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Can you give me brief detailed information about master's programs in Germany?

04 Sept 2026 · Answered by Leeladhar S · 2 min read
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Consecutive Masters, which make up about 95 percent of German programs, run 2 years and require a related Bachelor's degree, while non-consecutive Masters like MBAs need work experience. Public university tuition is nearly free at 100 to 350 euros per semester, and graduates get an 18 month job seeker visa.

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Your Masters journey in Germany starts with choosing between a consecutive program, which builds directly on a related Bachelor's degree over 2 years, and a non-consecutive program designed for career pivots like an MBA. Either way, you will benefit from Germany's near tuition free public university system and a generous post study job seeker visa.

Program Type, Cost, and Timeline Snapshot

CategoryKey Detail
Consecutive MastersAbout 95 percent of programs, 2 years, 120 ECTS credits
Non-consecutive MastersCareer pivots such as MBAs, usually needs prior work experience
Public university tuitionSemester contribution of 100 to 350 euros, mostly tuition-free
Private university tuition7,000 to 20,000 or more euros a year
Post-study visaUp to 18 months on a job seeker visa

Language Requirements and Application Deadlines

  • German taught programs require TestDaF or DSH certification, while English taught programs, of which Germany offers hundreds, need IELTS or TOEFL instead.
  • You need a recognized Bachelor's degree worth 180 ECTS credits, transcripts, a CV, and a letter of motivation, plus references for some programs.
  • Competitive fields may apply a Numerus Clausus, a strict minimum GPA cutoff for admission.
  • Winter semester starts in October with deadlines typically around July 15, and summer semester starts in April with deadlines around January 15, though some universities set earlier deadlines for international applicants.

My Advice

Check each program's ECTS structure carefully before applying, since a consecutive Masters that does not directly match your Bachelor's field can lead to a rejected application, and mark your target university's specific international deadline rather than the general July or January date, since many move that date up by months.

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