Scholarship programs in Germany

Yes, you can. The number of English-language programs depends on the type of institution and the level at which you intend to study.

• In state-run Stüdienkolleges you can only study in German. But there are private Stüdienkolleges that may offer to start in English (BUT not in all courses) and gradually switch to German. The final exams in all Stüdienkolleges are taken only in German.
• At the bachelor’s level, the choice of programs with instruction entirely in English is limited. At public universities, these are mainly business-related programs. At private universities, the choice of programs in English will be greater.
• At the master’s level, there are probably even more English-language programs than in German. At the same time, there are programs where universities want to see proof of German language proficiency (some require at least a minimum level, some require a B1 certificate). Also, there are fully English-language programs where no proof of German level is required at all.

The Stüdienkolleg is a preparatory program created for foreign students who have had less than 12 years of secondary school education in their home country and are thus not eligible to enter a university in Germany immediately after graduation.

Stüdienkolleges are linked to certain universities, because most Stüdienkolleges are entered through the university. That is, you first submit an application to the university and if the university approves it, it sends you an invitation to take the entrance exam to the Stüdienkolleg.

After graduating from the Stüdienkolleg, students are not obliged to apply to the university through which they entered the preparatory course.

The exact scores and certificate requirements depend on the university. The minimum requirements may be quite low: for example, some guridienkolleges accept certificates of level B1, Bachelor’s and Master’s programs — B2/C1.

In practice — to study at any level you need a real C1 level (i.e. not just a practiced exam, but a practical command of the language at the C1 level).

If you have been at school for 12 — 13 years, you can apply to university straight after school.

If your schooling lasted 10 — 11 years, there are 2 options:

• you have to complete 1 — 2 university courses in a related field in your home country and then apply for the 1st year of a bachelor’s degree;
• after school to enroll in a Stüdienkolleg in Germany, successfully pass the FSP final exam and then apply to a university.

• Studienkolleg — 2 semesters (1 year)
• Bachelor’s Degree — 6 semesters (3 years)*
• Master’s Degree — 4 semesters (2 years).

*A program is considered to be completed when the required number of ECTS (credit points) has been accumulated. If you need more time, you can study longer, but you will be charged for each semester of study.

No. It is assumed that if a person studies medicine in Germany, after graduation he or she will work in German clinics with patients, most of whom speak German. This is why medical specialties (as well as pedagogical specialties) are taught immediately in German.

In order to have enough time to complete all the steps without rushing, it is best to start about a year before you apply (provided your language level is good).

Yes, you can. If you have enough time and skills to search and check the information yourself.

But we recommend that you contact experts to increase your chances of getting a scholarship and not to miss out on anything.

Our German admission experts have been working in the field of international education since 2011 and live directly in Germany. Therefore, we now have enough knowledge and experience to organize all stages of the admission process and the start of your studies in such a way that the process is clear, transparent, well-organized and leads to the expected result.

There are different factors that are prioritized for different people. It is important to assess whether the requirements of the program you like correspond to the student’s academic capabilities and language level. And whether it is possible to enroll there with a bachelor’s or master’s certificate or diploma from a non-EU country. In addition, it is necessary to find out whether the selected university program suits the interests of the student. GLOSS experts can help you find out.

In most cases, no. Some universities may conduct additional testing for applicants (in person or online), but these are isolated cases. In general, the admission/rejection decision is based on the documents submitted.

Yes. A German exam is required, and for some courses there may also be an exam for a major subject.

Yes. This is always one of the criteria, along with the minimum score requirement on the International Language Examination Certificate.

There are no tuition fees at public universities in Germany, but there is always a «semester fee» of about 300-350€.

The main part of this fee is the cost of the travel card (the student card is at the same time a travel card). It is valid for all means of transportation in all localities in the state where the university is located (except for high-speed trains and intercity/international buses).

The exception is the state of Baden-Würtenberg, where the tuition fee for non-EU students is €1500/semester. Universities in Bavaria have also been granted the right to charge tuition fees (this is left to the discretion of each university).

It is an account that is proof of a student’s financial solvency for the duration of their studies. A blocked account is needed for students whose nationality is not EU/USA/Canada/Australia/New Zealand. This account is used to open a visa and to obtain a temporary residence permit.

The minimum amount required to be there is 11208€ (i.e. 934€/month).

Blocked accounts are opened by Fintiba, Coracle, Expatrio. It is not possible to open this type of account directly with a bank.

The amount in this account is blocked and cannot be used. When you come to Germany, you open an account in a German bank, give your account details to Fintiba/Coracle/Expatrio, then the intermediary company will unblock the amount of €934 every month and transfer it to your current account in a German bank.

Yes, this is possible if you have a guarantor or funding (scholarship, university funding) of at least €934 per month.

The guarantor can be anyone (not necessarily your relative) who is either a German citizen or has a permanent residence permit in Germany. This person must be employed by a company located in an EU/EEA country and must prove his/her income in an amount that allows him/her to act as a guarantor.

The cost depends on the type of accommodation.

Public universities in Germany do not have their own on-campus residences. The state organization Studierendenwerk, which has offices in all cities where there are universities, deals with student residences.

University websites have information on how to find housing options (which you should do as early as possible), but the universities themselves do not help with housing.

Some private universities have their own dormitories, in which case it is possible to live on campus.

Yes. 120 full days per year or 240 part days. You can only work full days during vacations.

Graduates of DSD schools can apply for the scholarship starting from their studies at a Stüdienkolleg or in the 1st year of their bachelor’s degree.

In all other cases, undergraduate students who have completed at least their 1st year of study at a German university.

The main group for which most DAAD scholarship programs are available are students who are entering and/or already studying for a Master’s degree and those who are planning to study for a PhD (in this case, the last academic degree must have been obtained at least 6 years ago).

In Germany, as in other countries, scholarships are awarded for academic achievements (participation in international academic projects or Olympiads) or relevant work experience in international projects related to your studies, volunteer work and a strong motivation letter in which all this is presented.

If you have such achievements — it significantly increases your chances.

If you have only good grades (even if they are all maximum grades) — unfortunately, it is not enough.

The DAAD scholarship is usually granted for 1 academic year. You have to apply again for the 2nd year.

The amount of the scholarship is not linked to actual expenses. It is linked to the amount to be shown in the blocked account (€934/month). Often the scholarship will pay for health insurance. All other costs are the responsibility of the student.

Private insurance is required for boarding school students, students at most Stüdienkolleges, and university students aged 30 and over.

All others must choose one of the public insurance companies.

You will need German health insurance at the stage of immatriculation (obtaining a student ID card) and for applying for a temporary residence permit.

To apply for a visa, you will need the usual travel health insurance that is valid in EU countries.