How to Study in Germany for Free as a Pakistani Student

German public universities charge zero tuition fees for international students, including Pakistanis. Here’s exactly how to access this opportunity, from language requirements to the blocked account.

Why Germany Charges No Tuition

In 2014, all German states abolished tuition fees at public (staatlich) universities for all students, including internationals. You pay only a small semester contribution (€150–350) which typically includes a public transport pass. Private universities in Germany do charge fees.

Language Requirements

Many German public universities offer English-medium programmes, particularly at postgraduate level. Undergraduate programmes are predominantly in German. For German-medium programmes, you’ll need at least B2 level German (TestDaF TDN4, DSH-2, or equivalent). English-medium programmes typically require IELTS 6.0–6.5.

The Blocked Account

This is the most important requirement for Pakistani students. Germany requires proof of €11,208 per year (2026 figure) in a blocked German bank account before issuing a student visa. Fintiba and Deutsche Bank are commonly used providers. The account is opened from Pakistan before your visa application.

APS Certificate

Pakistani students applying to German universities must obtain an APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) certificate. This verifies your educational documents. The APS office in Islamabad conducts the verification. Allow 4–6 weeks for processing.

Application Process

Most applications go through Uni-Assist, a centralised portal for German university applications. Some universities accept direct applications. Start 6–9 months before your intended start date. Acceptance rates are competitive, particularly for engineering and computer science at TU Munich and RWTH Aachen.

How Gohata Global Guides You

We guide you through programme shortlisting (English vs German-medium), the Uni-Assist portal, blocked account setup, APS certification, and the student visa application. For DAAD scholarships, we help you build a competitive application file.