Study Bachelors in Germany

Bachelors in Germany is increasingly becoming a popular choice for international students, particularly for non-EU students. According to a report by DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) and DZHW (The German Centre for Higher Education and Research), around 402,083 international students were enrolled at German universities in 2025 (Wissenschaft Weltoffen 2025).

This spike in numbers for bachelor courses in Germany is due to the increase in English-taught programmes. Engineering programmes, especially electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and Business Administration, are the most popular undergraduate courses in Germany, according to Wissenschaft Weltoffen - Subject Groups Data.

Did you know India sends the highest number of international students to Germany, followed by strong student inflows from North Africa, the Middle East, Western Europe and the wider Asia-Pacific region? Let us learn more new facts and figures about studying in Germany.

Overview of Bachelors Courses in Germany

Bachelors degrees in Germany are the first academic qualification you earn at a German University. They are popularly Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) or Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) and are followed by masters degree in Germany for international students.

Here is an overview of Bachelors in Germany: 

Popular Bachelor Courses in Germany

German universities in recent years have been putting great focus on their academic infrastructure to attract international students. Therefore, it now has 2,400 English-taught programmes in Germany, of which 420 are undergraduate programmes, according to DAAD degree finder. These programmes offer a wide range of subjects, and as per the Wissenschaft Weltoffen report, Engineering and STEM-related courses remain the most popular courses for international students in Germany, followed by economics, social science, health, and life science. 

You can even find the list of the most popular courses in Germany for international students here on our website. 

Here is a list of the most popular English-taught Bachelor courses in Germany for international students: 

Source: Wissenschaft Weltoffen - International Student Facts and Figures

Top Universities to Study Bachelors in Germany

Germany is home to some of the world’s leading German universities, widely recognised for their strong academic research, generous funding, and industry-focused education. As a result, the country continues to attract international students from across the globe, including the USA, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and beyond.

To help you shortlist your institution, here is a list of the top universities in Germany to study a Bachelor’s degree.

Source: QS World University Rankings: Germany

Securing a seat at one of Germany's 420 English-taught programmes is fiercely competitive. German public universities offer incredibly low tuition, but they offset this with ruthless academic screening. You need more than just good high school grades to beat the global applicant pool. Connect 1-on-1 with dedicated German education counsellors, and we will evaluate your transcripts, shortlist the right universities, and build an application strategy that bypasses the language barriers.

Best Cities to Study Bachelors in Germany

One of the key processes in the study-abroad journey is finding the right city to live and study in with the best safety and living conditions for international students. The number of international students, universities, and the cost of study are some of the key factors that influence this choice. 

To help aspiring students, here is the list of top German cities to study Bachelors in Germany as per the official Study in Germany organisation:

Eligibility Requirements to Study Bachelors in Germany

Germany is one of the most popular destinations for international students because of its world-class universities, low or no tuition fees at public institutions, and globally recognised degrees.

But before you apply, it is important to understand the academic requirements, whether you need a preparation year, and which entrance exams are required. Here is a clear and simple guide to help you prepare with confidence.

Academic Requirements

The main requirement to study a Bachelor’s in Germany is a recognised higher secondary qualification equivalent to the German Abitur.

Here is what you need to know:

• Direct Admissions: Students qualify for university admission if their high school diploma is deemed equivalent to the German Abitur.
  • Even though your high school diploma qualifies, admissions to German universities are highly competitive and strictly based on the converted GPA.
• Indirect Admissions: International students will need to complete a preparatory year to qualify if their high school diploma is not deemed equivalent to the German Abitur. This is common for students from India/Asia or the US high school diplomas.
  • Students will need to enrol in the 1-year Studienkolleg in Germany and pass the Feststellungsprufung (university entrance exam) before enrolling in the bachelor’s degree in Germany.
• Language Proficiency: Depending on the medium of instruction for the Bachelors degree in Germany, international students will need to prove sufficient proficiency in either German or English.
  • German Proficiency: A minimum of B2 or C1 level in German is required for admission to bachelor courses in Germany. The acceptable tests include TestDAF, DSH, or Goethe-Institut certificates.
  • English Proficiency: A minimum of B2 or C1 level in English is required for English-taught programmes. Among the accepted tests are IELTS Academic and TOEFL iBT. 

Not all school qualifications are considered directly equivalent to the German Abitur. If your qualification does not fully meet German standards, you may need to complete a one-year preparation course in Germany called a Studienkolleg. However, it must be noted that nearly all public Studienkollegs are taught in German, which would require you to possess a minimum German proficiency level of B1 or B2, just to enrol in the preparatory year.

Apart from these, there are other language proficiency test scores required to study in Germany, along with other entrance exams, which you can read in detail on our website.

