How to Study Nursing in Germany 2026: Complete Guide for International Students

| Program | Qualification | Language | Format | Duration | Fees (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering (Maschinenbau, Elektrotechnik, etc.) | BSc / MSc | German (B2+) | Full-time / Dual | 7 / 4 semesters | €3,000–€5,000/year |
| Business Administration (BWL) | BSc / MBA | German (B2+) | Full-time / Dual | 7 / 4 semesters | €3,000–€5,000/year |
| Media Management (Medienmanagement) | BSc / MSc | German (B2+) | Full-time / Dual | 7 / 4 semesters | €3,000–€4,500/year |
| Health Sciences (Gesundheitsökonomie) | BSc / MSc | German (B2+) | Full-time | 7 / 4 semesters | €3,500–€5,000/year |
| Design (Kommunikationsdesign) | BSc | German (B2+) | Full-time | 7 semesters | €3,000–€4,500/year |
| Fee Component | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual tuition | €3,000–€5,000/year | Varies by program. Verify at rfh-koeln.de. |
| Total BSc program cost | €9,000–€15,000 | Over 3 years |
| Total MSc program cost | €6,000–€10,000 | Over 2 years |
| Blocked account (visa) | €11,208 one-time | German student visa requirement |
| Health insurance | ~€110/month | Mandatory |
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| German proficiency | B2 minimum. All programs German-taught. Goethe B2 or equivalent required. |
| Academic qualification | Abitur equivalent or higher. Bachelor's for MSc programs. |
| APS Certificate | Mandatory for Indian students on student visa. Apply at aps-india.de - 6–8 weeks. |
| Application | Direct enrollment via rfh-koeln.de. Rolling admissions - open admission for qualifying applicants. |
| Work experience (Dual Study) | Employment contract with a partner company required for dual study format. |
| Expense | Monthly Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (dorm / WG) | €350–€620 | Studierendenwerk Köln dorms: €350–€450. Private WG: €450–€620. More expensive than Bonn but cheaper than Munich. |
| Food | €180–€240 | Mensa meals €2.80–€4.50. Cologne has excellent affordable food options across all cuisines. |
| Health insurance | ~€110 | Mandatory. TK and AOK recommended. |
| Transport | €0 | NRW Semester Ticket included in semester contribution - unlimited NRW transport. |
| Books / SIM / personal | €70–€110 | Most materials digitally available. |
| Misc / social | €90–€150 | Cologne nightlife, Rhine riverfront, day trips to Bonn (30 min), Düsseldorf (30 min), Aachen (60 min). |
| TOTAL | €790–€1,230/month | vs Munich: €1,100–€1,470 - saves ~₹3–4 Lakh/year |
| Field | Salary Range | Employers |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering | €44,000–€58,000 | Cologne engineering companies, Ford suppliers, SMEs |
| Business Administration | €40,000–€56,000 | REWE, Cologne SMEs, retail sector |
| Media Management | €38,000–€52,000 | RTL, WDR, media agencies, advertising companies |
| Health Sciences | €38,000–€52,000 | Healthcare companies, hospital administration, health insurance |
| Aspect | Status |
|---|---|
| QS / THE | Not globally ranked |
| German state accreditation | Fully state-accredited private Fachhochschule - degrees legally recognised in Germany and EU |
| Blue Card eligibility | RFH degree qualifies for German Blue Card (state-accredited Hochschulabschluss) |
| DAAD partner | Not a DAAD partner institution |
No. RFH is a private institution - tuition fees of €3,000–€5,000/year apply. Unlike TH Köln and University of Cologne which are tuition-free NRW public institutions.
All programs are taught in German. B2 minimum required. No English-taught programs.
Yes. RFH is a fully state-accredited private Fachhochschule. Degrees are legally recognised across Germany and EU and qualify for the EU Blue Card.
TH Köln (Technische Hochschule Köln) is a public university offering the same applied sciences programs at zero tuition with stronger employer recognition and 26,000 students. Unless RFH has a specific program or dual-study format advantage, TH Köln is typically the stronger choice for Indian students.
Yes. Mandatory for Indian students obtaining a German student visa. Apply at aps-india.de - 6–8 weeks.