Our Guides to Masters Study in Germany – 2025

A Masters in Germany is one of the most sought-after postgraduate study courses in Europe. With a historic higher education system and a large number of courses in English, it's not hard to see why!

In fact, Germany has more top-ranked universities than any other country outside the UK or USA. Better yet, most of the Masters study in Germany is free.

Why study a Masters in Germany?

A history of innovation and ingenuity - Germany's developments in science and engineering are as renowned as its contributions to philosophy, theology and the arts.
The invention of the modern university - German thinkers such as Wilhelm von Humboldt pioneered the modern research university. Their philosophy emphasised academic freedom, rigour and integrity.
A proudly international outlook - Around 11% of students in Germany come from abroad. The country also offers generous post-study work opportunities to both EU and non-EU graduates.
World-renowned qualifications - Germany has more top-ranked universities than any country besides the UK and the USA. Its degrees are recognised and respected worldwide.
Affordability - The majority of postgraduate education in Germany is free. There are no tuition fees at most German universities. Living costs in Germany are also modest in comparison to other European countries.

Masters Study in Germany - Key Details for 2025
Universities	520
Oldest University	University of Heidelberg (1386)
International Students	376,359
Course Length	2 years
Typical Fees (Domestic / EU)	None
Academic Year	October to September

Where can you study a Masters in Germany

With more than 500 universities, there is plenty of choice for anyone wanting to study a Masters in Germany.

You'll find that universities in Germany are divided into four categories.

Research Universities (Universität) carry out academic research in various subjects. They award a range of Masters and PhD degrees.
Technical Universities (Technische Universität) traditionally specialise in science, technology and engineering research.
Universities of Applied Science (Fachhochschulen) focus on practical subjects such as Engineering, Business and Social Science
Colleges of Art, Film and Music offer specialised practical instruction in creative disciplines.

We have a complete guide on the top Masters universities in Germany in which we look at, in detail, about each of these different kinds of postgradute institutions. We also look at the 30 best universities in the country. To give you an overview, here are the top five universities for a Masters in Germany.

Top 5 German Universities in 2025
University	THE 2025	QS 2025	ARWU 2024
Technical University of Munich	26	28	47
LMU Munich	38	59	43
Heidelberg University	=47	=84	50
Humbolt University of Berlin	=84	=126	-
University of Bonn	89	-	61
Information in this table is based on the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings and Academic Ranking of World Universities. Visit their websites for more information.

Masters courses in Germany

German Masters programmes normally last for two years (or two to four semesters of study).

Your full degree will be worth 120 ECTS credits. 90 of these will be earned through modules, coursework and exams. The remaining 30 will be awarded for your dissertation.

As taught courses, most German Masters degrees award MA (Master of Arts) or MSc (Master of Science) qualifications. Alternative degree titles may be used for some specialised subjects.

The main difference between programmes is the way you study them. German Masters degrees are classified as either consecutive or non-consecutive:

Consecutive Masters degrees follow directly from a closely-related undergraduate degree. For example, you might study an MSc in Biochemistry after a BSc in Chemistry or Biology. These courses are usually free to study in Germany. This is the most common type of Masters degree in Germany.
Non-consecutive Masters degrees focus on a different or more highly specialised subject area, such as Business, Governance, or Law. These courses normally require practical or professional experience as well as an undergraduate degree. They are also more likely to charge fees.

Structure of a Masters in Germany

Most German Masters degrees are organised into separate modules or other units of study.

Depending on your course, you might learn through lectures, small-group seminars, practical workshops, fieldwork or directed independent study:

An academic programme at a research university will probably involve a lot of core lectures and seminars. This will be supported by practical work in a laboratory or by independent study and reading.
Programmes at Universities of Applied Science are often more professionally-oriented. They include hands-on training and workshops organised by external experts and industry figures.
An artistic programme at a College of Art, Film and Music will be focused on developing and assessing your practical skills.

Assessments during a Masters in Germany

German Masters programmes use a five-point grading system. Passing grade bands range from 1.0 (the best) to 4.0 (a narrow pass):

Masters Grades at German Universities
Grade Range	Label	Detail
1.0 to 1.5	Sehr Gut (Very Good / Excellent)	The best possible grade, representing exceptional achievement.
1.6 to 2.5	Gut (Good)	A strong grade, representing above-average achievement.
2.6 to 3.5	Befriedigend (Satisfactory)	A reasonable grade, representing acceptable achievement.
3.6 to 4.0	Ausreichend (Sufficient)	A poor passing grade, representing the lowest level of achievement at which a qualification can still be awarded.

Some universities use a band from 4.0 to 5.0 for work that has not reached an acceptable standard to pass at postgraduate level.

Your final grade will be determined by summing up your performance across various modules and your dissertation. Each component weighted according to its ECTS credit level.

Most German Masters degrees include a final year research project (or a comparable practical / creative task). You will complete this work with the advice and support of an expert supervisor, but the emphasis will still be on your independent research.

Some German universities assess Masters dissertations using an oral presentation or ‘thesis defence’. This is similar to the viva voce exam at the end of a PhD – but much less demanding! You will give a short talk about your research topic and perhaps answer some questions about your findings and conclusions.

Assessing a Masters thesis in this way is actually quite common in Europe and doesn’t need to be intimidating. The chance to stand up and ‘show off’ your research can be a really fulfilling experience.

It’s also great for your CV. You'll be able to reflect on the unique challenges and opportunities which other candidates may not have experienced.

If you’re interested in studying your Masters in Germany, we’ve covered everything you need to know in our selection of guides below, including applications, visas and funding.