COUNTRIES

Top Nursing Universities/Colleges in Germany for Indian Students 2026: Courses, Fees, Eligibility & Careers

SR
Samrat Ray • 16 Mins read • 4 Feb 26
Nursing Colleges in GermanyNursing Colleges in Germany

Nursing colleges in Germany offer Diploma, Bachelor’s, post-basic, and Master’s level Nursing courses to Indian students. The durations of these courses range from 1 year to 4 years. You can find English-taught nursing programs in many of these colleges which accept international students. Some of the top options for Nursing courses in Germany include the University of Freiburg, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, etc. 

Admissions to Nursing colleges in Germany are merit-based. For Diploma and Bachelor’s courses in Nursing, you must clear your 10+2 exam with the Science stream and a good score. For Master’s courses in nursing, you must hold a relevant Bachelor’s degree. Along with that, you must demonstrate English proficiency through the IELTS or TOEFL exam

The semester contributions across the available Nursing colleges in  Germany range from €170 to €700. Scholarships of up to €300 per month or up to €600 per semester are available for Indian students studying Nursing in Germany. 

Let us look at the top Nursing colleges in Germany based on factors like tuition fee, ranking, etc. We will also look at the eligibility criteria, admission process, scholarships, placement support, and career opportunities offered by these colleges. Read on to find the best options for Nursing in Germany and how to choose among them. 


☎️ Talk to an Expert Counsellor — FREE Call ☎️


Top Nursing Colleges in Germany 

To find the top Nursing colleges for yourself in Germany, you must consider the categories and ranks of the available options. Let us look at the prominent government and private options, along with the overall best options in the country. 


List of Government Nursing Colleges

The following are some of the most prominent public universities that offer Nursing courses to Indian students in Germany:


List of Private Nursing Colleges

The following colleges and universities are private institutions and offer Nursing courses to Indian students:

  • Döpfer University of Applied Sciences
  • SRH University of Applied Health Sciences
  • Carl Remigius Medical School
  • SRH University of Applied Health Sciences, Bamberg
  • Fresenius University of Applied Sciences


Best Nursing Colleges in Germany for Indian Students

Check the table below for the best college options for Indian students who want to study Nursing in Germany. 

College

Location

Key Highlights for Indians 

Hamburg University of Applied Sciences 

Hamburg

  • Cooperative B.Sc Nursing
  • English modules,
  • Strong Indian community

Hochschule Bremen 

Bremen

  • International B.Sc Nursing
  • €380/semester fee

Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University

Baden-Württemberg

Dual B.Sc with paid placements (€1,000+/month stipend)

Fulda University of Applied Sciences

Hesse

  • B.Sc Nursing
  • IELTS 5.5 accepted
  • €600/year total fee

Esslingen University of Applied Sciences

Baden-Württemberg

  • B.Sc Nursing
  • High job placement in Stuttgart hospitals

University of Freiburg

Baden-Württemberg

Research focus

Munich University of Applied Sciences

Bavaria

  • Clinical programs
  • Access to the Bavaria job market (€3,200 start salary)

Witten/Herdecke University

NRW

  • English-taught M.Sc Nursing
  • Flexible for Indians.

Osnabrück UAS

Lower Saxony

Affordable fee

Rosenheim Technical UAS

Bavaria

Lowest €170/semester fee


Nursing Programs Offered by Colleges in Germany

You can find Diploma, Bachelor’s, post-basic, and Master’s level courses in Nursing across colleges in Germany. The details given below will help you find the appropriate institutions for the level of Nursing course you want to study.  


Diploma in Nursing Programs

Check the table below for the Nursing colleges in Germany offering Diploma programs in Nursing. 

