Germany is undoubtedly one of the most advanced countries in the world today. This continuous progress is certainly related to the universities and the academic level of the country. Many people are interested in pursuing educational migration to Germany. This country has universities with the highest global standards and facilities, offering a wide range of fields of study. Additionally, the possibility of free education in Germany encourages even more individuals to migrate there.
If you are planning to migrate, be sure to gather sufficient information about scholarships in Germany. Stay with us in this article by Elm Vira to become more familiar with the conditions for migrating to Germany and studying for free in Germany.
Studying in Germany
Today, Germany is one of the most important and best destinations for international students seeking educational migration. Iranian students are no exception, and many Iranian students have migrated to this country to continue their studies at various levels. One of the main reasons for the popularity of migrating to Germany is the availability of free education. Free education is available in many of the states across the country. The scholarships offered by many German universities also provide significant support to applicants.

1. Advantages of Studying in Germany
Studying in this advanced European country offers many benefits and facilities, some of which are as follows:
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Possibility of free education in Germany
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A large number of higher education institutions: There are more than 370 higher education institutions in Germany
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High quality of education
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Degrees recognized worldwide
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Opportunity to study in both German and English
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Possibility to work while studying
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Numerous job opportunities in Germany
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Life with security, peace, and stability
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Possibility of obtaining residency after graduation
2. Admission Process for Studying in Germany
If you intend to study for free in Germany, you should first evaluate your qualifications and thoroughly research the universities and programs you want to apply to. Then, you must gather the required documents and submit your application to the desired university. If your application is accepted by the university, you will need to apply for a German visa and prepare for the visa interview. Be sure to pay attention to the university or college’s application deadlines and requirements so you do not miss them.
Free Education in Germany
One of the biggest advantages of studying in Germany is that most university budgets are funded by the government. Because of this, students do not pay tuition fees for undergraduate programs or many master’s degree programs. However, some master’s programs require tuition fees, but these fees are minimal compared to many other countries. Students who want to study in Germany only need to pay a registration fee initially, which is not related to tuition.
Many universities provide students with a public transportation card as part of this registration fee. This amount varies between universities, usually ranging from about 100 to 350 euros. Sometimes students may be charged for textbooks or other educational materials. It should be noted that these free education benefits apply only to public universities in Germany. There are many private universities in Germany with high academic standards that charge considerable tuition fees.

Additional Costs for Free Education in Germany
Even if you study at public universities in Germany or receive a German scholarship, you will still have some additional expenses. These costs include housing, food, transportation, and administrative fees. If students live in dormitories, the average living cost in Germany is approximately 700 to 1,000 euros per month.
Housing is the main expense that international students must cover when studying in Germany. Those planning to migrate for education should consider this. Students can also reduce housing costs by living in private student accommodations in smaller cities.
Conditions for Studying and Educational Migration to Germany
After choosing the university they want to attend, students must visit the university’s official website and apply for admission. Admission requirements vary by university. Generally, the conditions for studying and migrating to Germany are quite similar across universities, as follows:
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Entrance Exams: Applicants for free education in Germany may need to take entrance exams required by the university.
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TestAS Exam: TestAS (Test for Academic Studies) is an aptitude test designed to assess the cognitive skills of international students before admission. This test is offered in both German and English. It is important to note that TestAS is not mandatory for all universities, so applicants should check in advance whether their desired university requires this certificate.
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TMS Exam: The TMS (Test für Medizinische Studiengänge) is an entrance exam for medical and dental programs. It is held twice a year, but applicants can only take the exam once, as retaking the TMS is not allowed.

1. Free Education in Germany: Admission at the Bachelor’s Level
The Bachelor’s degree in Germany typically takes 6 to 8 semesters to complete. Free education at the Bachelor’s level is available for both German and international students. German universities offer a wide variety of Bachelor’s programs, allowing you to choose the best option based on your conditions, talents, and interests.
Most Bachelor’s programs are taught in German. Non-German students must be proficient in the German language to study at this level. Applicants can study at different universities in Germany after passing the DSH or TestDaF exams. One advantage of free education in Germany at the Bachelor’s level is that interested students can study as guest students at American universities or other European universities. Scholarships for Bachelor’s studies in Germany are also available. The prerequisites for free education in Germany at the Bachelor’s level include:
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High school diploma or equivalent
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German language certificate at B1 level
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Completion of a one-year college preparatory course, if required
2. Admission at the Master’s Level
Free education in Germany at the Master’s level generally lasts 2 to 4 semesters, depending on the field of study. The variety of Master’s programs is much greater than at the Bachelor’s level, with over 13,000 specializations available in Germany. Many Master’s courses are taught in English. Applicants must have a TOEFL or IELTS certificate to enroll in these programs. Some Master’s programs are taught in German, and for those, students must have at least a B1 level in German. Free education is also available at the Master’s level for both German and international students. The required documents and conditions for admission to German universities at the Master’s level are as follows:
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High school diploma or equivalent
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Bachelor’s degree
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If the program is taught in English: IELTS 6.5 or equivalent TOEFL score
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If the program is taught in German: German language certificate at B1 level
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Some universities have a minimum GPA requirement, so you should compare your GPA with theirs
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Certain documents such as research papers or a CV are not mandatory but can improve your chances of acceptance and free education in Germany

