Doing a Master's in Germany: A-Z Guide

Short answer: With your Bachelor's degree from Turkey, you can pursue a Master's in Germany. It generally takes 2 years (4 semesters), is mostly free at public Universitäten, and requires a VPD via Uni-Assist for application, an English or German language certificate, and a Bachelor's GPA of at least 2.50 / 4.00 (≈ 70%). Application deadlines are July 15 for the winter semester and January 15 for the summer semester.

#Why a Master's in Germany?

Germany is the second most popular country for international Master's students worldwide (after only the USA). Its appeal for international students includes:

• Low tuition fees: 0 €/semester at public Universitäten in 14 Bundesländer (detailed cost guide)
• English Master's programs: According to the DAAD, there are 2,500+ English Master's programs – you don't have to learn German
• Work permit: You can work 120 full / 240 half days during your Master's
• 18-month job-seeking visa after graduation – a clear path to a permanent career in Germany
• Academic prestige: TUM, RWTH, Heidelberg, LMU are ranked among the top 50 globally
• Industry-academia bridge: You can write your Master's thesis at companies like Siemens, BMW, BASF

Throughout this article, we will detail admission requirements, document processes, deadlines, financing, best programs, and post-graduation options.

#1. Types of Master's degrees — Which Master's is right for you?

Master's degrees in Germany are not uniform. They are grouped into five main categories.

#Konsekutiver Master (Consecutive Master's)

The most common type. Taken immediately after a Bachelor's, directly related to the Bachelor's field. Example:

• Bachelor's Mechanical Engineering → Master Mechanical Engineering
• Bachelor's Business → Master Business Administration / Management

Duration: 2-4 semesters (usually 4) ECTS: 120 Fees: Free at public Universitäten (Baden-Württemberg 1,500 €/semester for non-EU)

#Nicht-Konsekutiver Master (Non-Consecutive Master's)

A Master's in a different field than the Bachelor's. E.g., Engineering Bachelor's → Management Master's. Most Universitäten require "bridging modules."

#Weiterbildender Master (Continuing Education Master's)

Aimed at working professionals, requiring at least 1 year of work experience. Such as MBA, health management, legal specialization (LL.M.).

Fees: 5,000–35,000 €/program (highest at private schools) Duration: 3-6 semesters, usually part-time / online

#MBA programs

Management-focused, for professionals with work experience.

#LL.M. (Law Master's)

Specifically for law graduates. Generally 2 semesters, fees range from 3,000–25,000 €.

#2. Admission Requirements — International student profile

#a) Bachelor's degree

• 4-year Turkish Bachelor's degree (equivalent to 240 ECTS)
• 3-year Bachelor's degrees are sometimes insufficient – some Universitäten require 210 ECTS, Turkish 3-year programs are equivalent to 180 ECTS, requiring additional credit completion
• Incomplete Bachelor's degrees are not accepted – a diploma is required

#b) Grade Point Average (Turkish → German conversion)

The German grading system is 1.0 (best) – 4.0 (pass) – 5.0 (fail). The Turkish 4.00 system is converted as follows (modified Bavarian formula):

Practical threshold: Most Master's programs require a GPA above 2.50/4.00 (60-65/100). Top Universitäten (TUM, RWTH, ETH-type) require 3.00/4.00 (75/100) and above. In case of a lower GPA:

• Write a strong motivation letter
• Apply to 3-5 less competitive Universitäten in parallel
• Higher chance of admission at Universitäten in less central Bundesländer (Magdeburg, Cottbus, Wismar)

💡 You can automatically convert your Turkish GPA to a German grade with our Grade Converter tool.

#c) Language certificate

If the education is in German:

• TestDaF TDN 4 (from all 4 sections) or
• DSH-2 or
• Goethe-Zertifikat C2 or
• telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule

If the education is in English:

• IELTS 6.5+ (some top Universitäten 7.0)
• TOEFL iBT 88+ (top Universitäten 100+)
• Cambridge CAE (C1 Advanced)
• Some Universitäten accept Duolingo English Test 110+ (post-COVID standard)

📝 TestDaF or DSH? Detailed comparison →

#d) Standardized tests (GRE / GMAT)

Generally not required – most European Universitäten do not ask for GRE/GMAT. Exceptions:

• Some top English Master's programs (TUM Management, RWTH Engineering, Heidelberg) consider GRE optional
• MBA programs mostly require GMAT 600+
• Law Master's do not require additional tests

#e) Academic reference + motivation letter

For almost every application:

• 2 academic reference letters (from Bachelor's professors)
• Letter of Motivation / Motivation Letter (usually 1.5-2 pages in English/German)
• CV (Lebenslauf) in Europass format

#3. Turkish Bachelor's equivalency — VPD process

To have your Turkish diploma considered "equivalent" in the German system, you need a VPD (Vorprüfungsdokumentation) document.

