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BEng Mechanical Engineering
The broadest of the engineering degrees, covering mechanics, thermodynamics, materials and design — a foundation for almost any engineering career.
Overview
Germany is the destination for students who want a strong technical education without a large tuition bill. Public universities in most federal states charge no tuition fee for most degree programmes, including for international students — what students pay each term is a semester contribution, which typically includes a local transport pass.
The system separates two kinds of institution. Universities are research-oriented and theoretical, and are the route into doctoral study. Universities of applied sciences are practice-oriented, with industry projects and compulsory placements, and are often the better route into a technical job. Germany also runs dual and practice-integrated programmes that combine structured study with paid work at a company.
Bachelor's programmes are still predominantly taught in German, while English-taught master's programmes have grown substantially. Even on an English-taught course, German matters: it is the language of part-time work, housing, administration and most graduate jobs. Students who learn it settle in and find work far more easily than students who do not.
Key facts
Tuition at public universities
No tuition fee at most public universities
Intakes
Winter semester in October, summer semester in April
Language
German-taught bachelor's; more English at master's level
After graduation
Residence permit to seek related work for a defined period
Why study here
- Public universities charge no tuition fee for most programmes in most federal states — students pay a semester contribution that usually includes local public transport.
- Engineering, automotive, renewable energy, manufacturing and applied research taught in the country where those industries are based.
- A growing selection of English-taught master's programmes, particularly in engineering, computing and management.
- A post-study residence permit giving eligible graduates a defined period to look for work related to their qualification.
- Dual and practice-integrated programmes that combine study with paid industry placements.
- Excellent public transport and moderate living costs outside the largest cities.
Popular courses
These are the German programmes we are asked about most. Germany has a growing range of English-taught master's degrees, while most undergraduate teaching remains in German — we will be straightforward with you about which applies to your shortlist.
MSc Civil Engineering
A specialised master's in the engineering of infrastructure — structures, water, geotechnics and transport — usually chosen with a named specialisation.
BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering
The engineering of electricity, electronics and signals — from power grids to microchips to the communications systems between them.
MSc Aerospace Engineering
Advanced study of flight vehicles — aerodynamics, structures, propulsion and control — at universities with genuine aerospace research programmes.
MSc Computer Science
An advanced degree for computing graduates deepening a specialism, or a rigorous conversion route at programmes designed for other disciplines.
MSc Data Science
Statistics, machine learning and data engineering combined into the degree behind one of the decade's fastest-growing professions.
Bachelor of Medicine (MBBS / MD)
The primary medical qualification, taught over five to six years of pre-clinical science and supervised clinical rotations.
MSc Physics
Advanced physics with a research thesis, at universities whose laboratories and institutes define the specialisation on offer.
Partner universities
Admission requirements
German admissions are rules-based and the rules are published. The first question is always whether your school qualification is recognised as equivalent for direct entry.
- Recognition of your secondary qualification — depending on the school system and results, some applicants qualify for direct entry while others must first complete a Studienkolleg preparatory year and pass its assessment examination.
- Academic transcripts for all completed study, often required as certified copies and official translations.
- Language proof — TestDaF, DSH, Goethe or telc certificates for German-taught programmes; IELTS, TOEFL or PTE for English-taught ones. Many English-taught programmes still ask for basic German.
- APS certificate — applicants from certain countries, including India, must have their documents verified by the Academic Evaluation Centre before applying.
- Motivation letter and CV, and for master's entry, a bachelor's degree with sufficiently matching subject content — German universities check the module list, not just the title of the degree.
Visa information
Students from outside the EU normally apply for a national visa for study purposes at the German mission in their country, then convert it into a residence permit for study after arriving and registering their address.
A typical application requires the admission letter, proof of financial resources — most commonly a blocked account, though a scholarship or a formal declaration of sponsorship can also be accepted — valid health insurance, academic documents, proof of language ability and, for applicants from certain countries, the APS certificate.
The blocked account amount, visa fees and appointment waiting times are set by the German authorities and reviewed periodically. Check the current requirements published by the German mission that covers your region before you begin, and book the appointment early, since availability rather than paperwork is often the real constraint.
