Requirements to Study Masters in Germany for Indian Students

Content Writer - Study Abroad | Updated On - Sep 23, 2024

Germany has been a top study-abroad destination among other European countries for over a decade now. It is also a favorite destination for Indian students as they are the 2nd highest international student body, studying in Germany. As of the latest data, 28,542 Indian students are studying in Universities (TU9) and Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule) in Germany.

If your chosen course is taught in German at a public university, the state government (where the university is located) will subsidize the tuition fees. This also helps many students to pursue their higher studies in Germany. As the majority of the bachelor's programs are taught in German only, Indian students are more inclined to choose Germany to pursue master's degrees, taught in English and German. Like other countries, German universities also require you to have a bachelor's degree from a recognized university, language proficiency scores, LOR, SOP, and study permit. But these are basic requirements, right? Let us guide you through the application process, eligibility, deadlines, and requirements to study masters in Germany for Indian students.

Table of Contents

Why Study Master Degrees in Germany
Eligibility Requirements for Masters in Germany
Documents Required to Study Masters in Germany
Application Process for Masters in Germany

Why Study Master Degrees in Germany

Let us quickly sum up a few common benefits of studying a master's degree in Germany.

Affordable education: All public universities offer tuition-free education and only charge a small administration fee of 150-250 EURO per semester
Affordable cost of living: You need approximately 992 EURO (92,000 INR) per month to live comfortably in Germany. At the same time, it is 2000 USD in USA (1,66,000 INR), 1,000 GBP in UK (1,11,000 INR), and 2,500 CAD in Canada (1,53,000 INR).
Work during/ after study opportunities: You can work part-time during your studies. Also, with an extended residence permit, you can stay in Germany for up to 18 months after graduation to find jobs.
Scholarship opportunities: The DAAD Scholarship Program, Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships, or DeutschlandStipendium National Scholarship are great options for international students.
Student diversity: Germany has international students from all corners of the world, including China, Italy, and France among others.

Eligibility Requirements for Masters in Germany

When it comes to admission to MS in Germany, eligibility and requirements are two different factors. Eligibility is set by the country and requirements are set by universities. Hence, a clear idea about the two is a must. The eligibility criteria for masters in Germany for Indian students are following

Undergraduate Qualification

You need to have an undergraduate degree, equivalent to a German bachelor's degree, with 16 years of formal education (12 years of school + 4 years of university). German universities accept undergraduate degrees from all universities across the world. With a diploma, you can also apply for a master’s degree even before completing your bachelor’s.

Language Proficiency

To be eligible, you have to be proficient in English or German or both, as required by your chosen degree and university. Some common options include

TestDaF (Test of German as a Foreign Language): TDN 4 level
DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang): Level 2 to level 3
Goethe-Zertifikat or Telc: Minimum C1 level
TOEFL iBT: 90-100
IELTS Academic: 6.5 to 7.0

Entrance Tests

Though not mandatory, some universities like RWTH Aachen, TU Munich may require GRE scores.

GRE: Minimum 160 in both sections.
GMAT: Minimum 600 or as required by the chosen business school/ program.
GATE: Technical universities may require a GATE score 90th percentile to be eligible.

Financial Proof

The German government requires international students to have access to a minimum of 11,208 EURO per year (~ INR 10 lakh) as living expenses, which must be deposited in a blocked account (Sperrkonto).

Health Insurance

International students need health insurance to be eligible for a master's in Germany. If you are under 30, you can opt for public health insurance, costing around 105–110 EURO per month. For students over 30, private insurance is preferable.

Transcripts

You need to convert your academic mark sheets into transcripts to be eligible for a master's in Germany. You can ask your institution or get help from service providers like WES evaluation to get your mark sheets verified, certified, and converted into standards as per German universities.

Study Permit (German National Visa)

You need a German National Visa Type D to be eligible to study in Germany. The visa processing can take 6–12 weeks, so apply well in advance. The visa application requires the following documents

University admission letter.
Proof of financial resources (blocked account confirmation).
Proof of health insurance.
Valid passport.
Academic transcripts.
Visa application form and photographs.

Documents Required to Study Masters in Germany

Check out all the necessary documents required to study master’s in Germany.

Academic transcripts
Proof of German or English language Proficiency
Standardized/ entrance test scores
Personal essays
Statement of purpose for Germany/ motivation letter
Updated CV
Valid passport
LOR
Proof of financial resources (blocked account)
Proof of health insurance
Portfolio
Work experience certificate (if required)

Application Process for Masters in Germany

Applications for master's programs are either submitted directly to the university or via the online Uni Assist portal. Application deadlines for master’s courses are often earlier than the bachelor's courses. It is recommended to submit the completed application by paying the application fee at least 8 weeks before the deadline expires. Deadlines can vary depending on the university, however, the common application deadlines are

Summer intake: January 15
Winter intake: July 15

Note: Uni Assist application fee is 75 EURO for the first chosen course of study and 30 EURO for each additional course in the same semester.

Steps to Apply for a Master’s Degree in Germany

You can apply for your suitable master's degree by following the simple steps mentioned below

Step 1: Find a suitable university and program
Step 2: Check the eligibility and entry requirements
Step 3: Meet the required language proficiency
Step 4: Fulfill standardized test requirements
Step 5: Apply by paying the application fee
Step 6: Wait for the admission decision
Step 7: Get your health insurance
Step 8: Get your finances in order
Step 9: Apply for the German student visa

Depending on the university, you may be asked to sit for an online interview or audition. These virtual interviews are usually 30–40 minutes long and are conducted over platforms like Zoom or Skype.