#What is VPD?

VPD = A document confirming the validity of your Turkish diploma in the German Bachelor's standard. Issued by Uni-Assist. Mandatory in most Bundesländer for Master's applications.

#How to get a VPD?

1. Open a Uni-Assist account: my.uni-assist.de
2. Upload diploma + transcript (apostilled + notarized translation into German/English)
3. Fee: 75 € for the first application, then 30 € per additional Universität
4. Waiting time: 4-8 weeks
5. Once you have the VPD, you can apply directly to the Universität

💡 Uni-Assist Detailed Guide → (coming soon)

#Which Universität applies via Uni-Assist, which directly?

• Berlin, Saxony, Hesse, Bavaria most Universitäten: Uni-Assist mandatory
• NRW (Aachen, Köln, Düsseldorf), Schleswig-Holstein: Direct Universität application
• Baden-Württemberg: Mixed – Heidelberg/Tübingen direct, KIT/Stuttgart Uni-Assist

Look for "Bewerbung über uni-assist" or "Direktbewerbung" on the Universität's application page.

#4. Application Process — Step by Step

#Stage 1 — 12-18 months before: Program selection

• Clarify your target field
• Identify 3-7 Universitäten (1 elite, 3-4 medium, 2 safety)
• List language + GPA + additional test requirements

💡 Compare programs by field, city, language, fees using Universität search + filtering.

#Stage 2 — 9-12 months before: Language certificate

• Schedule TestDaF / DSH / IELTS exam dates
• We recommend taking 2 attempts (40% risk of not getting the desired score on the first attempt)

#Stage 3 — 6-9 months before: Documents

• Apostille for diploma + transcript (start with notary, get apostille from District Governor's Office)
• Sworn translation into German/English
• Reference letters (professors may take 4-6 weeks to provide)
• Motivation letter (at least 3 revisions recommended)

#Stage 4 — 3-6 months before: VPD + Universität application

• Upload to Uni-Assist, get VPD
• Apply to each Universität separately (via Uni-Assist or directly)
• Application fee: 30–75 €/Universität

#Stage 5 — 2-3 months before: Acceptance letter + visa

• Once you receive the Zulassung (acceptance letter), confirm enrollment within 1 week
• Open a Sperrkonto (Expatrio, Fintiba) → deposit 11,904 € (2026 amount)
• Obtain Krankenversicherung (health insurance) certificate
• Schedule a visa appointment at the German consulate (can take 4-12 weeks)
• For visa: passport, acceptance letter, Sperrkonto, insurance, proof of finances

#Stage 6 — 1 month before: Germany preparation

• Book your flight ticket
• Find a dorm or shared apartment (Studierendenwerk + WG-Gesucht)
• Schedule an Anmeldung (residence registration) appointment (cannot be done from Turkey, only after arriving in Germany)

#5. Important Deadlines

The most critical dates for international students:

#Winter Semester (September-March) — Main intake

#Summer Semester (March-September)

Recommendation: The winter semester (October start) offers a wider selection of programs. Master's programs, especially German-taught ones, are limited in the summer semester.

#6. Best Master's Programs — By Field

#Engineering & Computer Science

Mostly English-taught. Admission rate 20-40%, GPA threshold 2.7/4.0.

#Business & Economics

Some do not require GMAT, motivation + GPA are more critical.

#Data Science & Artificial Intelligence

• TUM: M.Sc. Data Engineering and Analytics
• TU Berlin: Data Science / AI
• Heidelberg: Scientific Computing
• Tübingen: Machine Learning
• Saarland Universität: Visual Computing (linked to Max Planck institute)

#Social Sciences

• FU Berlin: International Relations, East European Studies
• Heidelberg: Political Science
• Tübingen: Peace Research and International Politics
• Bremen: Sociology

#Art & Design

• HfG Karlsruhe, UdK Berlin, Bauhaus Weimar: Portfolio application required
• Folkwang Universität Essen: Music, dance, performing arts

#7. Financing — How to finance your Master's?

#Family support + Sperrkonto

11,904 € annually must be deposited into a Sperrkonto for visa purposes. Most international families start with this method.

#Werkstudent (student job)

Right to work 120 full / 240 half days during your Master's. Hourly 13–18 €. 20-40 hours/month = 260–700 €, covers 30-50% of living expenses.

#Scholarships

DAAD Master's scholarship — The most prestigious option, 850–1,200 €/month + health insurance + flight.

