Higher Education in Germany – Why and How?
There were several good reasons for this assumption. Canadian universities offer an academic standard comparable to many leading universities in the United States while generally charging lower tuition fees. In addition, graduates of Canadian institutions often find it relatively easy to obtain Canadian work and residence permits, and Canada consistently ranks among the world's top countries for quality of life.
Over time, however, we found that the majority of our students and parents were more interested in studying in Europe—particularly in Germany.
Why Is Germany So Popular for Higher Education?
Although German universities may not always rank among the very top institutions globally, many consistently achieve outstanding positions in international university rankings. For example, while no German university appeared in the top 25 of the 2026 Times Higher Education (2026 THE) World University Rankings, 18 German universities were ranked among the world's top 200.
This success is largely due to Germany's strong commitment to education and the fact that its higher education system is funded almost entirely by the government. While German universities may not have the multi-billion-dollar endowments required to compete with a handful of the world's wealthiest institutions, Germany is home to a remarkable number of high-quality public universities.
To illustrate, consider two of Germany's leading universities.
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), founded in 1472, has more than 52,000 students across 20 faculties, with 22% of its student body coming from abroad. The university has produced 50 Nobel Prize winners throughout its history, employs approximately 7,000 academic staff, and operates with an annual budget of nearly €1 billion.
The Technical University of Munich (TUM), established in 1868, specializes in science and technology. Across its three campuses, TUM has 15 academic departments, approximately 9,000 faculty members, and more than 52,000 students. With an annual budget of €2.2 billion, two aspects of TUM stand out in particular: 45% of its students are international, and the university proudly describes itself as "The Entrepreneurial University."
Germany arguably offers the best value for money in higher education. Apart from modest semester fees—typically between €100 and €400—public universities are tuition-free in 15 of Germany's 16 federal states, even for international students.
Other reasons why Germany continues to attract increasing numbers of international students include:
- Germany offers a rich history and a vibrant cultural life.
- Located in the heart of Europe, it provides easy access to neighboring countries with a student visa.
- Compared with English-speaking countries and Northern Europe, living costs are relatively affordable, particularly in former East German cities such as Leipzig, Dresden, and Jena.
- German universities offer a wide variety of academic programs, and their degrees are recognized by employers around the world.
- Although many programs are taught in German, the number of English-taught degree programs continues to grow.
- The German higher education system places equal emphasis on academic and professional development, allowing students to personalize their education through numerous specialization options.
- Germany's strong industrial and technological foundation makes it particularly well known for excellence in engineering and computer science.
- German university degrees enjoy an outstanding international reputation.
- International students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week, helping them gain valuable professional experience while contributing to their living expenses.
- Many international graduates have opportunities to remain and work in Germany for an extended period after completing their studies.
For these reasons, Germany is widely regarded as one of the most attractive destinations in Europe for international students. Today, the country hosts nearly 500,000 international university students, including approximately 18,000 from Türkiye (Study in Germany).
There is also an important domestic reason why Germany has become such a popular destination for international students. Due to demographic changes and an aging population, enrollments at German universities have begun to decline. By welcoming students from around the world, Germany aims not only to maintain a healthy higher education system today but also to attract the highly skilled professionals needed to sustain its position as Europe's leading economy in the years ahead. Supported by immigration policies that encourage skilled migration, studying at a German university offers students not only a world-class education but also the possibility of building a long-term career and life in Germany.
The German Higher Education System
Germany, widely regarded as the birthplace of the modern research university, maintained a higher education system based almost exclusively on public universities for many years. Private universities emerged in Germany around the same time they did in Türkiye, and their numbers have grown steadily ever since. The country's first private university, Witten/Herdecke University, was founded in 1980.
Today, Germany is home to approximately 300 public universities as well as around 100 private universities, most of which are foundation-based institutions. Although private universities enroll only about 5% of all university students, they offer an important alternative within the German higher education system.
Annual tuition fees at private universities generally range from €5,000 to €20,000, and instruction is often delivered in English. Since most private institutions are accredited by the German government, they are subject to strict quality standards. Admission is typically somewhat easier than at public universities because enrollment is not constrained by the same capacity limits, and graduation rates also tend to be slightly higher. In my opinion, the private higher education sector in Germany will continue to expand, largely driven by growing demand from international students.
Beyond the distinction between public and private institutions, another key feature of the German higher education system is the difference between Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences.
Traditional universities provide a more theoretical and academically oriented education. They are generally the preferred choice for students planning to pursue a master's or doctoral degree. Typical university programs include the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, law, education, and the arts.
Higher education institutions that are not classified as traditional universities are known in German as Fachhochschulen, a term commonly translated into English as Universities of Applied Sciences.
