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Last modified: 2026-09-24

# English-Taught Degrees in Germany: Bachelor's, Master's, Costs and Work After Graduation (2026–2027)

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You can study in Germany in English at every level, but the choice depends heavily on the level. According to the German Rectors' Conference (HRK), English is the main language of 2,383 of 22,426 programmes in winter semester 2025/26: 1,944 master's and other graduate programmes, but only 439 first-degree programmes. Most public universities charge no tuition; the exceptions are Baden-Württemberg ($1,712, or €1,500, per semester for non-EU students), TUM ($2,282–3,423 per semester for bachelor's and $4,564–6,847 for master's) and Hochschule München ($571–799). An English-taught programme does not change the entry rule for bachelor's degrees: if your school certificate does not give direct access, you still need a Studienkolleg (taught in German) or a year of university study at home.

This is an overview for all levels: who the English route suits after school and after a first degree, where to find programmes, what English level is required, what study costs and whether you can stay to work. If you have already settled on a master's, go straight to our detailed guide to a [master's in Germany in English](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-germany-in-english), which covers searching by field, GRE and GMAT, application deadlines and building a final shortlist.

Atrium of the Mathematics and Informatics building of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) with its parabolic slides, Garching campus, Germany. Photo: Robot8A / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TUM_MI_slides.jpg), [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

## How many English-taught programmes are there? {#section-1}

| Winter semester | 2018/19 | 2025/26 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| All programmes with English as main language | 1,405 (7.2%) | 2,383 (10.6%) |
| First degrees (bachelor's and state-examination programmes) | 227 | 439 (3.7% of all first-degree programmes) |
| Master's and other graduate programmes | 1,178 | 1,944 (18.2%) |

Almost one master's programme in five is taught in English, so there is real choice. At bachelor's level English options are scarce: most popular first degrees at public universities remain German-taught, and medicine and law, which end in a German state examination, are taught only in German.

## Who the English route suits {#section-2}

| Your profile | English route | What to watch |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Four-year bachelor's in a related field, English B2–C1 | Good fit | Match your credits to the programme, meet early deadlines |
| School leaver without German, certificate without direct access | Difficult | Public Studienkollegs teach in German; a year at university at home or a private university is more realistic |
| School leaver whose certificate gives direct access | Possible | Search the short list of English-taught bachelor's programmes |
| You want to work in Germany after graduating | Good, with German | Without German, job and internship options narrow |
| You need medicine or law with a German licence | Not suitable | These programmes are taught in German |

## English-taught bachelor's degrees: the catch {#section-3}

The issue is not the programme language but the status of your school certificate. Germany checks, via the anabin database, whether your certificate gives direct access; for many countries, including Russia and Kazakhstan with 11 years of schooling, it does not. The rule applies equally to German- and English-taught programmes. Options:

- A year of university at home. After a successful first year in a related subject, direct access usually opens, and no German is needed for an English-taught programme.
- Studienkolleg. Public colleges teach and examine only in German, so this route still requires a German certificate. See our [Studienkolleg guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-studienkolleg-germany).
- A private university with its own foundation route. Private universities set their own entry rules and often teach entirely in English. Before paying, check that the university is state-recognised (staatlich anerkannt) and compare its conditions with the anabin assessment of your certificate.

Our [bachelor's guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-bachelors-in-germany) explains which route fits which certificate.

### Which institutions and fields offer English-taught bachelor's degrees

English-taught bachelor's degrees are concentrated at universities of applied sciences and in three subject groups. In September 2026 the DAAD International Programmes database listed 237 bachelor's programmes taught only in English: 172 at universities of applied sciences (Hochschule, Fachhochschule) and 63 at research universities. According to the database, 115 charge no tuition; the rest are fee-paying, most often at private institutions.

| Subject group | English-only bachelor's programmes |
| --- | --- |
| Economics, management and law | 93 |
| Engineering | 88 |
| Mathematics, computing and natural sciences | 68 |
| Humanities and social sciences | 23 |
| Languages and cultural studies | 20 |
| Art, music and design | 19 |
| Agriculture and forestry | 8 |
| Medicine and health sciences | 5 |

A programme can belong to several groups, so the total exceeds 237. Future economists, engineers and computer scientists have real options; for humanities or medicine almost everything is in German. How universities of applied sciences differ from research universities is explained in our guide to [universities of applied sciences in Germany](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-of-applied-sciences-germany).

## English-taught master's degrees: the essentials {#section-4}

After a bachelor's, English becomes the main route: almost one master's programme in five is taught in English. Three things usually decide an application.