Is your high school diploma actually equivalent to the German Abitur? Why guess? Admissions to German universities are notoriously rigid. Figuring out if you qualify for direct entry or if you are legally required to complete a 1-year Studienkolleg requires an evaluation of your specific local curriculum. Let our academic specialists calculate your converted GPA and verify your legal eligibility before you spend money on application fees.

Documents Required to Study Bachelors in Germany

Once you have ensured you qualify for the degree or programme you wish to study for a Bachelors in Germany, you will need to compile the following list of documents:

• Preliminary Review Documentation (VPD): Top universities rarely evaluate foreign degrees at the university level for international students. Non-EU students are required to apply to Uni-Assist to receive their Vorprufungsdokumentation (VPD). This is an official document that verifies the academic credentials and converts the high school GPA to the German grading system.
• Academic Transcripts and Certificates: The high school leaving certificates (Class 11 and 12 formal education), your end-of-year academic records/subject overview, all grades, proof of having passed a university entrance exam in your home country (if applicable).
• The APS Certificate (country-specific): For academic certificates that were issued in India, China, or Vietnam, there is a legal mandate to submit an APS Certificate (Akademische Prufstelle). The certificate is designed to prove the authenticity of your educational history to the German embassy and the university.
• Certified Translations and Authentications: For documents that are not translated into English or German, the same must be translated by a sworn, certified translator.
  • The authentic documents that will be uploaded must bear the signature and seal of the issuing authority, or an officially verifiable digital seal/QR code.
• Proof of Language Proficiency: Official test results certificates or scores from IELTS Academic/TOEFL iBT for English or TestDAF/Goethe for German must be submitted either directly to the university or via the Uni-assist portal.
• Standard Identification and supporting documents: Identity documents like a valid passport and an updated chronological CV formatted as per German standards.

Do not let a missing APS Certificate or a Uni-Assist error cost you your winter intake. The German application bureaucracy is a minefield. From securing your mandatory APS Certificate to processing your Preliminary Review Documentation (VPD) through the Uni-Assist portal, a single misstep means an automatic rejection. Why navigate this alone? Partner with a dedicated visa and documentation team to verify every single document before submission.

Cost of Studying Bachelors Degree in Germany

While Germany is recognised for its "free" education, international students must budget for their living expenses and specific regional fees. Additionally, to secure a German student visa, all international students must prove they possess sufficient liquid funds to enter and stay in the country, according to the Foreign Federal Office. Here is a breakdown of some of the costs of studying and the living expenses in Germany that international students must budget for.

Source: Study-in-Germany - Funding Prep · Proof of Financing · Studying in Baden-Württemberg · TUM Fees for International Students

Note: The German Broadcast license fee (media license) is a mandatory cost that all households must pay.

Scholarships to Study Bachelors Degree in Germany

German universities offer multiple scholarships and financial aid to international students, which either come from DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) or university-specific scholarships in Germany. DAAD is known to sponsor as many as 100,000 students annually. Deutschlandstipendium and Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship are popular scholarships awarded to international students for bachelor's programmes. Here are some popular scholarships that students can apply to or receive when studying bachelor courses in Germany.

• The Deutschlandstipendium (Germany Scholarship)
• Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship
• Friedrich-Ebert Scholarship
• SBW Berlin Scholarship
• Baden-Württemberg-Stipendium
• Freidreich-Naumann-Stiftung Scholarship
• Universität Hamburg Merit Scholarship
• TUM Scholarship for International Students
• DAAD Degree Completion Grants
• DAAD University Summer/Winter Courses

Career Pathways After Bachelors in Germany

Bachelors degree in Germany leads to a strong career pathway in Germany, be it engineering, healthcare, bioscience, or research-driven programmes; they all show a strong possibility of securing a job in Germany.

International students aiming to stay back in Germany have the option of an 18-month generous post-study work permit in Germany that allows students to stay and work in Germany post-graduation.

Here are the most popular career pathways after Bachelors in Germany for international students: 

Source: Make it in Germany

Choosing German universities for your study abroad journey is an intelligent choice that offers a clear career pathway. Germany offers a welcoming environment for international students with advanced academic infrastructure, low tuition fees in public universities, and generous post-study work options with strong industry connections and global degree recognition. It opens multiple doors for work in Europe and worldwide. 

Your €0 tuition Bachelor degree in Germany and an 18-month post-study work visa require a flawless master plan. From navigating the €11,904 Blocked Account setup to matching you with the highest-paying engineering hubs in Munich or Berlin, the process is unforgiving to those who go at it alone. Why take the risk? Let a seasoned AECC counsellor manage your entire journey, from university selection to your final visa interview.