World-class education at highly affordable public and private universities, hundreds of English taught programmes and dedicated scholarships for Indian students. Let Lesli India guide your German application from shortlist to visa.
Germany is one of the leading countries for higher education in the world, with public research universities and private colleges ranked internationally. A German degree is a good asset on the international job market and the country provides a prestigious education at some of the lowest public tuition rates in the world.
World rankings are also useful for comparing institutions on the global map when you’re deciding where to study. Top German Universities According to QS World University Rankings 2027.
| S.No. | Institution | QS Rank 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Technical University of Munich | 25 |
| 2. | Ludwig Maximilians | 61 |
| 3. | Universitat Heidelberg | 86 |
| 4. | Freie Universitaet Berlin | 98 |
| 5. | RWTH Aachen University | 104 |
| 6. | KIT – Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | 110 |
Tuition fees at German public universities are low because the government subsidizes most of the cost. Private schools cost more. Here are the numbers for Indian students in common.
| Expense | Typical amount (per year, unless noted) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Public Bachelor tuition | €10000-17000 per year | Government-subsidised public universities |
| Public Masters tuition | €500-2000 per year | National diploma programmes |
| Private Bachelors tuition | €17000-22000 per year | Mandatory, paid online before enrolment |
| Private Masters tuition | €18000-25000 per year | Varies widely by school and programme |
| Living costs | € 900 to 1000 per month | Higher in major cities, lower in smaller cities |
Germany has a generous and well-organized scholarship system, with special programmes for Indian students. Lesli India guides you on how to identify and apply to the right ones.
| Scholarship | Who it's for | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| DAAD Scholarship | DAAD scholarships are aimed primarily at graduates, doctoral students and postdocs and are awarded for study and research visits to universities and non-university research institutions in Germany. | DAAD awards research grants for PhD students from almost all countries of origin. A grant for a full Doctoral programme in Germany is offered primarily to applicants from developing and emerging countries. Scholarships for a Master's degree in Germany are available, in particular, for persons from industrial countries. However, some study scholarship programs are aimed specifically at students from developing and emerging countries, such as the "Study scholarships for STEM disciplines" and "Development-related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS)" programs. |
| University of Hamburg Merit Scholarships | It supports outstanding international students in all subjects and at all degree levels. | The maximum monthly funding sum is €992. Merit scholarships are awarded for 2 semesters (total of 12 months). You can reapply for a merit scholarship. The maximum funding duration is 2 years. |
| Linde / MDSI Master’s Scholarship at the Munich Data Science Institute (MDSI), Linde | Scholarship are open to students with a German as well as those with a foreign higher education entrance qualification currently enrolled in the master’s programs “Data Engineering and Analytics” or “Mathematics in Data Science,” | The Linde / MDSI Master’s Scholarship amounts to € 1000 per month and is granted for a maximum of twelve months. |
International students need a visa to enter Germany. You may also need a residence permit. If you need a visa, you must apply for it in your home country in good time. Applications must be made to the German diplomatic missions abroad (embassies or consulates general).
Prior to applying for the visa, Indian students must get their academic documents verified by the APS (Akademische Prüfstelle), which has a separate administrative fee of around €200.
It can sometimes take months for a visa to be issued, so it's important to apply early on. Please note: A tourist visa cannot be converted to a student visa later on.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa type | If you have already been accepted to a higher education institution, you can apply for a student visa |
| Visa fee | The visa application fee for a German student visa (National Visa Type D) from India is €75 for applicants over 18 years of age |
| Proof of funds | Blocked Account (Sperrkonto): This is the most common method. You must deposit €11,904 (for 1 year, or €992/month) into a blocked account before your visa appointment. The money you transfer to a blocked account cannot be accessed until you enter the country. |
| Key documents | Valid passport Proof of health insurance Proof of sufficient funds Records of previous study and language skills If applicable: letter of acceptance from your higher education institution A curriculum vitae A letter of motivation |
| After arrival | You will receive a long-term National Visa (Type D) which usually allows you to enter Germany for 90 days. Once in Germany, you will need to register your address (Anmeldung) and apply for a permanent Residence Permit at the local Foreigners' Authority (Ausländerbehörde) before your visa expires |
From shortlisting universities and writing a winning SOP to scholarships and the German visa process, get end-to-end guidance from experienced counsellors.