- How well your degree matches the programme. The committee counts credits in core subjects. Applications via uni-assist often require a preliminary review (VPD).
- Deadlines for non-EU applicants. They are often earlier than the familiar 15 July. At RWTH, for example, non-EU applicants to open-admission master's programmes apply by 1 March for a winter start.
- Tests. You need an English certificate from the university's list and, for some programmes, mainly in business and economics, the GRE or GMAT.

How to search for master's programmes, which tests each field expects and how to hit the deadlines is covered in detail in our guide to a [master's in Germany in English](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-germany-in-english).

If you are comparing major technical universities, see our profiles of [TUM](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-tum), [RWTH Aachen](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-rwth-aachen-university) and [LMU Munich](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-lmu-munchen).

## Where to find programmes and how to check the language {#section-5}

Two official tools cover nearly everything:

- HRK Hochschulkompass: all public and state-recognised universities; filter by main language of instruction.
- DAAD International Programmes database: internationally oriented programmes with requirements and deadlines. Note for Russian citizens: since February 2026 DAAD has been on Russia's list of undesirable organisations, so the Hochschulkompass, which covers all public and recognised universities, is the safer tool.

What to check in each programme:

- Language of every module. Some programmes include German-taught electives, labs or internships. Read the module handbook (Modulhandbuch), not just the marketing page.
- Which English certificates are accepted. Universities keep closed lists.
- Fees. The same programme can be free for EU citizens and fee-paying for others.
- Who receives the application. The university directly or uni-assist; see our [uni-assist guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-german-universities-uni-assist).

## What English level you need: the TUM example {#section-6}

Each programme sets its own bar. As a benchmark, TUM's minimums for English-taught programmes:

| Certificate | TUM minimum | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| IELTS Academic or IELTS Online Academic | 6.5 | One Skill Retake accepted with a complete new Test Report Form |
| TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition) | 88 | Test Date Score only, MyBest not accepted; TOEFL ITP not accepted |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) or C2 Proficiency (CPE) | Grade A, B or C | Upload the certificate |
| PTE Academic (including online) | 65 | Verified online by the university |

Instead of a test, TUM accepts proof that your previous studies were in English, for example if at least half of your bachelor's programme was taught in English. School grades in English do not count for master's admission. For some TUM programmes, English is assessed during the aptitude procedure and no certificate is needed at application. Check the programme page.

## What it costs {#section-7}

| Option | Tuition | Other costs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Public university in most states | 0 | Semester contribution, e.g. Hamburg, winter 2026/27: $459 (€402) |
| Public university in Baden-Württemberg | $1,712 (€1,500) per semester for non-EU students | Semester contribution |
| Hochschule München (applied sciences), non-EU/EEA students enrolling from 2026/27 | $571 (€500) per semester for bachelor's, $799 (€700) for master's | Semester contribution |
| TUM, bachelor's, new non-EU students | usually $2,282 or $3,423 (€2,000 or €3,000) per semester | Semester contribution; attending a Studienkolleg does not exempt you; one-off TUM grants of $571–2,054 (€500–1,800) per semester |
| TUM, master's, new non-EU students | usually $4,564 or $6,847 (€4,000 or €6,000) per semester | Semester contribution |
| Private university, e.g. Constructor University (Bremen), bachelor's 2026/27 | $11,411 (€10,000) per semester | Place in a shared double room on campus $2,157 (€1,890) per semester, plus meals and fees |

Living costs come on top. For a student visa you show $13,584 (€11,904) per year, usually in a blocked account; see our [blocked account guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-blocked-account-germany) and our overview of [tuition-free study in Germany](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-free-university-education-germany).

TUM waives master's tuition for students who completed their bachelor's at TUM and for graduates of German degrees lasting at least six semesters. If you plan both degrees in Germany, factor this in.

## Scholarships {#section-8}

Tuition-free study and a scholarship are different things. Realistic options:

- Deutschlandstipendium: $342 (€300) a month, open to all nationalities at public and state-recognised universities, independent of income; the university selects.
- University grants. TUM, for example, awards one-off grants of $571–2,054 (€500–1,800) per semester to fee-paying students, based on performance and financial need; the grant is credited against tuition rather than paid out.
- DAAD programmes. Eligibility, deadlines and amounts depend on the programme and your country; see the DAAD scholarship database or our guide to [scholarships in Germany and DAAD](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-in-germany-daad). Russian citizens should note that DAAD has been on Russia's list of undesirable organisations since February 2026.

A scholarship counts towards proof of funds only if it covers at least $1,132 (€992) a month. See our overview of [scholarships abroad in 2026](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-abroad-2026).