Although the closest equivalent in the Turkish education system might be a vocational college, these institutions differ significantly from Turkish vocational schools. Their academic programs are similar to those offered by traditional universities but place much greater emphasis on practical learning. For example, internships are often a mandatory part of the curriculum, and these institutions are designed primarily for students who intend to enter the workforce immediately after graduation.
Students can pursue degrees in fields such as:
- Engineering
- Information Technology
- Design
- Business Administration
Graduates of Universities of Applied Sciences are also eligible to apply for master's degree programs at traditional German universities.
In my opinion, these institutions represent an attractive option for Turkish students who are considering higher education in Germany.
To summarize Germany's higher education landscape:
- 121 Universities
- 220 Universities of Applied Sciences
- 58 Colleges of Art
Among Germany's 399 higher education institutions, there are 19 private universities and 93 private Universities of Applied Sciences.
Although Germany's most prestigious institutions are generally public universities, Turkish students planning to study in Germany should consider the full range of higher education options available rather than focusing exclusively on traditional public universities.
How Can Turkish Students Study at German Universities?
Students who graduate from high school in Türkiye can pursue higher education in Germany through several different pathways.
1. YKS + DSD II
This is the most economical route to studying at a German university.
Students who are admitted to a degree program in Türkiye through the Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS) may be eligible to study the same program in Germany if they can demonstrate the required level of German language proficiency, typically B2 or C1. The German universities a student can apply to depend partly on their YKS placement score.
Because each university may have its own language admission requirements, there is no single pathway that applies to every institution. The most widely accepted German language qualifications are:
- DSD II (Deutsches Sprachdiplom Stufe II)
- TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache)
Some universities may also require applicants to submit TestAS (Test für Ausländische Studierende) results to assess their academic readiness.
In addition to demonstrating German language proficiency, this pathway has three significant disadvantages:
Students must first go through the highly competitive YKS process and gain admission to their intended field of study.
In most cases, they can only study the same major in Germany that they were admitted to through YKS.
Since the application deadline for the winter semester at many German universities is July 15, while YKS results are usually announced in mid-August, students generally have to wait an additional year before beginning their studies in Germany.
2. Abitur
The Abitur is the highest secondary school qualification in Germany and is awarded after students successfully complete five centralized examinations during their final year of high school.
Obtaining an Abitur is far from easy. Even in Germany, only about half of all high school graduates earn an Abitur diploma, while the remaining students graduate with the standard secondary school qualification.
In Türkiye, students wishing to obtain an Abitur must take a series of written and oral examinations in subjects including:
- German
- English
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
Although anyone may register for the Abitur examinations, students who have not received instruction from teachers qualified to teach the Abitur curriculum generally have little chance of success.
Currently, only two high schools in Türkiye provide comprehensive preparation for the Abitur:
- İstanbul Erkek High School
- Private German High School (Özel Alman Lisesi)
3. IB or GIB
German universities also recognize the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma—and its German-language adaptation, GIB—as proof of university readiness.
Developed and administered by the International Baccalaureate Organization, the IB programme aims to develop the intellectual, personal, emotional, and social skills students need to thrive in an ever-changing world. In my opinion, the IB is one of the finest secondary education systems available worldwide.
However, this pathway has two notable disadvantages:
- Only a relatively small percentage of students successfully complete the academically demanding IB programme.
- Schools offering the IB curriculum tend to charge very high tuition fees. For example, İELEV, which offers the GIB diploma, currently charges annual tuition exceeding 1.5 million Turkish Lira.
4. Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
German universities recognize secondary school diplomas from many countries around the world, and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) is one of them.
Through the evening online courses offered by Ontario International High School (OIHS), students in Türkiye can earn an OSSD while continuing their local high school education.
Some German universities accept applicants who complete Grades 9, 10, and 11 in Türkiye and earn an OSSD by completing only eight Ontario courses at OIHS. However, universities that process applications through the uni-assist centralized admissions system generally require students to complete both Grade 11 and Grade 12 within the Ontario curriculum—a total of 14 Ontario courses.
These courses can typically be completed within two to two and a half years. Students are generally expected to complete:
- Two second-language courses (German is recommended)
- Two Mathematics courses
- One Science course
Since admission requirements and course prerequisites vary by university and academic program, students should always verify the latest requirements directly with the institutions to which they plan to apply.
Many OIHS graduates are currently studying at German universities. Unlike the YKS + DSD II pathway, the three major limitations discussed earlier do not apply to students pursuing an OSSD. For this reason, I believe that earning an Ontario Secondary School Diploma is one of the most accessible, flexible, and cost-effective pathways for Turkish students who wish to pursue higher education in Germany.
Where Can I Find More Information?
For readers looking for additional information, I particularly recommend the following English-language resources:
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