• Application: Through the DAAD office in your home country (Ankara for Turkey)
• Deadline: October 1 for winter start (1 year in advance!)
• Success rate: 15-20%

Universität's own scholarships (Deutschlandstipendium 300 €/month) — apply after enrolling at the Universität.

Friedrich-Ebert, Konrad-Adenauer, Heinrich-Böll foundations — political/foundation scholarships, application takes time.

#KfW Studienkredit (German loan system)

Limited for non-EU students. You need to have started your Master's within 2 semesters + be registered in Germany. Monthly 100–650 € loan.

#Assistantship (HiWi)

As a Master's student, you can get a HiWi (Hilfswissenschaftlicher) position at the Universität. Monthly 300–500 €, opportunity to join a professor's research team.

#8. After Graduation — Stay in Germany or return?

After receiving your Master's diploma, you have the right to an 18-month job-seeking visa (Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Arbeitsplatzsuche). During this period:

#Sequential options

1. Find a job + get a Blue Card (annual salary ≥ 45,300 € = automatic Blue Card)
2. Start a PhD (doctoral visa 4 years + permanent residency afterwards)
3. Entrepreneurship visa (Selbständigkeit) — rarely used by international students
4. Return to your home country if you don't work in Germany

#Important statistics

• 65% of Master's graduates in Germany find employment after graduation
• 70%+ of international students prefer to stay in Germany after graduation
• Average starting salary (engineering): 47,000–55,000 € gross/year
• IT sector starting salary: 52,000–65,000 €

#FAQ

#Is my Turkish Bachelor's degree accepted for a Master's in Germany?

Yes, the vast majority of 4-year Bachelor's degrees approved by YÖK in Turkey are accepted for Master's applications in Germany. For 3-year Bachelor's degrees, additional module completion may be required.

#Can I do a Master's in Germany without knowing German?

Yes. The DAAD database lists 2,500+ fully English-taught Master's programs. Even with zero German knowledge, you can apply to these programs and study in English. However, learning A2-B1 level German is practical for daily life.

#How many Universitäten should I apply to for a Master's?

5-7 Universitäten are recommended: 1 elite (like TUM, RWTH), 3-4 medium (Heidelberg, Bonn, Hamburg), 2 safety (Cottbus, Magdeburg). Applying to 7+ Universitäten via Uni-Assist can be expensive as each additional Universität costs 30 €.

#Is the "free" Master's truly free?

In 14 Bundesländer, yes. In Baden-Württemberg, it's 1,500 €/semester for non-EU students. For detailed costs: Is University in Germany Free? →

#How many months in advance should the application process start?

12-18 months in advance. This time is needed for language certificates + VPD + document preparation + application deadlines. 60% of last-minute applicants miss the application opportunity due to not being able to obtain certificates in time.

#Can I work during my Master's?

Yes, you have the right to work 120 full days (240 half days) per year. Werkstudent positions (13-18 €/hour) are the most common. Internships (Praktikum) are not included in this quota.

#Can I do my Master's thesis in Turkey?

Some Universitäten allow it, others require "physical presence in Germany." Completing your Master's thesis in Germany is advantageous for the 18-month job-seeking visa after graduation.

#Is an MBA considered a Master's?

Yes, an MBA is a fully valid Master's degree. It has the same legal value as an academic Master's (M.Sc., M.A.); however, an MBA is more focused on management/business and generally requires work experience.

#What is the language of the Master's program? Is there a mix?

Three scenarios: entirely German, entirely English, or mixed (some courses DE / some EN). You can filter for only English programs using the language: english filter in the DAAD database.

#Are online / distance Master's accepted?

FernUniversität Hagen and IUBH (IU Internationale Hochschule) offer fully online Master's programs. These programs are not suitable for visa purposes (no requirement for physical presence in a classroom). They are suitable for those already in Germany or on a different visa type.

#How do I find a job in Germany after my Master's?

After the post-graduation visa extension (18 months):

1. Keep your LinkedIn profile active in German + English
2. Indeed.de, Stepstone.de, Xing.com are the main job portals
3. Follow our job listings page, which will be activated soon on ApplyToGerman (AlmanyaUni)
4. Get support from your Universität's Career Service office

#Your next step

The Master's application process is complex but manageable. To get started immediately:

1. Universität search — See programs filtered by field + language + fees
2. Grade Converter — Convert your Turkish GPA to its German equivalent
3. Cost of Living Calculator — Annual budget for your target city
4. Universität recommendation — Personalized Universität list for your profile
5. Share your experience or ask questions in the Forum: ApplyToGerman (AlmanyaUni) Forum →