MS courses in Germany: the short version
In winter 2025/26, German universities offered 10,492 master's programmes. Only 18.2% of postgraduate programmes (1,944 of 10,659) were taught in English, so English-taught places are a small part of the market, and the ones Indians know best are crowded.[1]
Key takeaways
- Choose the subject first, the university second. German admission checks that your bachelor's modules match the master's, not just your percentage.
- Many master's need a related bachelor's, sometimes with set credits: Deggendorf's AI and Data Science master's asks for at least 18 ECTS in AI or data science courses.[2]
- Some programmes expect 210 ECTS (a 4-year degree); 3-year graduates may have to make up credits.[3]
- Fees: no tuition at many public universities, €1,500 a semester for non-EU students in Baden-Württemberg, and €4,000–6,000 a semester for most non-EU master's students at TUM.[4][5]
- Winter is the main intake. About 70% of the programmes we checked start only in October; a few start only in summer.
- The dMAT applies to engineering, commerce and business graduates for the summer 2027 intake onwards; pure CS/IT, biotech, food and agriculture degrees are not automatically affected.[6][7]
- Hidden gems are often German-taught. Brewing, railway engineering and packaging reward students who learn German early.
How to choose the right MS course in Germany
- Match your bachelor's modules. Download the programme's admission rules and compare the required subjects and credits with your transcript. A mechanical engineer applying to data science usually fails this step, however good the grades.
- Check the language of teaching, then the level. "English-taught" can still mean German A1 or A2 at admission or during the course. TU Chemnitz's Embedded Systems master's asks for German A1 at admission; Esslingen's Automotive Systems master's expects A2 by the end of semester 2.[8][9]
- Count your credits. A 3-year B.Sc. or BCA gives 180 ECTS; several master's ask for 210.[3][10]
- Check the fee by state and university. Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students €1,500 a semester; TUM charges most non-EU master's students €4,000 or €6,000.[4][5] Everyone pays a semester contribution.
- Look at jobs before you look at rankings. Ask what graduates of the course do, and whether the jobs need German. For starting salaries by field, see our courses, jobs and salaries section and our guide to jobs after MS in Germany.
- Then shortlist universities. Use our list of the best universities in Germany for MS and check every deadline on the programme page.
Universities (Universität, TU) are more research- and theory-heavy. Universities of applied sciences (Hochschule, TH, HAW) are practical, with projects and company links, and often run 3-semester master's for 210-ECTS graduates. Both award the same master's degree level.
Popular MS courses in Germany for Indian students: 16 verified programmes
Two strong programmes in each of the eight fields Indian students choose most. Each one is checked on the university's own page; "no tuition" means the programme page says so. Fees and deadlines change, so confirm before you apply. Want the full list for your field? Try the course matcher below.
| Programme | Language and length | Start | Fees | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer science, data science, AI | ||||
| Data Science and Artificial Intelligence M.Sc., Saarland University | English, 4 semesters | Summer or winter | No tuition | Bachelor's in computer science or a related field; English C1 (a medium-of-instruction certificate isn't accepted)[11] |
| Artificial Intelligence and Data Science M.Sc., TH Deggendorf with the University of South Bohemia | English, 4 semesters, joint degree | March in Deggendorf or September in České Budějovice | No tuition (service fees apply) | Bachelor's in AI, data science, computer science or a close field, with at least 18 ECTS in AI or data science[2] |
| Mechanical and automotive engineering | ||||
| Automotive Engineering M.Sc., RWTH Aachen | English, 3 semesters (90 credits) | Winter | Semester contribution | GRE General Test: 145 verbal, 160 quantitative, 3.0 writing[12][13] |
| Automotive Systems M.Eng., Hochschule Esslingen | English, 3 semesters | September | €1,500 a semester (non-EU) | Bachelor's in automotive, computer, mechanical, mechatronics or electrical engineering; German A2 by the end of semester 2[9] |
| Electrical, electronics and embedded systems | ||||
| Embedded Systems M.Sc., TU Chemnitz | English, 4 semesters | Usually winter | Semester contribution | English B2; German A1 at admission and A2 by the end of semester 3[8] |
| Electrical Engineering and Embedded Systems M.Eng., RWU Ravensburg-Weingarten | English, 3 semesters | Winter | €1,500 a semester (Baden-Württemberg) | 210 ECTS (180-ECTS graduates make up 30); IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 70; grade 2.5 or better[3][4] |
