Bachelor of Computer Science in Germany: Universities, Fees, Admission Requirements, and Career Scope
A Bachelor of Computer Science (CS) is one of the most sought-after degrees in Germany, as the country has embraced digitalization in all of its forms. Top German IT companies like SAP, Lufthansa Systems, SoftServe, etc., make significant investments in digital development and research. Hence, there is a constant need for computer scientists.
Being the second largest economic leader in the entire European region, Germany has a high rate of employment for computer scientists. Furthermore, it is a fairly diverse nation that welcomes residents of many ethnic backgrounds (13% of the population is from other countries). Almost all public universities in Germany offer free education (students do have to pay some marginal fees). Plus, private universities are also quite inexpensive. In addition, all German Universities have well-respected faculties and offer excellent, globally accepted education. This is why nearly 400,000 international students are currently pursuing higher education in Germany.
Germany is the ideal country for international students seeking a bachelor of computer science degree. The more about bachelor’s in computer science programs in Germany, such as which colleges offer them, their fees, and the entrance requirements.
Bachelor of Computer Science in Germany: Highlights
Degree offered: Computer Science (BSc)
Degree type: Undergraduate
Medium of teaching: English, German-English
Duration of course: 3 to 4 years
Annual tuition fees: 200 to 350 Euros/year (Public universities), 3,000 to 20,000 Euros/year (Private universities)
Average living cost per year: 10,404 Euros
Popular universities in Germany to study Computer Science
Many of Germany’s top universities are public institutions. Although they are ranked highly by ranking agencies, they do not offer computer science courses solely in English. They teach CS curriculum using a blend of German and English, which is not so desirable for international students. Additionally, they have a reputation for being fiercely competitive and only grant a few seats to international students. On the other hand, private universities offer English-language computer science courses. They are easier to get into and are also accredited. Gyanberry has partnered with many such private universities in Germany. So, if you apply through Gyanberry, there are higher chances of your acceptance.
Popular public German universities: Bachelor of Computer Science
University Name | Degree Offered | Teaching Medium | Duration |
Heidelberg University | Computer Science (BSc) | German-English | 3 years |
Hof University of Applied Sciences | Computer Science (BSc) | German-English | 4 years |
Popular private German universities
University Name | Degree Offered | Teaching Medium | Duration |
SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences | Computer Science (BSc) | English | 3 years (fast track) and 3.5 years (international experience track) |
Jacobs University | Bachelor of Science in Computer Science | English | 3 years |
Jacobs University (Fully-online mode) | Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Software Engineering | English | 3 years |
Ulm University of Applied Sciences | Computer Science (BSc) | English | 4 years |
Lancaster University of Leipzig | Computer Science (BSc) | English | 3 years |
IU: International University of Applied Sciences (online or part-time on campus) | Computer Science (BSc) | English | 3 to 6 years |
Berlin School of Business and Innovation | BSc (Hons) Computer Science and Digitization | English | 3 to 4 years |
Fees and living cost for international students
Tuition fees
The only fee charged by public universities in Germany is an administrative fee. Heidelberg University, for instance, charges 343 Euros, whereas Hof University of Applied Sciences charges 200 Euros.
These are the tuition costs for some well-known private German universities.
University Name | Tuition Fees (Euros/year) | Tuition Fees (USD*/year) |
SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences | 9,000 (fast-track), 10,200 (International experience track) | 9,257 (fast-track), 10,491 (International experience track) |
Jacobs University | 20,000 | 20,571 |
Jacobs University (Fully-online mode) | 5,000 | 5,143 |
Ulm University of Applied Sciences | 3,000 | 3,097 |
Lancaster University of Leipzig | 15,750 | 16,199 |
IUBH: International University of Applied Sciences | 2,628 to 5,256 | 2,713 to 5,427 |
Berlin School of Business and Innovation | 9,450 | 9,757 |
Cost of living
On average the cost of living in Germany is 10,404 Euros or 10,701 USD. This is quite reasonable in comparison to other countries like the US, and the UK. Knowing what is included in the cost of living is important if you intend to study computer science in Germany. Here is a breakdown of the living cost for an international student living in Germany.
Particulars | Cost in Euros/year | Cost in USD*/year |
Rent | 3,984 | 4,097 |
Food | 1,848 | 1,900 |
Utilities | 384 | 395 |
Transportation | 1,392 | 1,432 |
Books and college supplies | 288 | 296 |
Health insurance | 1,152 | 1,185 |
Personal expenses | 1,356 | 1,395 |
Eligibility and requirements
It is difficult to get accepted to a public German university as admission requirements are set high by them. Additionally, local high school curriculums of many countries do not equate to a German higher education entrance qualification (HZB). Therefore, it is wise to find out if your selected university accepts your current credentials. A certified Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB), known as an “entry qualification for higher education,” is required to study in Germany. Students who do not have this qualification might have to sit for the “Feststellungsprüfung” (FSP), a university qualification exam by attending a Studienkolleg (preparatory course). These courses are conducted by institutes known as Studienkolleg. You must provide proof of German language proficiency if the course you have chosen is offered in German-English. You will also need to submit your English language competence test results. The standard documents required to apply for a computer science degree in Germany are
- High school or secondary education (IB, Abitur, A-Levels)
- Official transcripts
- University entrance test or online assessment
- Letter of recommendation
- Motivation letter
- Valid passport
- German proficiency (if applicable)
- Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS Academic 6.5, TOEFL iBT / Home Edition 87, or Pearson PTE Academic 58)
- Health certificate
- Proof of financial stability
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has a database of almost all the programs offered by German universities. Students can utilize the Uniassist website to apply to the program of their choice. If you need assistance in knowing more about German college admission requirements, you can contact us. Our admission counselors will guide you through all the processes you need to follow to get admitted to a German university. If you want to know more about German CS programs, you can sign up for our super mentor program. In this, senior students who are currently enrolled in German universities will provide you with personalized mentorship.
Career options for Computer Science graduates in Germany
If you are interested in specializing in the field of computer science then, you can continue with your master’s degree in computer science right after graduation. Some fast-growing and in-demand specialties in this field are data analytics, network security, software development, and artificial intelligence. Also, a master’s degree fetches higher pay.
The career prospects for a graduate in computer science are diverse and include some of the following:
- Computer scientist
- Application developer
- Application analyst
- UX designer
- Web designer
- Data analyst
- IT consultant
- Cybersecurity consultant
- Information systems manager
- Games developer
- Technical writer
- Data scientist
- Network architect
- R&D scientist
- Software engineer
*Note: The tuition fees and other costs are converted based on the current exchange rate, i.e., 1 Euro = 1.03 USD. Exchange rates are subject to periodic change.