Requirements To Study In Germany For Indian Students

Pursuing higher education at a foreign university is a long-drawn and exhausting affair. From shortlisting the right educational institute and searching for a well-fit course to applying for it and fulfilling the post-admission formalities, it takes a lot of applicants. While the requirements to Study in Germany for Indian students are similar to those adopted by institutions in other countries. It is important to review each condition so as to be considered by the university. It is important to note that Indian students make up for the third-largest population of international students in German universities. As a result, many top universities in Germany list down specific requirements for Indian students in addition to the general conditions. So, if you are wondering what are the requirements to study in Germany for Indian students then, go through this blog.

How to Study in Germany as an International Student? 

Students from all around the world flock to Germany. The number of students applying to German institutions appears to be increasing year after year.

To pursue higher education in Germany, it is necessary to be informed of all of the country’s expected qualifications. Be it university eligibility, visa requirements, language competence scores, or any other crucial criteria, a student must be prepared to meet them all.

Step	Description	Key Considerations
1. Research & Program Selection	– Identify academic interests & career goals. – Research universities, programs, and courses.  – Check university rankings, location, language of instruction. – Understand specific entry requirements (academics, language, finances).	– Thorough research is crucial. – Prioritize programs that align with your goals.
2. Learn German (if required)	– Improve German language proficiency (if required). – Enroll in language courses, utilize online resources, consider immersion programs.	– Focus on achieving the required language level for your chosen program.
3. Apply to Universities	– Gather necessary documents (application forms, transcripts, language certificates, motivation letter, recommendations, proof of funds). – Apply through uni-assist or directly to universities. – Meet application deadlines.	– Ensure all documents are accurate and complete. <br> – Tailor your application to each university.
4. Obtain a Student Visa	– Meet visa eligibility criteria. – Apply at the German Embassy/Consulate. – Gather required documents (passport, letter of admission, proof of funds, health insurance, language proficiency). – Attend a visa interview.	– Follow visa application procedures carefully. – Prepare for potential questions during the interview.
5. Prepare for Departure	– Find accommodation (dormitories, rentals). – Open a German bank account. – Arrange travel and insurance. – Pack essentials.	– Plan and organize your departure well in advance.
6. Settle in Germany	– Register your residence (Anmeldung). – Obtain your student ID card. – Explore your surroundings. – Join student organizations.	– Be proactive in settling into your new environment. – Connect with other students and the local community.

Must Read: Top Universities in Germany

Requirements To Study In Germany For Indian Students

Here are some requirements to study in Germany For Indian Students:

Prior Degree Qualification

As the levels of the intended degree program are different, the required levels of qualification also vary. This is to ensure that the candidate is well-versed in the minimum required fundamentals to excel in the studies during the program. While there is some restriction as to the level of education required for pursuing STEM courses in Germany, largely, universities adopt quite a flexible approach with respect to Arts stream subjects, business, languages, social sciences and so forth. A degree certificate is proof that attests to the qualification obtained as well as specific dates of commencement and graduation from the program.

Prospective Degree	Required Qualification
Bachelor’s	Class 12th with at least 50% marks in the required subjects, for instance, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, etc.
Master’s	Three or four-year undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline and subjects with the minimum percentage of marks as set by course and/or university standards. Note: Check official university websites
PhD	A bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in a relevant area of study

Official Transcripts

The transcript/grade sheet/mark sheet is an official document issued by the university from where you have pursued your higher studies. It mentions the subjects, electives, and the marks obtained in a lucid manner. It must be signed and stamped by the Controller Examination or Head of Department or any other official authority. Typically, university regulations may contain specific instructions as to the subjects studied in the previous qualification. Further, occasionally, you may be asked to prove a certain number of credits in a particular subject, for example, Mathematics, Economics, or Statistics. 

German/English Language Proficiency

Proficiency in German and/or English is one of the major requirements to Study in Germany for Indian Students. Scores of IELTS/TOEFL/PTE exams can be used as evidence to prove English language proficiency. Further, a certificate of German language or any other recognised test that attests to the level of proficiency in it can also be used. Moreover, knowing a bit of German language beforehand helps you in gelling up with the study environment. 

Language	Requirement	Exams	Score Range
German	Required for programs taught in German.	TestDaF, DSH, Goethe-Zertifikat	TestDaF: TDN 4 DSH: DSH-2Goethe-Zertifikat: C1
English	Required for programs taught in English.	IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge English	IELTS: 6.5-7.5 TOEFL: 80-100 Cambridge English: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency

Documents Required

During the submission of an online application, in addition to personal and educational details, you may also be asked to attach a few more documents that help the university to understand your strong points and to assess your suitability in terms of programme needs. This includes:

• Passport
• Statement of Purpose [SOP]
• Letter of Recommendation [LOR]
• GRE/GMAT scores
• Work Experience [optional]
• Research Proposal [only for PhD courses]

Proof of Financial Resources

Proof of Financial Resources is one of the essential requirements to study in Germany for Indian students. In order to be granted a Germany Student Visa, you will be asked to submit ‘Proof of Financial Resources’ which, in other words, is just a document that details how you wish to cover the cost of education in Germany. This can be done through several means, namely, a sponsorship letter from the university, loan documents, etc.

German Study Visa

Once your application gets approved by the university, the next step is to apply for a student visa, which forms an essential component in the list of requirements to study in Germany for Indian students. Enlisted are the most important documents for obtaining a student visa to study in Germany:

• Admission Letter
• Language Proficiency Scorecard
• Health Insurance Coverage Certificate
• Financial Stability Proof

Registration Certificate

If you find a room or a flat in Germany, you must register with the Einwohnermeldeamt (residents’ registration office) within two weeks. You will subsequently be given a registration certificate that certifies your registration at a specific address.

