Software Engineering in Germany: Salary, Top Universities, Jobs, Scope, Eligibility Criteria

Software engineering is a highly sought-after profession with a multitude of diverse pathways open to professionals. Possessing a degree in software engineering is truly advantageous as it belongs to a constantly evolving domain, demanding constant innovation and advancements. Graduates in this field acquire invaluable knowledge, skills, and practical experience, enabling them to develop applications and enhance the interactivity of social networks.

The field of software engineering continues to flourish, offering ample career prospects. For those skilled individuals from other countries aspiring to work in Germany, gaining proficiency in the German language can broaden their employment horizons internationally. In this blog article, you’ll understand each aspect of studying in Germany.

Why Study Software Engineering in Germany?

Software engineers are in high demand across the globe and they earn an impressive salary. If you want to pursue software engineering, then Germany can be a viable option for you. It is because this country is home to numerous top universities that promise a bright future to students. Studying software engineering in Germany has several advantages. Some of these advantages are: 

• It provides an inexpensive education. 
• There is an availability of numerous corporate internships in the German programming sector. 
• Students can choose to study either in German or English language.  They also have the option of pursuing business or technical degrees.
• You will acquire knowledge, abilities, and experience to develop apps and enhance the interactivity of social networks.

Eligibility Criteria for Software Engineering in Germany

While the eligibility criteria vary based on which degree or university you are applying for, the fundamental requirements are the same for studying software engineering in Germany.  The fundamental eligibility requirements to pursue Software Engineering in Germany are given below: 

• The students should have completed 13 years of formal school education.
• Applicants must have scored above 67% marks in senior secondary school (may be different for certain universities).
• Students must have cleared the entrance exam of ‘Feststellungsprüfung’. 

Also Read: How to Find Accommodation in Germany?

Admission Process

Now that you have seen the eligibility criteria for pursuing software engineering in Germany, it’s time to understand the admission process you are required to go through. Follow these steps to apply for admission to your desired university in Germany:

Step 1: Visit the official website of the desired university and apply for admission whenever the registration process starts. 

Step 2: Submit the required documents like a passport-size photo, language proficiency test scores, valid passport, signed application form, and the payment fee receipt. 

Step 3: Apply for the student visa which is required for non-EU citizens. 

Step 4: Once you have successfully applied for admission, wait for the acceptance. 

Top Universities to Study Software Engineering in Germany

Germany houses top-tier universities renowned for their excellence in Software Engineering education. These esteemed institutions provide a range of programs, catering to undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students.

Studying software engineering in Germany holds immense advantages, given the country’s reputation for producing highly skilled graduates. The demand for professionals in this field is consistently high, making the knowledge and experience gained from studying in Germany especially valuable. Let’s have a look at some of the best universities in Germany which are offering software engineering courses: 

University Name	QS World Ranking 2023
Technical University of Munich	#1
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology	#119
Technical University Berlin	#158
RWTH Aachen University	#147
University of Stuttgart	#43
Technical University of Darmstadt	#246
TU Dresden	#173

Also Read: Why Study in Germany?

Jobs and Scope of Software Engineering in Germany

Software engineers in Germany enjoy a diverse array of career prospects. Check out the scope of software engineering in Germany:

• They have the flexibility to choose between opportunities in large corporations, small startups, or even venture into entrepreneurship and establish their own companies. 
• Additionally, the government and numerous private enterprises provide apprenticeship programs specifically for software engineering. 
• Upon successfully completing a two-year apprenticeship, individuals can begin their professional journey as engineers within the same company.
• The demand for software engineers in the German economy is notably high, which bodes well for professionals seeking job opportunities. 
• This robust demand ensures that job openings are available across various cities and regions throughout Germany, providing a wide range of options for software engineers to embark on their careers.
• Some of the top employers hiring software engineers in Germany are Zalando, Amazon, Wirecard payment solutions, Robert Bosch, and Yelp. 

Also Read: MBA in Germany

Job Profiles (With Average Salaries)

In Germany, the typical annual salary for a software engineer stands at €66,000. This figure incorporates an estimated additional pay of €4,000, which encompasses various elements like bonuses, commission, tips, and profit sharing. 

Whereas, the salary scale for junior to senior developers spans approximately €55,500 to €80,776. Below, we have provided the average salaries for software engineers at various levels of experience.

Software Engineer Job Profiles	Average Annual Salary
Entry Level	€55,500
Junior Level	€60,900
Mid-Level	€67,650
Senior Level	€75,000
Experienced	€80,776

Also Read: Study in Germany: The Guide To Your German Dream! 

Cost of Living in Germany

The high standard of life, effective public transportation, first-rate healthcare, and superior educational system that characterize Germany are well known. In fact, Germany has a higher quality of life and overall well-being than the average country according to the OECD Better Life Index. Despite these high expectations, retail costs in key German cities are frequently lower than in comparable locations across Europe. Look at the table provided below to get an idea of the average cost of living in Germany. 

Estimated Cost of Living for a single individual	€4,338
Single person estimated monthly costs	€2,387

Cost of Studying in Germany

If you are fortunate enough to secure a place at any public university, you might be startled to learn that it is almost zero. But you would be obligated to pay the semester contribution fee, which goes toward covering the expenditures of the student union, public transportation, and office overhead. But all of these are roughly maintained to a minimum. Look at the table provided below to understand the average cost of studying in Germany:

Course	Average Annual Fees
Diploma Courses	€300
Bachelors Courses	€300
Masters Course	€300
MS	€300 to €28,000
PhD	€300 to €3000

FAQs

A large number of Indian students aspire to pursue their education in developed countries like Germany, UK, US, and Canada, attracted by the opportunities for exposure and professional advancement they provide. If you also wish to study abroad, then you can get in touch with Leverage Edu for 30 minutes free counselling session.