Even if English taught degrees are not the norm, there are still around 180 undergraduate degrees in English to choose from, across disciplines and universities. You can browse them clicking here.
The range of English-taught programmes at the postgraduate level gets significantly larger.
Many students like the idea of immersing in German culture and learning the language. Some of those students need a gap / foundation year before the start of their university degree in order to polish their German language skills.
While we would not necessarily recommend that for the average person, you should still consider an English taught degree in Germany. Learning German on the side should be a bonus!
Language aside, the German university system is mostly publicly funded. Rankings mean very little and the difference in the quality of teaching across German universities is hardly noticeable.
That is not to say everyone will have the same experience. Some departments may be better organised than others. Differences in the quality of teaching staff will be present.
Nevertheless, the German education board has gone to great lengths to create a level-playing field. Therefore, if Germany is for you, you should focus on a variety of factors, such as location and extra-curriculars, rather than teaching quality.
The German university system explained: A confusing maze of acronyms
The German higher education system is a confusing maze of acronyms.
There are universities, universities of applied sciences, and dual studies institutions, all with their own abbreviations.
It can be difficult to keep track of them all, especially for English speakers who may not be familiar with the German language.
To help you navigate this confusing system, here is a simplified guide to the most common acronyms used in German higher education:
- Hochschule (often shortened to HS) is a general term for all higher education institutions in Germany. This includes universities, universities of applied sciences, and dual studies institutions.
- Universität (often shortened to Uni) is a type of higher education institution that focuses on research and theory. Universities have the right to award doctorate degrees, and their academic staff must meet certain requirements.
- Technische Universität (often shortened to TU) is a subtype of university that focuses on STEM subjects. TUs have the same rights and requirements as other universities, but they may have a stronger focus on practical applications.
- Pädagogische Hochschule (often shortened to PH) is a subtype of university that focuses on educational and pedagogical subjects. PHs have the same rights and requirements as other universities, but they may have a stronger focus on teacher training.
- Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften (often shortened to HAW) or Fachhochschule (often shortened to FH) is a type of higher education institution that focuses on practical applications. HAWs and FHs have the right to award bachelor’s and master’s degrees, but they do not have the right to award doctorate degrees. Both terms are used interchangeably, but HAW was introduced after the Bologna reforms in 1999 to reflect the equality of universities of applied sciences and universities.
- Technische Hochschule (often shortened to TH) is a subtype of university of applied sciences that focuses on STEM subjects. THs have the same rights and requirements as other universities of applied sciences, but they may have a stronger focus on practical applications.
- Duale Hochschule (often shortened to DH) is a type of higher education institution that offers a combination of vocational training and academic education. Dual studies institutions are typically partnered with businesses, and students spend part of their time in the classroom and part of their time working in a company.
The terminology used to describe German higher education institutions reflects the history of the system. For example, the term Technische Universität (TU) was originally used to refer to all technical universities, including those that are now called Technische Hochschulen (TH).
However, as THs developed into an independent and important branch of the German higher education system, the term TU came to be used exclusively for research-oriented universities with a focus on STEM subjects.
Today, the term Hochschule (HS) is a general term for all higher education institutions in Germany, including universities, THs, and universities of applied sciences (UAS).
Nevertheless, the term Hochschule is often used interchangeably with UAS, and the two terms can be confusing for English speakers.
However, if you don’t want to dive too deep into the details, the main thing to remember is that there are three different types of universities in Germany:
Universities, THs, and UAS. These institutions can be distinguished by their German names and terms.
Now, what does this mean practically?
All state-accredited higher education institutions in Germany offer high-quality education that is recognized throughout Germany and internationally.
This means that a degree from a UAS is just as good and valid as a degree from a university.
Some international students may have doubts about the quality of education at UAS because they are not included in international rankings.
This is because many of these rankings are based on a university’s research output, which is lower at UAS.
Professors at UAS do conduct application-oriented research, but they are also required to teach a significant amount, which leaves less time for research.
However, there are good reasons to choose UAS over universities. For example, UAS often have smaller class sizes, which can lead to closer contact with professors.