Cost of study
At public universities in most federal states there is no tuition fee for most degree programmes, for domestic and international students alike. What students pay is a semester contribution that funds student services and normally includes a public transport pass — a modest amount by international standards. A small number of states charge non-EU students a tuition fee, and some specialised or executive master's programmes charge fees everywhere.
Private universities are a different proposition and charge full tuition, sometimes at levels comparable with the UK. They can be a legitimate choice for particular programmes or for English-taught options, but they should be chosen deliberately rather than by default.
Because the tuition burden is low or absent at public institutions, the real cost of studying in Germany is living costs and the financial proof required for the visa — plan around those.
Cost of living
Living costs are moderate but not negligible, and the range across the country is wide. Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Stuttgart are expensive; Leipzig, Dresden, Aachen, Bochum and many smaller university towns are considerably cheaper, particularly on rent.
Student halls run by the local Studierendenwerk are the cheapest housing but are heavily oversubscribed, so apply as early as possible and have a backup. A shared flat is the standard alternative. Health insurance is compulsory and enrolment is not possible without it, and the semester ticket usually removes local transport from the budget entirely.
The blocked account requirement effectively sets the minimum monthly budget that German authorities consider realistic. That figure is revised periodically, so use the current one.
Scholarships
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Germany's position is unusual enough that it changes what a scholarship is for. Public universities in most federal states charge no tuition fee for a first degree, including for international students, and instead levy a modest semester contribution. Where that is the case, the cost of studying in Germany is mainly the cost of living in Germany — so funding here is aimed at maintenance rather than fees.
The DAAD, the German academic exchange service, is the central body and administers the best-known programmes, largely at postgraduate level and several aimed specifically at applicants from developing and emerging economies. The Deutschlandstipendium works differently again: it is a smaller monthly award, half publicly funded and half from private sponsors, administered by each university and open to students at any level.
Alongside these sit political and religious foundations, which fund students on academic record together with social or political engagement, and which are consistently under-applied for by international candidates.
- DAAD programmes — mostly postgraduate, applied for directly, with early deadlines and detailed documentation.
- Deutschlandstipendium — administered by the university, awarded on achievement and circumstance.
- Foundation scholarships — academic record plus demonstrated engagement; a genuine opportunity for the right candidate.
- Research funding — doctoral candidates are often employed on a research contract rather than funded as students.
One thing to plan for regardless of funding: German student visa applications require proof that living costs are covered, normally through a blocked account. A scholarship can satisfy that requirement, but the arithmetic has to be done before the visa application, not after.
DAAD Scholarships (EPOS and postgraduate programmes)
Germany's national academic exchange service funds thousands of international students yearly, most prominently through development-related master's scholarships.
Deutschlandstipendium
Germany's national merit stipend, open to students of any nationality enrolled at participating German universities.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships
EU-funded scholarships for integrated master's degrees taught across universities in two or more European countries.
Frequently asked questions
Is study in Germany really free?
Public universities charge no tuition fee for most programmes in most states. That is the reason many students look at Germany, and it is accurate as far as it goes.
It is not the same as free: there is a semester contribution, and living costs are the real expense. Plan around living costs rather than around tuition.
Will my school qualification be accepted in Germany?
This is the first question German admissions ask, before grades. Your secondary qualification has to be recognised as equivalent for direct entry, and Indian Class 12 alone frequently is not.
Where it is not, the route is a preparatory year or a period of study at home first. That is a normal path rather than a rejection, but it changes the timeline, so it is worth establishing early.
Do I need German to study there?
Not for the growing number of English-taught programmes, particularly at master's level. For everything else, yes, and at a level well above conversational.
Even on an English-taught course, German makes a large difference to part-time work, to an internship and to staying on afterwards. It is worth starting before you go.
Can I work as a student in Germany?
International students may work a defined number of days each year alongside their studies without needing a separate permit.
It is counted in days rather than hours, which is an unusual rule and one to track properly rather than estimate.
When do German semesters begin?
The winter semester starts in October and the summer semester in April. Winter is the main intake and carries the widest choice of programmes.
Application windows close well before the semester begins, and German universities are strict about them.