3. Free Education in Germany: Studying at the Doctoral (PhD) Level
The doctoral program in Germany usually lasts 3 to 5 years. Typically, PhD students in Germany receive a stipend or salary. Additionally, students can benefit from German scholarships. Admission to the PhD level is by no means easy; first, you need to find a supervisor and convince them to support you. The professor you choose should have research projects in your area of interest. Having a strong and well-prepared thesis proposal will help you persuade professors more easily.
There are two main ways to get admitted to a PhD program in Germany:
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Individual doctorate: The student works independently on their dissertation under the supervision of a professor. This typically takes about 2 to 5 years.
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Structured doctorate: A group of students work on their projects under the guidance of a team of supervisors. This type of program is usually limited to about 3 years.
Required Documents and Conditions for PhD Admission:
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Completion of a Master’s degree with high grades
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Proficiency in German or English depending on the field of study
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A well-prepared thesis proposal
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Acceptance from a supervising professor
Scholarships in Germany
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is a government organization that annually offers many full scholarships for studying in Germany. With a DAAD scholarship, you can pursue free education in Germany. Currently, DAAD provides scholarships only for Master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral levels.
Another way to receive scholarships is directly through university professors. Additionally, Erasmus+ is one of the largest providers of scholarships in the European Union and supports international students studying at German universities.

Free Education in Germany: The Best Universities in Germany
Germany is home to universities with the highest academic standards and internationally recognized degrees. Many of the best German universities offer the opportunity to study for free, and many provide programs taught in English as well as scholarship opportunities. These factors have made educational migration to Germany very popular.
Some of the top universities in Germany include:
- Technical University of Munich (TUM)
- Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU)
- University of Heidelberg (Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg)
- Humboldt University of Berlin
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- Technical University of Dresden
- University of Hamburg
- University of Tübingen
- University of Freiburg
- University of Cologne
Below is a more detailed introduction to some of these universities:
1. University of Berlin (Humboldt University of Berlin)
Founded in 1948, Humboldt University of Berlin is one of the world’s leading universities. It has 12 faculties and admits students at Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral levels. Bachelor’s programs are taught in German, so students must provide proof of German language proficiency. However, many Master’s programs offer courses in English depending on the field of study.
Humboldt University offers free tuition for studying in Germany, with students only required to pay some ancillary fees. The university also awards various scholarships and financial aid for international students each year. For more detailed information on available scholarships, you can visit the university’s official website.

2. Technical University of Munich (TUM)
The city of Munich can be the best choice for those intending to migrate to Germany for education. Munich is considered one of the best student cities worldwide. The Technical University of Munich ranks first among the top universities in Germany. This university comprises 14 faculties and departments. Due to the high academic level of the university, applicants must have excellent grades to be admitted.
Unlike many public universities in Germany, TUM charges tuition fees. The cost of undergraduate studies at this university ranges from €2,000 to €3,000 per year, and for the Master’s level, it ranges from €4,000 to €6,000 per year. However, it is possible to study for free at the doctoral level at TUM. If you receive one of the scholarships mentioned earlier, you may also be able to study free of charge at this university.
Summary
Germany is one of the best countries to choose for educational migration. The high quality of German universities and the possibility of free education make this country increasingly popular. Many public universities in Germany offer free tuition, and students only need to cover ancillary fees. Students can also benefit from scholarships provided by some universities and institutions in Germany.
If you are planning to study in Germany, it is important to conduct thorough research on universities and programs before applying.
Elm Vira Institute is one of the most experienced and reputable institutes in the field of educational migration. If you are interested in studying abroad, you can consult with our experts to achieve the best results in the shortest possible time. For more information about studying abroad and to receive a free consultation, please visit our free counseling section.
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