## MBA and doctoral study in English {#section-9}

MBAs and other fee-based professional programmes are offered by public and private universities, usually require work experience and charge fees regardless of nationality. Compare accreditation, total cost and whether the degree is awarded by a state-recognised institution.

Doctorates. The language of research and the thesis is set by your supervisor and the faculty's doctoral regulations. Structured programmes and research schools often work in English, but check the programme documents rather than general university descriptions.

## Do you still need German? {#section-10}

Usually not for admission. Without German, however, you will hit limits:

- Part-time jobs and internships. Most student jobs outside the university expect at least conversational German.
- Daily life. Rental contracts, residence registration, insurance and letters from authorities are in German.
- Jobs after graduation. English-speaking roles exist in IT, engineering and research, but the market is far wider for German speakers.

A sensible goal is B1 German by the end of your studies: that level is also required for permanent residence. If you need a certificate, see our guide to [German language tests: TestDaF, DSH and Goethe](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-german-language-tests-testdaf-dsh-goethe).

## Work during and after your studies {#section-11}

- During studies, a student residence permit allows up to 140 full working days a year. Jobs as a student assistant at the university (studentische Nebentätigkeit) do not count towards this limit. See [working while studying in Germany](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-working-while-studying-in-germany).
- After graduation, graduates of German degrees can receive a residence permit to look for work for up to 18 months, provided they can support themselves (§ 20 Residence Act).
- EU Blue Card in 2026 requires an annual gross salary of at least $57,854 (€50,700), or $52,416 (€45,934.20) for shortage occupations (IT, engineering, medicine, natural sciences) and for people who graduated no more than three years earlier.
- Permanent residence. A graduate of a German university working in a qualified job can apply after just two years on a skilled-worker permit, provided they have paid 24 months of pension contributions and speak German at B1 (§ 18c Residence Act). Blue Card holders qualify after 27 months with basic German or 21 months with B1.

The foreigners' authority, not the university, issues residence permits, and conditions can change. The last step requires German, so it pays to start learning from your first semester even on a fully English programme.

## Where to start: your route by starting point {#section-12}

| Your starting point | Route to an English-taught programme | Time to allow before the first semester |
| --- | --- | --- |
| School leaver without direct access and without German | A year of related university study at home, then an English-taught bachelor's in the same field | About two years: the year of study plus six to twelve months for applications, visa and moving |
| School leaver with B1–B2 German | Studienkolleg in German and the Feststellungsprüfung, then a bachelor's in English or German | About 18 months to two years |
| Bachelor's graduate | English-taught master's; month-by-month plan in our [master's in English guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-germany-in-english) | 10–14 months from shortlisting |
| Master's graduate | Doctorate in a structured programme or with an individual supervisor | Depends on finding a supervisor and funding |
| Professional with work experience | MBA or fee-based professional master's | Set by each school |

After admission every route ends with the same steps: blocked account, insurance, visa and housing. For rooms and halls, see our [student housing guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-housing-germany).

## Common mistakes {#section-13}

- Assuming an English programme removes the Studienkolleg requirement. Your school certificate is assessed the same way for any programme.
- Missing the early non-EU deadline. 15 July is not universal; at RWTH many programmes close on 1 March.
- Looking only at tuition. TUM, Hochschule München and Baden-Württemberg charge non-EU students, and rent in big cities can exceed tuition elsewhere.
- Submitting a certificate that is not on the list. TUM rejects TOEFL MyBest and TOEFL ITP.
- Skipping the module handbook. An "English-taught" programme can include German modules.
- Choosing a private university without checking its status. You need state recognition for a recognised degree.

## FAQ {#faq}

### Can I study for free in Germany in English?

Yes, at most public universities, especially at master's level. You pay the semester contribution; non-EU students also pay tuition in Baden-Württemberg, at TUM and at Hochschule München.

### How many English-taught programmes does Germany have?

In winter semester 2025/26, 2,383 programmes had English as their main language: 1,944 at graduate level and 439 first-degree programmes (HRK data).

### Can I start an English-taught bachelor's straight after school?

Only if your school certificate gives direct access to German universities. Otherwise you need a Studienkolleg (in German) or a completed first year at university at home. Private universities may offer their own foundation routes; check their recognition.

### What IELTS score do German universities require?

It depends on the programme; TUM requires at least IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 88 and also accepts Cambridge C1 Advanced and PTE Academic 65. Some programmes ask for more.

### Which institutions offer the most English-taught bachelor's degrees?

Universities of applied sciences: they run 172 of the 237 English-only bachelor's programmes in the DAAD database. Most are in business and management, engineering, computing and natural sciences.

