Living in the UK? Graduate visa?

Study in Germany from the UK, and start sooner than you think

Most students think Germany means waiting for October. It doesn’t. Private universities start in January, May and September, and often decide on applications quicker. And after you graduate, there is a clear legal route to permanent residence, in some cases within 21 months of starting work. We prepare your admission and your German student visa with you, here in the UK.

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Why Germany

Why students in the UK are choosing Germany

Most of the people we help are international graduates living in the UK. Their Graduate visa has an end date, and they want a next step that keeps their options open. For many, that step is a Master’s in Germany.

Little or no tuition at public universities. Most public programmes charge only a semester contribution of roughly €100 to €350, which usually includes a local transport ticket. Private universities charge tuition but offer more intakes.
You apply from the UK. If you live here with valid UK permission, you apply to the German Embassy in London (or the Consulate General in Edinburgh) before you leave.
Intakes through the year. Public universities start in October and April. Many private universities also start in January, May and September.
You can work while you study. Up to 140 full days or 280 half days a year.
A real route to staying on. After graduating you can hold a residence permit for up to 18 months while you look for qualified work.

Germany isn't right for everyone. If your course needs fluent German, or you can't show the required funds, Spain or Malta may suit you better. We’ll tell you which before you spend money on an application.

The faster route

Why a private university is often the smarter route

If your Graduate visa ends next spring, an October start at a public university can leave a gap you can’t afford. That is why we often suggest a private university to students on a Graduate visa.

Start in January, May or September. Three intakes a year at many private universities, against two at public ones, so you can pick a start date that fits your UK visa.
Quicker admission decisions. Private universities usually handle applications themselves and often reply faster, which leaves more time for your visa appointment.
Programmes built for international students. Many courses are taught fully in English, in business, management, IT and data.

The trade-off is tuition: private universities charge fees, public ones mostly don’t. If cost matters more than timing, a public university with an October or April start may suit you better, and we will tell you so. The visa steps and the funds you need to show are the same either way.

Find a private university intake

Student visa

Applying for the German student visa from the UK

If you are not an EU citizen and you live in the UK, you need a German national visa for study before you travel. The German Missions in the UK^source handle applications from students who live here and have not yet left the UK. You apply to the Embassy in London if you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, or the Consulate General in Edinburgh if you live in Scotland.

Get your admissionA German university admission letter (Zulassungsbescheid), or acceptance onto a preparatory course.
Arrange proof of fundsAt least €992 for each month of your stay, for up to 12 months (€11,904 for a year).
Apply on the Consular Services PortalUpload your documents online. The portal checks them and asks for any corrections once.
Attend your appointmentBring your original documents, give your biometrics and pay the visa fee.
Wait for the decisionMost applications are processed within about 2 weeks after biometrics. The visa is not issued more than 3 months before you travel.

Documents the German missions ask for

a passport issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 6 months, with two blank pages next to each other;
your current UK residence permit or visa (for example your eVisa share code showing your status and how long it lasts);
two biometric photos (35 × 45 mm);
your German admission letter;
proof of funds;
your CV;
proof of health insurance, which every resident in Germany must have.

Showing you can support yourself

The German missions accept a blocked account, a scholarship, a formal declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) from someone living in Germany, or the maintenance part of a UK student loan. You can combine them, as long as the total is met. They state that no other evidence of funds is accepted.

Apply while you are still living in the UK with valid UK permission. If your UK visa is close to its end date, talk to us early: the timing of your German admission, funds and appointment matters.

Work

Working while you study, and the 18 months after

During your course. Students from outside the EU can work up to 140 full days or 280 half days a year without approval from the Federal Employment Agency, or up to 20 hours a week during term. A half day is up to four hours, and there is no limit during semester breaks^source.

After you graduate. You can apply for a residence permit to look for qualified employment, valid for up to 18 months. While you hold it:

you may take any job to support yourself while you search;
the permit cannot be renewed, so apply for your next permit (for example a work permit or an EU Blue Card) once you have an offer;
you need proof you finished your degree, health insurance and proof you can support yourself^source.

Nobody can promise you a job or a permit at the end of a course, and we won't. What Germany gives you is time and a clear legal route to use it.

Permanent residence

From student to permanent resident: how long it takes

Germany is one of the few countries where a degree leads to a clear, written route to permanent residence (the settlement permit, or Niederlassungserlaubnis). The clock starts when you begin qualified work, not when you start your course.

Your route after graduating	Time in qualified work	German level
EU Blue Card, with B1 German	21 months	B1
EU Blue Card, basic German	27 months	A1
Skilled worker permit, as a German university graduate	2 years, with 24 months of pension contributions	B1
Skilled worker permit, other skilled workers	3 years, with 36 months of pension contributions	B1

So a typical path looks like this: a Master’s of 1 to 2 years, up to 18 months to find a job, then 21 to 27 months on an EU Blue Card or 2 years on a skilled worker permit before you can apply for permanent residence. Every route also asks you to pass the “Living in Germany” test, have enough living space and, in most cases, support yourself without state benefits.

