Germany is the most popular study abroad destination for Turkish students — not just because of the large Turkish diaspora community (over 3 million Turkish-origin residents), but because German public universities are effectively free, DAAD scholarships are among the most generous available, and the degree quality is internationally respected. This guide covers what Turkish students need to know before applying.
Why Turkish Students Choose Germany
- Free tuition at public universities — approximately €350 per semester in administration fees; no per-credit tuition charges
- Large Turkish community — established Turkish social networks in Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Munich, and Hamburg
- Academic prestige — German universities are world-class in engineering, natural sciences, medicine, and economics
- English-taught master's — the number of fully English-medium master's programmes has grown significantly, especially in STEM and business
- DAAD scholarships — one of the most extensive bilateral scholarship systems, with specific categories for Turkish nationals
- Strong job market post-graduation — Germany actively recruits skilled graduates through the Job Seeker Visa and EU Blue Card; see our Germany Job Seeker Visa guide
Understanding the Two Tracks: German vs English-Taught
This is the most important choice to make before applying:
| German-Taught | English-Taught (Master's) | |
|---|---|---|
| Language required | B2–C1 German (TestDaF 4 / DSH-2) | IELTS 6.0–7.0 or TOEFL iBT 2026 band 4.0–5.0 |
| Programmes available | All levels and most fields | Primarily master's; some bachelor's |
| Competitiveness | Higher for popular programmes | Growing quickly; competitive at top universities |
| Language test | TestDaF or DSH exam | IELTS or TOEFL |
| Cost | ~€350/semester | ~€350/semester (same — public universities) |
Turkish students already studying German at B1–B2 level should plan to reach C1 before applying to German-taught programmes. For students without German, the English-taught master's track is the direct path.
Top German Universities for Turkish Students
Research Universities (Universität)
| University | City | Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| TU Munich (TUM) | Munich | Engineering, Computer Science, Natural Sciences, Business |
| LMU Munich | Munich | Medicine, Law, Humanities, Natural Sciences |
| Heidelberg University | Heidelberg | Medicine, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences |
| Humboldt University Berlin | Berlin | Humanities, Natural Sciences, Law |
| Free University Berlin | Berlin | Social Sciences, Humanities, Veterinary Medicine |
| University of Frankfurt | Frankfurt | Finance, Economics, Law, Social Sciences |
| University of Hamburg | Hamburg | Economics, Law, Social Sciences |
| University of Bonn | Bonn | Mathematics, Natural Sciences |
Technical Universities (Technische Universität)
| University | City | Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| RWTH Aachen | Aachen | Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (#1 in Germany) |
| TU Berlin | Berlin | Engineering, Computer Science |
| TU Dresden | Dresden | Engineering, Medicine |
| Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) | Karlsruhe | Engineering, Natural Sciences |
For English-Taught Master's
Almost all of the above universities offer English-taught master's programmes in STEM and business. Additionally:
| University | City | Notable English Programmes |
|---|---|---|
| Jacobs University Bremen | Bremen | Fully English-medium; international student body |
| Constructor University | Bremen | STEM, business (fully English) |
| Frankfurt School of Finance | Frankfurt | MBA, finance (English) |
DAAD Scholarships for Turkish Students
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) has a significant bilateral relationship with Turkey and offers multiple scholarship categories:
| Scholarship | Level | What It Covers | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAAD Postgraduate Scholarship | Master's / PhD | Monthly stipend ~€861–1,200 + travel allowance + health insurance | October – December |
| Helmut Schmidt Programme | Master's (public policy, development studies) | Full stipend + costs | October |
| Research Grants for Doctoral Candidates | PhD | Stipend + travel + health | Varies |
| Short-Term Research Stays | Postdoc / researchers | Stipend + travel | Rolling |
| Study Visits | Group stays | Group funding | Various |
Since German public university tuition is already free (~€350/semester), DAAD scholarships primarily cover living costs — and Germany's cost of living is high enough that the stipend is meaningfully valuable.
See our DAAD Scholarship Guide for full application details.
