Study in Germany Free — Zero Cost Consultancy

1. Why Germany?

• Zero tuition fees at most public universities. You only pay a small semester fee of €150–350 covering admin and transport.
• 18-month job seeker visa after graduation to find employment in your field.
• Europe's largest economy. Strong demand for engineers, IT professionals, healthcare workers and skilled trades.
• Growing number of English-taught programmes — over 2,000 Master's programmes taught entirely in English.
• PR after 2 years of employment — one of the fastest PR timelines in the world.
• Low cost of living compared to UK, Ireland or Australia — especially outside Munich.
• EU freedom. Once settled, an EU residence opens doors across 27 countries.

2. Entry Requirements

Bachelor's (Undergraduate)

• HSC alone: Generally not sufficient for direct university entry. German universities require either Studienkolleg (1-year foundation) or an equivalent international qualification (A-Level, IB).
• A-Level / IB: Direct entry possible depending on subject combination and grades.
• Studienkolleg: A 1-year preparatory course in Germany specifically designed to bridge the gap. Taught in German — requires B1+ German.

Master's (Postgraduate)

• 4-year Bachelor's: Accepted as equivalent. CGPA 2.5/4.0 or above for most programmes.
• 3-year Bachelor's: May require additional credits or a Pre-Master's bridge depending on the university.
• English-taught Master's: Over 2,000 programmes available — no German language needed for the degree itself, but basic German (A2–B1) helps with daily life.

3. Language Requirements

4. Blocked Account (Sperrkonto)

The blocked account is Germany's unique financial proof mechanism. You deposit the required amount before applying for your visa, and the bank releases it to you monthly after arrival.

• Current amount: €11,904 per year (€992/month × 12)
• Approved providers: Fintiba, Expatrio, Coracle, Deutsche Bank
• Process: Open account online → transfer funds from Bangladesh → receive certificate → attach to visa application
• After arrival: Visit bank/provider to activate → receive €992/month automatically

5. APS Certificate (Akademische Prüfstelle)

Bangladesh is on the list of countries requiring APS verification. This is an authentication of your academic documents by the German Academic Evaluation Centre.

1. Submit your academic documents to APS via the German Embassy in Dhaka
2. APS verifies authenticity and evaluates equivalency
3. You receive an APS certificate — required for university admission AND visa application
4. Processing takes 4–8 weeks — apply early

6. Student Visa Steps

1. Get university admission (conditional or unconditional offer)
2. Obtain APS certificate
3. Open blocked account and transfer €11,904
4. Get health insurance — mandatory, either public (recommended) or private
5. Book visa appointment at the German Embassy in Dhaka — appointments fill up fast, book 2–3 months ahead
6. Attend interview with all documents: offer letter, APS certificate, blocked account certificate, insurance, motivation letter, passport
7. Wait for visa: 6–12 weeks processing

7. Cost of Living

Remember: tuition is free at public universities. Your only academic cost is the semester fee (€150–350) which often includes a public transport pass for the entire semester.

8. Work Rights

• During studies: 120 full days OR 240 half days per year (effectively ~20 hrs/week)
• Student assistant (HiWi) jobs: Unlimited hours if working at your university
• German minimum wage: €13.90/hour (from 1 January 2026)
• Realistic earnings: €600–€1,000/month part-time

9. Job Seeker Visa — 18 Months After Graduation

After completing your degree, you can apply for an 18-month job seeker visa (§20 AufenthG). During this period you can work in any job while searching for employment matching your qualification.

Once you find a qualified job, you switch to an EU Blue Card or standard work permit.

10. PR Pathway — Fastest in Europe

1. Student visa — duration of studies
2. Job seeker visa — 18 months to find qualified employment
3. EU Blue Card — for jobs paying above €45,300/year (or €41,000 for shortage occupations)
4. Permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) — after 21–33 months on Blue Card (with B1 German) or after 4 years on a standard work permit
5. German citizenship — after 5 years of legal residence (reduced from 8 in 2024)

11. Scholarships

• DAAD Scholarships — the German Academic Exchange Service offers hundreds of fully funded scholarships for Master's and PhD students from developing countries. Monthly stipend €934–€1,300 plus tuition waiver, insurance and travel.
• Erasmus Mundus — EU-funded joint Master's programmes with full scholarships.
• Heinrich Böll Foundation — for Master's and PhD students committed to sustainability and social justice.
• Deutschlandstipendium — €300/month merit-based scholarship available at many German universities.
• SBW Berlin — full scholarship + accommodation for students from developing countries.

12. Frequently Asked Questions