- TestDaF (Level 4) or DSH (Level 2 or 3).
Websites to check English-taught programs:
- https://www.daad.de/en
- https://www.study-in-germany.de
Use filters like:
- Language: English
- Degree: Bachelor
- Program: Your field of interest
💸 Q3. Living Costs
- Germany is affordable compared to UK/USA, but costs vary by city.
- Monthly expenses (approx.):
- Munich: €950–€1,200
- Berlin: €850–€1,000
- Smaller towns: €700–€900
- Munich: €950–€1,200
Main Costs:
- Rent: €300–€600
- Food: €150–€250
- Health Insurance: ~€110
- Transportation: €80–€100
➡️ Living costs are separate from tuition fees, and are calculated to apply for a student visa (blocked account).
🎓 Q4. Tuition Fees in Top Universities (Semester-wise & Yearly)
Germany’s public universities charge zero tuition for bachelor’s programs (even for international students). However, students must pay semester contributions.
Semester contribution (in €):
| University | Semester Fee (€) | Yearly (€) | In INR (approx ₹) |
| TUM | €150 | €300 | ₹27,000 |
| LMU Munich | €144 | €288 | ₹25,920 |
| RWTH Aachen | €300 | €600 | ₹54,000 |
| Heidelberg University | €170 | €340 | ₹30,600 |
| KIT Karlsruhe | €160 | €320 | ₹28,800 |
| Humboldt Berlin | €315 | €630 | ₹56,700 |
| TU Berlin | €307 | €614 | ₹55,260 |
| Freie Universität Berlin | €312 | €624 | ₹56,160 |
Exchange rate used: €1 ≈ ₹90 (as of April 2025)
🛂 Q5. VISA Acceptance, Language Proficiency & Proof of Funds
VISA Acceptance Rate:
- Very high if documentation is proper. Indian students have an estimated 90–95% acceptance rate for German student visas.
Language Requirements:
- IELTS/TOEFL (for English-taught)
- TestDaF/DSH (for German-taught)
Proof of Funds:
You must show a “blocked account” (Sperrkonto) with:
- €11,208 (as of 2025) = approx ₹10,08,000 for one year.
- This proves you can cover living expenses.
Additional:
- Health insurance proof
- Admission letter
- Academic transcripts
👨💼 Q6. Work Restrictions for International Students
- ✅ Allowed to work 140 full days OR 280 half days per year.
- Internships during semester break count toward this quota if unpaid.
- If working as a student assistant at university, these hours don’t count toward 140-day limit.
⏱️ Max: ~20 hours/week during the semester.
🏡 Q7. Residence Permit & PR
- After studies, you can apply for 18-month job search visa.
- Once employed, apply for EU Blue Card (if salary > €45,300/year).
- After 33 months (or 21 months if fluent in German), you can apply for permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis).
➡️ Germany is one of the best countries in Europe for long-term settlement, especially in STEM fields.
