Germany is one of the most cost-effective study abroad destinations for Indonesian students — public universities charge approximately €350 per semester in administration fees with no per-credit tuition, DAAD scholarships are available for Indonesian nationals, and a growing number of English-taught master's programmes means German language skills are no longer a barrier for postgraduate study. This guide covers what Indonesian students need to know.
Why Germany Is Growing as a Destination for Indonesian Students
- Effectively free tuition: German public (state) universities charge only administration fees (~€350/semester) — no per-credit tuition. This is dramatically lower than Australia (
AUD 25,000/year) or the UK (£20,000/year) - DAAD scholarships: Germany's DAAD scholarship programme has specific categories for Indonesian nationals and is one of the most substantial bilateral scholarship systems in the world
- English-taught master's: The number of fully English-medium master's programmes at German universities has grown rapidly — particularly in engineering, science, and business
- Research quality: Germany is one of the world's leading nations in engineering, chemistry, physics, environmental science, and applied research — fields with strong Indonesian relevance
- LPDP eligible: German universities are on the LPDP approved list
- Post-study options: Germany offers an 18-month job seeker visa after graduation and the EU Blue Card for skilled workers
The Two Tracks: English vs German-Taught
| English-Taught (Master's) | German-Taught | |
|---|---|---|
| Language required | IELTS 6.0–7.0 or TOEFL equivalent | TestDaF 4 / DSH-2 (B2–C1 German) |
| Programmes | Primarily master's; growing bachelor's | All levels, most fields |
| Tuition | Same — ~€350/semester | Same |
| Competition | Growing; popular with international students | Broader range but requires German investment |
Practical advice for Indonesian students: If you are not already at B2 German, the English-taught master's track is the direct path. The investment in German language skills (6–12 months to reach B2) opens up the entire system — but requires planning ahead.
Top German Universities for Indonesian Students
Technical Universities (Technische Universität)
| University | City | Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| TU Munich (TUM) | Munich | Engineering, computer science, natural sciences, business |
| RWTH Aachen | Aachen | Mechanical and electrical engineering — #1 in Germany for these fields |
| TU Berlin | Berlin | Engineering, urban planning, transport |
| KIT (Karlsruhe) | Karlsruhe | Engineering, natural sciences, computer science |
| TU Dresden | Dresden | Engineering, medicine |
| TU Braunschweig | Brunswick | Aerospace engineering, automotive |
Research Universities
| University | City | Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| LMU Munich | Munich | Medicine, natural sciences, law, humanities |
| Heidelberg University | Heidelberg | Medicine, life sciences, humanities |
| Humboldt University Berlin | Berlin | Humanities, natural sciences, economics |
| University of Bonn | Bonn | Mathematics, economics, law, agriculture |
| Freiburg University | Freiburg | Environmental science, biology, medicine |
| University of Hamburg | Hamburg | Economics, social sciences, natural sciences |
For English-Taught Master's
In addition to the above (all of which have English-taught master's programmes), some universities are particularly international-student-focused:
| University | Notable English Programmes |
|---|---|
| Jacobs University / Constructor University (Bremen) | All English-medium, STEM and business |
| Frankfurt School of Finance | Finance, banking, management (English) |
| Mannheim Business School | MBA (English) |
| WHU Otto Beisheim School | MBA, master's in management |
DAAD Scholarships for Indonesian Students
DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) offers multiple categories open to Indonesian nationals:
| Scholarship | Level | Covers | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAAD Postgraduate Scholarship | Master's / PhD | Stipend ~€861–1,200/month + travel + health insurance | October – December |
| Helmut Schmidt Programme | Master's (public policy, development) | Full stipend + all costs | October |
| Research Stays | Postdoc / researchers | Stipend + travel | Varies |
| DAAD-LPDP Joint Scholarship | Master's | Combined DAAD and LPDP funding for specific programmes | Check both portals |
DAAD-LPDP Collaboration: DAAD and LPDP have had specific collaboration agreements for particular German-Indonesian university partnership programmes. Confirm current availability at daad.de and lpdp.kemenkeu.go.id.
Since German public university tuition is already free, DAAD stipends primarily cover living costs — a monthly stipend of €861–1,200 covers most or all of typical German living costs outside Munich.
