German universities typically use a 1.0 to 5.0 grading scale, with 1.0–1.5 (sehr gut/very good) as the top range, 1.6–2.5 (gut/good) as above average, 2.6–3.5 (befriedigend/satisfactory) as average, 3.6–4.0 (ausreichend/sufficient) as passing, and 5.0 (failed) as failing.
| Program Type | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 6 semesters (≈ 3 years) |
| Master’s Degree | 2 additional semesters (≈ 1 year), though 1–2 years is common overall |
| PhD / Doctorate | Typically 3–5 years; average time to graduation ~4.5 years. |
| Academic Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Degree Durations | Bachelor’s: 6 semesters (~3 years); align with Bologna system (180 ECTS) |
| Grading Scale | 1.0 (Sehr Gut) to 5.0 (Fail), with 1.0–2.5 considered good to excellent |
| Academic Calendar | Winter Semester: Oct–Mar; Summer Semester: Apr–Jul. Enrollment for UG typically begins in Winter |
| Cost Type | Estimated Annual Cost (€) |
|---|---|
| Semester Contributions | €200–€700/year (depending on university & transport inclusion) |
| Living Expenses | €8,700–€10,700/year |
| Private University Tuition | €10,000–€20,000/year (up to €40,000 for some programs) |