Germany : Postgraduate study

How does the higher education system work?

There are three main types of higher education institutions in Germany:

• research-led universities - offering a broad range of courses and subjects and of particular interest to those interested in research and following a doctoral programme;
• universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen) - generally more vocational and often including internships and practical modules;
• colleges of art, film and music - covering subjects such as painting, design, architecture, music and drama.

There are generally three levels of qualification:

• Bachelors degrees are available in a wide range of subject areas.
• Masters degrees are the next level of qualification and are intended to expand your subject-knowledge.
• Doctoral degrees involve the completion of a research paper and generally take two to five years to complete.

Most universities and colleges in Germany are public and receive funding from the federal government. Some are financed by the Church and there are also more than 80 private universities and colleges, largely universities of applied sciences, with officially recognised degrees. See the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for more information on the types of higher education institutions and what they offer.

What courses are available?

• The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) website has a searchable database of first degree, graduate and doctoral level courses. (You can include language of study in your search criteria.)
• International Bachelor, Masters and Doctoral programmes are also available offering internationally recognised degrees that are taught primarily in English. They have been designed specifically to meet the needs of international students and include German tuition.
• Summer schools are also available in a wide range of subject areas.

Where can I study?

• The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) includes a searchable database of over 300 higher education institutions in Germany. It has also compiled rankings of universities in collaboration with the German weekly newspaper Die Zeit and the Centre for Higher Education Development. See the DAAD website for details.
• Universities Worldwide also has details of universities and Fachhochschulen in Germany.

What are the entry requirements for postgraduate study?

If you have already graduated from a study programme in the UK, you will generally be able to study in Germany. However, not all foreign academic degrees automatically qualify you to take up a postgraduate course. For example, Bachelor's degrees are sometimes only recognised as an intermediate qualification (Zwischenprüfung or Vorprüfung) in Germany.

If you have questions about this, it is best to contact the international office (Akademisches Auslandsamt) of any university in which you are interested. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has a list of these offices on its website.

When do I apply?

Application deadline dates vary and you should contact the international office (Akademisches Auslandsamt) at the institutions you are interested in attending for information on deadlines. See the DAAD website for a list of offices.

How do I apply?

• Applications are usually made directly to individual institutions.
• Applications are usually accepted online, although paper copies of academic certificates and transcripts along with other supporting documentation will have to be posted.
• A CV is usually requested, along with a personal statement.

How much will it cost?

• Although you don’t have to pay tuition fees at all German universities, some will charge a fee of around €500 per semester. See the Deutsches Studentenwerk - Information for International Students  for a list of federal states that have introduced general tuition fees. It is more usual to pay fees for postgraduate courses (Masters and PhDs) than for undergraduate courses.
• You must be able to prove that you have enough money to finance your studies in Germany (currently €7,716 for one year of study, May 2010).
• Semester contributions (a registration fee payable every semester) of between €50 and €250 is payable every semester
• Health insurance, which costs around €280 per semester, is compulsory. Students from countries that are members of the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) and who have public health insurance (the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) ) can get this insurance coverage approved by a public health company in Germany. This insurance may not, however, cover all costs in Germany so check what services you are entitled to. See the Deutsches Studentenwerk - Information for International Students website for more information.
• Check with individual institutions for more specific tuition and fee information.
• On top of any course fees, an estimated minimum monthly budget is €630, with books and other study materials in addition. One third of this is generally spent on rent. While it is possible to live frugally for this amount, it is a bare minimum and more should be set aside if at all possible.
• See the Deutsches Studentenwerk - Information for International Students website for a breakdown of monthly expenses and prices of general commodities.

Are any scholarships available?

• The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers one-year scholarships for Doctoral research, which can also be used to support Masters courses.
• DAAD also provides information on scholarships from other foundations. Search their scholarships database for funding opportunities.
• Individual institutions also often have some scholarships available.

Are there any exchange programmes?

UK students on undergraduate degree courses, Masters programmes or some PhD programmes may be interested in spending time studying in Germany through the Erasmus scheme. This programme covers all subject areas, but check what links your university has with your university’s Erasmus coordinator (usually based in the international office).

Will my qualification be recognised in the UK?

As part of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) , a German postgraduate course should be directly comparable to the UK equivalent. Full details on comparing international qualifications are also available from the UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom) , which gives information and advice on vocational, academic and professional qualifications from over 180 countries.