See our DAAD Scholarship Guide.
IELTS Requirements for English-Taught Programmes
| University / Programme | IELTS Minimum |
|---|---|
| TU Munich (English master's) | 6.5–7.0 |
| RWTH Aachen (English programmes) | 6.5 |
| TU Berlin (English programmes) | 6.0–6.5 |
| Most German research universities (English master's) | 6.0–7.0 (varies per programme) |
| Frankfurt School of Finance (MBA) | 6.5 |
TOEFL iBT is also accepted (equivalent to IELTS 6.0 ≈ TOEFL legacy 80 ≈ 2026 band 4.0).
Application Process
For English-Taught Master's
- Language test: Sit IELTS Academic (or TOEFL) — score must meet programme minimum
- Bachelor's degree documents: Apostilled certified translation into English or German of your Indonesian bachelor's degree and transcripts
- anabin check: Verify your Indonesian institution is listed in Germany's anabin database (anabin.kmk.org). Most Indonesian state universities (UI, ITB, UGM, IPB, ITS, Unpad, etc.) are listed with recognised status
- Apply via uni-assist or direct to university: Many German universities use uni-assist (a centralised application processor for international students). Deadlines typically January 15 (summer semester) and July 15 (winter semester)
- Apply for DAAD scholarship: Separate from university application — apply simultaneously via daad.de
Apostille for Indonesian Documents
Indonesia is a signatory to the Hague Convention. Indonesian educational documents (degree certificates, transcripts) can be apostilled through:
- KEMENLU (Kementerian Luar Negeri — Ministry of Foreign Affairs): for apostille authentication
- Certified translations: required for documents submitted in Indonesian — must be from a sworn translator (penerjemah tersumpah)
German Student Visa for Indonesian Nationals
Indonesian citizens require a German national visa (Type D) for study. Applied for at the German Embassy or Consulate General in Jakarta or Surabaya.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| University admission letter | Original or certified acceptance letter |
| Financial proof | Blocked account (Sperrkonto) showing |
| IELTS/TOEFL score | Demonstrating you meet the programme's language requirement |
| Passport | Valid 6+ months beyond study duration |
| Health insurance | Proof for the period until you enrol in German statutory insurance |
| Application fee | ~€75 |
Blocked account: This is the standard financial proof for students without a scholarship — you deposit ~€11,208 into a German blocked account (Sperrkonto), released as monthly installments once you arrive. Providers include Fintiba, Coracle, expatrio, and Deutsche Bank.
DAAD or LPDP scholarship holders: The scholarship award letter replaces the blocked account requirement.
Processing time: German student visas from Indonesia typically take 4–12 weeks. Apply early — at least 3 months before your programme start date.
Costs of Living in Germany
| Expense | Monthly Estimate |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (student hall or WG shared flat) | €350–700 (cheapest in East German cities; highest in Munich) |
| Food | €200–350 |
| Transport (semester ticket) | €0–30 (many universities include in semester fee) |
| Health insurance (students under 30, statutory) | ~€110–130/month |
| Books and materials | €30–80 |
| Personal | €100–200 |
| Total | ~€800–1,400/month |
City cost differences: Munich and Frankfurt are significantly more expensive. Leipzig, Dresden, Chemnitz, Magdeburg, Jena (all in eastern Germany) are 30–40% cheaper and still have strong universities.
Post-Study Work in Germany
| Option | Duration | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Job Seeker Visa (Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Arbeitssuche) | 18 months | Completed German university degree; financial means to self-support |
| EU Blue Card | Unlimited (renewable) | Skilled job with salary above threshold; degree in a relevant field |
| Skilled Worker visa | Unlimited (renewable) | Recognised qualification + job offer + salary threshold |
Germany's skilled labour shortage is significant — particularly in engineering, IT, healthcare, and mathematics. Indonesian graduates with German degrees and German language skills are well-positioned in the German job market.
Prepare for IELTS with Gabble — English-taught master's programmes at German public universities require IELTS 6.0–7.0 (or TOEFL equivalent). AI-powered Speaking and Writing practice with instant band scores helps you reach the threshold before your application and DAAD scholarship deadlines.