Studying in Germany from Africa: procedure, blocked account, visa 2027

Information checked on 20 October 2026.

Studying in Germany from Africa takes a year of preparation, in five steps: check whether your baccalauréat (the French-system school-leaving certificate) gives direct access to university or goes through a Studienkolleg (preparatory year), apply between early May and 15 July for a winter intake, prove your language level, pay €11,904 into a blocked account, then apply for a national visa through the consular portal. Public universities are generally free, with two regional exceptions. If you are still weighing several countries, our comparison of studying in Europe from Africa sets out the core differences.

Studying in Germany with an African school-leaving certificate: direct access or Studienkolleg

Does your baccalauréat count in Germany as a "Hochschulzugangsberechtigung" (higher education entrance qualification)? It all depends on the country, the type of certificate and its série (stream). The DAAD, the German Academic Exchange Service, answers free of charge in its admission database, based on the assessments of the Standing Conference of Education Ministers (KMK) published in the anabin database. The result is for guidance only: the institution decides.

There are three possible outcomes. General direct access lets you enrol in any subject. Subject-restricted direct access limits your choice to certain disciplines. The Studienkolleg is a preparatory course taught in German, which requires level B1 to B2 on entry and ends, after two semesters, with the Feststellungsprüfung (assessment test).

Here is what the DAAD database says for four common certificates, checked on 20 October 2026:

The Moroccan case shows it: one successful year of higher education can change the outcome. Test your own série in the DAAD database, then confirm with the university you are aiming for.

Applying to study in Germany: uni-assist or direct application

Depending on your country, your certificate and the programme, you apply through uni-assist, directly to the university, or through the Foundation for University Admission (Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung). The programme page says which. For a direct application, the DAAD advises contacting the institution's international office.

The usual calendar of public universities, according to the DAAD:

• winter semester (classes in September or October): applications from early May to 15 July, answers in August or September;
• summer semester (classes in March or April): applications from early December to 15 January, answers in February or March. Around a quarter of Bachelor's programmes can start in summer.

These are guidelines: each programme sets its own dates, and so do private schools. Always check the programme page.

uni-assist charges €75 for the first programme applied for in a semester and €30 for each additional programme in the same semester. These fees are due whatever the result of the file check. Some universities cover them.

Language: German (TestDaF, DSH) or an English-taught programme

Most institutions require at least level B2 of the European framework for a German-taught programme, and the DAAD notes that level C1 is often required, depending on the programme. Recognised certificates include the TestDaF and the DSH (a language exam run by universities), as well as the Goethe-Zertifikat and telc. To study in German without a prior language course, the German embassy in Abidjan states level C1.

English-taught programmes do not require German, but proof of English (IELTS, TOEFL).

For the visa, the embassy in Yaoundé only asks for language proof if the university has not checked it, and then only accepts ALTE certificates (TestDaF, Goethe-Institut, ÖSD, telc, ECL) less than one year old.

Tuition fees: free, with exceptions

The DAAD puts it this way: there are generally no tuition fees for Bachelor's programmes or most Master's programmes at public institutions. You do, however, pay a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) every semester, between €70 and €430 depending on the institution, which funds student services and student representation.

Two exceptions matter for an African student:

• Baden-Württemberg (Heidelberg, Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Freiburg…): since the winter semester 2017/18, students coming from outside the European Union pay €1,500 per semester in Bachelor's, Master's, Diplom and state examination programmes, according to the state Ministry of Science. Doctoral students are not affected, and the university decides on exemptions;
• Bavaria: the DAAD notes that public institutions there may charge non-European students fees. The Technical University of Munich (TUM) thus charges €2,000 or €3,000 per semester for a Bachelor's and €4,000 or €6,000 for a Master's, and has announced an increase for the winter semester 2027/28.

For everyday living, the DAAD cites average spending of €876 per month (2023 survey) and advises budgeting €900 to €1,200.

The blocked account in Germany: €11,904 for the first year

For the visa, you must prove that you can live in Germany for one year. The reference amount is €992 per month, i.e. €11,904 per year, in force since January 2025 according to the DAAD and confirmed for 2026 by the German embassy in Yaoundé. The most common way is the blocked account (Sperrkonto): you pay in one year's money, and the bank only releases €992 per month once you are there.