College/Vocational School Partner

Duration

Eligibility for Indians 

DRK-Schulzentrum Berlin

3 years

10+2 Science (PCB) + APS cert

Caritas Berufsfachschule (Cologne)

3 years

High school diploma + aptitude test

Diakonie Berlin

3 years

12th pass any stream + medical check

Malteser Schulen (Munich)

3 years

12th pass + interview with the hospital

Rotes Kreuz Fachschule (Hamburg)

3 years

Secondary education 

Katholische Stiftungsschule (Stuttgart)

3 years

12th pass, withScience background preferred


Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

You can find English-taught BSc Nursing courses in many German universities or colleges accepting international students. Check the table below for Nursing colleges in Germany offering BSN courses to applicants from India. 

College/University 

BSN Duration

Eligibility for Indian students

University of Freiburg

3 years

12th pass from PCB stream with 50%

University of Bremen

3 years

12th pass from PCB stream with 50%

Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg,

4 years

12th pass from PCB stream with 50%

Witten/Herdecke University

3 - 4 years

12th pass from PCB stream with 50%

Esslingen University of Applied Sciences

3 years 

12th pass from PCB stream with 50%



☎️ Talk to an Expert Counsellor — FREE Call ☎️


Post-Basic Nursing Programs

You can get high-quality post-basic Nursing programs from the colleges provided in the table below. 

College/Partner Facility

Post-Basic Duration

Eligibility for Indians 

Catholic University of Applied Sciences (Cologne)

12-18 months

  • GNM/B.Sc Nursing
  • 1yr exp 
  • B2 German
  • Anerkennung approval

Fliedner University (Düsseldorf)

1-2 years

  • Indian nursing diploma/degree
  • B2 medical German 
  • Aptitude test

Charité Berlin (Anpassungslehrgang)

12-24 months

  • Registered nurse (India)
  • B2-C1 German 
  • Passed the knowledge test

Munich University of Applied Sciences

18 months

  • B.Sc Nursing 
  • 6 months of experience 
  • Goethe B2 Pflege
  • APS certification

SRH University Heidelberg

1 year intensive

  • GNM
  • 2yr exp 
  • Telc B2 Deutsch
  •  Document equivalence

DRK School of Nursing (Berlin)

12-18 months

  • Post-Basic eligible nurses
  • Medical German C1 
  • Interview


Master’s in Nursing Programs

The colleges given below offer MSc programs in Nursing to Indian students based on the eligibility criteria mentioned for each of them. 

College/University

Program Duration

Eligibility for Indians 

University of Freiburg

2 years

  • B.Sc Nursing
  • 1yr exp 
  • C1 German 
  • 2.5 GPA

Witten/Herdecke University (Private)

2 years

  • B.Sc Nursing 
  • B2-C1 German 
  • Aptitude test
  • APS certification

Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences

2 years

  • Nursing degree 
  • 2yrs practice 
  • Goethe C1 
  • Research proposal

Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

2 years

  • B.Sc Nursing/GNM equivalent
  • Professional experience 
  • DSH-2 German

University of Bremen

2 years

  • Nursing Bachelor's 
  • Clinical experience
  • TestDaF 4 
  • Interview

Ernst-Abbe University Jena

2 years

  • B.Sc Nursing 
  • 1year experience 
  • Medical German C1 
  • APS certification

Lübeck University

2 years

  • Nursing degree 
  • B2.2 German
  • Publications preferred


Advanced Nursing Programs

The table below shows the institutions offering Advanced Nursing Programs to Indian students, along with the details of the program. 

College/University 

Advanced Nursing Program Duration

Eligibility

Trier University

4 years

Relevant Bachelor’s in Nursing

Evangelische Hochschule Nürnberg

1.5 years

Relevant Bachelor’s in Nursing

OTH Regensburg

1.5 years

Relevant Bachelor’s in Nursing

Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society

3.5 years

Relevant Bachelor’s in Nursing

University of Oldenburg

2.5 years

Relevant Bachelor’s in Nursing


How to Choose the Right Nursing College in Germany?

You can consider various aspects like semester contributions, location, ranking, etc., to choose a Nursing college in Germany. The sections below contain details of the top colleges based on each of these important aspects that Indian students would like to consider. 


