General Information
Most academic pathways progress from a Bachelor's degree, through to a Masters, and then a Doctorate (or PhD), and German universities generally keep to this rule
More advanced than a Bachelor's, Masters courses are suited to able students who have scored well in Bachelor's examinations and have a strong interest in a particular subject. They also tend to be much more specific than lower level qualifications, providing in-depth knowledge needed to enter many German professions.
What is a Masters degree in Germany?
In Germany, a Masters degree is often a requirement to enter the senior ranks of occupations like accountancy, business management, medicine, teaching, and engineering. A Bachelor's degree is necessary to launch careers in these areas, but it isn't enough.
In the past, German Masters were known as a Diplom. However, as European qualifications are harmonized under the Bologna Process, they tend to be referred to as simple Masters degrees these days.
Is a Masters Degree free in Germany?
One of the attractions of studying a Masters in Germany is the cost. Many public institutions charge no tuition fees, beyond an administrative fee per semester. This usually amounts to little more than €200.
There are some exceptions. For instance, many business schools charge per semester, and the major state of Baden-Wurttenberg charges tuition fees at all universities.
How many years is a Masters in Germany?
Typically, a German Masters course will take 2 years to complete. Part-time options may extend this duration by a year, but Masters rarely take longer than that. Fast-track courses are also possible, and can be completed in one year.
At the end of the course, students will be awarded a grade based on their achievements. A good grade for a Masters in Germany is 1.0-1.5 (Sehr Gut), while 1.6-2.5 qualifies as Gut.