Yes, it is possible to study in English in Germany: hundreds of degree programmes, particularly international ones, are taught fully or partly in English. How many options exist, and what is required to join one, depends heavily on the subject and the degree level. For a fully English-taught programme, German is often not required for admission, though it remains useful for daily life and may still be needed for specific modules, internships, or part-time work. Exact requirements and costs are set by the individual university and programme, not by a single national rule. This guide walks through where to search, what to check, and which practical conditions matter before you apply.
What does it mean to study in English in Germany?
Not every “English-taught” listing means the same thing in practice, and the difference matters for your application and your day-to-day studies. Programmes generally fall into three categories: fully English-taught, where instruction, assessment, and coursework run entirely in English; bilingual, where German and English are both used across the curriculum; and partly English-taught, where only certain modules, often in the first or second year, are delivered in English before the programme shifts toward German. Before applying, check the language used for lectures, written exams, the thesis, and any mandatory internship or practical placement, since these can differ even within the same degree.
What English-taught programmes in Germany can you find?
English-taught options exist at both bachelor’s and master’s level, though availability differs considerably by subject and stage of study. At master’s level, English-taught programmes are widespread, especially in engineering, natural sciences, computer science, and international business and management. At bachelor’s level, the choice is narrower and concentrated in international business, engineering, and a smaller number of other fields, since most bachelor’s programmes in Germany are still taught in German. Doctoral research is a separate case: many doctoral projects are supervised in English on an individual basis, particularly in the sciences, even where no formal English-taught doctoral programme is advertised. Rather than relying on unverified rankings or headline counts, the most reliable approach is to search current, officially maintained listings directly, since the number and mix of programmes change from year to year.
How to find and verify a programme
Two official tools anchor a reliable search. The DAAD International Programmes database, run by the German Academic Exchange Service, lists English- and bilingual-taught degree programmes and can be filtered by degree level and subject. The Hochschulkompass, maintained by the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), covers the full range of degree programmes in Germany, including their language of instruction. Once a programme looks promising, verify the details directly on the university’s own website rather than relying on the database snippet alone: confirm the language of instruction for every component, the curriculum structure, admission requirements, the application procedure, and the deadline, since these can change after a listing was last updated.
Admission requirements for English-taught degrees in Germany
Requirements vary by programme, but four areas come up consistently across degree levels.
| Requirement | Bachelor’s | Master’s |
| Prior qualification | A school-leaving certificate recognised as equivalent to the German Abitur, or a foundation course (Studienkolleg) if it is not | A recognised bachelor’s degree, often in a related field |
| Recognition check | Via uni-assist for applicants with foreign qualifications, at many (not all) universities | Same uni-assist check, plus programme-specific subject requirements |
| English proof | Usually IELTS, TOEFL, or an equivalent certificate; thresholds are set by the individual programme | Same as bachelor’s level, sometimes with a higher minimum score |
| Further documents | Application form, certified transcripts, CV, sometimes a motivation letter | Transcripts, CV, letter of motivation, references, and in some cases a portfolio or entrance test |
Some universities handle applications directly, while others require a preliminary document check through uni-assist before the university itself reviews the application. Which path applies, and which additional documents or selection steps a specific programme requires, is set at programme level and should be confirmed on the official course page.
Tuition fees and other costs to check
Most public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees for bachelor’s and consecutive master’s programmes, regardless of nationality. Baden-Württemberg is the main exception: since the 2017/18 winter semester, non-EU and non-EEA students starting a degree there have paid 1,500 euros per semester, with exemptions decided by the individual university. Separately from tuition, every enrolled student pays a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) at every public university, which funds student services and often includes a regional or nationwide transport ticket; the amount differs by institution. Private universities and some specialised master’s programmes, including many taught fully in English, charge their own tuition, which can run into several thousand euros per semester. Beyond fees, budget for living costs such as rent, health insurance, and study materials, and check the DAAD’s overview of study and living costs for current reference figures.
Do you need German if your degree is taught in English?
The answer depends on what you are asking about. For admission to a fully English-taught programme, German is often not a formal requirement, and the programme’s own listing will confirm this. For daily life, German remains genuinely useful: housing applications, public administration, part-time jobs, and everyday interactions in most cities are still conducted mainly in German. Within the degree itself, some modules, practical placements, or thesis supervision may still involve German, even in a programme marketed as English-taught, so checking the full language breakdown matters. German also becomes more relevant after graduation, since most job postings in Germany, including in the English-taught programme’s own field, specify a German level requirement.
How to apply: a practical checklist
Start by shortlisting programmes through the official databases, then narrow the list based on your prior qualification, subject background, and English certificate. Confirm each programme’s specific admission requirements and application route, whether direct to the university or through uni-assist, on its own course page. Prepare certified copies of your qualifications, your English certificate, and any additional documents the programme lists, well before the deadline, since document certification and translation can take time. Submit before the stated deadline, and where more than one programme accepts you, compare the full offer, not only the tuition fee: curriculum content, language of thesis supervision, location, and total living costs all affect the real cost and fit of a degree.
Common mistakes to avoid
A few recurring errors cause avoidable setbacks. Treating a database snippet as final without checking the university’s own website leads applicants to miss updates to requirements or deadlines. Confusing a partly English-taught programme with a fully English-taught one causes unwelcome surprises once German-language modules appear later in the degree. Assuming that admission requirements and costs are the same across universities, or even across programmes at the same university, leads to mismatched applications. Leaving document certification, translation, or the uni-assist check until close to the deadline is one of the most common reasons applications arrive incomplete.
Conclusion
Start by building a short list of programmes through the DAAD and Hochschulkompass databases, then confirm every detail, language of instruction, admission requirements, and deadline, directly on the university’s own page. From there, compare total costs, including any tuition fee, the semester contribution, and living expenses, alongside the practical side of each programme before deciding where to apply.
FAQ
Can I get a full degree in English in Germany? Yes, particularly at master’s level, where English-taught programmes are common across many subjects. At bachelor’s level, options exist but are fewer and concentrated in specific fields such as international business and engineering.
Do I need German to apply if the programme is in English? Usually not for admission to a fully English-taught programme, though the exact requirement is set by each programme and should be confirmed on its own page. German remains useful for daily life regardless of the admission rule.
Are English-taught programmes in Germany free? Most public universities charge no tuition for bachelor’s and consecutive master’s degrees, with Baden-Württemberg as the main exception for non-EU students. A separate semester contribution applies everywhere, and private universities and some specialised programmes charge their own fees.
How do I know if a programme is fully or partly taught in English? Check the language listed for every component, lectures, exams, thesis, and any internship, on the university’s official course page, since database listings do not always capture this level of detail.
Leave a Reply