10 Sep 2026 | English-Taught Courses in Germany 2027-2028: Complete Guide for Indian Students
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Introduction
For Indian students planning an English-medium Master’s degree in Germany for the 2027–2028 intake.
An English-taught Master’s in Germany for Indian students can be a realistic route for the 2027–2028 intake, but admission is not governed by one national rule. You must check the academic, language, APS, application and visa requirements for every programme separately.
The most important India-specific development for 2027 is the introduction of the Digital Master Test (dMAT) for selected Master’s applicants from Summer Semester 2027 onward.
Accuracy note: Fees, financial requirements, processing times and university deadlines can change. The figures in this guide are based on official information checked on 7 September 2026 and should be verified again before applying.
English-Taught Master’s in Germany for Indian Students: At a Glance
|
Area |
What Indian applicants should know |
|
Language |
Many postgraduate programmes are taught in English, but requirements are programme-specific. |
|
German |
English-taught does not automatically mean zero German requirement. |
|
English proof |
IELTS, TOEFL and alternatives are set by individual programmes. |
|
APS |
Indian qualifications almost always require APS, subject to specified exemptions. |
|
dMAT |
Selected applicants from specified Engineering, Commerce, Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business and Management backgrounds are affected from Summer Semester 2027. |
|
Application |
You may apply directly, through uni-assist, or obtain a VPD first. |
|
Tuition |
Most state universities charge no tuition for most Master’s programmes, but important exceptions exist. |
|
Work |
Current rules permit up to 140 full days or 280 half days per year, or up to 20 hours per week. |
The DAAD requirements overview makes it clear that admission and language conditions depend on the university and programme. There is no single “Germany Master’s requirement” that applies to every applicant.
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Can Indian Students Study a Master’s in Germany Fully in English?
Yes. Germany offers numerous postgraduate programmes taught entirely or primarily in English.
According to the DAAD guidance on study requirements, international and postgraduate programmes taught in English are generally exempt from the standard German-language proof requirement and instead require evidence of English proficiency.
On the other hand, English-taught does not necessarily imply no German requirement.
Indicatively, the TU Chemnitz's admission information for English-taught programmes indicate that even with some courses, basic German language requirements might be required.
Thus, when we want to find universities in Germany that are not specified as requiring study of the German language, go to the website of the specific course and do not think that the rule is the same in the whole university.
The DAAD International Programmes database will enable you to begin the search of programmes.

What Academic Qualifications Do You Need?
A Master’s programme normally requires a completed Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent first university qualification.
That alone does not guarantee eligibility.
Individual universities can require:
- A Bachelor's degree in a particular discipline
- Specific subjects or modules
- Minimum academic credits
- Mathematics or technical prerequisites
- Relevant work or research experience
- Aptitude or assessment tests
- Particular grades or academic classifications
For example, the University of Tübingen's MSc Machine Learning expects applicants to have a relevant academic background and specified previous study in mathematics and computer science.
Compare your transcript of the Bachelor education and where necessary your module descriptions to their specific programme requirements before applying.
How does Germany do in terms of the IELTS Requirements in Universities?
There is no national IELTS score for German universities.
English-language requirements are decided by individual programmes.
For instance, the University of Tübingen Machine Learning Master's has a current list of IELTS 7.0 on the list of admitted forms of English-language evidence.
In the meantime, TU Chemnitz provides various English requirements of various programmes.
This implies that declarations like IELTS 6.5 is needed to do a Master’s into Germany are incorrect.
Is It Possible to Use MOI in the place of IELTS?
There are programmes that might allow a former degree that was taught in English in lieu of competence. Some others demand IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge or any other recognised qualification.
This is why, do not think that instead of IELTS or TOEFL a Medium of Instruction certificate can be offered to the client.
The requirements of the programme in the official English-language version determine whether or not you have to take a test.
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What Will APS and dMAT Demand in Indian Students in 2027?
APS is one of the most important steps for applicants with Indian academic qualifications.
The German Missions in India student visa guidance states that applicants with Indian school or university qualifications almost always require an APS certificate, subject to specified exemptions.
APS verifies academic documents issued by Indian educational institutions. It does not itself guarantee university admission or visa approval.

What Changes With dMAT From 2027?