Colleges by Semester Contribution

Since Nursing colleges in Germany do not have tuition fees, they have semester contributions. The table below shows the college-wise semester contributions to help you choose the most suitable one based on this aspect. 

College/University

Semester Contribution (€)

Rosenheim Technical UAS

€170

University of Freiburg

€1,500 

Kempten University of Applied Sciences

€200 - €210

Martin Luther University Halle

€105 - €365

University of Trier

€300

Fulda University of Applied Sciences

€300 - €350

Saarland University of Applied Sciences

€360 - €400

City University of Applied Sciences Bremen

€380 - €400

Hamburg University of Applied Sciences

€335 - €400

Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences

€365 - €390 

Muenster University of Applied Sciences

€340 - €380 

Regensburg University of Applied Sciences

€500 - €700 



☎️ Talk to an Expert Counsellor — FREE Call ☎️


Colleges by State

The table below shows the various top colleges across federal states in Germany and the notable Nursing programs that they offer. 

Federal State

Top Colleges

Notable Programs 

Baden-Württemberg

University of Freiburg, Esslingen UAS, Kempten UAS

M.Sc Nursing Sciences, B.Sc Nursing

Bavaria

Rosenheim Technical UAS, Regensburg UAS, Munich UAS

B.Sc Nursing, M.Sc Advanced Practice

Bremen

City UAS Bremen, University of Bremen

B.Sc International Nursing, M.Sc Community Health

Hesse

Fulda University of Applied Sciences

B.Sc Nursing (international-friendly)

Lower Saxony

Osnabrück UAS, Hannover Medical School

M.A Nursing Science, clinical training

North Rhine-Westphalia

Münster UAS, Witten/Herdecke Univ, Fliedner Univ

B.A Nursing Management, M.Sc Nursing

Saxony-Anhalt

Martin Luther Univ Halle-Wittenberg

M.Sc Health & Nursing Sciences


Colleges by Ranking

The table below shows the top Nursing colleges in Germany based on their country-level and global ranking by different reliable ranking bodies. 

College

Country ranking (2026) 

Global ranking (2026)

Heidelberg University

3th by uniRank

80th by QS

University of Bremen

25th by uniRank

530th by QS

University of Trier

53rd by uniRank

684th by uniRank

Osnabruck University

56th by uniRank

706th by uniRank

Esslingen University of Applied Sciences

105th by uniRank

1,723rd by uniRank

Muenster University of Applied Sciences

17th by uniRank

217th by uniRank

Kempten University of Applied Sciences

203rd by uniRank

3,489th by uniRank


Eligibility Criteria for Indian Students Applying to Nursing Colleges

The eligibility criteria for studying Nursing in Germany for Indian students are based mainly on their qualifications, English proficiency requirements for English-medium courses, and the entrance exam requirements. The important details regarding these aspects are provided below. 


Academic Requirements 

For Nursing courses lower than the Master’s level, Indian students must pass their 10+2 exams from the Science stream. Apart from that, they must have a good score in their qualifying exam. Similarly, students applying to Master’s courses must have a relevant Bachelor’s degree and fulfil the institution-specific score requirements. 


English Language Requirements (IELTS/TOEFL)

To join English-taught Nursing courses in Germany, Indian students must demonstrate their English proficiency. For this purpose, they must take the IELTS or TOEFL exam. Depending on the institution you apply to, you usually need an IELTS score of 6.5 to 7.0 or more for admission to English-taught Nursing courses in Germany. On the other hand, if you take the TOEFL exam, you must score above 80 or 90, depending on the institution’s requirements. 


Entrance Exams Required

Nursing colleges in Germany do not have a centralised entrance exam for admissions. Therefore, you must meet the eligibility criteria for admission to their Nursing courses at various levels. Moreover, many of the institutions will often require you to take an interview for admission. 


Work Experience

For Diploma programs in Nursing and BSN, you are not required to have work experience for admission to Nursing colleges in Germany. In the case of MSc Nursing courses, 1 to 2 years of work experience in the Nursing field is usually preferable but not mandatory. 


