How to Apply for MS in Germany: Know Requirements and Admission Process

With more than 60% of English-taught tuition-free master's courses and practice-orientated studies, Germany is one of the leading countries to pursue postgraduate studies abroad. Hence, students always look forward to know how to apply for MS in Germany. So, the application process for a masters in Germany includes selecting the university and applying accordingly by checking the entry requirements, intakes, and admission deadlines.

This Story also Contains

1. MS in Germany: Highlights
2. How to Apply for MS in Germany?
3. MS Courses Fees in Germany

Moreover, the top countries from which international students in Germany are India and China. The majority of the popular masters ourses in Germany for Indian students include STEM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and language courses. Hence, applying for a Masters in Germany for International Students is appealing due to its rich cultural experience and strong job opportunities in the German economy.

Read the article to delve into the more detailed information about how to apply for MS in Germany including the top universities, entry requirements, document checklist, and others.

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MS in Germany: Highlights

How to Apply for MS in Germany?

Prospective students planning to study MS in Germany must be aware of the application process. So, how to Apply for a Masters in Germany? Here, we have provided a step-by-step guide to apply for Masters in Germany for Indian students.

Step 1) Research MS Universities in Germany

It is one of the crucial and first steps to research prestigious private and public universities in Germany for masters to apply for postgraduate degrees. They must inquire about the rankings, courses offered, and dual masters options in these universities as a starter pack. There are two main admission intakes in Germany: Summer (April) and Winter (September/October) for international students. Students must apply for a Masters in Germany accordingly that is at least 3-4 months prior to the admission cycle.

Here, we have listed some of the top 10 universities in Germany for Masters along with their QS rankings 2025 in the world. These universities are renowned for their top master's courses in Germany. Students can research in depth about these universities to apply for masters in Germany.

Top 10 universities in Germany for Masters

Step 2) Check Deadlines for MS in Germany

After shortlisting the MS universities in Germany, one must check the application deadlines as per the intake which is either April or September. Students must visit the university’s websites to know the exact application timeline for the master's courses.

One must also note that some educational institutions in Germany may have different application deadlines for different courses. Here, we have listed the summer and winter deadlines for some of the best masters universities in Germany:

Application deadlines for main intakes in Germany

Step 3) Comply with Eligibility requirements

Certain entry requirements must be met by international students to apply for masters in Germany. However, these may differ as per the masters programme in Germany and the selected university. So, some of the common eligibility criteria that must be satisfied by Indian students are mentioned below:

Bachelor's Degree: Typically, international students must have a 4-year bachelor's degree in the relevant field of studies for a taught-postgraduate degree and a research-based master's degree in Germany. Generally, it is recommended to achieve high GPAs (more than 75%) to secure admission to the top institutions.

Standardised Test Requirement: For a majority of MS universities in Germany, GRE or GMAT scores are not mandatory. However, a few of the universities may require these scores as optional requirements for MS in Germany for Indian students.

German Language Requirements: Indian students may be required to demonstrate their German command via acceptable tests such as TestDaF or DSH. This is a mandatory requirement for German-taught courses; however, it is not required for English-taught courses.

English Language Requirements: Indian students are required to show their English proficiency through acceptable tests such as IELTS or TOEFL. It is a mandatory requirement to apply for MS in Germany.

Work Experience: Some German universities may require international students to have a relevant work experience of 2-4 years in the related field of studies before applying for MS in Germany. Generally, it is mandatory for research-based masters.

Interview Screening: There may be a requirement for international students to appear for an interview screening and pass the test to be eligible to apply to MS courses in Germany.

Supporting Documents: There may be a requirement to submit academic transcripts, essays, LORs, motivational letters, SOPs, resumes, and other documents to support their applications for MS courses in Germany.

Step 4) Gather documents required for MS in Germany

It is one of the vital elements while applying for a masters in Germany. International students are required to present the original eligibility documents as a part of the application process for MS in Germany.

Documents Checklist to apply for MS courses in Germany

• Academic transcripts

• Valid Passport

• IELTS or TOEFL scores

• TestDaF or DSH scores

• SOPs

• Resume

• Motivation letters

• LORs

• Work experience proof

• Entrance exam scores

• Financial support documents

Step 5) Fill out an application form

This step requires international students to start the application process for MS in Germany in a complete sense. They are required to fill out an online or offline application form as provided by the selected MS university. One must fill it out with the correct academic information and attach all the eligibility documents along with it.

Step 6) Submit it with the relevant application fees

Now, students are required to submit the application form in the MS university in Germany that interests them. It must be submitted at the university-defined mode of communication. Students can generally apply via the following ways:

• University’s official website

• University admission portal

• Common application platform

• School’s Email

• Post Mail

Moreover, students are also required to pay the relevant application fees if applicable along with the complete application form. Generally, it is free to apply for MS in Germany.

Step 7) Wait for MS admission in Germany

Once, the application form is submitted, international students must wait for the university's decision. If the institute accepts the application, it will notify the student via email or the university portal.

Step 8) Get Health Insurance

Health insurance is a compulsory requirement for international students in Germany. All international students must have access to necessary health insurance. They can either get a public health insurance or a private health insurance. Generally, international students applying for MS in Germany under the age of 30 apply for public health insurance and above 30 applies for private ones.

Some of the famous health insurance providers are:

• Public: BKK firmus, hkk Krankenkasse, Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), BKK ProVita

• Private: Allianz Private Krankenversicherung, ARAG Krankenversicherung, AXA Krankenversicherung

Step 9) Apply for a German Student Visa

On receiving the acceptance letter and healthcare, one must apply for a German student visa to legally study in the country during the intended duration of the course of study. Students must apply to obtain a German study visa by contacting the nearby German Embassy or Consulate. Ideally, one must obtain a visa 3 months prior to the admission cycle.

MS Courses Fees in Germany

International students are required to plan financially for expenses such as tuition fees, living costs as well as other costs associated with it like travel, etc. Hence, they wonder about the cost of studying in Germany for MS. The average cost of a master's degree in Germany is around Rs 10,00,000 to Rs 20,00,000/year. However, Germany is known for its free education at public German universities.

A few of the top universities offering the best Master's degree in Germany for international students at zero tuition fees are mentioned below:

• RWTH Aachen University

• Technical University of Munich

• Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

• University of Cologne

• Heidelberg University

• University of Stuttgart

• University of Freiburg

• University of Hamburg

• Humboldt University of Berlin