Why Germany in 2025?
• Zero tuition: All 16 states keep tuition-free status for internationals (only €150–€350 semester contribution).
• 18-month post-study work visa: Convert to EU Blue Card at €45 300 salary.
• STEM talent shortage: 780 000 vacancies in IT, engineering, health care.
• IELTS alternative: Many schools now accept Duolingo English Test (DET ≥ 110)—compare costs in our IELTS vs DET guide 🔗.
Pair free tuition with a USD remote gig 🔗 and you can cover living costs without touching savings.
10 Public Universities With €0 Tuition & English-Taught Master’s
| # | University | Flagship English Programme | Semester Fee (€) | Application Portal Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TU Munich | M.Sc. Robotics, Cognition & Intelligence | 147 | 15 Mar 2025 |
| 2 | RWTH Aachen | M.Sc. Data Science | 301 | 1 Mar 2025 |
| 3 | University of Stuttgart | M.Sc. Infrastructure Planning | 195 | 15 Jul 2025 |
| 4 | Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | M.Sc. Energy Engineering | 175 | 31 May 2025 |
| 5 | University of Bonn | M.Sc. Life Science Informatics | 312 | 1 Apr 2025 |
| 6 | TH Köln | M.Eng. Renewable Energy | 280 | 1 Jun 2025 |
| 7 | University of Passau | M.Sc. Computer Science | 87 | 30 Jun 2025 |
| 8 | Jacobs University Bremen (private*) | M.Sc. Supply Chain Engineering | 0 (tuition waiver scholarships) | 1 Jun 2025 |
| 9 | FH Münster | M.Eng. Water Engineering | 295 | 15 Jul 2025 |
| 10 | University of Hohenheim | M.Sc. Agricultural Economics | 189 | 15 Mar 2025 |
*Jacobs is private but offers 100 % tuition waivers via merit scholarships—worth considering.
Budgeting living costs & the €11 208 blocked account
Germany requires proof of €11 208 (12 × €934) in a blocked account (Sperrkonto). Here’s the math in naira (₦1 530/€ parallel rate):
- Blocked account deposit: ≈ ₦17.1 million
- Semester fees (avg): €250 × 2 = €500 (₦765 000)
- Health insurance: €50/month (student rate)
Strategies to ease cash load:
- Scholarship offset: DAAD Leadership for Africa — STEM track covers stipend; see our women-in-STEM list 🔗.
- Remote-job income: Show 6-month Payoneer statements from your USD gig to convince visa officers you won’t break.
- Parental affidavit + blocked account top-up: Allowed if funds enter your own Sperrkonto before visa interview.
12-Month Application Timeline (Start → Arrival)
- July–Aug 2024: Write IELTS 6.5 or DET 110; order transcript & WAEC verification.
- Sep–Oct 2024: Draft motivation letter & CV. Use storytelling tricks from our SOP template 🔗.
- Nov 2024: Submit Uni-Assist applications (cost €75 first, €30 each extra).
- Jan 2025: Receive conditional offer; open blocked account (Expatrio, Coracle, Fintiba).
- Mar 2025: Pay semester fee + health insurance; download \*.pdf confirmations.
- Apr 2025: Book Abuja/Lagos German embassy appointment (slots release Tuesdays 9 a.m.).
- May 2025: Attend visa interview with blocked-account receipt, admission letter, travel insurance.
- Jun–Jul 2025: Receive visa (6–8 weeks); book flight & housing (try Wohngemeinschaft/WG-Gesucht).
- Oct 2025: Enrol, collect student ID, open €0 N26 bank account.
Document checklist (print two sets, A4 only)
- University admission letter (unconditional/conditional).
- Uni-Assist preliminary review doc (Vorprüfungsdokumentation).
- Degree certificate + transcript (notarised & legalised).
- WAEC/NECO certificate if asked for proof of schooling language.
- Passports (current + old if visas exist).
- CV (tabular, not narrative).
- Motivation letter (1 page, 500–700 words).
- Blocked-account confirmation + euro source-of-funds bank statement.
- Travel health insurance (min €30 000 coverage).
- Two biometric photos (35 × 45 mm, grey background).
Language pathways in 2025
• 100 % English-taught: TUM, RWTH, KIT.
• Bilingual (English Y1 + German Y2): Hohenheim, Stuttgart.
• All-German but thesis in English: Some DHBW applied sciences degrees.
Pro tip: Enrol in A2 German before arrival; adds 5 points in DAAD applications and helps part-time job hunt.
Part-time work & post-study prospects
Student visa allows 20 hrs/week or 120 full days/year. Typical student jobs pay €12–€15/h:
- HiWi (research assistant) in university labs.
- Werkstudent roles in Bosch, BMW, SAP — ideal for tech/business.
- English tutoring or social-media freelancing for German SMEs.
After graduation apply for an 18-month job-seeker visa; convert to Blue Card at €45 300 salary (IT threshold lower: €39 682). Germany counts study years toward citizenship residency (8 → 5 years if B1 German).
Success stories: Nigerians thriving tuition-free
Grace O., 26 — MSc Robotics @ TUM. Won a €934/month DAAD stipend and freelances on Upwork AI projects, clearing blocked-account withdrawal in 7 months.
Samson E., 30 — MSc Infrastructure Planning @ Stuttgart. Sat DET 120, bypassed IELTS, landed HiWi job @ Fraunhofer (€14/h) within 5 weeks.
Halima A., 24 — MSc Renewable Energy @ TH Köln. Combined Mastercard Foundation travel grant with semester ticket, saving €1 200/year on transport.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Is the blocked account refundable if visa is denied?
- Yes. Fintiba and Expatrio refund within 3–5 days less €89 admin fee once you email the refusal letter.
- Can I skip Uni-Assist?
- A few universities (e.g., FH Aachen) allow direct applications; most rely on Uni-Assist.
- Will WAEC English (C6) waive IELTS?
- Some universities accept; many still insist on recognised tests. DET is fastest and cheapest.
- Are there tuition fees in Baden-Württemberg?
- Non-EU students pay €1 500/semester in BW since 2017. All other states keep €0.
- Can I bring dependants?
- Yes, but show extra €4 984 spouse + €2 472 per child in blocked or salary slips.
Related reads to max out your chances
Final thoughts: 90-day sprint to a €0-tuition master’s
• Days 1–10: Pick three target programmes; book DET/IELTS.
• Days 11–30: Collect docs, draft motivation letter using SOP template.
• Days 31–60: Submit via Uni-Assist; start blocked-account process.
• Days 61–90: Land admission, pay semester fee, lock embassy slot.
Follow the playbook and you could be sipping Glühwein in Munich by next Christmas—tuition-free.
Share the knowledge: Know someone terrified of €£$ tuition fees? Send them this German guide today.