Admission Process for Nursing Colleges in Germany

Admission Process for German Nursing Colleges

The Nursing admission process in Germany consists of application, document uploading, receiving the offer letter, responding to the offer, and completing further admission steps. Below, you will find detailed information on the admission process for Nursing colleges in Germany. 


Application Timeline for Indian Students

The specific timeline to be followed for applying to Nursing courses in Germany varies with the intake period. Go through the table below to understand the timeline to apply to Nursing colleges in Germany for the winter and summer intakes. 

Phase

Winter Intake (October Start)

Summer Intake (April Start)

Research programs

6-8 months prior

5-7 months prior

Obtain APS certificate (Delhi)

4 months prior

3 months prior

German B2 exam (Goethe/TestDaF)

3-4 months prior

2-3 months prior

Applications open

November - December

May - June

Submit via uni-assist/direct

December - July 

July - January 

Admission offers

April - August

November - February

Student visa + enrollment

July - September (blocked account €11,904)

January - March

Program begins

September - October

March - April


Documents Required from Indian Students

The following documents are required from Indian students for admission to Nursing colleges in Germany:

  • Class 10th and 12th certificates and marksheet. 
  • APS certificate
  • English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL scorecard)
  • Passport copy
  • CV/resume (if specified by the college)
  • Motivation letter/statement of purpose (SOP), if required
  • Police clearance certificate
  • Medical fitness certificate
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Proof of finances (€11,000 - €12,000 per year)


Offer Letter & Acceptance Process

The specific process for sending the admission letter varies with each institution. You can usually get the admission letter via mail or on the admission portal where you submitted your application. You must then respond to the institutions based on the instructions provided for this purpose. Make sure to respond to the offer within the deadline provided for this step. 


Tuition Fees & Cost of Studying Nursing in Germany

While studying Nursing in Germany, you must pay the costs of the course along with the living costs involved during your education. The tables shown below provide the tuition fees or yearly contributions across Nursing colleges in Germany and the estimated living costs in various prominent cities. 


Tuition Fees by College

Instead of tuition fees, public universities in Germany charge semester contributions. The total contributions in a year across different Nursing colleges in Germany are provided in the table below. 

College/University

Yearly Contribution (€)

University of Freiburg

€3,000 - €4,000

Hamburg University of Applied Sciences

€2,800 - €3,500

Esslingen University of Applied Sciences

€3,000 - €4,000

Fulda University of Applied Sciences

€600 - €700

Hochschule Bremen (City UAS)

€380 - €400

University of Mainz

€640 - €700

Witten/Herdecke University

€19,464 - €20,000

Fresenius University of Applied Sciences

€5,400 - €6,000

Regensburg University of Applied Sciences

€1,000 - €1,500 

Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences

€615 - €650


Cost of Living by City

The table below shows the city-wise student budget required and the room rents, which can help you estimate the monthly costs of studying at Nursing colleges in Germany. 

City

Total (Student Budget)

Rent (Shared/Student Dorm)

Munich

€1,300 - €1,500

€700 - €1,200

Frankfurt

€1,100 - €1,400

€600 - €1,000

Berlin

€950 - €1,200

€500 - €800

Hamburg

€1,000 - €1,200

€550 - €850

Cologne

€900 - €1,100

€500 - €750

Stuttgart

€1,100 - €1,300

€600 - €900

Leipzig

€750 - €900

€350 - €500

Dresden

€700 - €900

€350 - €500

Bremen

€850 - €1,000

€400 - €600

Chemnitz

€650 - €800

€250 - €400


☎️ Talk to an Expert Counsellor — FREE Call ☎️


Scholarships Offered by Nursing Colleges

You can get scholarships while studying Nursing in Germany to reduce the overall costs of your studies. Here, we will look at some college-specific scholarships and international scholarships available to Indian students. 


College-Specific Scholarships

The scholarships shown in the table below are provided by various institutions and are available to Indian students enrolled in Nursing programs. 

