Learn More

7 reasons why you should study in Germany

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Updated on: 16 July 2025

7 reasons why you should study in Germany

Key Takeaways

Public universities in Germany offer virtually no tuition fees, making it an affordable option for international students.

Read more

Graduates benefit from strong job opportunities and pathways to work visas and permanent residency.
Read more

Students can earn money during their studies through part-time jobs.

Read more

German universities attract students worldwide, fostering multicultural learning.

Read more

Many courses, especially at the master’s level, are offered entirely in English, reducing language barriers.

Read more

Germany’s central location in Europe allows easy travel to neighbouring countries.

Read more

Students can enjoy numerous festivals, cultural activities, and vibrant city life.

Read more

Specific pathways like the A Level German Pathway and German Educare’s university preparation programmes facilitate entry.

When people think about studying abroad, they often mention countries like the UK, the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Singapore. If you’re reading this, you’re probably still deciding where to study. While those places are popular, Germany is definitely worth considering.

You might have some concerns, like:

  • Is German a difficult language to learn?
  • Does it take too long to become fluent in German?
  • Are German universities hard to get into?
  • Is Germany too far from home?
  • What if I don’t have family there?
  • How does currency exchange affect me?
  • Are German universities as prestigious as those in other countries?

In this article, we’ll go over 7 reasons why you should study in Germany.

7 Benefits of studying in Germany

Studying in Germany offers numerous advantages, including tuition-free education, access to world-class institutions, and globally recognised degrees. Below are the top reasons why Germany should be your top destination for higher education.

1. Tuition-Free Education

Free education? Excellent. You are a savvy, intrepid individual who knows how to get the best out of life.

Source: dw.com. From the original article titled “10 things to know before studying in Germany”.

In many countries, tuition fees can be sky-high, but Germany is one of the few places that offers education for free—even for international students. Of course, some costs do apply, such as student fees and living expenses, but tuition is free at most public universities. In some parts of Germany, like Baden-Württemberg, non-EU students may pay about €3,000 per year, but that’s still a great deal compared to other countries.

The graph below compares the total cost to study at top universities in Germany against other popular study destinations.

cost to study at top universities

Source: Compilation by OCBC Bank

You might think that “free” education means lower quality, but that’s not the case in Germany. The country is known for its high-quality education.

So, imagine studying at a world-class university without worrying about expensive tuition fees. Sounds like a great deal, right?

study for free in Germany

2. Great Job Opportunities After Graduation

Nearly 50 percent of all visitors from abroad remain in the country after their degree, paying taxes and providing the labor market with skilled workers.

Source: nbcnews.com. From the original article titled “Why American Students Are Flocking to Germany — and Staying”

After you finish your degree in Germany, you can apply for a job-seeking visa, which lets you stay in the country for up to 18 months while you search for a job. As a global economic leader, Germany has plenty of job openings in big companies like BMW, Siemens and Daimler.

Also, many German universities focus on practical training, so you’ll not only learn theory but also gain hands-on experience that employers value. If you speak German, you’ll have even more job options, especially in German-speaking countries like Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg.

3. Earn Money While Studying

Students are permitted to work up to 140 full days or 280 half-days per year

Source: make-it-in-germany.com.

Starting Jan 2025, Germany raised its minimum wage to €12.82 per hour, which is great for students. Many students work part-time jobs to help cover their living costs. If you work around 20 hours per week, you can earn up to €960 a month.

On-campus jobs like being a student assistant or a librarian are popular because they often have flexible hours. If you prefer something outside, jobs in cafes or restaurants are a good way to improve your German and meet new people. Just remember, working part-time won’t likely cover all your expenses, so plan accordingly.

4. Study with International Students

No lazy student would take the bold initiative of going to an ‘unknown’ country, so the mere application and selection process acts as a filter to retain only the most engaged, challenged and enthusiastic students.

Source: telegraph.co.uk. From the original article titled “Why British students are heading to Germany”

Germany attracts students from all over the world, which creates a vibrant, multicultural environment. Studying alongside motivated and ambitious students will inspire you and broaden your perspective. It’s not easy to leave your home country to study abroad, but doing so will help you grow personally and academically.

5. English-Taught Programmes

In fact, German universities have drastically increased all-English classes to more than 1,150 programmes across many fields.