For selected Indian Master’s applicants, dMAT is the major new development for the 2027 intake.
According to the official APS India dMAT rules, the requirement applies to selected applicants whose previous degree falls within:
- Engineering
- Commerce
- Accounting
- Finance
- Economics
- Business
- Management
The requirement applies to affected Master’s applicants from Summer Semester 2027 and subsequent intakes, unless an official transitional exemption applies.
Applicants will be allowed to submit the APS documents and be given dMAT certificate prior to receiving the certificate. Nevertheless, the current APS India current guidance suggests that the final certificate is not provided by APS until the necessary dMAT documentation is provided and verified.
In case your Bachelor's programme belongs to one of the categories for which the official APS subject classification has no applicable term, consider the official one and do not guess.
Do You Use Direct or Uni-assist?
Germany does not have a central application system across all of the universities.
You may encounter three common routes:
- Direct university application
- Application through uni-assist
- VPD from uni-assist followed by a direct university application
A VPD, or Preliminary Review Documentation, is an evaluation produced by uni-assist for universities that require applicants to have their international qualifications pre-checked.
According to the official uni-assist VPD guidance, processing usually takes 4 to 6 weeks, and the VPD is valid for one year from its date of issue.

Current uni-assist Fees
|
Application |
Current fee |
|
First chosen course in one semester |
€75 |
|
Each additional chosen course in the same semester |
€30 |
These amounts are published on the official uni-assist handling fees page. Some universities cover the handling fee for applicants.
The practical lesson is simple: determine the application route before your documents are ready. Discovering a VPD requirement close to the deadline can delay the entire application.
Application Deadlines: When Are 2027-2028 Application Deadlines?
English medium courses do not have a particular deadline in Germany.
The guidance on uni-assist deadline guidance is generally 15 July but may be set to different dates by universities when programmes are in winter semester.
There can also be a difference between EU and non-EU applicants with regard to timing.
An example that is confirmed to be of 2027 is the TH Ingolstadt MSc Engineering and Management, which as of 1 April 2027 publishes a Winter Semester 2027/28 application period 1 April to 15 July 2027.
They are applicable to this programme on that date. It should not be viewed as the national deadline of application in Germany.
uni-assist advise too to apply as early as possible and (where possible) at least eight weeks before the deadline to submit documents so that there is time to sort out missing or wrong documents.
How Much Does a Master’s in Germany Cost?
Tuition- free study destination is often referred to as the situation in Germany but is never the full paradigm.
The DAAD guidance on education and living costs states that state higher education institutions generally do not charge tuition for Bachelor's and most Master's programmes.
However, important exceptions exist.
Baden-Württemberg
International students from outside the EU generally pay €1,500 per semester at state universities in Baden-Württemberg, subject to legally defined exemptions.
Other University-Specific Tuition
Individual institutions elsewhere can also impose tuition on non-EU students.
For example, TH Ingolstadt states that non-EU/EEA students in its Master's programmes are charged tuition from Summer Semester 2026 onward.
Therefore, never shortlist a university based solely on the assumption that “public university = completely free”.
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Current Cost Snapshot
|
Cost area |
Official guidance checked September 2026 |
|
Baden-Württemberg non-EU tuition |
Exempted to a minimum of €1,500 per semester. |
|
Most state-university Master's tuition |
No tuition, generally but exceptions. |
|
Semester contribution |
Approximately €70-€430 per semester. |
|
uni-assist |
To start with, it is €75; about €30 per course thereafter. |
|
General living-cost guidance |
Around €900 to €1,200 per month |
The semester-contribution and general living-cost ranges come from the current DAAD financial guidance.
These are current figures checked in September 2026. They are not guaranteed 2027–2028 figures.

How Much Money Is Required for a German Student Visa?
Financial proof is another area where students should avoid copying figures from old blogs.
The German Missions in India student visa requirements currently list €11,904 for one year, corresponding to a maximum blocked-account withdrawal of €992 per month.
The official Make it in Germany study visa guidance also identifies €11,904 as the relevant minimum blocked-account amount for 2026.
This is important:
€11,904 is a confirmed current 2026 figure. It is not yet a confirmed 2027–2028 amount.
Students applying later should check the official requirement again before transferring money to a blocked account.
Current Student Visa Fee
The official German Missions in India national visa page currently lists the national visa fee for adult applicants as €75.