The EU Blue Card needs a job paying at least €50,700 a year in 2026, or €45,934.20 for recent graduates and shortage occupations, with approval from the Federal Employment Agency for those^source. Requirements for the settlement permit are set out by Make it in Germany^source and the City of Munich immigration office^source.

Permanent residence depends on getting a qualifying job and meeting every condition. No university or consultant can guarantee it; we can show you the route and plan your steps around it.

Costs and intakes

What it costs, and when you can start

	Public universities	Private universities
Tuition	None at most (Baden-Württemberg: €1,500 a semester for non-EU students)	Tuition fees, set by each university
Semester contribution	€100 to €350 a semester	Depends on the university
Intakes	October and April	January, May and September
Living costs	About €842 a month on average. Munich and Frankfurt cost more, smaller towns less.
Proof of funds for the visa	€992 a month, €11,904 for a year

Costs from DAAD^source and the German Missions in the UK^source, checked 12 October 2026. Deadlines and fees differ by university, so we check your course’s own pages.

Courses and cities

Popular courses and student cities

Engineering

Mechanical, electrical and automotive engineering are what German universities are best known for.

Computer and data science

A wide choice of English-taught Master’s, with strong links to industry.

Business and management

International business, management and finance, often with internship options.

Natural sciences

Research-led programmes in physics, chemistry, biology and environmental science.

Most international students end up in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt or Cologne. Berlin is cheaper and strong for tech; Munich is strong for engineering but expensive; Frankfurt suits finance. The right city depends on your course and budget, and that's one of the first things we work out with you.

Applying

How the application works with us

Check where you standYour UK visa end date, your degrees, English scores and funds decide which universities and intakes are realistic.
Choose public or privateNeed to start soon, or before your UK visa ends? A private university with a January, May or September start. Is tuition your main concern? A public university, starting in October or April.
APS certificate, if it applies to youApplicants with a school or university qualification from China, Vietnam or India may need an APS certificate before applying^source. We check this from your documents.
University applicationDirectly to the university or through its chosen application platform, depending on the course.
Student visa from the UKFunds, health insurance, the Consular Services Portal and your appointment, prepared with you.

British passport holders

If you are a British citizen

It is simpler for you. According to the German Missions in the UK^source, British citizens don't need a visa before travelling to study. You enter Germany, register your address (Anmeldung) within 2 weeks of moving in, and apply for the study residence permit at the local immigration office within 90 days. You still need to show the same funds and health insurance, and you can only work once your permit allows it.

FAQ

Questions we’re asked about Germany

I am not British but I live in the UK. Can I apply for the German student visa from here?

Yes. If you live in the UK with valid UK permission (for example a Graduate visa) and have been admitted to a German university, you apply to the German missions in the UK before you leave: the Embassy in London, or the Consulate General in Edinburgh if you live in Scotland. You apply through the Consular Services Portal and then attend an appointment.

What is the quickest way to start studying in Germany?

A private university. Many start in January, May and September and often decide on applications faster than public universities, which start in October and April. The visa steps, processing time and funds are the same for both, so the time you save is in getting admitted and choosing an earlier start.

How much money do I need to show?

At least €992 for each month of your stay, for up to 12 months, which is €11,904 for a year. You can show it with a blocked account, a scholarship, a formal sponsor declaration from someone living in Germany, or the maintenance part of a UK student loan, and you can combine these. The figure is revised from time to time, so we check it again before you apply.

How long does the visa take?

The German missions in the UK say most applications are processed within about 2 weeks after you give your biometrics. A student visa is not issued more than 3 months before your travel date.

When are the intakes?

Public universities usually start in October (winter semester) and April (summer semester). Many private universities also take students in January, May and September. Deadlines differ by university, so we confirm the date for your course.

Can I work while I study?

Yes. Students from outside the EU can work up to 140 full days or 280 half days a year, or up to 20 hours a week during term. There is no limit during semester breaks.

What happens when I finish my degree?

You can apply for a residence permit to look for qualified work, valid for up to 18 months. It cannot be renewed, and while you hold it you may take any job to support yourself.

How soon can I get permanent residence in Germany after studying?

Permanent residence (the settlement permit) is counted from when you start qualified work. EU Blue Card holders can apply after 27 months, or after 21 months with German at level B1. German university graduates on a skilled worker permit can apply after 2 years with 24 months of pension contributions and B1 German. All routes also need the “Living in Germany” test and enough living space.

Is tuition really free?

At most public universities there is no tuition, only a semester contribution of roughly €100 to €350. Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students €1,500 a semester. Private universities charge tuition, which varies by university and course.

I have a British passport. Is it different for me?

Yes, it is simpler. British citizens don’t need a visa before travelling. You can enter Germany, register your address and apply for the study residence permit at the local immigration office within 90 days.

Thinking about Germany?

Tell us your UK visa end date, your degree and your budget. We’ll tell you honestly whether Germany works for you and which intake to aim for, then prepare the application and visa with you.

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Sources (checked 12 October 2026)

This page is general information, not immigration advice. Rules change, so we check them again for your case.