WhatsApp: +48 729 308 990Applying For a Master’s Degree in Germany
Variety of programs, many masters courses taught in English, affordable cost of studying, award-winning curriculums, greater emphasis on students’ hands-on experience and surely excellent future prospects are what best describe master’s degree courses in Germany.
Applying For a Master’s Degree in Germany
What best describes master's degree programmes in Germany are the variety of programmes, the abundance of master's courses taught in English, the affordable cost of education, the award-winning curricula, the increased emphasis on students' hands-on experience, and unquestionably excellent future prospects.
Despite this, choosing to apply for a Master's programme in Germany is simple. But for many foreign students who are unfamiliar with the German educational system, submitting an application for a master's programme can be a little scary.
Here are the 8 steps to apply for a Master’s Degree in Germany:
If you haven't done so already, you must decide what your future academic and professional goals are before choosing to pursue a master's degree in Germany. Following that, you must choose a master's programme and university that precisely suit your goals. You now have a wide range of options, so whatever your tastes are for learning, you're sure to discover something appealing.
You must conduct some study before selecting a master's degree because there are so many universities and institutions to choose from. Start by considering some factors that are significant to you, such as study programmes, the university's location, tuition costs, practical training opportunities, etc.
You will find it simple to create a list of colleges and programmes that would probably suit your needs based on these presumptions. From there, you can chose which one to pursue after focusing only on a select few of them.
Knowing what you need to do to get there is important now that you have an objective in mind. To put it another way, you must review the prerequisites for the course you want to take. Typically, German universities make this information accessible through their official websites.
You must be absolutely certain that you are reading the authentic section because multiple entry requirements are used at the same university. It is advised that you contact the institution by mail for every single issue you have regarding this stage of the application, keeping in mind that even little mistakes at this time could result in a failed application.
German universities only accept applicants who can communicate and comprehend what is being taught in class with ease in either English or German. In contrast to undergraduate courses, a large number of master's level courses are partially or entirely taught in English. Prior to applying, you must complete a language competency test to demonstrate your language skills.
Depending on your preferred university, course of study, and the exam you have taken, a master's degree in Germany may require a different level of language ability than another country. You must be fluent in the language used to teach the course if you wish to study social sciences. On the other hand, you will be required to undertake more lab work and math exercises in the natural sciences because there is less of a demand for advanced language skills in these subjects.
It's time to submit your application for the master's programme in Germany once you've gathered all the necessary paperwork and double- and triple-checked that everything is there. By using an online application platform, you can submit an online master's degree application in Germany.
UniAssist.de is a collaborative platform used by the majority of German universities. There, you can make a personal account, select your preferred master's programme, and upload scanned copies of your application materials. Be aware that some colleges only accept applications that are submitted through their own online application portal. This information is available on the university's website.
Now it is time for you to take a deep breath and let the university completes its part of the job. Meanwhile, you can use this time to tackle other upcoming issues which are explained in the sections below.
Universities in Germany collect a large number of applications and going through each of them takes time. Normally, the processing of your application takes several weeks. In some occasions their response may take more time than it probably should because there may be issues related to your documents or because of their heavily loaded agenda and your application doesn’t include everything. Fortunately, students cannot keep track of their application processing as the universities don’t give that information.
Regardless of citizenship, everyone residing in Germany is required to have health insurance, including international students. If they are eligible for the European health insurance system, EU students may not be forced to purchase health insurance in Germany; however, this is not a fundamental requirement, so they must inquire.
If you are a student from the EU, you must speak with the appropriate authorities to find out if you are eligible to apply for a master's degree in Germany and whether your EHIC card covers you there. However, if you are a student from outside the EU, you are still required to purchase health insurance.
Most international students in Germany prefer to get health insured with DR-WALTER.
EDUCARE24 by DR-WALTER is suitable for the following groups of people:
- Foreign exchange students, language students, and students participating in university preparatory courses (Studienkolleg)
- University students
- Participants in exchange programmes (e.g. ERASMUS, DAAD, SOKRATES)
- Trainees
- Accompanying family members
Still, have questions about health insurance?
We advise you to get ready for this phase well in advance of your university confirming your enrollment in the master's programme. To save the much-needed time while applying for a master's programme in Germany, gather information about the health insurance application process and organise all of your paperwork.
According to estimates from the German government, a foreign student studying in Germany needs to have at least €934 in his bank account each month, or €11,208 annually, as proof of financial capabilities to support oneself while in Germany. You won't be able to obtain a student visa and enrol in master's programmes in Germany if you don't have this sum of money.
