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Overview of Study Programmes in Germany

Germany’s higher education landscape is broad and diverse, offering something for nearly every interest and academic background. Both public and private universities provide programmes at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. These institutions range from large research universities to practice-oriented universities of applied sciences. Understanding what’s available and how the options differ can help you make a more informed decision about your academic future in Germany.

What Study Programmes Are Available in Germany?

Germany offers a diverse range of study programmes to suit nearly every academic interest. Whether you're passionate about engineering, art, business, or medicine, you'll find a programme that fits your goals. International students can enrol in undergraduate (Bachelor’s), postgraduate (Master’s), and doctoral (PhD) programmes at public and private universities, universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen), and colleges of art, film, and music.

In addition to traditional full-time degrees, Germany also provides flexible study formats like part-time learning, distance education, and work-integrated learning.

Understanding Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programmes

Each level of study in Germany, like other countries, builds on the one before and is designed to prepare students for academic, research, or professional careers. The terminology used may differ slightly depending on where you come from, so here's a quick breakdown to clarify:

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Types of Study Programmes in Germany

In addition to a wide range of academic disciplines, Germany offers various types of study formats. These allow students to choose how they want to study, whether it’s full-time on campus, part-time while working, or through a short-term exchange programme. Understanding the different options can help you align your education with your personal circumstances and career goals.

Full-Time Degree Programmes

These are the most common types of study options for international students. Full-time degree programmes require students to attend regular lectures, seminars, and exams over the course of a semester. They offer an immersive university experience and are available at nearly all higher education institutions. Most international students opt for full-time programmes, especially when coming to Germany on a student visa.

The standard period of study for a full-time bachelor’s programme is 6 semesters (or more, depending on the programme) and the standard period of study for the master’s programmes is 4 semesters.

Part-Time Degree Programmes

In part-time study programmes, you can study and still work full-time. In many cases, you can find companies that are willing to take over the full or parts of the study fees (if applicable, especially relevant for programmes at private universities). These programmes will likely be more demanding than normal full-time study programmes since you must work and study at the same time and will have to invest lots of your evenings and Saturdays into lectures and studying in general. The benefit, of course, is, that you can earn money during your studies, gather work experience, and still get a degree at roughly the same time as other students (this also depends on the pace you choose for your studies).

The standard period of study for the bachelor’s degree in this setup is up to 10 semesters, while the standard period of study for the master’s degrees is up to 8 semesters.

Dual Study Programmes (Combine Study and Work)

Duales Studium (Dual System/Studies) allows you to work and study at the same time. For this to work, you need to find a company that offers such a programme. The companies also often take over the full or at least parts of the study fees, which especially comes in handy if you study at a private university.

The setup of those programmes is usually that you have “blocks” of university and work. This means that you go to university for e.g. 10 weeks full-time and then go back to working for 12 weeks full-time. One block of 10 weeks then represents one semester. This setup allows you to gather work experience in the field you would like to work in and earn some money. However, it is worth to mention that these programmes are quite popular and that you should apply in due time to find a company.

The standard period of study for a bachelor’s degree in the dual system is 6 semesters and can be extended to up to 9 semesters, while the standard period of study for a Master’s degree is 4 semesters and can be extended to up to 6 semesters.

Distance Learning Programmes

In today’s rapidly developing world, distance learning is becoming more and more important. Germany also offers this option. Admission to distance learning is not fundamentally different from the usual in terms of the list of required documents. All learning materials and assignments are usually sent to students by email or accessible via the university’s online platform, and students can send the assignments back to the professors along with any questions one may have during the self-study. Exams are usually written at the university, but there may be exceptions. Therefore, you should always double-check with your university.

While not all universities offer part-time options, distance learning is available through institutions such as FernUniversität in Hagen, Germany’s largest university for distance learning. On the Hochschulkompass website, you are able to see various degree programmes offered on distance learning by German universities.

Exchange and Short-Term Study Options

If you’re looking for a shorter academic experience in Germany, there are plenty of exchange and short-term options. These programmes allow students to study in Germany for a semester or two without completing a full degree. They are ideal for those who want to gain international experience or explore German academic life before committing long term.

Erasmus+ and Other International Mobility Programmes

Erasmus+ is a well-known EU programme that supports international student exchanges. It allows students from partner universities to study in Germany for one or two semesters. Non-EU students can also benefit from other bilateral exchange agreements their home universities may have with German institutions.

Summer Schools and Short-Term Academic Programmes

German universities regularly host summer and winter schools, intensive courses lasting a few weeks that cover specific topics. These are great opportunities to experience studying in Germany, explore academic interests, and network with students from around the world. Many are taught in English and include cultural and social activities.