College/University

Scholarship

Eligibility

Benefits

Hamburg University of Applied Sciences

Deutschlandstipendium

  • Enrolled nursing students
  • Based on merit/social engagement

€300/month ​

Hochschule Bremen

International Merit Scholarship

  • Non-EU BSc Nursing
  • GPA 2.5+ (German scale)

€250-500/semester ​

University of Freiburg

International Student Grant

  • Enrolled in BSc/MSc Nursing
  • Based on academic excellence

€400-600/semester ​

Munich University of Applied Sciences

Bavaria Talent Scholarship

High-achieving internationals

€300/month x 12 months ​


International Scholarships for Indian Students

Various international scholarships in Germany are also available to Indian students in Nursing programs across the country. Check the table below for the details of the international scholarships available to students across Nursing colleges in Germany. 

Scholarship/Program

Coverage/Benefits

Eligibility 

DAAD Scholarships

Monthly stipend, travel, and insurance

Strong academics

JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship

Partial funding for Master's/PhD

Indian nationals

Friedrich Ebert Foundation

Monthly stipend + guidance

Postgraduate merit

BAföG

Up to €300/month grant/loan

Merit-based


Accreditation & Recognition of Nursing Colleges in Germany 

The accreditation and recognition of Nursing colleges in Germany help you determine their suitability for your study requirements and career plans. The sections below will help you understand the national and international recognition and accreditations held by Nursing colleges in Germany. 


National Nursing Councils & Boards

The Nursing colleges in Germany are recognised by the AHPGS (Accreditation Agency in Health and Social Sciences). This accreditation body has been recognised by the German Accreditation Council and can therefore be considered reliable by Indian students. 


Recognition in India (INC/State Councils)

The prominent Nursing colleges in Germany are accredited by the Indian Nursing Council (INC), which is the main counselling body for Nursing courses. 

 

Licensing Eligibility After Graduation

To be eligible for licensing after Nursing studies, you must hold a recognised qualification in Nursing. Apart from that, you must gain a B2-level proficiency in German. Candidates are also usually required to pass a state-level exam for licensing. A health certificate and a character fitness certificate are also required for licensing after graduating from a Nursing college in Germany. 


Nursing Colleges Accepting Indian Students – Key Highlights

You must know the acceptance rate of a Nursing college in Germany to estimate your opportunities for admission. Apart from that, the placement support provided in the specific college is another important factor worth considering. Go through the tables below for the details regarding these two highlights of the available colleges. 


Colleges with High Acceptance Rate

You must aim to apply to Nursing colleges that have a high acceptance rate in Germany. The table below shows some of the prominent colleges in the country that have a high overall acceptance rate. 

University

Acceptance Rate

Osnabruck University

80%

Esslingen University of Applied Sciences

95%

Witten/Herdecke University

72%

Fulda University of Applied Sciences

70%

University of Bremen

58%

Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

56%

University of Trier

60%


Colleges with Clinical Placement Support

The placement details and partner facilities of some of the prominent Nursing colleges in Germany are provided in the table below. 

College/University

Placement Details

Partner Facilities 

Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Placements across Charité hospitals, long-term/outpatient care

University clinics, partner institutions ​

Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT)

Paid practical training from semester 3; training contract

Hospitals, care facilities, and outpatient services ​

Hochschule Bremen

Integrated clinical rotations in the program

Local clinics, international options ​

Hamburg University of Applied Sciences

Cooperative model with hospital placements

HAW partner hospitals ​

University of Freiburg

Clinical practice in a university hospital

Freiburg Medical Centre ​

Fulda University of Applied Sciences

Practical semesters in regional healthcare

Hessian clinics & nursing homes ​

Esslingen University of Applied Sciences

Baden-Württemberg hospital network

Stuttgart area hospitals ​

Munich University of Applied Sciences

Bavaria-wide clinical partnerships

LMU Klinikum, other Munich hospitals ​

Fliedner University (Düsseldorf)

Direct hospital cooperative training

Regional health providers 


Career Outcomes from Nursing Colleges in Germany

You can get a wide range of job roles and annual salaries after completing Nursing from a German college. After getting a license, you can work as a registered nurse, nursing assistant, or specialised nurse. Check the information below for the types of workplaces and average salaries available after studying Nursing in Germany. 


