How to study in Germany after 12th in 2025? A lot of international students decide to study in Germany when they are in class 12 itself. It is because Germany is a great study abroad destination. The country offers high-quality education and a welcoming study environment to students. In addition to these, there are several public universities in Germany that waive off the tuition fee too. Only the administrative fees need to be paid when each term begins.
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Germany is home to some of the top universities for international students. The country offers students ample educational and career prospects, a variety of courses and programs, rich cultural experiences, and unique living conditions. There are so many scholarships, grants, and financial aid available to reduce the financial burden for international students.
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The minimum percentage required for Germany after 12th is 90%. International students who wish to enrol themselves for undergraduate programs in Germany must secure at least 90% in class 12th. However, if you wish to do dual vocational programs, then you must score at least 60%. The German universities usually expect a student to be exceptional in academics for getting admission. Students may also need to complete at least one year of a bachelor’s program in India before applying for a German undergraduate course.
Here is a list of standard requirements for admission in Germany:
Application letters like essays and or personal statements as required by the university
Valid passport
Resume/CV
Proof of English language proficiency through TOEFL or IELTS
Do you want to study in Germany after 12th for free? Germany is one of the cheapest countries to study abroad for international students in 2025. Most of the state-funded universities here offer low or free education, while others waive off the tuition fee, and students only pay the administrative fees at the beginning of every semester.
The universities in Germany are often funded by the government but not necessarily regulated by the government. Hence, the individual universities decide their eligibility criteria, rules and regulations. So, it is always advisable for international students to go through the official websites of the universities to understand the specific eligibility criteria.
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German universities offer a wide range of courses to international students. Here is a list of the top undergraduate courses to pursue in Germany.
Field | Popular Courses | Top Universities |
Engineering | Mechanical, Automotive, Computer Sci | |
Business & Management | International Business, Finance | Mannheim, LMU, Frankfurt School |
Natural Sciences | Biotechnology, Physics, Biochemistry | Heidelberg, Freiburg, Göttingen |
Medicine | MBBS, Pharmacy, Nursing | Charité Berlin, Heidelberg, Freiburg |
Arts & Humanities | Fine Arts, Media, Literature | Berlin Arts, Tübingen |
If you want to study medicine in Germany, then you can choose from the following list of the most popular medical courses in 2025.
MBBS (Medicine)
Pharmacy
Nursing
Dentistry
Publich health
Biomedicine
These are some of the top engineering courses to pursue in Germany after 12th:
Mechanical engineering
Automotive engineering
Computer science engineering
Electrical engineering
Civil engineering
Robotics and mechatronics
There are several popular engineering colleges in Germany that offer these courses and either waive off or charge low tuition fees from international students. This is also one of the major reasons why students want to study engineering in Germany after 12th. Due to this, Germany is among the top countries to study engineering abroad.
There is a long list of diploma courses available in Germany for international students to do after 12th. Here are some of the most popular ones:
Diploma in leadership and management
Directing: Artist Folkwang Diploma
Diploma in Endodontics
Diploma in Facial Aesthetics Application
International Diploma in Brewing Technology
There are a number of advantages to study in Germany after 12th for Indian students, as compared to other countries. These include:
Germany has over 426 educational institutions, offering more than 19,000 programs and courses to students. Hence, students get a wide range of options to choose from when it comes to undergraduate studies.
There are a large number of English language-taught courses in Germany, which means that knowing German is not compulsory here. More than 160 English-language bachelor’s courses are listed in the DAAD database International Programme in Germany.
International students get placements from German universities. Germany has over 81.5% employability rate for university graduates, the second-highest in Europe. This means that the job market in Germany is strong, and students get job opportunities in renowned companies like Adidas, BMW, etc.
The cost of living in Germany is much more affordable as compared to other European countries, like France, the Netherlands, etc. This makes Germany an ideal place to live for international students.
Also Read: Upcoming Intakes in Germany 2025-2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No, it is not possible to study in Germany without NEET. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is a mandatory examination for every Indian student who studies medicine abroad. It is a guideline laid down by the Medical Council of India (MCI) that every Indian student must qualify NEET to be eligible for studying medicine abroad.
To be eligible for studying undergraduate programs in Germany after 12th, it is important that candidates meet certain criteria. Different german institutions expect the candidate to secure 90% in their 12th-grade examination.
Yes, you can study in Germany after 12th. There are over 426 higher educational institutions in Germany that offer world-class education opportunities to students. There are over 106 universities, 16 theology colleges, 6 teacher-training schools in Germany, and more.
Yes, it is possible to study in Germany with 60% overall; however, it is mandatory for you to score at least 90% in the relevant subject. German universities follow their own cutoffs, rules and regulations. Hence, it is important to meet these requirements to get admission.
If you study in private universities in Germany, then the total cost incurred would be within the range of 10,000 euros per year to 20,000 euros per year, depending on which degree you choose. While you wouldn’t have to pay tuition fees for public universities, there are other expenses like living costs, etc. that need to be considered.
On Question asked by student community
Hello aspirant,
Indeed, even if you have health insurance from India, you may still need to get German health insurance because everyone in Germany is required to have it, and Indian insurance isn't often accepted as enough by German requirements. You will require a German policy for your visa, university enrollment, and extended stay; your Indian insurance is merely a temporary fix for the first few months of your trip.
Thank you
Hello ,
Yes , It's possible to study B arch in Germany for free since most public universities don't charge tution fees but you need to meet certain requirements. A strong portfolio and you will have to show proficiency in the German language by passing exam like TestDaH or DSH.
Some universities conduct an aptitude test or interview to evaluate your understanding of architecture before granting an admission.
Thank you
Hello,
Yes, you can definitely pursue B.Sc. and an M.Sc. in Physics from IISc Bengaluru and then later aim for your Ph.D. (Doctorate) at Technical University of Berlin (TUB), Germany.
Choosing, the Physics programme from IISC has a strong international reputation, and its degree is well-recognized globally, including in German universities. After completing your M.Sc., you can apply for Ph.D. positions in TUB or any other German institutes through programs like DAAD scholarships or direct university applications.
ALL THE BEST.
1. TUM (Munich) – Engineering, Computer Science
2. LMU (Munich) – Medicine, Humanities
3. Heidelberg University – Medicine, Life Sciences
4. Humboldt University (Berlin) – Humanities, Social Sciences
5. KIT (Karlsruhe) – Engineering, Natural Sciences
6. RWTH Aachen – Engineering
7. University of Freiburg – Environmental Science
8. University of Stuttgart – Engineering, Automotive
9. Free University of Berlin – Political Science, Medicine
10. University of Mannheim – Business, Economics
These universities offer affordable or tuition-free education for international students.
Hello,
yes you can study for a bachelor's degree in Germany, as your diploma in nautical science may be considered equivalent to the 12th year for admission purposes. However each university may have specific requirements, so its important to check their entry criteria you might also need to provide additional documentation, like your diplomas' equivalency to German standards.
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