| Mechatronics, robotics and automation | ||||
| Automation and Robotics M.Sc., TU Dortmund | English, 2 years including a 6-month thesis | October | Semester contribution | Check the required bachelor's subjects on the programme page[14] |
| Mechatronic and Cyber-Physical Systems M.Eng., TH Deggendorf | English, 3 semesters | Winter | No tuition | At least 210 ECTS in mechanical, electrical, mechatronics or a related field; written aptitude exam; GATE or GRE recommended[10] |
| Energy and power engineering | ||||
| Power Engineering (ISE) M.Sc., University of Duisburg-Essen | 4 semesters | Winter or summer | Semester contribution | Open admission; English and German at B2[15] |
| Renewable Energy Management M.Sc., TH Köln | English, 4 semesters | Winter | Semester contribution | Grade 3.0 or better; IELTS 6.0; apply early February to 31 March[16] |
| Management and economics | ||||
| Mannheim Master in Management M.Sc., University of Mannheim | English, 4 semesters | Autumn only | €1,500 a semester (non-EU) | 36 ECTS in business courses; English C1 (IELTS 7.0); GMAT/GRE helps but isn't required[17] |
| International and Development Economics M.A., HTW Berlin | English, 3 semesters | Summer only (1 April) | Semester contribution | English C1 (e.g. IELTS 7.0); 3-year degrees need 6 months' work experience or must earn 30 extra ECTS during the programme[18][19] |
| Biotech and life sciences | ||||
| Molecular Bioengineering M.Sc., TU Dresden | English, 4 semesters | Winter | Semester contribution | Engineering, medicine or natural sciences degree; English B2+; aptitude assessment[20] |
| Biotechnology / Bioengineering M.Sc., HSWT (Weihenstephan campus, Freising) | German and English, 3 semesters | Summer or winter | Check the university page | 210 ECTS (180 with conditions) incl. 45 ECTS in sciences or process engineering; German B2[21] |
| Civil engineering and infrastructure | ||||
| Natural Hazards and Risks in Structural Engineering M.Sc., Bauhaus-Universität Weimar | English, 4 semesters | October | Semester contribution | Civil engineering bachelor's with grade 2.5 or better; IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each section)[22] |
| Sustainable Engineering of Infrastructure M.Eng., FH Erfurt | English, 3 semesters | Summer | Semester contribution | A 7-semester civil engineering bachelor's; restricted admission with an English exposé of up to 7,500 characters[23] |
"Semester contribution" means the programme page names no tuition fee; every student pays the university's semester contribution (usually a few hundred euros, often including a public transport ticket). German grades run from 1.0 (best) to 4.0 (pass): "2.5 or better" means 2.5 or lower. Convert your Indian marks before you compare.
Where are the jobs? Computer science master's graduates in Germany typically start on about €51,500 a year gross.[24] See starting salaries by field on our main guide.
Eligibility, fees and intakes for MS courses in Germany
| Topic | What to check |
|---|---|
| Your bachelor's subject | Most programmes need a related bachelor's, often with set credits: Mannheim's management master's asks for 36 ECTS in business; RWTH's railway master's for 18 ECTS in maths or statistics and 11 in mechanics.[17][40] |
| Credits: 180 or 210 ECTS | Several master's, especially at universities of applied sciences, expect 210 ECTS. RWU lets 180-ECTS graduates make up 30 ECTS; Deggendorf's mechatronics master's asks for at least 210.[3][10] Oldenburg's SuRE accepts a 6-semester (180 CP) bachelor's.[34] |
| Grades | Some programmes set a German minimum grade, such as 2.5 at Weimar and RWU or 3.0 at TH Köln.[22][3][16] Others use an aptitude assessment instead. |
| English | Usually IELTS 6.0–7.0 or the CEFR level the programme names (B2 or C1). Saarland doesn't accept a medium-of-instruction certificate.[11] See our guide to the IELTS score for MS in Germany. |
| German | Even English-taught programmes may ask for A1 or A2; German-taught ones usually ask for DSH-2 or TestDaF with TDN 4 in every part (DAAD's general minimum is B2).[47][48] Our German language guide explains the levels. |
| GRE, GATE and the dMAT | RWTH sets GRE minimums for some programmes; Deggendorf recommends GATE or GRE for mechatronics.[13][10] The dMAT is separate: it's part of the APS for engineering, commerce and business graduates. See the dMAT requirement. |
| Tuition | No tuition at many public universities; €1,500 a semester for non-EU students in Baden-Württemberg; TUM charges most non-EU master's students €4,000 or €6,000 a semester (€4,600 or €6,800 for new students from winter 2027/28); some universities, such as TH Rosenheim (€500) and Oldenburg's SuRE (€1,500), charge their own fees.[4][5][43][34] |
| Intakes | Winter (October) is the main intake: about 70% of the programmes we checked start only then. Summer-only programmes exist too, such as HTW Berlin's development economics and FH Erfurt's infrastructure master's.[18][23] |
Does your course need the dMAT?