Given that this sum of money is substantial for a typical student, it's critical that you start addressing the situation before your preferred German university's application call is formally opened. Overall, 4 months would be a reasonable amount of time to save or accumulate funds and investigate your other possibilities, such as scholarships and student loans.
The last stage in making a successful master's degree application in Germany. You need a visa to be able to study in Germany if you're an international student from a country outside the EU and the EEA.
Important Tip: To Maximize Your Chances of Getting Your German Student Visa You Should Use a Blocked Account as Proof of Financial Resources.
A blocked account is a special type of bank account, to prove you have enough funds to live in Germany for one year.
As of 2022, as a foreigner in Germany you need a minimum of €934 euros per month for living expenses. So, you are required to have a total of €11,208 in your bank account before you apply for a German internship visa.
Click here to learn more about the German Blocked Account
Following the completion of the aforementioned stages, you must visit the German consulate in your home country to gather information and start the application process for a student visa. Be aware that having the necessary financial resources is one of the prerequisites for applying for a student visa, so be sure to find a solution to that problem before you need to apply for a student visa.
At this point, timing is especially crucial because the time needed to process your student visa application may impede your ability to enrol and start your master's programme on schedule.
Studying for MS in Germany
Anyone interested in pursuing postgraduate study in Germany, "the home of ideas," has numerous excellent options. It gives overseas students the ability to add to the nation's legendary academic achievements. It is great due to the advantages of the most liberal tuition costs, which are cheaper than in many other nations across the world!
Germany’s higher education system is split between:
- public universities, which are administered by the state, and
- private universities, which are set up by independent companies, organizations, or charities.
The MAIN difference relies on their FUNDING METHODS.
Private universities usually charge more than public universities. Although, if the subject you are going for is not to be found in public universities, then private universities are especially useful for such courses.
Still, a very small percentage of the population and international students attend private universities, as the public ones cover a very wide variety of courses!
Public Universities in Germany
Every public university sets up their own:
- degree programs,
- assessments,
- examinations, and
- entry requirements.
The state controls:
- funding,
- fee policy and quality control, as well as
- accreditation of courses – so that they meet high academic standards.
Private Universities in Germany
Private universities are free to set their own fees – higher than the public universities – but, the degrees granted are fully recognized and they do meet appropriate quality standards.
Types of Universities that offer Master’s Degrees in Germany
There are four types of higher education in Germany
- Research Universities – are higher education institutions providing facilities and academic expertise to award students with degrees like Master’s and PhD. Most of Research Universities are publicly administered.
- Technical Universities – are a sub-group of research universities, as their focus is on science, technology, and engineering disciplines.
- Universities of Applied Sciences – are focused on engineering, business and social sciences. In many cases, they are partnered with professional or commercial organizations. More often than not, these universities do not award PhDs. Except when they are partnered with an organization for the sole purpose of delivering specialized PhD programs. A great number of Universities of Applied Sciences are private institutions.
- Colleges of Art, Film and Music – are specialized in offering instructions in the creative disciplines. They can be part of both, Research Universities or Universities of Applied Sciences. Some of these Universities operate independently. The candidates are required to possess creative skills and experience.
How do I choose the perfect university for my Master’s studies?
Choosing the ideal university for your Master's degree may seem difficult, especially when there are so many options available as there are in Germany, but it all comes down to the subject you are truly enthusiastic about.
The most crucial distinction is between a research university and a technical university depending on whether your focus is technical or academic.
In the meantime, if you're interested in learning new professional or occupational competence, you should probably enrol in a university of applied sciences.
When applying for a postgraduate programme at the Colleges of Art, Film, and Music, creative students will undoubtedly gain a lot from the German artistic tradition.
Master’s Program types and course structure
Germany follows the Bologna Process of study, which means standard three-cycle degree format:
- undergraduate studies (Bachelor’s Degree),
- postgraduate studies (Master’s Degree)
- and the preceding advanced postgraduate research (PhD level).
How long does a Master’s Degree last in Germany?
Depending on the semesters your discipline will have – the courses for the Master’s Degree may vary from:
- one,
- one and a half,
- up to two years long.
Whereas, one academic year is made up of two semesters! Your Master’s Degree will also include your final project; otherwise known as the dissertation that you will have to work on together with a mentor.
A fully independent postgraduate research in Germany is only done at the Ph.D. level.
How many ECTS credits is a Master’s Degree worth?
Usually, it is worth 120 ECTS credits, which you will earn during your two years (60 credits per year).