This can be a great advantage for students who want to get personalized attention and support.
UAS also have a strong focus on practical applications. This means that students at UAS have the opportunity to gain valuable experience through internships and other work-based learning opportunities.
This can be a great way to prepare for the job market after graduation.
In addition, it is possible to transfer from one university type to another. This means that if you start your studies at a UAS and decide that you would like to continue your studies at a university, you can do so.
Of course, the best way to decide which type of university is right for you is to research individual programs and course structures.
Application process for German universities
The application process is quite fragmented. Particularly so for international students.
Some universities require students to apply to them directly. Others require you to apply centrally via uni-assist.de
Therefore, it is the university that decides how they want to receive applications.
A select group of courses need to be applied though a separate platform called hochschulstart.de, although the process is not too dissimilar.
Uni-assist.de acts as an intermediary between universities and students, and typically makes sure that all requirements are met before the university reviews the application. However, they do not offer specific advice on how to tailor your application to your universities of choice.
Students can apply to as many courses and universities as they want, as long as they meet the admission requirements and pay the additional application fees.
Unlike the UK, it is possible to tailor each application / personal statement to each course, therefore increasing the chances of admission.
The most competitive universities in Germany have acceptance rates around 20-30%, with some of the most competitive courses featuring acceptance rates as low as 5%.
German universities are certainly open to international students, but arguably less so than the UK, the US or Australia. Some courses have effective caps on international students.
Do NOT let that be a deterrent! However, do understand that German universities will want to see a strong commitment to finish your studies across several years. They also will have a slightly higher bar for international students than German students.
On the other hand, Germany is not as popular as the UK or the US to study abroad, so to a certain extent, your competition will be less fierce!
NavigateUni can help in shortlisting the ideal group of universities to target and then, help you individually with each application.
In fact, NavigateUni can also handle your uni-assist applications entirely as long as we are provided with a power of attorney. Contact us to discuss in more detail.
Timelines & other application considerations
Although timelines vary across university and degree, uni-assist has a maximum deadline of 15th January for courses beginning in the summer semester.
Similarly, they have a deadline of 15th July for courses beginning in the winter semester.
Our recommendation is that you apply well ahead of time, around 4-8 weeks before the deadline, as applications are reviewed on a first-come-first-served basis.
The educational requirements must be deemed equivalent to the German Abitur. German high school students take a university entrance exam called Hochschulzugangsberechtigung. KMK is the responsible German body for determining what counts as equivalent.
For example, German universities have strict requirements for British students (that is, those pursuing A Levels). They typically expect British candidates to take four A Levels, including a language and a science or maths. Even if these requirements are met, it is still possible that students may not be accepted, as universities may have additional requirements.
As a result of these challenges, many German students who are taking A Levels in British schools end up having to do a foundation year first. This is because the foundation year allows students to take the necessary subjects and improve their grades, which can increase their chances of being accepted to a German university.
Another option for German students who want to study in Germany is to attend a private university. Private universities in Germany are not subject to the same strict requirements as public universities, so they may be a more viable.
Some of the private universities in Germany that are popular with German students include Jacobs University Bremen, Bard College Berlin, Lancaster University Leipzig, and Globe College Munich.
These universities offer a variety of programs, so students can find one that is a good fit for their interests and career goals. They also have strong academic reputations, so students can be confident that they are receiving a high-quality education.
So, is Germany right for you?
This depends on your personal circumstances. Unless you are very attracted to a particular course – for example, Engineering courses are very prestigious and act as feeders to the top German automakers and engineering multinationals – we would expect all prospective students to be naturally attracted to German culture.
Germany might also be appropriate to those EU students who want to save on university fees, as publicly funded universities are often free or very affordable. Bursaries are also available on a merit- and need-basis.
If students are flexible on where to study but know they want to live in Europe, Germany can be a good diversification play alongside other top destinations such as the UK, Ireland or the Netherlands.
If, on the other hand, you would like to compare Germany to other countries, you can check out our country guides here.