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How to Study in Germany as an International Student β€” Complete Guide

March 25, 2025Β·9 min readΒ·By TopABC Admissions Team

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Germany is one of the best-kept secrets in international education. Most public universities in Germany charge no tuition fees for international students β€” you only pay a small semester contribution of around €300–€400 per semester. Combined with world-class engineering, science, and business programs, Germany is an exceptional choice for Afghan and Middle Eastern students.

Why Germany is Perfect for Afghan Students

  • βœ“Most public universities charge NO tuition fees β€” only a small semester fee of €300–400
  • βœ“Germany has one of the largest Afghan communities in Europe
  • βœ“After graduating, you can stay in Germany for up to 18 months to find a job
  • βœ“Germany has a strong job market, especially in engineering, IT, and healthcare
  • βœ“Many programs are taught entirely in English at the master's level
  • βœ“DAAD scholarships provide additional financial support for international students
  • βœ“Germany offers a pathway to permanent residency after 5 years of work

Top German Universities for International Students

TU Munich (TUM)

Engineering & Technology

~€300/semester

LMU Munich

Medicine & Sciences

~€300/semester

TU Berlin

Engineering & Architecture

~€310/semester

Heidelberg University

Medicine & Humanities

~€1,500/year

RWTH Aachen

Engineering & Sciences

~€300/semester

Frankfurt School

Business & Finance

Private, scholarships available

Admission Requirements for German Universities

To study in Germany as an Afghan student, you generally need:

  • βœ“A recognised secondary school leaving certificate (for bachelor programs) or a bachelor's degree (for master programs)
  • βœ“German language proficiency (TestDaF or DSH) for German-taught programs, OR English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) for English-taught programs
  • βœ“Proof of financial resources: approximately €11,208 per year (currently set by German authorities)
  • βœ“A valid passport and health insurance
  • βœ“Certified translations of all academic documents
  • βœ“APS certificate (Akademische PrΓΌfstelle) β€” mandatory for Afghan students applying to German universities

⚠️ Important for Afghan Students: APS Certificate

Afghan students applying to German universities must obtain an APS (Academic Evaluation Centre) certificate. This certificate verifies the authenticity of your academic documents. The APS process can take 4–8 weeks, so plan ahead. TopABC can guide you through this process.

How to Apply to German Universities

1

Choose your program

Use the DAAD database (daad.de) to search for programs in English or German. Over 1,700 programs are available in English alone.

2

Get your APS certificate

Apply for your APS certificate through the German Embassy or Consulate in your country. This is mandatory for Afghan students.

3

Learn German or prepare English test

For German programs: aim for TestDaF level 4 or DSH 2. For English programs: IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 90+.

4

Apply through uni-assist

Most German universities use uni-assist.de as their application portal. You can apply to multiple universities through one platform.

5

Apply for a student visa

Once accepted, apply for a German student visa at the German Embassy. You will need your acceptance letter, APS certificate, proof of finances, and health insurance.

Want to Study in Germany?

Our Europe specialists can guide you through every step β€” from APS certificate to visa.

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