MS in Germany is becoming increasingly popular among engineers. In this post, we look at MS in Computer Science (CS) courses and its options in Germany.
Germany has been a pioneer in technological innovations. The country is the origin of inventions ranging from the diesel engine to the printing press. It is home to many engineers and innovators who changed the world for the better.
The German government always has been at the forefront of digitizing the country and is investing in the education of the workforce needed for this mission. It is among the top study destinations for international students aspiring to build a career in Computer Science and the IT industry.
Why consider MS in CS in Germany?
It has the world’s best universities
- Many of the world’s highest-rated universities (among the top 50 by Times Higher Education) for computer science like the LMU Munich, Technical University of Munich, and Technical University of Berlin are in Germany.
- To sustain its culture of innovation, the country focuses on delivering a world-class education in engineering and research.
Offers highly affordable education
Studying abroad at a top-notch college is a dream for many students, but not everyone has the financial backing to support this dream. The general rule is: the better the university ranking is, the higher is the tuition fee. Well, Germany is an exception.
- The education in most of the German public universities is free, or either highly subsidized for local and international students as compared to other destinations popular among international students.
- The students have to pay an amount of around 250-300 euros at the beginning of each semester called the “Semester Contribution.” This is charged for the administrative expenses, student union, public transport, and certain academic study material.
Also read: MS in Canada compared to MS in USA
Cost of living in Germany
- The cost of living in most German cities is way less in contrast to North American and other European countries favored by international students.
- As per DAAD (the largest German support organization for the international exchange of students and researchers), the average monthly house rent for a student in Germany is around 350 euros. The rent varies across cities and may reach up to 725 euros for places like Munich.
- The approximate per month living expense for an international student may vary from 750 to 1100 euros depending on the city. This estimate includes expenditures like food, rent for accommodation, and commuting, but excludes the tuition fee.
Job opportunities
- Germany is the home of many Tech and IT behemoths like SAP and is the hub for innovation and research.
- To speed up the German’s visions of digitization, the government is investing in training people from across the world to prepare them for IT and Tech jobs in Germany.
- A Software Engineer in Germany has an average salary of around 55,000-60,000 euros per year.
Best universities for MS Computer Science in Germany
Germany has 40 plus universities that offer courses in Computer Science.
According to Times Higher Education ranking of educational institutes, the best universities in Germany for studying Computer Science are:
- Technical University of Munich: The count of CS faculty at TUM is among the highest in Germany. The university is renowned for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.
- LMU Munich: One among Europe’s premier universities in research and is committed to international standards for teaching and research.
- Technical University of Berlin: One of the largest universities in Germany. It aims to develop science and technology for the interest of society.
- University of Freiburg: Founded in 1457 and introduced the Faculty of Engineering in 1995.
- RWTH Aachen University: The university has around 45,000 students and is renowned for its outstanding reputation in the field of research.
- Technical University of Darmstadt: Among the leading technical universities in Germany. It is recognized in the international education community for its focus on research and innovation.
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology: Other than Engineering, the university offers courses in a broad range of disciplines, i.e. in natural sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences.
- University of Bonn: It has the highest number of Nobel Prize winners and Fields Medalists in the past decades than from any other German university.
- University of Tübingen: The university was founded in 1477 and provides innovative courses on Machine Learning, Neuroscience and Behavioral Science, Computational Linguistics, and Management, etc.
- University of Erlangen-Nuremberg: “Knowledge in motion” is the university’s motto. The Faculty of Engineering is renowned for its excellence.
Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for admissions in a postgraduate course in Computer Science in Germany vary due to university-specific guidelines. The criteria given below are common to most German universities.
- An undergraduate degree in any field of Computer Science, Maths, Technology, or any other closely related disciplines. The aggregate percentage for admission in the best colleges should be at least 60.
- B1 or B2 Certificate.
- An average GRE score of 310-325.
- Proof of language proficiency based on the language of instruction in a particular course/university
- IELTS: 6.5
- TOEFL (iBT): 80-90
- TestDAF with TDN-16
- German Language Diploma: Second Level(DSD-II)
- Goethe Certificate-C2 Level.
- Proficiency in German is required if the mode of instruction is German or Dual (German and English).
The eligibility criteria, as per Collegedunia for some German universities, is given in the table below:
| University | Eligibility | ELP Test scores |
| Technical University Munich | GRE/GATE Score | TOEFL: 88 |
| UG in relevant Subject | IELTS: 6.5 | |
| RWTH Aachen University | UG in a relevant subject | TOEFL: 90 |
| GRE score | IELTS: 5.5 | |
| Technical University Darmstadt | BSc in a relevant subject | TOEFL: 88 |
| IELTS: 6.5 | ||
| University of Freiburg | UG in CS/Maths or closely related field | TOEFL: 94 |
| IELTS: 7.0 | ||
| Technical University of Berlin | Previous degree with CS, IT & methodological science | TOEFL: 87 |
| IELTS: 6.5 |
Admission Process
The admission process is exhaustive and should be well-planned. The aspiring students should consult an expert if they are stuck during any phase.
Ways to apply for admission
The process of admission may vary across universities. The three most common methods to apply for MS in Germany are:
- Via the university portal
- Uni-assist applications
- Through DAAD
Documents Needed
Besides university-specific documents, most universities you are applying to may ask:
- Academic Records and Application: These documents are evaluated by Uni-assist.
- Standard admission test scores: Scores for admission tests like GRE and GATE (for Indian students).
- Language proficiency test scores: German or English proficiency exam scores should be submitted based on the courses and universities selected.
- Work Experience: Documentation of relevant work experience.
- Some universities may require additional Documents: Letter of Recommendation, Statement of Purpose, and. CV.
Also read: Interview experience of MS in Germany?
Scholarships
The cost of doing an MS in CS in Germany is significantly less than compared to other popular study destinations in Europe and North America. Despite this, many organizations provide full or partial scholarships to deserving candidates to manage their living expenses in Germany.
Some of the most popular scholarships for studying in Germany are:
- DAAD Scholarships
- The Deutschlandstipendium
- The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung
- Heinrich Böll Foundation
- Bayer Foundations
Conclusion
Enrolling for an MS in CS course in Germany is a great option if you aspire to study at a university ranked among the best globally and in a country that is respected for its historical innovation.
The tuition fee at most of the German universities, that offer courses in Computer Science and other disciplines, is significantly less than popular international education destinations like the US and Canada.
The job prospects after education in Computer Science at a German university are better in contrast to many European nations. You can dream of working at the best software firms in the world without the burden of an education loan.
We have now covered MS in Germany, MS in Canada and MS in USA. Which other country are you considering and would like to know more about?
