Access to this programme
Check how the particular school qualification and subjects are assessed for the intended degree. Save the institution’s answer and any preparation route it identifies.
In-depth destination guide
Study in Germany.
A deep higher-education system with many public institutions and strong applied routes. For a bachelor’s applicant, qualification recognition and teaching language are the two gates to resolve before choosing by reputation.
University Abroad country guide · September 2026
A real starting point for a family decision.
For students coming from Spain or Italy, this guide looks at the degree itself, admissions, the economy, the full budget and daily life. Figures are illustrations, not a quote for a particular student or entry year.
Download the guide as a PDF ↓At a glance
Study languageMany bachelor’s degrees in German; some English options
Main routeDirect, uni-assist or another course-specific route
Institution typesUniversities and universities of applied sciences
Budget pressureRent, insurance and any programme exception to tuition
Good first questionDoes the qualification grant access, and in which language?
Before the shortlist becomes a decision
Three questions to settle first.
Use these as a working brief. Each answer should refer to a real programme, a particular city and the student’s own circumstances.
Language of the whole course
Check teaching, examinations and any placement language, then compare the published evidence required with the student’s present level.
A route for each application
Record whether the application is direct, through uni-assist or another route, with documents and deadlines for each choice.
MAKE IT CONCRETE
Bring what you find into a family discussion. Our tools can help organise a comparison, while universities and official services confirm their own rules.
Explore German institutions →01 / 07The university offer
What can the student actually study?
Universities and Hochschulen für angewandte Wissenschaften (universities of applied sciences) can differ in academic focus, project work and placements. Search by subject, language and degree type, then compare module handbooks and admission restrictions. Do not assume every public institution offers every bachelor’s subject in English.
Berlin and Munich attract attention, but Hamburg, Aachen, Heidelberg, Leipzig, Dresden and many smaller cities may fit a course better. Compare housing, semester contributions, transport and links to local employers, not only the city name.
02 / 07Admissions & language
The route from Spain or Italy
Use the DAAD admission information to investigate whether the exact school-leaving qualification provides direct access and whether subject restrictions apply. The university decides the final assessment. Some programmes receive applications directly; others use uni-assist or a different portal.
Check whether German proof is required for admission, study or practical placements; English-taught options may have separate English evidence. A programme with restricted admission may also have earlier deadlines or selection. Translate and certify school records only as the institution requests.
03 / 07Fees & the real budget
What a family should price
Tuition
Many public bachelor’s programmes do not charge tuition, but exceptions and non-EU rules exist. All students normally face a semester contribution; ask the institution for its current fee schedule.
Living reference
DAAD’s published student-expense table includes average rent with utilities of about €410/month. This is a historical survey average, not a current quote for Munich or Berlin. Price real rooms in the chosen city.
Complete budget
Include food, health insurance, transport beyond any semester ticket, materials, rent deposit and travel. The family should plan for arrival costs as well as the monthly amount.
Planning method: request the exact programme fee, price a real room, add food, transport, insurance, travel home, deposits and a contingency. Recheck every figure before accepting an offer.
04 / 07Accommodation
Make housing part of the choice
Look into Studierendenwerk residences, shared flats (WG) and private rentals as soon as the city is realistic. Waiting lists and competition differ by city. Read whether rent includes utilities, verify the room and tenancy, and ask the institution about orientation housing or emergency options. Check health insurance requirements before enrolment.
05 / 07Cities & settings
Where might the student thrive?
Berlin and Munich
Large academic and employer markets; accommodation can be difficult and costly.
Hamburg, Aachen and Heidelberg
Different subject strengths and urban scales; inspect the actual campus and rent.
Leipzig, Dresden and smaller cities
Potentially different living budgets and campus settings; check course availability and language.
06 / 07Economy & careers
Put the degree in context
Germany’s manufacturing and engineering base sits alongside automotive, chemicals, healthcare, research and digital services. Regional specialisation is useful when evaluating applied study and internships. German-language ability may matter even when lectures are in English; consult the programme’s placement and careers pages.
07 / 07Quality of life
Picture an ordinary Tuesday
A student should expect more responsibility for administration: housing contracts, registration, insurance and course enrolment. Ask about introductory support and the practical language needed in the city. Consider travel connections and whether the student prefers a dense metropolis or a more compact university town.
A plan for parents and students
Five decisions to make together.
- Choose three real programmes. Save their module lists, admission pages and the exact degree awarded.
- Check eligibility. Record qualification and subject rules, language evidence, application channel and every deadline.
- Build one budget per city. Use the published tuition for this student, a real housing option and a full-year living estimate.
- Test the daily experience. Ask about accommodation, travel, wellbeing, healthcare and who can help on arrival.
- Assign the next action. Decide what the student will research, what parents will verify and which questions need a university answer.
Our role: We can help compare routes and organise the questions from Spain or Italy. We will be explicit about the scope of our support and use official admissions information rather than claiming a local office.
We can help the family compare options and organise the work, while the institution and official authorities decide admissions, fee status and any immigration requirements.
Verify for your entry year
Official starting points.
Reviewed September 2026. Cost examples are sourced and dated where available. National averages are not offers. Requirements, fees, deadlines, housing and work or visa rules can change; the university and competent authorities are the final source for the student’s circumstances.
Considering Germany?
Tell us about the student’s interests, budget and questions. We’ll identify the next useful checks.