Study in Germany Without Speaking German: Is It Possible?

What International Students Should Know About English-Taught Degrees, University Life and Studying in Berlin

Germany attracts students from around the world with its fine universities, international cities, strong economy and location at the heart of Europe. For many prospective international students, however, enthusiasm about studying in Germany is quickly followed by one important question: Do I need to speak German to study at a university in Germany?

The answer depends on the university and program you choose. At public German universities a gap year is compulsory which is not part of the university education but just organized to learn the language and culture, creating substantial extra cost. But it is also absolutely possible to start your university education right away and study in Germany without speaking German if you enroll in a degree program taught entirely in English.

At Touro Berlin, students can start immediately and complete their academic programs in English while living and studying in Germany’s capital. As a campus of Touro University New York, Touro Berlin provides an American academic environment where international students can work toward a U.S. degree without German being the language of instruction. 

That means you do not necessarily need to wait until you are fluent in German before beginning your international university journey.

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Can You Really Study in Germany Without Speaking German?

Yes, provided that your chosen university and degree program are taught in English and you meet the relevant admission requirements. Germany has traditionally been associated with German-language higher education, but internationalization has created more opportunities for students to pursue academic programs in English. This is particularly relevant for students who want to experience living in Germany but have already completed their previous education in English or use English as their primary academic language.

At Touro Berlin, academic programs are taught in English, allowing students from different countries, heritages and cultures to study together within the same international environment. German-language proficiency is therefore not a requirement for participating in classes simply because the university is located in Germany.

Studying in English and Living in Germany Are Two Different Things

There is an important distinction international students should understand before moving abroad: being able to study in Germany in English does not mean that German will disappear from everyday life.

Your lectures, assignments, examinations and academic discussions may take place in English, but outside the university you are still living in Germany. German appears in shops, public administration, transportation announcements, housing communication and many other aspects of daily life.

Berlin makes this transition easier for many international students because it is an exceptionally international city where English is widely encountered, particularly within younger and internationally oriented communities meeting at known quarters like the Hacksche Höfe or in Friedrichshain or Prenzlauer Berg. Nevertheless, learning some German can make everyday life easier and help students connect more deeply with the city and country around them.

The important point is that you do not necessarily need to arrive already speaking fluent German in order to begin an English-taught university education.

Study Entirely in English at Touro Berlin

For students specifically searching for an English-speaking university in Germany, Touro Berlin offers a distinctive academic model.

Touro Berlin is a campus of Touro University New York, which means students can pursue an American university education while living in the German capital; America's best - Made in Germany.  Programs are taught in English, and students work toward degrees issued through Touro University in New York.

Touro University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), with the Berlin campus included within that institutional accreditation.

For international students, this creates an unusual combination: an American academic structure, English-language education and the experience of living in Germany.

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Which Degrees Can You Study in English in Berlin?

Touro Berlin provides English-taught options at both undergraduate and graduate levels, allowing students to choose an academic direction based on their interests and professional goals rather than their ability to study a complex subject in German.

Undergraduate students can pursue Business Management, which develops knowledge across areas such as management, finance, marketing and leadership, or choose Cybersecurity to build skills related to networks, systems, digital security and cyber defense. Students interested in human behavior and society can pursue the BA in Psychology.

At graduate level, Touro Berlin offers an MBA for students and young professionals who want to advance their knowledge of business and management, as well as an MA in General Psychology and an interdisciplinary MA in Holocaust Studies.

These programs allow international students to develop specialized academic knowledge in English while making Germany the location of their university experience.

What If Your Previous Qualification Does Not Meet German Admission Criteria?

Language is not the only potential challenge international applicants encounter.

Because secondary education systems differ around the world, a student may be academically qualified but discover that their previous school qualification does not immediately satisfy all criteria required to begin university studies.

Touro Berlin offers a two-semester Preparatory Program for students who need an additional academic pathway before progressing into their chosen studies. The program is credit-bearing and designed to bridge the transition between high school and university, allowing students to strengthen their academic foundation while beginning to earn U.S. academic credits. It can prepare students for further studies at Touro Berlin or other partner universities, with credits transferable where accepted.

This can provide international applicants with another route into higher education when direct admission is not immediately possible.

Do You Need German for a Student Visa?

University language requirements and German immigration requirements should not be treated as the same thing. International students who require a German student visa must meet the applicable immigration requirements for their individual situation and academic program. Being enrolled in an English-taught program means that German is not automatically the language in which the student will be studying.

At Touro Berlin, international students can receive support through the university’s Expert Visa Service, which helps students navigate the process associated with beginning their studies in Germany.

This can be particularly useful when moving internationally, because students may be dealing with university admission, immigration documentation, relocation and accommodation at the same time.

Should You Learn German Anyway?

Even when your entire degree is taught in English, learning German can still be one of the most valuable things you do while living in Germany.

Basic German can make practical situations easier, from shopping and appointments to understanding correspondence and communicating with people outside international environments. As your language ability develops, it can also help you experience German culture more directly and feel more connected to everyday life.

German skills may also expand professional possibilities for students who want to remain in Germany after graduation, particularly for positions where communication with German-speaking colleagues, customers or organizations is important.

The goal does not have to be fluency before arriving. Learning the language gradually while studying can become part of the experience of living abroad.

Why Berlin Works Well for International Students

Choosing Berlin means living in a city where international perspectives are already part of everyday life. Germany’s capital attracts people from across Europe and around the world through its universities, startups, technology sector, cultural institutions, creative industries and international organizations. Different languages and cultures can be encountered throughout the city, making Berlin an appealing environment for students who are beginning life in Germany.

At Touro Berlin, this international character continues inside the university. Students from different national and educational backgrounds learn together in English, while an average 9:1 student-to-professor ratio creates a more personal academic environment.

Outside the classroom, students have the rest of Berlin to explore, from museums and historical sites to technology events, art, music, parks and the city’s different neighborhoods.

Start in English and Let Germany Become Part of Your Education

Not speaking German should not automatically make you remove Germany from your list of possible study destinations.

The most important step is finding a university and degree where the language of instruction matches your academic abilities and future plans. If your chosen program is taught entirely in English, you can begin your university education without first having to become fluent in German.

At Touro Berlin, international students can study in English, pursue an American degree and become part of an international academic community while experiencing life in Germany’s capital.

Learning German can still make that experience richer and open additional possibilities during and after your studies, but it does not have to be the barrier that prevents your international education from beginning.

For students wondering whether it is possible to study in Germany without speaking German, the answer is yes. With the right English-taught university program, Germany can become the place where both your academic education and your international experience begin. 

Note: This blog provides educational and editorial content on a variety of topics. The views and interpretations expressed in individual articles do not necessarily reflect the official position of Touro University Berlin or Touro University.