Best Courses to Study in Germany for Indian Students in 2027: Salaries, Costs, and Scholarships

The best courses to study in Germany for Indian students are engineering, computer science and AI, data science, and business, because these fields have the strongest employer demand and starting salaries of around €45,000 to €70,000 a year. Public universities charge little or no tuition, so for higher studies in Germany, your choice of course matters more than cost in deciding your return on investment.

This guide compares courses by subject, with leading universities, typical salaries, total costs in INR, scholarships, and entry requirements for Indian students.

Why Choose Germany for Higher Studies as an Indian Student?

There are plenty of reasons to study in Germany, but when you’re choosing a course, these matter most:

• Low tuition: Most public universities charge only a semester contribution of around €100 to €400, although private universities charge full fees.
• English-taught options: Many master’s programmes, and most private university courses, are taught fully in English.
• Post-study work: Graduates can apply for an 18-month residence permit to look for work related to their degree.
• Long-term pathway: Skilled graduates can move on to an EU Blue Card, which has a lower salary threshold for shortage occupations such as engineering and IT.

Because the financial risk of a public university course is lower than in the UK, US, or Australia, picking a course with strong hiring demand is what drives your return.

What Are the Best STEM Courses in Germany for Indian Students?

Mechanical, electrical, and industrial engineering are the strongest STEM courses in Germany, with public technical universities offering low tuition and close industry ties.

TU Darmstadt and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology are both members of TU9, the alliance of Germany’s leading technical universities. Note that KIT is in Baden-Württemberg, which charges non-EU students €1,500 per semester. The University of Kassel specialises in renewable energy engineering, while the University of Siegen and FH Aachen offer practical, applied engineering routes.

What Are the Best Computer Science and AI Courses in Germany?

Computer science, data science, and AI are among the highest-demand courses in Germany, driven by the tech sector and the digitisation of traditional manufacturing.

KIT and TU Darmstadt offer strong public university routes, while IU International University of Applied Sciences, GISMA University of Applied Sciences, and Munich University of Digital Technologies and Applied Sciences offer English-taught, industry-oriented programmes at private university fees.

With strong entry-level tech salaries, this is usually the course area with the shortest payback period on your total investment.

What Are the Best Business, Finance, and Management Courses in Germany?

Business administration, international management, and finance are widely taught in English at bachelor’s and master’s level, mostly at private universities. EBS Business School, Munich Business School, and Cologne Business School are among the more established names, alongside Berlin School of Business and Innovation, International School of Management, and FOM University of Applied Sciences.

For management-focused routes, consider HdWM University of Applied Management Studies or the University of Europe for Applied Sciences.

Can Indian Students Study Law in Germany?

Yes, but set expectations early. German law follows the civil law system, which doesn’t transfer to common-law countries such as India, so a German law degree isn’t a direct path to practising at home. If you plan to practise in India, check the Bar Council of India rules on foreign law degrees first.

Where it works is narrower: EBS Business School and IU International University of Applied Sciences offer business law and international law tracks for students planning to work in Germany or with German multinationals.

What Are the Best Healthcare and Life Sciences Courses in Germany?

Fresenius University of Applied Sciences and Health Innovation University of Applied Sciences specialise in health-related disciplines, while SRH University offers a broader mix of health and applied sciences programmes.

Most German medical degrees are taught in German with highly competitive entry. The University Targu Mures Medical Campus Hamburg is an exception, offering English-taught medicine. Medicine is a regulated profession, so if you plan to practise in India, check the National Medical Commission’s rules for foreign medical graduates, including course length, internship, and licensing exam requirements, before you apply.

What Are the Best Creative, Design, and Humanities Courses in Germany?

Design and media is a smaller market in Germany than STEM or business, but some programmes cross into UX and product design, which has tech-adjacent hiring demand. mdh Mediadesign Hochschule is a dedicated design school, while Munich University of Digital Technologies and Applied Sciences blends creative and digital tech routes.

For humanities and social sciences, Lancaster University Leipzig offers UK-linked degrees on a smaller campus, and Arden University offers flexible, blended-learning routes. These suit students with a clear direction, such as further study or a specific niche career.

Are Germany Courses Taught in English?

Many are. Most private university courses and a large share of public university master’s programmes are taught fully in English, so you can study in Germany without German, and the DAAD international programmes database lets you search English-taught courses by subject. Most public university bachelor’s degrees, however, are taught in German and usually require B2 to C1 level (TestDaF or DSH).

German skills still matter after graduation, as many employers outside tech expect at least intermediate German. StudyIn offers German language support to help you prepare alongside your application.