APS India's list of affected fields (version 1.0, 29 June 2026) covers engineering (a long, non-exhaustive list of branches), commerce, accounting, finance and economics, and business and management. It applies to applications for the summer 2027 intake and later, unless you completed APS online registration before 29 June 2026.[6][7]
- Not automatically affected: standalone CS, IT, data science or AI degrees, BCA, B.Sc. biotech and life sciences, food, packaging and printing technology, agriculture (unless agricultural engineering), architecture, pharmacy and pure sciences.[6]
- Engineering counts as engineering: a B.E. or B.Tech in computer science is an engineering degree, so check your exact title. APS India decides the final classification.[6]
Free course matcher: which German master's fit your profile?
Match your degree to verified programmes
Pick your bachelor's field, degree length, English and German level and budget. You'll see the programmes from this page that fit, the ones that don't yet (and why), and whether the dMAT applies to you.
Based on the programmes on this page, checked on 12 October 2026. IELTS bands are a guide: some programmes name a CEFR level or other tests instead. Always confirm on the programme page.
The free Yastudy Course Finder searches our full programme database. Sign up, and a Yastudy counsellor can check your shortlist with you.
7 mistakes Indian students make when choosing an MS course in Germany
- Choosing by name, not by modules. "Data Science" at one university can need a CS bachelor's with C1 English; at another, 18 ECTS in AI or data science.[11][2] Read the admission rules, not the title.
- Applying only to the famous ten. Smaller universities and universities of applied sciences offer strong, practical programmes, often with fewer applicants.
- Ignoring the 210-ECTS rule. With a 3-year degree, check every programme's credit requirement first.[3]
- Assuming "English-taught" means no German. Some programmes ask for German A1 or A2, and most part-time jobs and many graduate jobs need German.[8][9]
- Missing that a course is summer- or winter-only. Plan your APS, tests and documents backwards from the intake the programme actually offers.
- Forgetting the fee map. For non-EU students, a programme in Baden-Württemberg or at TUM costs more than an equally good one elsewhere.[4][5]
- Overlooking German-taught gems. Brewing, railway and packaging master's are mostly in German. Starting German now opens a far bigger list of programmes, and of jobs.
How Yastudy helps you choose and get into the right course
Picking the course is the decision everything else depends on: your SOP, your APS, your visa and your job. We help you choose it carefully, and then we handle the rest.
- A counsellor-checked shortlist matched to your transcript, credits and budget: every Germany master's plan starts with it.
- Search the full database yourself in the free Yastudy Course Finder.
- Aiming for a hidden gem? Start German early with our live German course (A1 to B2).
- Engineering, commerce or business graduate? Prepare for the dMAT with our dMAT course, and for English with IELTS coaching.
Let Yastudy do this with you: Germany master’s plans
This step is part of every Yastudy plan for public universities in Germany. Pay online and your counsellor calls you within one working day with a dated plan for APS, the dMAT, tests, applications and the visa.
