Germany has more English-taught Master's programmes than most Bangladeshi students realize — over 1,800 and growing every year. Combined with zero tuition at public universities, this makes Germany one of the best value destinations for a postgraduate degree. Here's how to find and apply for these programmes.
1. How Many English-Taught Programmes Exist?
As of 2026, the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) database lists approximately:
- 1,800+ Master's programmes taught entirely in English
- 200+ Bachelor's programmes in English (much more limited)
- 500+ programmes taught in a mix of English and German
The number is growing because German universities are actively recruiting international students to fill skills gaps in engineering, IT, and sciences.
2. Where to Find Them
The official and most reliable source is the DAAD database at daad.de/en. Here's how to search:
- Go to DAAD → "Find your programme" → set "Course language" to "English"
- Filter by subject area, degree type (Master's), and whether the university is public (free tuition) or private
- Each listing shows: university name, programme name, duration, language, tuition (if any), IELTS requirement, and application deadline
Other useful search platforms:
- Studyportals.com — aggregates programmes from multiple countries including Germany
- Uni-assist.de — the centralised application portal for many German universities (also shows available programmes)
- Individual university websites — some programmes are only listed on the university's own site
3. Most Popular English-Taught Fields
- Computer Science / Data Science / AI — TU Munich, RWTH Aachen, TU Berlin, University of Stuttgart all offer English-taught CS Master's
- Mechanical Engineering — TU9 universities have strong English-taught ME programmes
- Business / Management / MBA — available at both public (free) and private (paid) universities
- Environmental Science / Renewable Energy — Germany is a global leader, many English programmes
- Public Health / Epidemiology — growing field with several English-taught options
- Physics / Mathematics — research-oriented programmes frequently taught in English
4. Entry Requirements for BD Students
- Bachelor's degree: 4-year degree from a recognised Bangladeshi university (3-year degrees may require additional assessment)
- GPA: Varies by programme — typically 2.5-3.0 out of 4.0 or 60-70% marks
- IELTS: 6.0-6.5 overall (some accept TOEFL 80-90 or MOI letter)
- APS certificate: Mandatory for all Bangladeshi applicants (see our APS guide)
- German language: NOT required for English-taught programmes (but helpful for daily life)
- GRE/GMAT: Not required by most German universities (some business programmes may ask for GMAT)
5. How to Apply
Step 1: Get your APS certificate first — this takes 2-4 months
Step 2: Search programmes on DAAD and shortlist 3-5 universities
Step 3: Check deadlines — Winter semester (October start): deadline usually January-March. Summer semester (April start): deadline usually July-September
Step 4: Apply through uni-assist (centralised portal) or directly to the university (depends on the institution)
Step 5: Pay the uni-assist application fee — €75 for the first university, €30 for each additional
Step 6: After admission, open a blocked account (€11,904) and apply for student visa at the German Embassy in Dhaka
6. Frequently Asked Questions
Are English-taught programmes at public universities really free?
Yes. Public universities in all German states except Baden-Württemberg charge zero tuition for international students. You only pay a semester fee of €150-350 (covers student union, public transport pass, etc.).
Is it harder to get admitted to English-taught programmes?
Competition is higher because international students from around the world apply. But German universities don't have the same "ranking obsession" as UK or US — many excellent programmes at lesser-known universities have reasonable acceptance rates.
Can I switch to a German-taught programme later?
If you learn German to B2/C1 level during your English-taught Master's, you can apply for German-taught PhD programmes or take additional German-taught courses. Many students use the English Master's as a bridge to longer-term German integration.
Do I need to pay tuition at private German universities?
Yes. Private universities (like GISMA, EU Business School, Berlin School of Business) charge €5,000-20,000/year. We recommend public universities for Bangladeshi students — same quality, zero tuition.