How Do Salaries Compare Across Courses in Germany?

Starting salaries vary considerably by subject. INR figures are approximate, at about ₹100 to €1 (October 2026).

Salaries are gross annual figures before tax and social contributions, and vary by city, employer, and German language level.

How Much Does It Cost Indian Students to Study in Germany?

Your total cost of studying in Germany depends mainly on whether you choose a public or private university. These are annual estimates, with INR conversions at about ₹100 to €1 (October 2026).

Overall, plan on roughly ₹14 lakh a year at a public university and ₹24 to ₹34 lakh at a private one, plus flights and accommodation deposits. You can work 140 full or 280 half days a year while studying to help with living costs, but don’t rely on earnings to cover fees.

Which Scholarships Can Indian Students Get by Course Area?

Funding isn’t evenly spread. STEM and technology programmes have noticeably more scholarship options than humanities or creative courses, partly because industry partners co-fund awards tied to future hiring.

Values and deadlines change each cycle, so compare eligibility across all scholarships in Germany for Indian students before you apply.

What Are the Entry Requirements for Courses in Germany for Indian Students?

Requirements to study in Germany depend on your study level, course, and university. Here’s what Indian students typically need.

Bachelor’s Degrees

Class 12 results from CBSE, ISC, or state boards don’t usually give direct entry to public university bachelor’s degrees, and you can check how your qualification is assessed on anabin, Germany’s official recognition database. You’ll typically need a one-year Studienkolleg foundation course, at least one year of a related bachelor’s in India, or, for some technical programmes, a qualifying JEE Advanced result.

Many private universities accept Class 12 directly for English-taught bachelor’s degrees.

Master’s Degrees

You’ll need a related Indian bachelor’s degree, with your percentage or CGPA converted to the German grading scale. Public universities also check that your previous modules match the course, and English-taught programmes usually ask for IELTS 6.5 or an equivalent TOEFL score. Some competitive courses also require GRE scores.

How Do Indian Students Apply to Universities in Germany?

1. Shortlist courses and intakes: Most courses start in the winter semester (October), with fewer in the summer semester (April), so check 2027 intakes and deadlines in Germany early.
2. Get your APS certificate: All Indian applicants need one from the Academic Evaluation Centre (APS India), which verifies your academic documents.
3. Take your language tests: IELTS or TOEFL for English-taught courses, or TestDaF or DSH for German-taught ones.
4. Apply: Submit through uni-assist or the university’s own portal, as each course specifies.
5. Prepare your visa documents: After your offer, fund your blocked account, arrange health insurance, and apply for your Germany student visa through the German missions in India.

Get Expert Help Choosing Courses to Study in Germany

Choosing between a public technical university, a specialist applied sciences institution, and an English-taught private business school comes down to your subject, budget, and career plans. StudyIn, formerly SI-UK, has over 20 years of experience and now supports Indian students across multiple study destinations, including Germany.

Our counsellors help you shortlist courses that fit your profile, prepare your APS and university applications, find scholarships, get your blocked account and visa documents ready, and plan for departure. Parents are welcome to join sessions to talk through costs and outcomes.

FAQs

Which Courses Have the Best Job Prospects in Germany for Indian Students?

Engineering, computer science, and AI offer the strongest job prospects for Indian students, because Germany’s automotive, industrial, and tech sectors hire consistently from these fields.

Do I Need to Speak German to Study in Germany?

Not for most English-taught master’s or private university courses. Public bachelor’s degrees are usually taught in German, and German skills improve your job prospects after graduating.

How Much Does It Cost an Indian Student to Study in Germany?

Plan on roughly ₹14 lakh a year at a public university, covering semester fees, living costs, and insurance, or ₹24 to ₹34 lakh a year at a private university.

Can Indian Students Study in Germany After 12th?

Yes. Most public universities require a Studienkolleg foundation year or one year of a bachelor’s in India first, while many private universities accept Class 12 directly for English-taught degrees.

Is a Business or Engineering Degree Better in Germany?

Engineering tends to offer more predictable entry-level hiring and slightly higher starting salaries. Business degrees lead to broader roles but are usually more competitive at master’s level.

What Scholarships Are Available for STEM Students in Germany?

Indian STEM students can apply for DAAD scholarships, the Deutschlandstipendium, and university merit awards, which tend to be more generous in STEM because industry partners help fund them.

Are There English-Taught Law and Medicine Courses in Germany?

Yes, but options are limited. Some business-focused universities offer English-taught business law, and University Targu Mures Medical Campus Hamburg offers English-taught medicine. Check Bar Council of India or National Medical Commission rules if you plan to practise in India.