Not necessarily. There are many courses and degree programs in Germany taught in English, especially master’s courses. You can get an extensive overview on DAAD database of International Programs. But we strongly recommend that to learn a little German, because knowing the language will make you feel more at home in Germany and help you make German friends faster.
Technical University (Technische Hochschule)
Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule)
Colleges of art / Colleges of music (Kunsthochschule/Musikhochschule)
Each German university is responsible for determining its admission policies. Hence you should ask the International Office at the German university of your choice whether you fulfill all the requirements for admission and how much of your previous academic work will be recognized. Moreover. You can check the recognition of your college/university in the Anabin database (https://anabin.kmk.org/anabin.html)
This will depend on your study level, which state you study in and if you choose a public university. Tuition fees at all public universities were originally waived off in 2014.
There is a special case which you should keep in mind on the hunt for your university program in Germany. In the state of Baden-Württemberg, located in the Southwest region of Germany, there is a small tuition fee (1,500 €/semester) for students coming from outside of the EU.
Germany ranks 3rd in the world (behind the US and the UK) for internationally top-ranked universities. All of the top-ranked universities in Germany are public universities, meaning that they generally do not charge tuition fees. As all German universities offer top-quality good education, it’s hard to say which university is the best. The best university for you is the one that meets your expectations. When choosing a university, you should take several aspects into account, like the range of subjects, the size of the university and city, as well as the cost of living in that city.
For professional master’s programs such as Master of Laws (L.LM) or Master of Public Administrations (MPA),there may be a tuition charge even at public universities. The state of Baden-Württemberg in the south of Germany also charges a tuition fee to all non-EU students.
Students do have to pay administrative fees (Semesterbeitrag) of around 150 to 300 euros per semester. This money goes towards subsidizing student accommodation and canteens. It also entitles you to membership at the students’ union, a travel ticket for public transportation and access to university sports facilitie
In short, no. Non-EU citizens do not have to pay tuition fees at German universities, except for institutions in Baden-Württemberg and private universities. As a non-EU student, however, you will need a visa or residence permit and proof that you can cover your living expenses for the duration of your stay in Germany.
The Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (German Academic Exchange Service – DAAD) offers scholarships to students, graduates and researchers who wish to study in Germany. Many of the scholarships are only available to candidates from specific countries. To be successful, you will usually need to prove that your academic achievements place you in the top third of your year group and that you have proficiency in the German language.
As well as providing advice and guidelines on application procedures, the DAAD also provides a useful database of scholarships available in Germany. Please refer to the link for more information.
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