Essential
For self-starters who want an expert to check every step
- Profile evaluation and grade conversion
- Shortlist of 6 programmes (reach, match, safe)
- Up to 4 university applications reviewed
- APS document check (you file, we check)
- dMAT guidance: whether you need it and how to register
- Motivation letter and CV editing (2 rounds each) and LOR guidance
- Visa file check before you submit
Advantage
Done with you: we file alongside you, with German included
- Everything in Essential, plus:
- Up to 10 university applications
- Full APS filing support
- dMAT registration help and a prep plan with practice sets
- Live German A1 course included (worth ₹14,000)
- Consular Services Portal form filled in with you, plus a mock visa interview
Premium
Two intakes, unlimited applications and support after you land
- Everything in Advantage, plus:
- Unlimited applications across 2 intakes
- Live German A1 + A2 + B1 course included (worth ₹29,500)
- 1:1 dMAT coaching
- Scholarship and education-loan application support
- Arrival support: address registration, bank account, insurance and residence-permit appointment
Secure online payment through Razorpay. All prices in ₹ per student; GST as applicable. Plan terms, including what happens if you change your mind: Terms & Conditions. Third-party fees (APS, dMAT, uni-assist, visa) are not included; see full plan details. Applying only to private universities that work with us? Counselling is free: ask about free counselling.
MS courses in Germany: 12 questions Indian students ask
Choosing a course
Which MS course is best in Germany for Indian students?
The one that matches your bachelor's modules and the job you want. Computer science, automotive, embedded systems, mechatronics, energy, management and biotech are the most popular; brewing, railway engineering, photonics, renewable energy and agricultural sciences are strong, less-crowded options.
How many master's programmes are taught in English in Germany?
In winter 2025/26, 1,944 of 10,659 postgraduate programmes (18.2%) were taught in English, according to the German Rectors' Conference (HRK).
What are some unique MS courses in Germany?
Brewing and Beverage Technology (TUM Weihenstephan and TU Berlin, in German), the Vinifera EuroMaster in wine (Geisenheim), Railway Systems Engineering (RWTH Aachen), Photonics (Jena, KIT), Wood Technology (TH Rosenheim), Sustainable Renewable Energy Technologies (Oldenburg) and Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics and Subtropics (Hohenheim).
Can I study brewing in Germany in English?
The brewing master's at TUM and TU Berlin are taught in German, and both expect prior brewing, science or engineering knowledge; TU Berlin expects a brewing or closely related degree. Plan for German at a high level and a related bachelor's such as food technology, biotech or chemical engineering.
Can I change my field for a master's in Germany?
Usually only to a closely related field. Admission checks your bachelor's modules and credits against the master's requirements, so a big switch, say from mechanical to data science, rarely works without the right credits.
Eligibility and fees
Can I do an MS in Germany after a 3-year degree?
Yes, for many programmes. Some expect 210 ECTS (a 4-year degree), and a few let 180-ECTS graduates make up the difference. Check each programme's credit requirement.
Are MS courses in Germany free?
Many public universities charge no tuition, only a semester contribution. Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students €1,500 a semester, TUM charges most non-EU master's students €4,000 or €6,000, and some universities set their own fees.
Do I need the GRE for an MS in Germany?
Only for some programmes. RWTH Aachen sets GRE minimums for selected master's, such as Automotive Engineering, and its Railway Systems Engineering master's asks non-EU applicants for the GRE; others recommend GATE or GRE or don't ask for it at all.
Do I need the dMAT for my course?
If your bachelor's is in engineering, commerce, economics or business, most likely yes, for the summer 2027 intake onwards. Standalone CS/IT, BCA, biotech, food and agriculture degrees aren't automatically affected. APS India decides the final classification.
Do I need German for an English-taught MS?
Sometimes. TU Chemnitz's Embedded Systems master's asks for A1 at admission and Esslingen's Automotive Systems master's for A2 by semester 2. For jobs, German at B1 or higher makes a big difference.
Intakes and next steps
Which intake is better, winter or summer?
Winter (October) has far more programmes: about 70% of the ones we checked start only in winter. Summer suits you only if your chosen programme offers it.
How do I find every course that fits me?
Use the course matcher on this page for verified programmes, then the free Yastudy Course Finder for the full database, and confirm each programme on its university page before you apply.
About this guide
Who wrote it
The Yastudy Germany Desk, with our team in Freising, Germany, a few minutes from the Weihenstephan campus.
How we checked the facts
Checked on 12 October 2026 against each programme's own page, the German Rectors' Conference (HRK), APS India, the Baden-Württemberg science ministry, TUM, Destatis and Weihenstephan.
When we update it
Each January, and when application windows open or fees change.
Our standards
- We list programmes on merit; no university pays to be on this page.
- We say when a course is taught in German.