INR level will vary with the exchange rate and thus when students actually apply, they should check the equivalent in rupees.
Are International Students allowed to work during their study in Germany?
Yes, as far as the German immigration regulations allow.
The official Make it in Germany guidance for international students currently states that third-country students can generally work:
- Up to 140 full days per year, or
- Up to 280 half days per year, or
- Up to 20 hours per week under the applicable student-employment rules
A part-time job can help with daily expenses, but students should not build their entire financial plan around expected employment.
The DAAD cost guidance also warns that financing an entire course of study through a side job is difficult.
Can You Stay in Germany After Completing Your Master’s?
Germany currently provides an important post-study route for international graduates.
According to the official Make it in Germany study and residence guidance, graduates of German universities can apply for a residence permit for up to 18 months to search for qualified employment.
Graduates can work throughout this period of job-searching.
This allows learners some time to transition out of university life and into the workforce instead of having them exit right after university.
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Practical Application Timeline for 2027
|
Stage |
What to do |
|
9 to 12 months before deadline |
Research programmes, compare academic prerequisites and check whether dMAT affects you. |
|
7 to 10 months before deadline |
Prepare transcripts, degree documents, English proof and APS documentation. |
|
As early as applicable |
Begin APS and dMAT requirements if required for your profile. |
|
At least 8 weeks before deadline where possible |
Complete uni-assist or VPD submission early enough to resolve document problems. |
|
Before the university deadline |
Submit the complete programme application through the specified route. |
|
After admission |
Complete financial proof, insurance and visa documentation using the latest official rules. |
This timeline is intended as a planning framework, not as a substitute for an official programme deadline.
Always confirm your university deadline directly and review the current uni-assist processing and deadline guidance where uni-assist is involved.
Mistakes Indian Applicants Should Avoid
- Assuming every English-taught programme has no German requirement.
- Treating one university's IELTS score as Germany's national IELTS requirement.
- Assuming MOI automatically replaces IELTS or TOEFL.
- Ignoring dMAT when your previous degree belongs to an affected academic field.
- Starting APS, VPD or uni-assist too close to the application deadline.
- Assuming every German public university is completely tuition-free.
- Publishing or using a 2026 blocked-account figure as a guaranteed 2027 amount.
- Application without verification of the programme subjects prerequisite of your Bachelor’s.
FAQs
Can I Study in Germany without knowing German?
Yes, there are numerous Master programmes in English. Nevertheless, there are still English-based courses that might need simple German. Confirm the specific programme requirements with the guidance flipped over to the DAAD and the university in the course of the university course.
Is a Master in Germany Compulsory to take IELTS?
No nationwide policy exists where an individual IELTS score is necessary. Programmes determine which qualifications in English they recognize. For example, the University of Tübingen Machine Learning programme publishes its own language requirements.
Is APS Mandatory for Indian Students?
Applicants with Indian qualifications almost always require APS, subject to official exemptions. Students should review the latest requirements from German Missions in India and APS India.
Who Needs dMAT for 2027?
Selected Master’s applicants with previous qualifications in specified Engineering, Commerce, Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business or Management fields are affected from Summer Semester 2027 onward. Check the current APS India dMAT requirements before beginning the APS process.
Are German Public Universities Free for Indian Students?
Many state universities charge no tuition for most Master's programmes, but important exceptions exist. Review the latest DAAD guidance on tuition and living costs and then confirm the fee on your chosen university's own website.
How Early Should I Start Applying?
Start researching several months before your intended intake. If uni-assist or a VPD is required, allow additional processing time. The official uni-assist deadline guidance recommends submitting early and, where possible, at least eight weeks before the application deadline.
Conclusion
An English-taught Master’s in Germany for Indian students can offer access to postgraduate education without requiring German to be the main language of instruction, but the application process is highly programme-specific.
Academic prerequisites, English proof, APS, dMAT, uni-assist, VPD, tuition and application deadlines must all be checked separately.
For 2027 applicants, the new dMAT requirement published by APS India deserves particular attention. At the same time, current 2026 visa and financial figures should not be treated as guaranteed 2027 amounts until German authorities officially confirm them.
Use the DAAD programme database to build your initial shortlist, then verify every requirement on the university's official website before applying.
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