30 credits belong to your dissertation or research project that you will have to complete during your final semester!
The content of German Master’s programs in Germany
Master’s degrees are taught in courses that are further divided into separate modules or units of study. Depending on the course, you may learn through small-group seminars, lectures, practical workshops, fieldwork or directed independent study.
- Research Universities involve many core lectures, seminars, practical work and independent reading and study.
- University of Applied Sciences include more hands-on training and workshops organized by external industry figures and various experts.
- College of Art, Film and Music focused on developing and assessing your skills and proficiencies.
How does the process of dissertation go in Germany?
During the final year of your Master’s studies, you should WORK ON completing a project or a research task, an extended written dissertation or thesis. You will have the support and advice of an expert supervisor, yet you should always be the one to develop and demonstrate your own ideas and your academic expertise.
The EXAMINATION procedure of a Master’s dissertation is completed upon the evaluation of your presentation and the oral ‘defense’ as part of the assessment process. A short talk about your research topic and the answering of questions about your findings and conclusions are also included in the examination.
DO NOT FEEL OVERTHROWN, as this can actually be a very fulfilling experience for you!
What are consecutive and non-consecutive Master’s Degrees?
- Consecutive Master’s Degree refers to students wishing to follow a Master’s Degree directly from the same or a closely related field completed in a Bachelor’s Degree.
In these courses, only candidates with a relevant Bachelor’s Degree will be accepted.
Also, most applicants continue directly to a Master’s Degree without a significant gap after their Bachelor’s studies. - Non-consecutive Master’s Degree refers to students that focus on a different though related area completed in their Bachelor’s Degree. Following non-consecutive courses may also require practical experience, except for the Bachelor’s Degree. Non-consecutive studies do not necessarily relate to an undergraduate topic. These kinds of studies are perfect for students who wish to continue with trainings and working in-between their undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Continuation of education is also part of the non-consecutive category!
- A Professional Master’s Degree focuses on vocational subjects, like teaching, nursing, lawyers, etc. The courses focus on regulated professions.
The requirements and fees for non-consecutive, consecutive, and professional Master’s Degrees vary! Consecutive programs may be free for students that continue immediately after undergraduate studies!
What is Numerus Clausus?
It is a restriction for the number of available places on particular courses (it means a restricted number of student admission).
Usually, programs associated with regulated professions are subject to Numerous Clausus in Germany, like medical professions: Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy, etc.
The numerous clausus helps in maintain high quality and helps in having highly specialized professionals not exceed the future possible vacancies.
There are two types of Numerous Clausus in German universities:
- Some are centrally restricted by the government, known as Central Numerous Clausus
- While other subjects are locally restricted by the universities, known as Local Numerous Clausus
Your university will let you know whether you chosen Master’s program is subject to any type of Numerous Clausus and its effects on your process of application.
Admission to centrally restricted subjects will be more strict and competitive, while locally restricted subjects will have a little more flexibility with the number of students admitted.
Admission Requirements for a Master’s in Germany
The most important document to provide for admission in Master’s Degree in Germany is a suitable Bachelor’s Degree. It does not have to be a German Bachelor’s Degree, but it still needs to be recognized by German universities.
How to get your diploma recognized in Germany?
Universities may also investigate your qualifications into more detail to ensure their relevance. It may involve the checking of the content of your undergraduate course and confirming you have earned a sufficient number of credits in relevant areas.
You also need to provide a high-school graduate certificate, known as Abitur in Germany, in case you may be required to present it.
In case your certificate or diploma is not recognized, you should get it verified for comparison to a German diploma in order to gain access to higher education in Germany. Depending on the country you obtained your Bachelor’s diploma, you will find out if it is acceptable in Germany or not. The German International Office (Akademisches Auslandsamt) is responsible to determine if your diploma is recognized/qualified or not!
Further examinations are required for non-recognized certificates. You must take the PROPAEDEUTIC COURSE. This preparation gets you equipped with German universities’ requirements (like: language and study requirements and completing additional courses to get qualified) before the Master’s courses begin.
Courses are available for:
- Foreign students already admitted for study courses in Germany
- Foreign students that have not yet been admitted, but meet the requirements
- Foreign students not meeting requirements yet
Exceptions are valid for talented candidates who apply for admission in artistic fields/subjects. You can get admitted by only passing a few required tests or providing samples of your work, therefore check out on this regard beforehand!
The fee for the issuing of the assessment document is 200€.
Other admission requirements
Additional entry requirements may include:
- Certificate and transcript of your undergraduate studies.
