Why Germany?
Germany is one of the few countries where international students can earn a respected bachelor’s or master’s degree without paying large tuition fees. Most public universities charge only a semester contribution (often a few hundred euros, usually including a public transport ticket). A few charge non-EU students tuition, for example universities in the state of Baden-Württemberg and the Technical University of Munich, so always check the programme page.
- Hundreds of master’s programmes are taught fully in English.
- Strong fields: engineering, computer science, data science, renewable energy, business and public health.
- Students may work part-time (currently 140 full days or 280 half days a year).
- After graduating you can apply for a residence permit of up to 18 months to look for a job.
The honest picture: waiting time at the Embassy
Read this before you pay anyone. When we checked in November 2026, the German Embassy Dhaka said the waiting list for bachelor’s and master’s applicants without a German or EU-funded scholarship was longer than 27 months. Applicants with scholarships funded by the German government or the EU, and PhD candidates, are treated as “qualified students” and move faster.
This does not mean Germany is impossible. It means you must plan early, register on the Embassy’s system as soon as you have an admission letter, and keep a second-choice country ready. A good counsellor tells you this on day one. We do.
Who can apply: entry requirements
Master’s degree
- A relevant bachelor’s degree, usually with a good CGPA. Each university decides.
- English-taught programmes: usually IELTS 6.5 (or TOEFL iBT around 88 to 95).
- Many universities apply through uni-assist, which checks your documents first.
Bachelor’s degree
An HSC alone usually does not give direct entry to a German bachelor’s degree. Students normally either attend a one-year foundation course (Studienkolleg, with an entrance test and German language) or first complete university study in Bangladesh. Check your exact case in the DAAD admission database.
Language
For German-taught courses you need German at the level the university asks for. For English-taught courses, basic German (A1 to B1) still helps with daily life and part-time jobs.
Cost of studying in Germany
| Item | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| Blocked account (proof of funds, one year) | €11,904 (€992 a month) |
| Semester contribution | A few hundred euros per semester (varies by university) |
| Tuition at public universities | Usually none; some states and universities charge non-EU students |
| Health insurance | Travel insurance for the visa, then student health insurance in Germany |
| National (type D) visa fee | Fixed in euros, paid in BDT at the Embassy rate (check the current fee sheet) |
The blocked account (Sperrkonto) is an account in your name in Germany. You deposit one year of living costs before the visa, and after arrival you can withdraw €992 each month. A scholarship letter or a formal obligation letter from someone in Germany (under section 68 of the Residence Act) can replace it.
Student visa process at the German Embassy Dhaka
- Get your admission letter. Only applicants with a valid admission can register.
- Register on the Consular Services Portal (CSP). New registrations go through the CSP. Book through the Embassy’s official system only, never through agents selling appointments.
- Wait for your turn. Master’s applicants receive an email with a VFS booking link; bachelor’s applicants receive a document submission email from the Embassy.
- Submit documents and biometrics. Master’s at VFS, bachelor’s at the Embassy. Be on time: arriving more than 15 minutes late means a new appointment.
- Decision and travel. Processing takes at least about four weeks. The visa can only be issued within three months of your planned arrival in Germany.
Documents you will usually need
- Passport issued within the last 10 years with at least two blank pages, plus an A4 copy of the data page
- One recent biometric photo
- Signed application form and declaration
- Admission letter (and scholarship letter if you have one)
- IELTS or TOEFL for English-taught programmes, or German certificate for German-taught programmes
- HSC certificate and mark sheets, plus transcripts of later studies
- Motivation letter that answers the Embassy’s questions, and a CV
- Travel health insurance valid from arrival for at least three months
- Proof of funds: blocked account (€11,904), scholarship, or formal obligation letter
- Visa fee
Documents in Bengali need an English or German translation. Submit only original-quality, fully legible copies.
How EA Consultancy helps
- Shortlisting programmes that match your CGPA, IELTS and budget, including universities that do not charge non-EU tuition
- uni-assist and university applications, SOP and CV review
- Blocked account and insurance guidance
- Embassy document checklist and file review before submission
- Visa interview practice with our AI interview officer
- A backup plan in another country if the Embassy queue does not fit your intake
Frequently asked questions
Is studying in Germany really free for Bangladeshi students?
At most public universities there is no tuition, only a semester contribution. Some universities, for example in Baden-Württemberg and the Technical University of Munich, charge non-EU students tuition. Living costs are not free: you must show €11,904 for one year.
How much money do I need in the blocked account in 2026?
€11,904 for one year, which is €992 a month. A German or EU-funded scholarship or a formal obligation letter can replace the blocked account.
How long is the German student visa waiting time in Dhaka?
When we checked in November 2026, the German Embassy Dhaka reported a waiting list of more than 27 months for bachelor’s and master’s applicants without a German or EU-funded scholarship. Processing itself takes at least about four weeks once you submit.
Can I go to Germany for a bachelor’s with only HSC?
Usually not directly. Most students first complete a Studienkolleg foundation year or some university study in Bangladesh. Check the DAAD admission database for your certificates.
Can I work while studying in Germany?
Yes. International students may currently work 140 full days or 280 half days a year. Do not plan to pay your studies from part-time work alone.
Talk to a counsellor, free
Tell us your results, budget and goal. We reply within one working day with an honest plan, and every fee in writing.
Call or WhatsApp: +880 1618-274549
Official sources we checked
- German Embassy Dhaka – Study and student visa information
- German Embassy Dhaka – Checklist for students (PDF)
- DAAD – Study in Germany and admission database
- Expatrio – Blocked account amount 2026
This is a general guide written for students from Bangladesh. Fees, funds and rules change often and each embassy or scholarship body makes the final decision. We confirm the latest requirements with you before you apply.