Before transferring the money:

• you are free to choose the provider. The German Federal Foreign Office recommends no provider, no longer publishes a list, and warns that fees come on top of the blocked sum: compare them;
• open the account early enough, BEFORE the visa application. The embassy in Abidjan only accepts the official confirmation stating the total amount paid in and the monthly amount available;
• the amount follows BAföG rates, the German public student grant, and is revised. A BAföG reform is under discussion in the Bundestag (bill 21/8405, October 2026): it raises the housing allowance from the summer semester 2027 and the basic need from the winter semester 2027/28. Check the required amount on your embassy's website just before paying.

Other proof is accepted: a scholarship covering at least the same amount, or a formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung). For the latter, the embassy in Abidjan requires the note "justified" (nachgewiesen) from the foreigners' office, and the one in Yaoundé specifies that the guarantor's assets must be in Germany.

The German student visa: online portal and appointment waiting times

Beyond 90 days, you need a national visa, not a Schengen visa. You apply in your country of residence. In Yaoundé as in Abidjan, the application goes through the online consular portal (Auslandsportal, digital.diplo.de).

In Cameroon, the embassy in Yaoundé states that applicants for studies, the Studienkolleg and preparatory language courses must register on this portal; scholarship holders and researchers use the embassy's appointment booking. The appointment usually takes place at VFS Global, which charges its own service fees. The visa costs 50,000 CFA francs from age 18 and 25,000 CFA francs under 18. The embassy has published indicative waiting times (as of 7 July 2025): up to 3 months for list A (Master's, doctorate, researchers, scholarship holders), more than a year for list B (Bachelor's, Studienkolleg, language courses). Register as soon as you have an admission.

In Côte d'Ivoire, the embassy in Abidjan has you submit the application on the portal, then book an appointment to present the originals and pay 50,000 CFA francs in cash. It announces processing in 2 to 6 weeks, and an appointment wait that can exceed 8 weeks from May to September. Its list also includes statutory student health insurance: travel insurance is not accepted.

In other countries, the visa page of the German embassy is authoritative. If your application is refused, our article on the common reasons for student visa refusal helps you understand how consulates reason.

Working while studying

Non-European students may work 140 full days or 280 half days per year, according to the DAAD. Academic assistant jobs at the university are not limited, but must be reported to the foreigners' office. Beyond the cap, you need the approval of the Federal Employment Agency and the foreigners' office, reserved for cases of special financial need.

DAAD scholarships: mostly from Master's level

The DAAD mainly funds Master's, doctoral and postdoctoral candidates. Its study scholarship for Master's studies in all disciplines pays €992 per month plus an annual study allowance of €460, for 10 to 24 months. Your last degree must be less than 6 years old, applications open on 1 June and deadlines are updated every year in the second quarter. Applications for funding starting in 2027 are closed at the time of writing. Other offers are in the DAAD scholarship database. A scholarship covering the required monthly amount replaces the blocked account. To compare with France and the Maghreb, see our article on the scholarships that really exist.

The timeline in one table: step, when, cost

Hesitating with France?

If France is still on your list, our complete Campus France guide describes the procedure (Campus France is the French agency for international students), and the free Campus France simulator places your file against admitted applicants.

Those already there

On Compatri, the Germany page brings together cities and meetups, and diaspora pages, such as Cameroonians in Germany or Moroccans in Germany, lead to the communities. You can join the compatriots of your future city before leaving, then read our tips for succeeding in your first year far from home.

Compatri is neither the DAAD, nor uni-assist, nor an embassy, and offers no support service for Germany: for a specific case, the university you are aiming for and the German embassy in your country remain your official contacts.

Official sources

• DAAD: database on admission requirements
• DAAD: requirements overview (financing, Studienkolleg, language)
• DAAD: application process and dates
• DAAD: costs of education and living
• DAAD: side jobs
• DAAD: information for scholarship applicants
• DAAD: study scholarships, Master's studies for all disciplines
• uni-assist: handling fees
• Study in Germany: proof of financing
• German Federal Foreign Office: blocked account
• German embassy in Yaoundé: visa for studies (in German)
• German embassy in Yaoundé: appointments and waiting times (in French)
• German embassy in Abidjan: national study visa sheet (PDF, in French)
• German embassy in Abidjan: visa FAQ (in French)
• Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science: fees for international students
• TUM: tuition fees for students from non-EU countries
• Bundestag: draft 30th BAföG amendment (hib, 8 October 2026)