Postgraduate study in Germany

The German education system offers thousands of degree programmes at more than 300 institutions. You can take a research-orientated programme at a university, a more vocational course at a Fachhochschule (university of applied science), or an artistic programme at one of the colleges of art, film or music. Many programmes are offered by all three types of institution.

The German education system

The traditional German degree structure awards students either a Magister or Diplom and these qualifications are usually seen as being equivalent to a Masters degree in Ireland and Northern Ireland. They are taught in German and take an average of four to five years to complete: many German graduates looking for their first job are in their mid-twenties. 

However, Germany now also runs a two-cycle Bachelor/Master system similar to that of Ireland and Northern Ireland. This means that it is now easier for graduates with a primary degree from Northern Ireland or the Republic to study a Masters qualification in Germany. Many of these courses are taught in English in conjunction with a German language course. You can also undertake a doctoral programme: many international students complete research in Germany, particularly in the sciences.

Applying for your course

To apply for a Masters, apply directly to the university course administrator for that specific course. For the Magister or Diplom you apply to the international office (Akademisches Auslandsamt) of the appropriate university. They will tell you how your primary degree is recognised in relation to the German qualification, how much your course counts for and how much further study you would need to complete to gain the German qualification. This varies according to your choice of modules and your results. 

To apply for a doctorate, contact the international office of the university to which you want to apply. You will usually require good results in a Masters.

Always check the language requirements of specific courses and universities before applying. To study the Masters courses in English there is usually no need to pass a German language test, although for courses taught in German you will need to. More information about the test can be found at www.testdaf.de. As there are TESTDAF centres all around the world, you can usually complete this before going to Germany.

Fees and funding

Each federal state has its own policy on charging tuition fees, and at what level, but many now charge for the Magister/Diplom as well as for Masters courses. An average fee is around €500 per semester and universities also charge a ‘semester fee’ of around €50–250. At some universities the fee includes a ‘semester ticket’, which allows you to use public transport in your university town free of charge. 

Information about scholarship for international students can be found at http://www.daad.de. Further details about studying in Germany can be found at http://www.highereducation-compass.deand www.staufenbiel.de. Student living costs in Germany are among the lowest in the EU. 

Katie James is a Senior Information Officer at the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

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