The registration certificate is required on a variety of occasions, such as when opening a bank account, applying for a library card or a parking permit, and so on.

Residence Permit

European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland students do not require a residency permit. When they register with the residents’ registration office, they obtain a certificate proving their right to dwell in Germany.

• If you are not from one of the above-mentioned countries, you must report to the Ausländerbehörde and apply for a residence permit.
• International students who have been accepted to a higher education institution must get a residence permit in order to study.
• You will be given a chip card with your passport photograph and fingerprints saved on it. It serves as verification that you have a valid residency permit.

Must Read: How to Find Accommodation in Germany?

Health Insurance

You will require health insurance if you wish to study in Germany. It is an important part of the university requirements in Germany. Without it, international students are not able to enrol in German higher education institutions.

The costs of medical care and pharmaceuticals do not have to be paid privately in the event of an accident or illness with the help of health insurance. When enrolling, international students must show proof of health insurance.

The following nations’ public health insurance programmes are also valid in Germany:

• Member states of EU
• Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Morocco
• Macedonia
• Montenegro
• Norway
• Switzerland
• Serbia
• Tunisia
• Turkey

If your home country’s health insurance policy is not recognised in Germany, you must enrol in coverage in Germany. A public health insurance policy costs around 110 euros per month until you reach the age of 30 or finish your 14th subject-related semester at university. After that, the monthly cost rises to 190 euros or more.

German University Admission Requirements for Language

The majority of degree programmes in Germany are taught in German. As a result, students must have a working understanding of the German language.

You can demonstrate your German language proficiency by taking one of the following German entrance exams –

• TestDaF is available in over 100 countries. This test can be taken from your own country.
• DSH – This test is only available at a few universities in Germany.
• German universities commonly acknowledge the Goethe-Zertifikat C2, the Telc Deutsch C1 test, and the Deutsches Sprachdiplom (level II) of the Standing Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs. The majority of German language levels necessary for education in Germany are B2 to C2.

If you plan to enrol in an international degree program, you will not be expected to know German. You will then be required to take English language competency tests such as IELTS or TOEFL.

Top German Universities

Here are some of the top Universities in Germany that we have taken as reference in this article on ‘Requirements to Study in Germany for Indian Students’. 

University in Germany	QS WUR Ranking 2025
Technical University of Munich	28
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München	59
Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg	#84
Freie Universitaet Berlin	97
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin	126
KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology	102
RWTH Aachen University	99
Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin)	#147
Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen	#222
Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet Freiburg	#212

Must Read: Get best scholarships to study in Germany

DAAD German Scholarships

From bachelor’s level to postdoctoral research and even to faculty, DAAD scholarship caters to the needs of a variety of individuals. The following table lists down 20 varied scholarship options. 

Name of DAAD Scholarship	Eligibility
Doctoral Programmes in Germany [Research Grants]	Graduates, Doctoral candidates/PhD students, Postdoctoral Researchers
Bi-Nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees/Cotutelle	Graduates, Doctoral candidates/PhD students
Practical Traineeships for Foreign Students of Natural & Technical Sciences, Agriculture and Forestry	Undergraduates and Graduates
Graduate School Scholarship Programme	Doctoral candidates/PhD students
University Summer Courses offered in Germany for Foreign Students and Graduates	Undergraduates, Graduates
Study Scholarships-Postgraduate Studies in the Field of Fine Art, Design, Visual Communication and Film	Graduates Only
Research Stays for University Academics & Scientists	Graduates, Doctoral candidates/PhD students, Postdoctoral Researchers, Faculty
Study-Scholarships-Postgraduate Studies in the Field of Music	Graduates only
Combined Study and Practice Stays for Engineers from Developing Countries (KOSPIE) with Indian IITs	Graduates only
Development-Related Postgraduate Courses Scholarships	Graduates only
DLR DAAD Research Fellowship Programme	Graduates, Doctoral candidates/PhD students, Postdoctoral Researchers, Faculty
Postdoctoral Researchers International Mobility Programme (PRIME)	Postdoctoral researchers
Bilateral Exchange of Academics	Postdoctoral Researchers, Faculty
Helmut-Schmidt Programme (Master’s Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance-PPGG)	Graduates Only
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation: the German Chancellor Fellowship	Graduates Only
Baden-Württemberg Stiftung: the Baden Wurttemberg-STIPENDIUM for University Students	Undergraduates, Graduates, Doctoral candidates/PhD students
Bayer Science & Education Foundation: Carl Duisberg Scholarship	Undergraduates, Graduates
Bayer Science & Education Foundation: Kurt Hassen Scholarship	Undergraduates, Graduates
Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds: PhD Fellowships	Doctoral candidates/PhD students
Evonik Foundation Scholarship	Undergraduates, Graduates, Doctoral candidates/PhD students, Postdoctoral Researchers

Must Read: Know about the High Demand Jobs in Germany

FAQs

Related Articles: 

Dual Study Programs In Germany	Germany Work Permit Visa
Oldest Universities in Germany	German Visa Interview Questions: How to Answer & Tips
Understanding the German Education System: Primary, Secondary, Higher Education	How to Find Accommodation in Germany?

We hope that this blog was able to provide you with all the information regarding the “Requirements to Study in Germany”. Lastly, for more such content on universities to study abroad, stay tuned to Leverage Edu. Thank you for reading!