Study in Germany: The Complete 2027 Guide
Germany offers something almost no other major study destination does: genuinely free tuition at public universities, for students of any nationality, at institutions behind global engineering names like BMW, Siemens and SAP.
But Germany also has one requirement that catches Pakistani applicants off guard more than any other single step in the entire process — so this guide puts it front and centre.
Tuition — The Real Headline
Public universities in Germany charge €0 tuition to international students in almost all federal states, for both Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes.
You will still pay a semester contribution, typically €150–€400, which usually includes a public transport pass for the whole city.
The APS Certificate — Read This Before You Apply
Pakistan is one of the countries — alongside India, China and Vietnam — where an APS certificate is mandatory before a German university application or student visa can proceed.
Skipping this step, or leaving it too late, is the single most common cause of delay we see.
The APS — Akademische Prüfstelle / Academic Evaluation Centre — certificate is issued by the German Embassy in Islamabad and verifies that your academic qualifications are genuine and recognised at the level required for German university admission.
For Pakistani Applicants, the Process Runs Roughly as Follows:
- Get your academic certificates — Matric, Intermediate/FSc, Bachelor’s, as applicable — attested by the relevant board (BISE/IBCC/HEC) and then by MOFA.
- Register on the APS Pakistan portal and pay the processing fee.
- Submit your notarised and attested documents along with your English test certificate and passport copy.
- Attend a short verification interview where required.
- Receive your APS certificate.
Because of this timeline, APS should be your first step — started well before you begin university applications, not after you already have an offer.
The Blocked Account (Sperrkonto)
To obtain a German student visa, you must open a blocked account and deposit a set annual amount to demonstrate you can support yourself.
The exact figure is set by the German government and revised periodically, so always confirm the current requirement directly with the German Embassy or a blocked-account provider rather than relying on a figure you saw online.
Other Requirements
- Application through uni-assist or directly to your chosen university
- English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) for English-taught programmes
- German proficiency, commonly B2/C1, tested via TestDaF or DSH for German-taught programmes
- Health insurance valid in Germany, required before visa issuance
Intakes
Germany runs two intakes:
October — Winter Semester
The primary intake with by far the widest range of programmes.
April — Summer Semester
More limited availability.
Starting your APS process is the single most time-sensitive step for Germany. Book a free consultation and we’ll map out your exact timeline.