Source: bbc.com. From the original article titled “How US students get a university degree for free in Germany”

If you’re worried about the German language, don’t be! Many universities offer English-taught programmes, especially for Master’s degrees, and more Bachelor’s programmes are starting to offer classes in English, too.

Even if you don’t speak German when you arrive, you can still get by in most academic settings. Many universities also offer free German lessons for students, so you’ll have the chance to learn the language while you study.

6. Travel Around Europe

Most universities also include a free city-wide travel ticket as part of the registration fees.

Source: theguardian.com. From the original article titled “What’s it like to study in Germany?”

Studying in Germany means you’re in the perfect spot to explore Europe! With its central location, you can easily travel to nearby countries like Switzerland, Austria, or the Czech Republic—often in just a few hours.

Germany also offers affordable travel options for students, including city-wide travel cards that let you explore the area for little to no extra cost. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to visit new places, try new foods, and experience different cultures during your time abroad.

7. Fun Festivals and Activities

Truly, there is no experience like it in the world, and it’s something that I believe everyone needs to experience once in their lives.

Source: happytowander.com/things-to-do-in-germany/. From the original article titled “31 Amazingly Unique Things to do in Germany”

Germany is full of exciting events all year round. Whether you’re into books, art, engineering, or beer, there’s a festival for you. For example, you can visit the Frankfurt Book Fair if you love reading, or check out Oktoberfest if you’re a fan of beer.

And if you’re into sports, especially football (soccer), you’ll feel right at home! Germany is a country that loves its sports, and you’ll find plenty of local clubs and activities to join.

Picture of a German football fan

How to study in Germany?

Applying to a German university can be rather complicated and as such, many students engage services such as those offered by German Educare. Nonetheless, here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1

Research the best courses to study in Germany and choose the university that aligns with your academic and career goals. Malaysia students can kick-start their journey with several pathways offered by German Educare, such as the

Step 2

Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for the course you want. This will be based on your academic qualifications and German language proficiency.

Step 3

Familiarise yourself with Germany student visa requirements and apply well ahead of time. However, this can be rather daunting if you’re not familiar with the process. As such, German Educare includes student visa application as part of their programmes so that students do not need to do this on their own.

Our team at German Educare will be able to assist you in beginning your journey to study in Germany, from learning the language, applying for the course you want, to getting settled in when you arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Yes, many international students who graduate from a German university are eligible for a German work visa and, after a certain period of employment, can apply for Permanent Residency (PR).

To study at a German university, international students must have completed a recognised pre-university qualification, such as A Level or STPM, and meet the German university admission requirements.

Germany is known for its tuition-free education at public universities, but there may be small fees for administrative purposes. Living expenses vary depending on the city, but on average, students should budget between €850 and €1,000 per month for accommodation, food, transport and insurance.

To apply for a German student visa, you need to provide proof of university admission, sufficient financial resources to support your stay, valid health insurance, and a completed visa application. The process also includes showing proof of language proficiency (depending on the course language).

Germany offers excellent programmes across various fields, including engineering, architecture, computer science, and business. The country is particularly renowned for its high-quality engineering courses and has a strong demand for professionals in engineering and computer science.

Yes, many German universities offer master’s programmes taught entirely in English. While knowledge of German can enhance your experience and career prospects in Germany, it’s not always a requirement for master’s degrees in Germany that are offered in English.

To study engineering in Germany, you need to have a recognised pre-university qualification such as A Levels or STPM, strong proficiency in the German language (or English if applying for an English-taught course), and meet the specific German university admission requirements for engineering programmes.

The best city for international students in Germany depends on your personal preferences, but some cities include Berlin, Munich, Heidelberg, and Frankfurt. These cities offer vibrant student life, numerous cultural activities, and proximity to top universities. Nonetheless, universities that are located is smaller cities also have its advantages.

Student life in Germany is vibrant and diverse. International students enjoy a mix of academics, cultural exchange, and numerous social activities. You can explore Germany’s rich history, attend university events, join student clubs, and experience an excellent public transportation system.

Choosing the right country to study in is a big decision. You’ll spend several years of your life there, so it’s important to pick a place that feels right. We hope these 7 reasons help you see why Germany could be an excellent choice for your studies.

And if you want to learn how we help students like you study in Germany, click the button below to see an overview of the preparation programmes we have designed.

Learn more
error: