Germany offers 2,547 degree programmes taught mainly in English in winter semester 2026/27, according to the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), but most of them are Master’s programmes. Only 4.1 percent of Bachelor’s programmes are taught in English, compared with 19.2 percent of Master’s programmes. For a public university you usually need IELTS Academic 6.0 to 7.0 or a TOEFL iBT of about 88 to 100. Many English-taught Bachelor’s programmes are at universities of applied sciences.
How many English-taught programmes are there?
The HRK’s statistics, based on the Hochschulkompass database, count 2,547 programmes taught mainly in English out of 22,542 for winter semester 2026/27. That is 11.3 percent of all programmes, up from 2,383 a year earlier and 1,405 in 2018/19. The DAAD’s International Programmes database, a selection of programmes for international students, listed 239 English-only Bachelor’s and 1,594 English-only Master’s on 3 November 2026.
| Level | Taught mainly in English | Share of all programmes |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s | 482 of 11,786 | 4.1 % |
| Master’s | 2,065 of 10,756 | 19.2 % |
| All | 2,547 of 22,542 | 11.3 % |
The table uses the HRK figures for winter semester 2026/27. For example, a student from Karachi looking for an English Bachelor’s in mechanical engineering finds only a handful of options, while the same student with a Bachelor’s degree finds dozens of English Master’s in the field.
Where are English-taught Bachelor’s programmes?
Mostly at universities of applied sciences. In the DAAD database, 172 of the 239 English-only Bachelor’s programmes, about 72 percent, are at universities of applied sciences. Business and economics (94 programmes), engineering (88) and computer science (45) have the most. For example, Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt offers an English Bachelor’s in Engineering and Management that requires no German for admission.
Private universities also offer English Bachelor’s programmes, but they charge tuition. Our comparison of public and private universities shows the costs and the points to check.
Which fields have the most English-taught Master’s?
Natural sciences and mathematics lead, followed by economics and law and then engineering. In the DAAD database on 3 November 2026, English-only Master’s programmes counted 710 in natural sciences and mathematics (277 of them in computer science), 467 in economics and law and 431 in engineering. Most are at universities rather than universities of applied sciences, 1,137 against 453.
What English score do you need?
Each programme sets its own score, but public universities usually ask for IELTS Academic 6.0 to 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 88 to 100. Since TOEFL moved to a new 1 to 6 scale in 2026, many pages list both scales.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT (old scale) |
|---|---|---|
| TUM, most programmes | 6.5 | 88 |
| RWTH Aachen, B2 programmes | 6.0 | 90 |
| RWTH Aachen, C1 programmes | 7.0 | 100 |
| University of Stuttgart, Computer Science M.Sc. | 7.0 | 95 |
| TH Ingolstadt, Engineering and Management B.Eng. | 5.5 | 72 |
A previous degree taught in English can sometimes replace the test. TUM accepts a degree taught at least 50 percent in English. RWTH Aachen’s general rule exempts only degrees from the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA, so a degree taught in English in India, Pakistan or Nigeria is not automatically enough there. Check the rule of each programme before you skip the test.
Do you still need German?
For the degree, often not. For life in Germany, yes. The DAAD’s study portal says you still need German for daily life, and Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt says German at B2 level or better is essential for job opportunities. Some universities build it into the programme. For example, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg asks students of its English Master’s programmes to reach German A1 within the first year. Our language guide compares the certificates.
When and how do you apply?
You apply through the university’s portal or through uni-assist, as the programme page says. Deadlines for English Master’s are often earlier than the usual 15 July. In the DAAD database the most common deadlines are 15 July (188 programmes), 15 January (155) and 31 May (106).
- TUM Informatics M.Sc. Applications from 1 February to 31 May through TUMonline.
- University of Stuttgart, Computer Science M.Sc. 15 November to 15 January for the winter semester.
- TH Ingolstadt, Engineering and Management B.Eng. 1 April to 15 July 2027 through uni-assist.
Here is a typical case. A student in Lagos plans a Master’s in computer science for October 2027 and starts looking in March 2027. By then the Stuttgart deadline of 15 January has passed, and the TUM deadline of 31 May is close. Starting the search in autumn 2026 keeps all three options open.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every programme is free. TUM charges non-EU students, private universities charge everyone.
- Skipping the English test. Not every university accepts your previous degree as proof.
- Looking only at universities. Most English Bachelor’s are at universities of applied sciences.
- Ignoring German. It matters for jobs, housing and some programme rules.
Frequently asked questions
Can I study medicine in English in Germany?
Not as a full medical degree. Medicine with the state examination is taught in German, and English options in health sciences are almost all at Master’s level.
Are English-taught programmes free?
At most public universities, apart from the semester contribution. TUM and universities in Baden-Württemberg charge non-EU students, and private universities charge everyone.
Is a TOEFL score on the new scale accepted?
Yes, universities now list both scales. TH Ingolstadt, for example, asks for 72 on the old scale or 4 on the new one.
Where to start
Open the DAAD International Programmes database, filter by your subject, degree and “English only”, and save ten programmes. Then compare them with our programme catalogue and note each one’s English score, fees and deadline.