You can study almost anything you wish to study in Germany, given the wide range of study programs in vocational and academic segment ranging from bachelor to doctoral degrees in Germany. 

What types of programs can I study in Germany?

Study programs are divided mainly in two categories based on:

1. Language of Instruction 
2. Tuition fees

I. Language of Instruction 

Depending upon the language of instruction, a program can be completely delivered in English or German or partially delivered in English initially and the rest of the program delivered in German (once the student has reached the required German proficiency).

i. German taught programs 

These programs are offered at all levels- Bachelor, Master, Doctorate and fully delivered in German. Apart from having the required academic entry criteria students must be very fluent in German language documented by B2/C1. Many universities require international students to prove their proficiency of German through one of the following tests:

• TestDaF (4x4) – (Test als Deutsch als Fremdsprache)
• DSH-2 (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang)
• Goethe Certificate B2/C1

German language courses are also offered by many universities to support international students for better integration but it is not a replacement for not learning German in your home country while you still have time. 

DSH tests can only be taken at a university (usually with a full-fledged German faculty) in Germany. Not all the universities offer DSH tests. Usually students who wish to take DSH-2 test for studying a German taught program must have at least B1 level of German language proficiency in Nepal. 

Certain programs such as Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Law, Journalism is offered only as German taught. Usually there are more study options and specializations in German taught programs in Germany.

ii. Bilingual programs

Most of the programs offered in Germany are German taught programs, however a good number of universities offer programs bilingual programs. Some programs may be taught in English for the first 1-2 semester followed by modules in German. 

Some programs may require both English and German proficiency at the time of application and some subjects may be offered in German whereas some may be offered in English and you can choose to write your thesis in German or English.

These programs are mainly offered by some some University of Applied Sciences in the fields of Engineering and business programs in Germany.

iii. English taught programs 

There are more than 2500+ study programs at bachelor and master degree level offered in English at state and private universities in Germany and the number of English taught programs at universities in Germany is growing day by day. 

Most of the English taught programs are mainly concentrated in Master degree level but there are also a good number of programs at Bachelor degree in English medium at state and private universities in Germany. 

The demand of English taught programs by International students is huge and there are very less places compared to the number of international student applications which makes admission in English taught programs highly competitive. 

II. Programs based on Tuition fees

Depending on the amount of tuition fees paid by the students for studying in Germany, all the available programs can be broadly divided in two categories:

A. Free Study Programs in Germany

These programs are offered only by state universities mainly for following programs:

1. German taught foundation programs 
   There are no tuition fees for studying foundation course at the studienkollegs run by the state or state universities. 
   
   
2. German taught bachelor programs 
   Most German taught programs offered at state universities in Germany do not charge any tuition fees except for semester contribution charges around 200-300 Euros per semester. 
   
   
3. English taught bachelor/Master programs 
   There are no tuition fees for English taught bachelor and master programs offered my most state universities except for semester contribution. 

B. Programs with tuition fees in Germany

1. German taught Bachelor/Master Programs at state universities
   A few programs such as Business Administration in Bachelor and Master degree level such as MBA though offered in German are subject to tuition fees. 
   
   
2. Gerrman taught Master programs at private universities
   Students have to pay tuition fees for German taught Master programs at private universities. It is not recommended for international students unless you specifically want to apply for a certain program. 
   
   
3. English taught Bachelor/Master programs at state universities
   Some programs which are privately run by a faculty at a state university in Germany such as MBAs and others are subject to tuition fees. 
   
   
4. English taught Bachelor/Master programs at Private universities
   If you want to apply for an English taught Bachelor or Master program at a state universities in Germany, you are required to pay tuition fees, however there are many scholarships and waivers to help you with the study costs. 

What programs/courses can I study in Germany?

What programs you can study in Germany is based on your academic qualifications and program of interest gained in your home country. Here is an overview of the study opportunities available for different types of qualifications of Nepalese students for studying in Germany. 

1. 10+2/CBSE (National Education Board) Qualifications from Nepal/India

You can study German taught Bachelor programs via Studienkolleg in German upon the completion of B1 level of German language. 

It is also possible to study Foundation course in Business at a private university leading to English taught Bachelor at a state or private university. 

2. Diploma from Tribhuvan University

You can study German or English taught Bachelor degree programs via Studienkolleg upon the completion of B1 level of German language. 

In order to study English taught program after the completion of the foundation course at the studienkolleg in Germany, you must have an overall score of 6.0 in IELTS or equivalent test.

3. A-Levels Qualifications

With a proper A – levels, you can study Bachelor degree in English taught program with an overall score of 6.0 in IELTS or equivalent test. 

You can study a German taught Bachelor program after passing B1 level Examination followed by a semester of German language course at a university with DSH-2 Examination. 

OR

If you do not have the required subject combinations in A-levels for studying at a public university, you can apply for studying an English taught program at a private university provided that your A-levels are considered to equivalent for admission at a university in Nepal. 

4. Diploma from CTEVT 

Public universities in Germany do not recognize the Diploma from CTEVT for admission in Bachelor programs. 

For Diploma in Engineering graduates, it is possible for you to study Engineering after learning B1 level of German language followed by studienkolleg at a private university in Germany. 

Upon the completion of the foundation course, you can choose to study Engineering degree at a public or private university.

5. 1^ST/2^nd year bachelor degree pass from a Nepalese university 

You can study Bachelor degree in English taught program with an overall score of 6.0 in IELTS or equivalent test.

You can study a German taught Bachelor program after passing B1 level Examination followed by a semester of German language course at a university with DSH-2 Examination.

6. Bachelor degree from Nepalese University/ from India

a. 3-year Bachelor degree 

3 years Bachelor degree is usually not recognized for admission in an English taught Master program at a public university, however there are some exceptions for programs such as Tourism Management. 

You can apply for studying a second Bachelor degree in Germany at a state university or a 1.5/2-year Master program (120 ECTS) in English at a public or private university in Germany.

OR

If you have passed your first year Master degree from a university in Nepal or completed your Master degree, you can study English taught Master program at a public or private university in Germany depending on your grades.

b. 4 year Bachelor degree from Nepal/India

You can study English taught Master program at a public or private university depending upon your grade/marks and subject of interest.

If you have completed Master degree in addition to a 4 year Bachelor degree, you can apply for studying a second Master degree in English taught program at a state or private university depending upon your grades. 

7. Foreign University Degrees gained in Nepal/Abroad

a. Foreign University Degrees gained in Nepal

Usually foreign university degrees or Transnational university degree gained in Nepal is not recognized by most German universities. Admission is possible only at a small number of English taught programs at state universities in Germany.

b. Foreign University Degrees

Admission is possible for students with foreign university degrees gained in the country of the university based on the recognition of the qualifications according to Central office for Foreign Education (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB).

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