Preparatory and Foundation Programmes (Studienkolleg)

If your secondary school qualification isn’t recognised as equivalent to the German Abitur, you may need to complete Studienkolleg, a one-year preparatory course, before starting your bachelor’s programme. These foundation courses help international students meet academic and language requirements for university admission in Germany.

Studienkollegs offer subject-specific tracks such as:

• T-Kurs: for technical and engineering subjects
• M-Kurs: for medicine and biology
• W-Kurs: for business and economics
• G-Kurs: for humanities

Admission to a Studienkolleg usually involves a good command of German and an entrance exam.

Popular Fields of Study in Germany

Germany’s academic strengths lie in a variety of fields that align with global demand and innovation. Here are some of the most popular choices among international students, along with reasons why they stand out.

Engineering and Technical Programmes

Engineering is one of the most popular degree programmes among international students. The reason for this is the well-known high quality and advanced educational methods of German universities. Regardless of the engineering programme you want to study (mechanical, aeronautical, chemical, civil, electrical engineering, etc.), you will have plenty of room for practice because the aim of the university is to make a qualified engineer out of every student.

Almost every public university in Germany offers engineering studies. However, the universities, which considered to be the best for such programmes are Technical Universities. So, if you are going to apply for an engineering programme, you better choose a Technical University.

For a better search, you can use one of the following websites that will help you find the most suitable university for you. On the DAAD website or Hochschulkompass, for example, you can search by various categories, such as the programme itself, the federal state, the degree you want, or if you only know the field of your interests, you can enter it in the keyword section and the system will show you all the matching results.

Another useful website for keeping track of university rankings is the QS Ranking website. There you can compare specific universities according to their rankings in general and according to the degree programme you are interested in. In our article about the top German private and public universities, you can also find more information.

Medical and Health Sciences

Healthcare in Germany means the highest level of medical technology, the professionalism of specialists, significant funding for research and development and a large number of public and private clinics. Many people go to Germany for both treatment and studies.

Medical education in Germany is one of the most popular fields of study not only among German students but also among international students. The number of available places at universities is limited and the high demand of students for this course of study leads to the highest competition rate.

To be admitted to study medicine at a German university, you should have excellent grades, a German language certificate with at least C1 level and, of course, the best results in the Studienkolleg Feststellungsprüfung. The study programme lasts on average 12 semesters (i.e. 6 years), but not everyone manages this deadline and therefore many students extend their studies by a few semesters more.

Business, Economics, and Management

According to the Times Higher Education Ranking 2025, six German universities are in the top 100 business universities in the world. German business schools offer a wide range of bachelor’s and master’s degrees in areas like international business, finance, marketing, and management. Many are available in English, especially at the master’s level, and often include internship opportunities.

In order to be admitted to the bachelor’s programme, you must have the language certificates for German and English, your grades should be on par with the university requirements and, of course, uni-assist will check you for admission eligibility. Some universities also conduct a short interview to decide whether you can be admitted to the degree programme. We, therefore, recommend that you always check the universities’ current admission requirements.

Computer Science and IT

Computer science and IT programmes have grown rapidly in popularity among international students—and for good reason. Germany is a hub for innovation and technology, with a strong digital economy and a thriving startup scene. The country offers world-class education in areas like software engineering, artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, robotics, and more. Many of these programmes are offered in English, making them highly accessible to international students.

What makes studying computer science in Germany particularly attractive is the balance between theoretical foundations and practical application. Universities place a strong emphasis on real-world experience, often integrating internships, project work, and partnerships with companies into the curriculum. This not only strengthens your academic profile but also improves your employability after graduation.

Most public universities in Germany offer computer science degrees at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. If you're aiming for a more research-oriented path, traditional universities are ideal. However, if you're more interested in hands-on learning and industry-related experience, universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen) may be a better fit.

Social Sciences and Humanities

If you have a great passion for reading, writing, and discussing, it is quite likely that one of the programmes associated with the humanities, such as political science, philosophy, linguistics, etc. is the right one for you. In most cases, undergraduate programmes offer major and minor subjects. This makes the degree even more interesting, as students can choose which minor programme they want to study and further diversify their expertise in their field of studies.

Programmes in the field of humanities include work-related activities, semesters abroad, research projects or internships, which gives students the opportunity to gain experience for their future careers.

The general requirements for taking up a social sciences or humanities degree programme at German universities are basically language skills (both German and English) at an advanced level and the university entrance qualification certificate.