Students willing to pursue free English master programs in Germany can enrol in public universities offering tuition-free English courses in several disciplines.
International students looking for free English master programs in Germany can check out top universities such as TU Darmstadt, Technical University of Munchen, Hamburg University of Technology, etc. Many German universities also offer reduced tuition or tuition waivers to non-EU students who come from certain countries.
Germany has been the top choice for over 400,000 international students seeking the opportunity to study in English. Destined to be a global leader in education, Germany is ever expanding the number of degree courses taught in English.
Students who find the German language programs difficult to track can look out for free English master programs in Germany offered in various disciplines at top German public universities. One doesn’t have to be fluent or even have ever studied German to study in Germany as over 200 German universities offer more than 1,200 English degree programs with no tuition fee.
Best Universities Offering English Programs in Germany
All public universities in Germany are tuition-free for international students for most of the courses. There are very few specialized study programs that require a tuition fee even at a public university in Germany. Some of the best universities in Germany that offer degree courses in English are as follows:
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- Jacobs University
- University of Goettingen
- Free University of Berlin
- Technical University Dresden
- University of Bonn
- Saarland University
- Frankfurt School of Finance & Management
- University of Hamburg
- ULM University
Admission Requirements for Free English Master Programs in Germany
The entry requirements for English-taught programs in Germany are similar to those of German-taught programs. Students who apply for admission to English-taught programs in Germany need to demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting standardized test scores such as TOEFL and IELTS. Listed below are the eligibility requirements for free English master programs in Germany for international students:
- A recognized educational qualification
- A high school diploma/ certificate of secondary education completion
- A bachelor’s degree along with relevant college transcripts
- Required course credits for a specific field of study
- Certified academic transcripts of grades from previous institutions attended
- Proof of high proficiency of the English language demonstrated by a high IELTS score or citizenship from a native English-speaking country
- GRE or GMAT scores
- Professional resume in the German format
- Motivational or reference letters (optional)
- Application and enrollment fees
- German-sized passport photographs
Top Tuition-free English-taught Universities in Germany
Low or no-tuition fees are one of the main reasons why international students prefer to study in Germany over other countries. German universities are ranked among the best in the world in addition to being some of the most affordable to attend. Find below the top tuition-free English-taught universities in Germany for international students:
- Leibniz Universitat Hannover
- University of Bonn
- University of Hamburg
- TU Darmstadt
- FAU Erlangen Nurnberg
- University of Muenster
- Hamburg University of Technology
- SRH University of Heidelberg
- University of Applied Sciences Wurzburg Schweinfurt
- Technical University of Munchen
Exceptions to Tuition-free Courses in Germany
Pursuing certain professional courses requires international students to pay a basic tuition fee. Listed below are the exceptions to the tuition-free courses available in Germany:
- Professional/ Executive Programs: Executive/ professional degree programs such as LLM, MBA, MPA, or the Erasmus Mundus joint master’s degree offered at many German universities may charge a marginal tuition fee from international students
- The state of Baden-Württemberg: The state of Baden-Württemberg in the south of Germany charges a mandatory tuition fee of 1,500 € per semester to all non-EU students. Well-known cities in the state of Baden-Württemberg such as Heidelberg, Freiburg, Stuttgart, and Constance charge a non-EU tuition fee at their universities
- Private Universities: Private universities in Germany charge a tuition fee to all of their students (not just non-EU students), but the tuition cost is generally lower than tuition fees at other private universities abroad, averaging between € 5,000 and € 7,000 per semester.
Popular Specializations for Free English Master Programs in Germany
Free English master programs in Germany are offered in a limited number of specializations with the most popular ones being engineering, natural sciences, and economics-related subjects. Listed below are the top disciplines in which English-taught master’s programs are offered in Germany:
- Mathematics and Natural Sciences
- Economics
- Engineering
- Law
- Social Sciences
- Language and Cultural Studies
- Medicine
- Art and Art Theory
- Sport
- Veterinary Medicine
Cost of Pursuing Free English Master Programs in Germany
There are certain administrative costs also known as “semester contribution” that students have to bear on enrolled in free universities in Germany. The semester contribution includes students’ union fees, public transport tickets, and registration fees and ranges between €150 (INR 12,334) and €300 (INR 24,671) depending on the chosen university.
Certain study programs in Germany such as master’s programs for advanced training are offered at a low cost. Private universities in Germany charge a lower fee ranging between €5,000 (INR 4,11,425)- €7,000 (INR 5,75,995) per semester to all students irrespective of their nationality.
Fees Applicable for Free English Master Programs in Germany
- Application Fee: 50 Euros (INR 4,112)
- First-semester Enrollment Fee: Over 284.10 Euros (INR 23,364)
- Enrollment Fee for Subsequent Semester: ~300 Euros (INR 24,671)
- Student Blocked Account: 861 Euros/month, 10,332 Euros per annum (INR 8,49,824)
- Mandatory Health Insurance: 106 Euros/ month for students under 30 years, about 640 Euros yearly (INR 52,641)
- Residence Permit: 110 Euros (INR 9,047)
Blocked Account for Students in Germany
It is mandatory for all international students in Germany to have 10,332 Euros for the academic year in a specialized blocked account at any of the leading banks. This account allows only 861 Euros to be taken out each month to cover the estimated cost of living of the student. This is a step taken by the German government to ensure that students arriving in the country have enough funds to support themselves during their stay.
