Compare two study destinations

Bachelor's: usually 3 years full-time (4 years in Scotland). Taught master's: typically 1 year.

Source: UCAS – The UK degree system

Bachelor's: around 180 credit points at about 30 per semester (roughly six semesters). Master's: set by each programme's study regulations.

Source: DAAD – Good to know: the basics

International tuition per year: undergraduate £11,400–£38,000; postgraduate £9,000–£30,000. Varies by university and course.

Per year; the source does not state an academic year · GBP

Source: British Council Study UK – Cost of studying and living

Public universities generally charge no tuition for bachelor's and most master's courses. Exceptions: Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students €1,500 per semester, and Bavarian institutions can charge non-EU students fees. Everyone pays a semester contribution of about €70–€430. Private universities charge tuition.

Per semester · EUR

Source: DAAD – Costs of education and living

Around £1,300–£1,400 a month in London, £900–£1,300 elsewhere (source estimate, one student without dependants). For the Student visa you must show £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 a month elsewhere, for up to 9 months.

Per month · GBP

Source: British Council Study UK – Cost of studying and living · GOV.UK – Student visa: money you need

Estimated €900–€1,200 a month depending on the city. For the visa, non-EU students must show €992 a month (as of 1 January 2025), usually through a blocked account of at least €11,904 for the year.

Per month; visa amount as of 2025 · EUR

Source: DAAD – Costs of education and living · Make it in Germany – Securing funding

Academic entry requirements are set by each university and course. For a degree-level Student visa your English must be equivalent to CEFR B2; your university can assess this itself or ask for a specific test.

Source: GOV.UK – Student visa: knowledge of English

Your school or university certificate must be recognised; applicants from many countries need two or three semesters of prior study or a Studienkolleg for a bachelor’s. German-taught programmes usually need German at CEFR B2; English-taught programmes need proof of English. Indian applicants also need an APS certificate for the visa.

Source: DAAD – Requirements overview · APS India

September is the main intake; many universities also offer January. Dates differ by university and course.

Source: BaharChalo – Study in the UK guide

Winter semester (starts around October, most programmes) and Summer semester (starts around April, fewer programmes). Deadlines differ by university.

Source: BaharChalo – Study in Germany guide

Short master’s programmes keep total living costs down. The visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge are paid upfront. Post-study work through the Graduate route depends on eligibility and current rules; it is not guaranteed.

Source: GOV.UK – Student visa · GOV.UK – Graduate visa

Low or no tuition, but you must fund living costs and the blocked account upfront. Basic German helps a lot with part-time jobs and life outside the campus. Any post-study job-search permit depends on eligibility and is not guaranteed.

Source: DAAD – Costs of education and living · BaharChalo – Study in Germany guide