- Spotted something out of date? Email admission@yastudy.com.
Get your free MS in Germany eligibility check
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Prefer to talk now? WhatsApp +91 76678 96481
Sources
All checked on 12 October 2026. Where a source has a publication date, it's shown.
- German Rectors’ Conference (HRK): Statistical data on study programmes, winter semester 2025/26 (2026)
- Deggendorf Institute of Technology: Artificial Intelligence and Data Science M.Sc. (joint degree with the University of South Bohemia)
- RWU Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences: Electrical Engineering and Embedded Systems M.Eng. (Jun 2026)
- Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts Baden-Württemberg: Tuition fees for international students (€1,500 a semester)
- Technical University of Munich: Tuition fees for students from non-EU countries
- APS India: dMAT India: list of affected fields, version 1.0 (29 Jun 2026)
- APS India: dMAT: information for master’s applicants (updated 13 Jul 2026)
- TU Chemnitz: Embedded Systems M.Sc. (7 Sep 2026)
- Hochschule Esslingen: Automotive Systems M.Eng. (31 Jul 2025)
- Deggendorf Institute of Technology: Mechatronic and Cyber-Physical Systems M.Eng.
- Saarland University: Data Science and Artificial Intelligence M.Sc.
- RWTH Aachen University: Automotive Engineering M.Sc.: programme description (20 Jan 2026)
- RWTH Aachen University: GRE requirements for master’s programmes (Mar 2025)
- TU Dortmund University: Automation and Robotics M.Sc.: description of the programme
- University of Duisburg-Essen: Power Engineering (ISE) M.Sc. (12 Sep 2026)
- TH Köln: Renewable Energy Management M.Sc.: how to apply
- University of Mannheim: Mannheim Master in Management M.Sc.
- HTW Berlin: International and Development Economics M.A.: admission requirements
- HTW Berlin: International and Development Economics M.A.: programme overview
- TU Dresden: Molecular Bioengineering M.Sc.: programme information (23 Mar 2026)
- Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT): Biotechnology / Bioengineering M.Sc.
- Bauhaus-Universität Weimar: Natural Hazards and Risks in Structural Engineering M.Sc.
- FH Erfurt: Sustainable Engineering of Infrastructure M.Eng.
- ingenieur.de: What computer scientists really earn (11 Jun 2026)
- Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan: Our history
- Technical University of Munich: Brewing and Beverage Technology M.Sc. (Oct 2026)
- Destatis (Federal Statistical Office): Zahl der Woche: number of breweries in Germany falls to 1,415 in 2025 (German) (4 Aug 2026)
- TU Berlin: Brewing and Beverage Technology M.Sc.
- Technical University of Munich: Aptitude assessment statute: Brauwesen und Getränketechnologie M.Sc. (German) (May 2022)
- Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT): Brewing and Beverage Technology B.Eng.
- Hochschule Geisenheim University: Vinifera EuroMaster M.Sc.
- Hochschule Geisenheim University: Wine Business M.Sc.
- Hochschule Geisenheim University: Enology M.Sc.
- University of Oldenburg: Sustainable Renewable Energy Technologies (SuRE) M.Sc. (29 May 2026)
- University of Oldenburg: SuRE (formerly PPRE): application (24 Jun 2026)
- Abbe School of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena: Photonics M.Sc. (9 Sep 2026)
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT): Optics and Photonics M.Sc. (9 Sep 2026)
- University of Hohenheim: Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics and Subtropics M.Sc. (1 Oct 2026)
- DAAD: International Programmes 2025/2026: Railway Systems Engineering M.Sc., RWTH Aachen
- RWTH Aachen University: Railway Systems Engineering: prerequisites
- TU Dresden: Bahnsystemingenieurwesen M.Sc. (railway systems engineering; German) (27 Aug 2026)
- TH Rosenheim: Wood Technology M.Sc.
- TH Rosenheim: What are the costs of studying? Tuition fees and student union fees
- Hochschule der Medien Stuttgart: Packaging Development Management M.Sc. (German)
- TH Köln: Integrated Water Resources Management M.Sc.: how to apply
- University of Freiburg: Environmental Governance M.Sc.
- TestDaF Institute: Nachweis der Deutschkenntnisse für das Studium (TDN 4 in all parts)
- DAAD: Studying in Germany: requirements overview (language)
