- Duration
- 3–4 years (6–8 semesters)
- Language of instruction
- German; selected programmes in English
- Fees
- Free at public universities; semester contribution approx. €100–350
- Application
- UNI-ASSIST or directly to the university
- Semester start
- October (winter) · April (summer)
- Work permit
- 140 full days a year on a student visa
- Final-year high-school students and recent school leavers
- Students who have completed at least one year at a university in Turkey and want to transfer
- Students holding the Abitur, IB or Matura
A Bachelor's degree in Germany takes three years, and you can choose to study in German or in English. The main requirements for students applying from Turkey are a completed 12-year high-school education and a place on a four-year Bachelor's programme through the ÖSYM exam.
Tuition at Germany's public universities is free, although some federal states charge semester fees of between €100 and €250. As in the Turkish higher-education system, the German Bachelor's degree is organised into two semesters a year. The winter semester begins in October and ends in January; the summer semester begins at the end of March and runs until the end of June.
- Prestigious universities38 of the world's top 500 universities are in Germany.
- Outstanding programmesStudent-focused teaching with excellent academic opportunities.
- High-quality educationGraduates leave highly qualified and well equipped.
If you have not yet studied a foreign language, you can take a preparatory language course at the university itself.
Bachelor's Top-Up Programmes
Graduates of a two-year associate degree programme in Turkey who have academic-level English or German can complete a full Bachelor's degree without sitting any entrance exam. If you have completed an associate degree but do not yet speak a foreign language, you can take a preparatory language course at your chosen university. For details, please contact our expert consultants.
How to Apply for a Bachelor's Programme
UNI-ASSIST
Applications to German universities are made through the UNI-ASSIST system, which evaluates your qualifications and forwards them to the universities concerned. The application fee is €25 for citizens of EU member states and €75 for citizens of other countries (€15 for each further application). Universities that are not members of uni-assist accept applications directly.
Numerus Clausus (Grade Requirement)
Some German universities limit places in all of their faculties, others only in certain subjects (e.g. medicine, pharmacy, dentistry); in these cases your grade average carries great weight in the admission decision. It is worth checking with the university whether the programmes you are interested in have a grade-based restriction.
Admission Requirements at German Universities
Grade average (Numerus Clausus): In subjects with limited places, admission is based on your grade average.
Internship: Some departments, particularly at technical universities, require a completed internship. If you are planning to study a technical subject, ask the university you are applying to how it assesses internships.
Schools of music and fine arts: As everywhere in the world, applicants for music and fine-arts programmes in Germany are asked to submit a portfolio of their own work. The portfolio, handed in with the application, is used to assess the applicant's talent.
What Will You Need to Budget For?
- University fees / semester contribution
- Accommodation and transport
- Stationery and course materials
- Personal expenses and health insurance
Application steps
- 01
Profile and subject analysis
We draw up a list of suitable universities and subjects based on your grades, type of high school and interests.
- 02
Language preparation
We set your target level in German (TestDaF / DSH / Goethe) or English (IELTS / TOEFL) and build it into a timetable.
- 03
Application file
Diploma, transcript, language certificate, CV and letter of motivation; sworn translations and certifications are completed.
- 04
Application and admission
Application via UNI-ASSIST or directly to the university; follow-up until admission (Zulassung).
- 05
Blocked account, visa and accommodation
Opening the blocked account, booking the consulate appointment, applying for student housing and arranging health insurance.
- 06
Departure and orientation
Airport pick-up, address registration (Anmeldung), university enrolment and support during the first week.
Required documents
- High-school diploma and transcript (sworn translation, notarised)
- ÖSYM results document (depending on the subject)
- Language certificate (German B2/C1 or English)
- Passport
- Biometric photograph
- CV and letter of motivation
- Blocked account and health insurance documents (at the visa stage)
This list is general; universities and departments may ask for additional documents. We manage the translation and certification sequence on your behalf.
Annual timeline
- September – December
- Profile analysis, language plan, university shortlist
- January – April
- Preparing documents, translations and certifications
- May – 15 July
- Winter-semester applications (deadline usually 15 July)
- July – August
- Letters of admission, blocked account, visa appointment
- September – October
- Accommodation, departure, enrolment and orientation
- November – 15 January
- Summer-semester applications (depending on the subject)
Featured universities
Some of the universities in Germany our students have applied to and been admitted to. We narrow the list down together by ranking, subject and admission criteria.
- Technical University of Munich (TUM)
- LMU Munich
- Heidelberg University
- RWTH Aachen University
- TU Berlin
- Humboldt University of Berlin
- Freie Universität Berlin
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- TU Dresden
- University of Hamburg
Budget plan (approximate)
- Blocked account (for the visa)
- Approx. €11,900 per year
- Accommodation
- Hall of residence €300–450 · Rented room €400–700
- Health insurance
- Student insurance ~€130/month
- Semester contribution
- €100–350 (including public transport ticket)
Figures are indicative averages and vary by city, university and year. We confirm current amounts with you at the initial consultation.
FAQ
01Can I apply directly with a Turkish high-school diploma?
It depends on the subject and the type of high school. Some subjects require an ÖSYM score or one year of university study completed in Turkey; a Studienkolleg (foundation course) is another route we consider. In the initial consultation we work out the quickest path for your diploma.
02I don't speak German. How long will it take to reach the required level?
Going from zero to B2/C1 with regular study usually takes 12–18 months. Students who start language preparation during high school can apply as soon as they graduate.
03What is the Numerus Clausus?
It is a grade-based admission threshold for subjects with limited places (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, psychology, etc.). Before you apply, we check together whether your chosen subject has an NC.
What does DBT do in this process?
Education Coaching
A personal roadmap from the 11th grade onwards with monthly one-to-one sessions, and university, accommodation and visa applications handled in one place.
DetailsPrivate Tuition
Targeted one-to-one lessons of 45 + 45 minutes for students on ABITUR, MATURA, IB and GIB programmes.
DetailsOrientation Week
One-to-one support throughout your first week, from airport pick-up and accommodation to getting to know the city and official formalities.
DetailsAirport Transfer
Safe, comfortable transport on arrival and departure, arranged as part of your study-abroad support from a single point of contact.
Details