- Details of your secondary education –some very competitive application processes may wish to know further details of an international’s education history.
- Interviewing – German universities may discuss your application and your experience in an arranged interview with you. The interview may be formal, especially in highly-competitive universities with limited places, or it can also be done over conferencing platforms, like Skype to make it easier on international students.
- Additional entry tests –this more often occurs in competitive universities, where you may be asked to complete an additional entry exam or take a standardized postgraduate admission test as part of your application. This can also be required in law, medicine, and other similar regulated professions in order to ensure the compatibility of your previous trainings. Also, business schools and MBA programs may require a particular score from recognized tests, like GMAT or GRE.
Any additional requirements should be made clear to you by your university before you apply!
Application Deadlines for a Master’s in Germany
Application deadlines vary between universities, but these two general times apply broadly:
- For September semester: Apply before 15 January
- For studies beginning in the winter semester: submit your application before 15th of July
Make sure to check out beforehand the deadlines for your desired university, in case there are any differences with deadlines!
Language Requirements to study MS in Germany
Language is a requirement if you want to attend German-taught courses. The good thing is that German Universities offer many courses taught in English, in which case German language is not a requirement.
As far as German language, you will need to learn it beforehand if your courses are going to be in German.
- Programs in English will not require German language tests or certificates. But, if you are a non-native English speaker, then you will be required to take English language tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, PTE. If you have completed your undergraduate studies in English, then you will not need to take any English language tests.
- Programs in German will require your German language test certificate as part of your application. Such tests are TestDaf (Test für Deutsch als Fremdsprache) and DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber). A lower than proficient score will be accepted:
- If you continue learning the language in courses as soon as you get in Germany
- If you continue the German language course during the early stages of your Master’s Degree
To find more opportunities to study in English while in Germany, DAAD offers an international program search tool, which allows you to find the perfect program.
Applying before getting your undergraduate degree
It is common for students to apply for a Master’s Degree before completing their undergraduate studies. Usual,ly this happens in their final year of Bachelor’s Degree. Universities are aware of this and usually accept projected degree results, an attached transcript of your current progress and may also require a statement from your tutor/professor/course tutor.
Do international students need health insurance to study in Germany?
Health insurance is mandatory for all students in Germany, including postgraduate students. So, make sure you get the proper health insurance coverage while studying in Germany.
There are two types of health insurance:
- Public or otherwise known as STATUTORY health insurance, and
- Private health insurance
Most international students in Germany prefer to get health insured with DR-WALTER.
EDUCARE24 by DR-WALTER is suitable for the following groups of people:
- Foreign exchange students, language students, and students participating in university preparatory courses (Studienkolleg)
- University students
- Participants in exchange programmes (e.g. ERASMUS, DAAD, SOKRATES)
- Trainees
- Accompanying family members
Still have questions about health insurance?
Public health insurance companies in Germany:
- AOK Baden Württemberg
- Barmer GEK
- DAK – Gesundheit
- KKH – Kaufmännische Krankenkasse
- TK – Techniker Krankenkasse
Study Visa Requirements for a Master’s Degree in Germany
Make sure you collect on time all the documents you typically need in order to apply for a German Student Visa.
Master’s Degree Fees in Germany
Master Degree fees in German universities depend whether your studies are consecutive or non-consecutive.
- Consecutive studies are usually considered free studies since you only have to pay semester fees, which cost around 100-200€, which include payment for enrollment, confirmation, administration and Semesterticket (a monthly public transportation ticket)
- Tuition fees are included for non-consecutive studies for a Master’s Degree, depending on program and university of choice.
Non-consecutive studies also include students who have completed their Bachelor’s studies outside Germany.
Private universities require obligatory tuition fees for both, consecutive and non-consecutive studies.
Prices for non-consecutive studies may start from around 6000€ per semester and up, especially higher prices are required for private universities.
Enrollment at the University
Once you get admitted as a student in a German higher education institution, the next process is getting enrolled or “matriculated” in studies. This process involves applying to get your courses registered, in order to be able to enroll in the academic lectures and exercises as well as to undergo the examination.
Post-graduation opportunities with a German Master’s Degree
As German University certificates and diplomas are recognized internationally, you will be able to find great opportunities worldwide, if you do not want to continue living in Germany.
But, for those who wish to continue in Germany, there will be great opportunities to find a desired and profitable job.
You have the chance to continue learning from the newest technology, knowledge, scientific research, business, and everything you can think of!
Many great opportunities will also be shown to you through your university during your study period!
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