Europe
Germany: schools and universities
Germany's school system is run by its sixteen states, so the school year, the age at which children are sorted into different secondary schools and the school-leaving exam all vary from one state to another.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| School start | Usually at age six |
| School year | August or September to June or July, depending on the state |
| Secondary school | Children move into different school types after year 4 in most states |
| Tuition at public universities | None for most programmes, apart from a semester contribution |
| Exception | Baden-Württemberg charges tuition to most students from outside the EU |
Schools
International schools are found in most large cities, including Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Düsseldorf. Many teach the IB, and some follow British or American curricula. State schools are free and teach in German. Younger children usually adapt quickly, and some schools run welcome classes for newly arrived pupils. Older children face the harder question of which secondary school type they will join.
Universities
Most public universities charge no tuition for most programmes, only a semester contribution that covers student services and, in many cities, a public transport ticket. Universities focus on research, while universities of applied sciences focus on practical and professional subjects. Most bachelor's degrees are taught in German, but a growing number of master's programmes are taught in English. Many international applicants apply through uni-assist, which checks foreign certificates for a group of universities. The guide to tuition-free and low-cost universities in Europe compares Germany with other countries.
Students from outside the EU usually need to show they can pay for living costs, often by opening a blocked bank account with a set yearly amount before applying for the visa.
Before you apply
- Check whether your school-leaving certificate gives direct entry or requires a foundation year (Studienkolleg).
- Confirm the language of the exact programme, not the university as a whole.
- Start looking for a room early in Munich, Frankfurt and Hamburg, where student housing is scarce.
Directory entry, checked October 2026. Entries describe the education system in general terms and link to country listings.