The short answer
To study in Germany: choose an English-taught course and university, meet the entry requirement (around KCSE C+ or A-Level/ACSEE/UACE/ZIMSEC CCC, plus IELTS 6.0–6.5), apply through a registered education agent, accept your offer, open a blocked account with €11,904 and take health insurance, then lodge the national student visa. Main intake is October; allow a few months.
Studying in Germany from Africa follows a clear path — and for an English-taught degree it’s more straightforward than most students expect. This guide walks the whole journey in order, from choosing a course to landing in Germany, with the grades, costs and timing at each step.
How do you study in Germany as an international student?
Six steps: choose an English-taught course and university, check you meet the entry requirement, apply through a registered education agent, accept your offer, prove your funds and lodge the student visa, then travel and enrol. From first shortlist to visa decision, allow a few months.
Step 1: Choose an English-taught course and university
Start with the course. Through Craydel you can apply to 20+ English-taught universities — strong in business, IT, AI and data, creative and marketing — so you can study entirely in English. Weigh the course, the city’s living cost, and your chances of an offer. See universities in Germany and costs.
Step 2: Check you meet the entry requirements
Entry is set per course. As a guide for direct bachelor’s entry across the programmes in our data:
| Curriculum | Typical direct entry | If you’re below the line |
|---|---|---|
| KCSE (Kenya) | C+ | Foundation year |
| A-Level / ACSEE / UACE / ZIMSEC | CCC | Foundation year |
| WASSCE (WAEC) | Assessed per course | Foundation year |
| IB | Assessed per course | Foundation year |
Most common thresholds across the English-taught programmes in our data; exact rules are per course. English is proven with about IELTS 6.0–6.5. A foundation year (or a “bachelor’s with integrated foundation year”) is the route in below direct entry.
Step 3: Apply through a registered education agent
You apply with a registered education agent, and good counselling is free to you — universities pay the commission. Choose an adviser who shortlists several options on fit and cost, never one who guarantees a visa or charges large upfront fees.
Want your shortlist and application handled end to end?
Craydel matches you to English-taught German courses you’ll get an offer for, then guides the funds and visa — at no cost to you.
Step 4: Accept your offer
When a university admits you, accept the offer and pay any deposit. This admission (Zulassung) is what your visa application is built around. At this stage, check whether your country needs an APS certificate and start it if so (see the visa guide).
Step 5: Prove your funds and lodge the visa
Open a blocked account and deposit €11,904, take out German-recognised health insurance, then apply for the national (type D) student visa at the German mission with your admission, funds proof and documents. The blocked-account money is yours — released at about €992 a month after you arrive.
Step 6: Travel, enrol and settle
Once your visa is granted, travel to Germany, enrol at your university, register your address locally and convert to a student residence permit. Aim to arrive before orientation. You can then work up to 140 days a year — see working while studying.
When to apply
Germany’s main intake is October (winter), with a smaller April (summer) intake. Because admission, the blocked account, health insurance, any APS step and the visa each take time, start several months ahead — for October, begin early in the year.
Frequently asked questions
How do I study in Germany from Africa?
Choose an English-taught course and university, meet the entry requirement (around KCSE C+ or A-Level/ACSEE/UACE/ZIMSEC CCC, plus IELTS 6.0–6.5), apply through a registered agent, accept your offer, open a blocked account with €11,904 and take health insurance, then lodge the national student visa. Allow a few months.
What grades do I need to study in Germany?
Entry is per course. As a guide, a KCSE mean around C+, or A-Level/ACSEE/UACE/ZIMSEC around CCC, meets direct bachelor’s entry at many English-taught programmes; below that, a foundation year is the route in. English is about IELTS 6.0–6.5.
Do I need to speak German?
Not for the English-taught universities you can apply to through Craydel — you enrol and graduate in English. Public (tuition-free) universities mostly teach in German and require DSH/TestDaF. Some German still helps daily life and work.
When should I apply?
Aim for the October (winter) intake or the smaller April (summer) intake, and start several months ahead — admission, the blocked account, health insurance, any APS step and the visa all take time.
Sources
- Craydel course, campus and admissions data (2026) — English-taught universities, entry thresholds by curriculum, intakes.
- Federal Foreign Office / Make-it-in-Germany — student visa, blocked account (€11,904), health insurance. make-it-in-germany.com
- DAAD — requirements, enrolment and APS by country. daad.de
Want this built around your grades and budget?
A Craydel counsellor will shortlist Germany universities that fit what you can actually afford — free.