Job Opportunities After Graduation

Job opportunities available to Nursing graduates in Germany are spread across hospitals, clinics, ICUs, etc. The table given below shows the job roles available, along with the workplace settings they are available in. 

Role Type

Key Settings

Registered Nurse (RN)

Hospitals, clinics

Nursing Assistant

Transitional role pre-RN

Specialized Nurse

ICU, oncology, geriatrics

 

Average Salary Outcomes

The following table shows the average annual salaries that you can expect after graduating from Nursing colleges in Germany. 

Job Role

Average Annual Salary (€)

Registered Nurse (RN)

€37,000 - €38,000

Nurse Anesthetist

€132,000 - €135,000

Psychiatric Mental Health NP

€67,000 - €68,000

Midwife

€83,000 - €84,000

Oncology Nurse

€60,000 - €65,000

Trauma Nurse

€81,000 - €85,000

Dialysis Nurse

€52,000 - €53,000

Pediatric Nurse

€60,000 - €65,000

Geriatrics Nurse

€35,000 - €37,000

Critical Care Nurse

€36,000 - €40,000


☎️ Talk to an Expert Counsellor — FREE Call ☎️


Nursing Colleges in Germany: FAQs


Ques: Do I have to know German to study in Nursing colleges in Germany?

Ans: While many colleges in Germany mainly provide Nursing programs in the German language, English-taught options are also available for international students. Therefore, you need not necessarily speak German to study Nursing in German colleges. 


Ques: Can I work in Germany as a registered nurse after completing a nursing course?

Ans: Yes, you can become a registered nurse in Germany after going through the assessments for the licensing. You can also choose to pursue careers across Europe or in India. 


Ques: Is a Nursing degree from a Nursing college in Germany recognised in India?

Ans: Yes, a Nursing degree from an INC-recognised college in Germany is recognised in India. Therefore, you can look for suitable career opportunities in India with such a degree. 


Ques: Do I have to take an entrance exam for admission to Nursing colleges in Germany?

Ans: No, there are no centralised entrance exams for Nursing courses in Germany. However, you might have to give an interview at the institution to get selected for a Nursing course. 


Ques: What is the duration of BSc Nursing in Germany?

Ans: The total duration of a BSc Nursing or BSN course in Germany ranges from 3 to 4 years. You will find differences in the course duration across different colleges in the country. 


Ques: Is work experience required for admission to Nursing colleges in Germany?

Ans: No, you usually do not need work experience for a nursing course below the master’s level. At the Master’s level, work experience of 1 to 2 years is preferred, but admissions are open to candidates without experience as well.  


Ques: Can I get 100% scholarships to study Nursing in Germany?

Ans: Most of the available scholarships for Nursing in Germany contribute a part of the overall cost of study for Indian students. However, it is possible to get 100% scholarships through programs such as DAAD. Note that the 100% scholarship programs are highly competitive, and make sure to prepare accordingly. 


Ques: Are Master’s courses in Nursing open to Indian students?

Ans: Yes, you can apply for a Master’s course in Nursing in Germany as an Indian student. For that, you must hold a relevant Bachelor’s degree and fulfil all other requirements specified by the institution you are applying to. 


Ques: What placement support do Nursing colleges in Germany provide?

Ans: Clinical training, integrated clinical rotations, hospital placements, etc., are available at Nursing colleges in Germany as placement support measures. The specific placement support measure will vary with each college or university. 


Ques: How much is the average salary package after graduating from Nursing colleges in Germany?

Ans: The average starting annual salary package that Indian students can expect after graduating from Nursing colleges in Germany ranges from €35,000 to €135,000. The role of Nurse Anaesthetist has the highest annual salary range of €132,000 to €135,000.