Studeren aan een universiteit in Duitsland

Studying at University in Germany: The General Framework

Thanks to its range of programmes from engineering to the social sciences, a teaching approach that combines research with coursework and its close ties with industry, Germany is one of the first countries examined by students in Turkey who want to study abroad. The fact that most public universities charge no tuition fees makes the country affordable compared with options such as the UK or the US. Even so, "free" does not mean there are no costs at all; the semester contribution, blocked account and daily living expenses are an integral part of the plan.

In this guide, we at Weroglobal Student have compiled the basic steps that a student aiming for a bachelor's or master's degree in Germany needs to know, based on the information in our partner sources. As figures may change from term to term, they should be confirmed against the current announcements of the university and the relevant official bodies at the time of application.

Who Can Apply? High School Diploma, YKS and Recognition

A high school diploma obtained in Turkey is not automatically considered equivalent to the Abitur in Germany; during the application, whether the diploma is sufficient for entry to German higher education is assessed separately. As stated in the source, applicants from Turkey are asked for their ÖSYM placement result; it is also emphasised that having been placed in the relevant programme through the YKS (Turkish university entrance exam) makes a direct application significantly easier. The introductory pages of technical universities likewise stress that a university placement requirement may apply to students from Turkey.

On the academic side, our partner sources report that an average of 70–80 or above out of 100 is generally expected, and that this expectation is even higher in highly competitive fields such as medicine and engineering. Where the diploma is not considered sufficient for direct admission, students may be directed to the Studienkolleg preparatory course, stated in the source as lasting 1 year.

What Is a Studienkolleg?

A Studienkolleg is a preparatory course completed by international students whose high school diploma is not directly equivalent to the German system, before they move on to university. Alongside core subjects related to the chosen field, the programme aims to strengthen academic German; students who pass the assessment at the end of the course can begin their bachelor's programme. Since who needs a Studienkolleg depends on the type of diploma, exam results and the target programme, this needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Language Requirements: German or English?

Most bachelor's programmes in Germany are taught in German, while the number of English-taught programmes is increasing every year, especially at master's level. The language you study in also directly determines the documents you need to prepare.

• German-taught programmes: The source lists TestDaF (4×4), DSH-2 and Goethe C1/C2 certificates as accepted documents.
• English-taught programmes: Our partner sources state IELTS 6.5 or above and a TOEFL range of 80–100+; some master's programmes expect IELTS 6.5–7.0+.
• German-taught master's: C1 level is generally required for these programmes.

If your language level has not yet reached these thresholds, an intensive language programme in Germany can speed up the process and help you get used to city life in advance.

Free Education and the Semester Contribution

Most public universities in Germany charge no tuition fees for bachelor's and master's degrees; students pay only a contribution known as the Semesterbeitrag each semester. This payment covers administrative services, student organisations and, in many cities, a public transport ticket. On the university pages in our partner sources, the semester contribution is shown as approximately €150–350 depending on the institution; for many universities in the northern and western states, this figure is given as ~€300–350.

There are two important exceptions to this general picture:

• Baden-Württemberg: The source states that universities in this state (such as Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, Tübingen, Freiburg and Mannheim) may charge non-EU students a tuition fee of approximately €1,500 per semester.
• Bavaria: The page of the technical university in Munich notes that, under recent regulations, a tuition fee varying by programme may apply to some English-taught master's programmes.

Visa, Blocked Account and Health Insurance

For Turkish citizens, studying at a university in Germany requires a student visa. The most frequently asked-about item in this process is the blocked account (Sperrkonto): a special account demonstrating that the student can cover a year's living costs, from which a set amount is released each month. In the source, this amount is given as approximately €11,208 with reference to 2024, and on the university pages as approximately €11,200. As the official amount is updated periodically, it must be confirmed before applying for the visa. In addition, valid health insurance is mandatory.

Work Permit and After Graduation

The university pages in our partner sources state that students may work 20 hours per week during their studies. A part-time job is valuable not only for covering part of your expenses but also for getting to know German work culture; however, it is important to keep these hours realistic when planning your course load. After graduation, the source reports that a right to look for work in Germany for up to 18 months is granted. Engineering, IT, automotive and healthcare are among the sectors offering the most opportunities during this period.

Cost of Living: Budget by City

Your choice of city is the biggest factor in your monthly budget in Germany. The ranges on the city and university pages in our partner sources roughly paint the following picture:

• Munich: Monthly rent €700–1,300, total monthly expenses €1,300–1,800; the highest range in the sources.
• Frankfurt and Düsseldorf: Monthly living costs of €1,000–1,400 and €950–1,400 respectively.
• Hamburg and Stuttgart: €900–1,300 per month on the city pages for both cities.
• Cologne and Karlsruhe: Total monthly budget of €800–1,200.
• Dresden, Hanover, Nuremberg and Augsburg: Between €750–1,100 and €800–1,100.
• Dortmund and Essen: Total monthly budget of €700–1,050.

While the city page gives €850–1,200 per month for Berlin, the pages of universities in Berlin mention a living cost range of €1,100–1,500; for the capital, we recommend considering both ranges together and budgeting cautiously. The breakdowns on the city pages also allow an additional €110–130 per month for health insurance. All amounts may change from term to term.

Application Calendar and File Preparation

The academic year in Germany is divided into two semesters, winter and summer. The application deadlines stated in our partner sources are as follows:

• Winter semester (starting in October): 15 July
• Summer semester (starting in April): 15 January

On the other hand, English-taught master's programmes may have deadlines well before these dates, sometimes closing between March and May. In addition, not every programme admits students in both semesters. Since the language exam, recognition assessment, blocked account and visa appointment are time-consuming steps, starting preparations several months in advance is the soundest approach. The application file usually includes the following:

• Translated diploma and transcript
• Placement document from ÖSYM
• A certificate demonstrating your language proficiency
• A motivation letter explaining why you chose this programme
• A CV, known as a Lebenslauf
• A reference letter for some programmes

Which City Should You Study In?

Germany's academic map is not tied to a single centre. Berlin, with Humboldt, Freie Universität and TU Berlin, offers a multicultural capital-city experience and has a strong startup ecosystem. Munich stands out with its long-established technical and medical institutions but is the most demanding option for your budget. Hamburg stands out for its port-city identity and climate research, Frankfurt for its proximity to the finance sector, and Stuttgart and Karlsruhe for their automotive and engineering ecosystems. The Rhine-Ruhr region, covering Cologne, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Essen and Leverkusen, offers numerous universities close to one another and relatively reasonable costs. Dresden, Hanover, Nuremberg and Augsburg are balanced alternatives for those seeking a quieter student life.

The source lists mechanical and industrial engineering, computer engineering and software, electrical and electronic engineering, medicine and health sciences, architecture, business administration and psychology among the popular programmes. Considering your choice of programme together with your choice of city directly affects both your chances of admission and your budget.

Recognition in Turkey

The recognition in Turkey of diplomas obtained abroad is assessed according to YÖK's current legislation. As summarised in the source, the 2024 regulation includes different concessions for universities ranked in the top 400 and top 1000 in world rankings, as well as YKS ranking requirements for fields such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and law (top 50,000, 80,000, 100,000 and 125,000 respectively). If there is a profession you plan to practise in Turkey, it is important to check the current rules before applying.

If you would like to clarify your goal of studying in Germany, match your programme with a city and build your application calendar together, you can speak with Weroglobal Student consultants.