Applied Data Science Education in Germany: A Study of English-Taught Undergraduate and Graduate Programs

Studely
June 23, 2026

As Big Data, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence transform industries worldwide, the demand for data science specialists has never been higher. For international students looking to build a career in this rapidly growing field, Germany offers excellent opportunities.

Renowned for its innovation and the quality of its higher education, Germany offers a wide range of Bachelor's and Master's programs in Applied Data Science taught in English. In this article, discover the best universities, program content, admission requirements, and the reasons why Germany is an excellent choice for studying data science.

Why Study Data Science in Germany?

Germany has established itself as one of the best destinations for future data science specialists.

Its universities enjoy an excellent reputation and offer cutting-edge research programs. Institutions such as:

are regularly ranked among the best universities in the world in the fields of computer science, artificial intelligence, and data analysis.

An Ecosystem Focused on Innovation

Cities like Berlin or Munich are true technology hubs, home to:

  • startups;
  • multinationals;
  • research centers;
  • business incubators.

Students can participate in hackathons, complete internships, or collaborate with major companies like SAP or Siemens.

Affordable Education

The majority of German public universities do not charge tuition fees to international students.

The cost of living generally ranges between €800 and €1,200 per month, including:

  • accommodation;
  • transportation;
  • food;
  • daily expenses.

An international environment

Thanks to the numerous courses taught in English and the diversity of its student communities, Germany offers a particularly attractive multicultural environment.

Visa tip: International students generally need to prove sufficient financial resources through a blocked account. Solutions like Studely allow students to quickly open a blocked account tailored for students.

Bachelor's and Master's programs in Applied Data Science taught in English

Germany offers an increasing number of Bachelor's and Master's programs in Data Science entirely taught in English.

Bachelor's programs

Undergraduate programs typically cover:

  • programming;
  • statistics;
  • databases;
  • data visualization;
  • data analysis.

Many programs also include practical projects and internships.

Master's programs

Master's programs offer specialization in advanced fields like:

  • Machine Learning;
  • Deep Learning;
  • Big Data;
  • Cloud Computing;
  • data ethics;
  • artificial intelligence.

Most programs offer research projects as well as collaborations with technology companies.

Top universities offering programs in English

Admission requirements for international students

For Bachelor's programs

Applicants typically need to provide:

  • a qualification equivalent to the German Abitur;
  • proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.);
  • a good level in mathematics and computer science;
  • a cover letter;
  • sometimes a CV.

For Master's programs

Universities generally require:

  • a bachelor's degree in a relevant field (computer science, mathematics, data science, etc.);
  • transcripts;
  • proof of English proficiency (IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90 minimum);
  • a cover letter;
  • a CV;
  • sometimes letters of recommendation or an academic project portfolio.

Cost of Living, Scholarships, and Career Opportunities

The average monthly cost of living in Germany is broken down as follows:

  • €800 to €900 for accommodation;
  • €200 to €250 for food;
  • €30 to €50 for transportation;
  • €200 to €350 for the semester university contribution.

Funding Your Studies in Germany

Several funding options are available:

  • DAAD and Erasmus+ scholarships;
  • university-specific scholarships;
  • private foundations;
  • the Studely scholarship program.

The Studely scholarship program awards €30,000 in scholarships, with €1,000 going to each of 30 selected students.

Career Opportunities After Graduation

The German tech sector offers excellent career prospects for Data Science graduates.

Cities like Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg are home to many players in:

  • artificial intelligence;
  • cybersecurity;
  • data analytics;
  • cloud computing;
  • Machine Learning.

Starting Salaries

  • Junior Data Scientist: €50,000 to €60,000 per year;
  • Machine Learning Engineer: €55,000 to €65,000;
  • Data Engineer: €55,000 to €70,000.

Furthermore, international graduates benefit from an 18-month job-seeker visa after their studies, allowing them to find employment and launch their careers in Germany.

Studying Applied Data Science in Germany thus provides an excellent gateway to an international career in one of the world's most promising sectors.

Studely
June 23, 2026