### Do I need German for an English-taught programme?

Not for admission, as a rule. German helps a lot with part-time work, daily life and finding a job after graduation.

### Can I stay and work after an English-taught master's?

Yes: you can receive up to 18 months to look for work, and with a qualifying job you can apply for an EU Blue Card. Permanent residence becomes available to graduates of German universities after two years of work, but only with B1 German. The foreigners' authority decides.

### How do private universities differ from public ones?

Private universities charge tuition throughout (Constructor University: $11,411, or €10,000, per bachelor's semester), set their own admission rules and often teach entirely in English. Visa requirements are the same.

## Next step {#section-15}

Filter programmes with English as the main language in the Hochschulkompass for your field, shortlist 6–10 and note for each the non-EU deadline, credit and certificate requirements and fees. For the wider picture, see [studying in Germany](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-germany).

StudyU does not decide on admission, scholarships or visas: the university runs its selection and the consulate issues the visa. Shortlisting programmes that fit your degree, requirement checks and application preparation are provided under an agreement with StudyU.

## Sources {#section-16}

- [HRK: statistical data on degree programmes, winter semester 2025/26](https://www.hrk.de/fileadmin/redaktion/hrk/02-Dokumente/02-03-Studium/02-03-01-Studium-Studienreform/HRK_Statistik_BA_MA_UEbrige_WiSe_2025_26.pdf) — checked 23.09.2026
- [TUM: tuition fees for non-EU students](https://www.tum.de/en/studies/fees/tuition), [language certificates](https://www.tum.de/en/studies/application/application-info-portal/admission-requirements/language-certificates) — checked 23.09.2026
- DAAD International Programmes database (linked below): filter bachelor's, English only — query run 23.09.2026
- [RWTH: master's applications for international applicants, deadlines](https://www.rwth-aachen.de/cms/root/studium/vor-dem-studium/bewerbung-um-einen-studienplatz/master-bewerbung/~dqml/bewerbung-master-internationale/?lidx=1) — checked 23.09.2026
- [Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science: fees for international students](https://mwk.baden-wuerttemberg.de/de/hochschulen-studium/studieren-in-bw/studienfinanzierung/gebuehren-fuer-internationale-studierende-und-zweitstudium) — checked 23.09.2026
- [Hochschule München: fees for non-EU students](https://hm.edu/studium_1/bewerbung/faq_gebuehren_non_eu_auslaender.de.html) — checked 23.09.2026
- [Constructor University: bachelor's cost of attendance 2026/27](https://constructor.university/sites/default/files/2026-01/2026-2027%20CU%20Fact%20Sheet_Bachelor_Cost%20of%20Attendance.pdf) — checked 23.09.2026
- [University of Hamburg: semester contribution 2026/27](https://www.uni-hamburg.de/en/campuscenter/studienorganisation/studienverlauf/beitraege-gebuehren/semesterbeitrag.html) — checked 23.09.2026
- [HRK Hochschulkompass](https://www.hochschulkompass.de/), [DAAD International Programmes](https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/studienangebote/international-programmes/en/), [DAAD scholarship database](https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-database/) — checked 23.09.2026
- [Deutschlandstipendium: student FAQ](https://www.deutschlandstipendium.de/deutschlandstipendium/de/studierende/haeufig-gestellte-fragen/haeufig-gestellte-fragen_node.html) — checked 23.09.2026
- [German missions: proof of funds](https://allemagneenfrance.diplo.de/fr-de/service/visa/2521298-2521298), [Residence Act, § 16b](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__16b.html), [§ 20](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__20.html), [§ 18c](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__18c.html), [§ 18g](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__18g.html) — checked 23.09.2026
- [German Embassy Moscow: EU Blue Card memo, thresholds as of 01.01.2026](https://germania.diplo.de/resource/blob/1611612/82d821f60c1637c304c93c616b43b439/blue-card-data.pdf) — checked 23.09.2026
- Exchange rate: ECB, 23.09.2026, €1 = $1.1411

[During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply)

## Next steps

- [Bachelor's in Germany for International Students: Entry Routes, Language, Deadlines and Costs](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-bachelors-in-germany)
- [Free University Education in Germany for International Students: Where Tuition Is Zero and What You Still Pay](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-free-university-education-germany)
- [Blocked Account in Germany 2026: Amount, Opening Steps and Alternatives](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-blocked-account-germany)
- [German Language Tests for German Universities: TestDaF, DSH, Goethe and telc Compared (2026–2027)](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-german-language-tests-testdaf-dsh-goethe)
- [Scholarships abroad 2026: where international students study for free](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-abroad-2026)
- [Studying in Germany for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-germany)

Updated: September 2026