The short answer
Yes — Zimbabwean students study in Germany in English (no German needed at the universities you can apply to through Craydel). A ZIMSEC A-Level result around CCC wins direct bachelor's entry; tuition is about €12,193/yr (≈ USD 14,000) with scholarships up to 50%. The visa needs €11,904 (≈ USD 13,700) in a blocked account, applied for at the German Embassy in Harare.
Yes — Zimbabwean students can and do study in Germany, in English, at a fraction of the cost of Australia, the UK or the US. This guide walks the journey from Harare: the English-taught universities you can apply to, the ZIMSEC A-Level result you need, what a year costs, and the student visa step by step. Because Zimbabwe transacts in US dollars, figures are shown in EUR with the USD equivalent.
Can Zimbabwean students study in Germany?
Yes, and you don’t need German — the universities you can apply to through Craydel teach in English. Five steps: choose a course, get your offer, open a blocked account and take health insurance, lodge the national student visa at the German Embassy in Harare, then travel and enrol.
Which universities can you apply to?
Through Craydel you can apply to 20+ English-taught universities — SRH University, the University of Europe for Applied Sciences, IU International, Constructor University, Macromedia, EU Business School, Gisma and more — strongest in business, IT, AI/data and creative fields (see our universities guide). Germany’s tuition-free public universities teach in German and need a direct application — see study in Germany for free.
What grades do you need with ZIMSEC?
Entry is per course. Across the English-taught programmes in our data, a ZIMSEC A-Level result around CCC meets direct bachelor’s entry; below that, a foundation year is the route in. ZIMSEC O-Level students usually start with a foundation year, and Cambridge A-Level and IB are also assessed. English is about IELTS 6.0–6.5.
How much does it cost from Zimbabwe?
Tuition runs a median of about €12,193 a year (≈ USD 14,000), from as little as €6,450 (≈ USD 7,400), with grade-based scholarships up to 50% off. Separately, the visa requires €11,904 (≈ USD 13,700) in a blocked account for living costs.
| Item | Amount (EUR) | ≈ USD |
|---|---|---|
| Median bachelor’s tuition/yr | €12,193 | ≈ USD 14,000 |
| Cheapest programmes from | €6,450 | ≈ USD 7,400 |
| Blocked account (living funds) | €11,904 | ≈ USD 13,700 |
Median first-year fees net of discounts; blocked-account figure set by the German government. USD equivalent at the 2026 rate; rates move.
Not sure your ZIMSEC points are enough?
A Craydel counsellor shortlists English-taught German courses you’ll get an offer for — no agent fees to you — and guides the blocked account and visa.
The student visa from Harare
Zimbabwean students apply for a national (type D) student visa at the German Embassy in Harare. You’ll need your admission, the €11,904 blocked account, German-recognised health insurance, and should check whether Zimbabwe needs an APS certificate with the Embassy first. Start a few months ahead, especially for the October intake (April is the smaller second intake). See our visa guide.
Work, post-study and staying on
140 days a year
Work up to 140 full days (about 20 hours a week in term).
18-month job search
Stay 18 months to find work related to your degree.
Route to residence
A work permit or EU Blue Card leads towards permanent residence.
Up to 50% off
Grade-based awards at several universities cut tuition.
Frequently asked questions
Can I study in Germany from Zimbabwe?
Yes — in English, no German needed at the universities you can apply to through Craydel. You choose a course, get an offer, open a blocked account (€11,904 ≈ USD 13,700) and take health insurance, then lodge a national student visa at the German Embassy in Harare.
What ZIMSEC points do I need?
Across the English-taught programmes in our data, a ZIMSEC A-Level result around CCC meets direct bachelor’s entry; below that, a foundation year is the route in. O-Level students usually start with a foundation year; Cambridge A-Level and IB are also assessed. English is about IELTS 6.0–6.5.
How much does it cost from Zimbabwe?
Tuition is a median of about €12,193 a year (≈ USD 14,000), from €6,450, with scholarships up to 50% off. Separately, the visa needs €11,904 (≈ USD 13,700) in a blocked account. Public universities are tuition-free but German-taught.
Do I need German?
Not for the English-taught universities you can apply to through Craydel. Public (tuition-free) universities mostly teach in German. Some German still helps daily life and work.
Sources
- Craydel course, campus and admissions data (2026) — English-taught universities, fees, ZIMSEC entry thresholds, scholarships, work/post-study.
- Exchange rates for USD→EUR conversion (2026); indicative only.
- Federal Foreign Office / German Embassy Harare — student visa, blocked account (€11,904), APS. make-it-in-germany.com
Want this built around your grades and budget?
A Craydel counsellor will shortlist Germany universities that fit what you can actually afford — free.