Short answer: To do a master's in Germany from India you need an admission from a German university, an APS certificate from APS India (verification fee INR 18,000), proof of EUR 11,904 for one year (usually in a blocked account) and a national student visa (EUR 75). Many public universities charge little or no tuition beyond a semester contribution, but Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students EUR 1,500 a semester. New for the summer semester 2027 intake: master's applicants with degrees in certain fields must also submit a dMAT test certificate with their APS documents.

Last checked: 28 October 2026, on the websites of APS India, DAAD's Study in Germany portal, Make it in Germany (Federal Government), the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science and the German visa centre in India (VFS Global).

Step by step: master's in Germany for Indian students

  1. Choose programmes and check entry rules: each university sets its own admission requirements, including the bachelor's subjects it accepts and its English or German language level.
  2. Get your APS certificate: APS India verifies your Indian bachelor's (and master's, if any) documents. The verification fee is INR 18,000, non-refundable.
  3. dMAT if your field needs it: for the summer semester 2027 intake and later, selected master's applicants must take the Digital Master Test (dMAT), run by g.a.s.t., and submit its certificate with their APS documents. It applies only if your previous degree is in one of the fields APS India lists, and it does not replace APS verification or the university's own decision.
  4. Apply to universities (directly or through uni-assist, as each university says) and get your admission letter.
  5. Show your money: EUR 11,904 for one year, usually in a blocked account, or another accepted proof such as a scholarship or a formal obligation letter.
  6. Apply for the national student visa through the German visa centre in India: EUR 75 (INR 7,600) for an adult since 10 July 2025, plus the VFS service charge of INR 1,024. Processing time only starts once your application is complete.

How much does a master's in Germany cost?

  • Tuition at public universities: studying is largely free at many German public universities; most charge only a semester contribution, the same for German and international students. For example, Leuphana University Lüneburg lists a semester contribution of around EUR 450 to 485 (subject to change).
  • Baden-Württemberg: public universities in this state (for example Stuttgart, Heidelberg, Freiburg, Karlsruhe, Mannheim) charge non-EU students EUR 1,500 per semester, with some exemptions such as doctoral students.
  • Private universities set their own tuition, which is usually much higher. Ask for the full fee in writing.
  • Living costs: the EUR 11,904 a year you must show (EUR 992 a month) is the official minimum for the visa, not a full budget. Rent in big cities can be higher.

Working during and after your master's

According to Make it in Germany, students with a residence permit for study can work up to 140 full days or 280 half-days a year without approval from the Federal Employment Agency, and student assistant jobs at the university have no such limit. The same page says students may work up to 20 hours a week during lecture periods and without limit during semester breaks. After graduating, you usually get a residence permit of up to 18 months to look for a job that matches your qualification.

Free master's in Germany: what it really means

"Free" means no tuition fee at many public universities, not a free stay. You still pay the semester contribution, show EUR 11,904 for the visa, and cover rent, insurance and travel. In Baden-Württemberg, non-EU students also pay EUR 1,500 per semester.

Frequently asked questions

Is APS mandatory for a master's in Germany for Indian students?

APS India verifies Indian academic documents for students applying to German universities, and successful applicants then apply for the student visa through VFS. Plan for it as a required step and apply early.

What is the dMAT?

The Digital Master Test, run by g.a.s.t. Selected master's applicants whose bachelor's is in one of the fields APS India lists must submit a dMAT certificate with their APS documents from the summer semester 2027 intake onwards.

How much money do I need in my blocked account?

EUR 11,904 for one year, according to DAAD's Study in Germany portal.

Can I do a master's in Germany in English?

Yes. Many master's programmes are taught in English; each lists its own English test and score.

How long can I stay after my master's?

Usually up to 18 months to look for work, according to Make it in Germany.

Official sources

Learning German? German helps with part-time jobs and daily life even on English-taught courses. See learn German online from A1 to B1.

Plan your master's in Germany with Win Your Visa

Win Your Visa (M/s Win Your English and Consultancy) is a Punjab Government licensed consultancy, Licence No. 908. Our counsellors help students from Punjab, Haryana and Himachal shortlist German universities, prepare APS documents and build a visa file that matches the official checklist. Visit our Jagraon head office on Raikot Road (above Bank of Baroda) or our Ludhiana branch at SCO 13, Block-A, Model Town Extension, or call +91 76578 91191. See our Study in Germany page.