Application Process for Turkish Students
1. Language Requirement
For English-taught master's programmes: Submit an IELTS or TOEFL score meeting the programme minimum. Most English-taught master's at German public universities require:
- IELTS Academic: 6.0–7.0 (varies by programme)
- TOEFL iBT 2026: band ~4.0–5.0 (legacy 80–100)
For German-taught programmes: Submit TestDaF level 4 (in all four components) or DSH-2 (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang). These are the two recognised German language certificates for university admission.
2. Academic Documents
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree certificate | Apostilled Turkish diploma + certified German/English translation |
| Academic transcripts | Apostilled + certified translation |
| Transcript evaluation | Some universities require an evaluation from anabin (Germany's foreign qualification database) — check whether your Turkish institution is listed |
anabin and Turkish degrees: Most Turkish state universities and accredited private universities are listed in anabin. Turkish degrees from YÖK-accredited institutions are generally recognised without additional evaluation. Check: anabin.kmk.org.
3. Application
- Most German universities use their own application portals or uni-assist (a central application processing service)
- Application deadlines: typically January 15 (summer semester) and July 15 (winter semester) for most programmes
- Some English-taught master's have rolling admissions — check per programme
- DAAD scholarship application is separate from university application
4. Blocked Account (Sperrkonto)
For the student visa, you need a blocked bank account holding the German government's required proof of financial resources (currently ~€11,208/year = ~€934/month). This money is yours but released in monthly installments once you're in Germany. Providers: Deutsche Bank, Fintiba, Coracle, expatrio.
If you have a DAAD scholarship, the blocked account requirement is waived — your scholarship letter serves as financial proof.
German Student Visa for Turkish Citizens
Turkish citizens require a German student visa (Nationales Visum / Type D) to study in Germany. This is applied for at the German Embassy or Consulate in Turkey.
Key documents:
- University admission letter (or DAAD scholarship award letter)
- Proof of financial resources: blocked account showing €934+/month, or DAAD scholarship letter
- Health insurance valid for Germany (can be purchased after arrival for statutory German health insurance; for the visa application, travel insurance or private policy may be needed)
- IELTS/TOEFL score or language certificate (to demonstrate you meet the programme's language requirement)
- Passport, biometric photos, application fee
Processing time: German visas from Turkey typically take 4–12 weeks. Apply at least 3 months before your programme start date.
After arrival: Within 90 days, register your address at the Einwohnermeldeamt (Residents' Registration Office) and enrol at a statutory health insurer (Krankenkasse). You will then receive a residence permit for study.
Costs of Living in Germany for Turkish Students
| Expense | Range per Month |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (student halls / WG shared flat) | €350–700 (cheaper in East Germany, Leipzig, Dresden; higher in Munich, Frankfurt) |
| Food | €200–350 |
| Transport (semester ticket) | €0–30 (many universities include transport in semester fee) |
| Health insurance (statutory, students under 30) | ~€110–130/month |
| Books and study materials | €30–80 |
| Personal, social | €100–200 |
| Total estimate | ~€800–1,400/month |
Cost comparison by city: Munich and Frankfurt are the most expensive. Leipzig, Dresden, Chemnitz, Magdeburg (East Germany) can be 30–40% cheaper — and quality German universities are located in all of these cities.
Post-Study Options in Germany
Germany actively encourages skilled graduates to stay:
| Option | Detail |
|---|---|
| Job Seeker Visa | 18 months after graduation to find skilled work — no job offer needed immediately |
| EU Blue Card | Work permit for skilled graduates with a salary above the threshold (~€45,552/year for general; ~€43,800 for shortage occupations) |
| Permanent Residence | After 2–4 years of EU Blue Card or work permit + sufficient pension contributions + language |
| Citizenship | After 8 years of residence (reduced to 5 in some cases) |
The large Turkish community also means Turkish graduates have strong networks for finding employment in German companies with Turkish business connections.
Prepare for IELTS or TOEFL with Gabble — for Turkish students targeting English-taught master's programmes in Germany, IELTS 6.0–7.0 or the TOEFL equivalent is the language threshold. AI-powered practice with instant band scores, so you know exactly where you stand before you apply.