Comparison
Ausbildung or university in Germany: which one suits you?
Studying in Germany sounds more prestigious. An Ausbildung sounds less impressive. But for many young people from abroad, the Ausbildung is the faster, cheaper and more secure route to a permanent job in Germany. Here is an honest comparison.
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The biggest difference between an Ausbildung and a degree in Germany is who pays. During an Ausbildung the company pays you every month. As a student you pay your own living costs and must usually show 11,904 euros a year in a blocked account before you get the visa (2026).
Who pays
As a student, you finance your own life. For the student visa you normally have to show 11,904 euros a year (992 euros a month) in a blocked account before you leave (2026). On top of that come semester fees of roughly 100 to 350 euros at public universities.
As an apprentice, the company pays you. From the first month you receive training pay: in industry and trade, 1,266 euros gross a month on average, for dairy technologists even 1,463 euros (BIBB, 2025, collectively agreed pay across all training years). A blocked account is usually not needed if your training pay is at least 1,048 euros gross a month.
| Ausbildung | University (Studium) | |
|---|---|---|
| Money | You are paid every month | You pay: blocked account of 11,904 euros a year |
| Before you start | Directly, with a school certificate and German B1 | Depending on your country, first a foundation course (Studienkolleg) of about two semesters and an assessment exam |
| Duration | 2 to 3.5 years | Bachelor 3 to 4 years, plus any foundation course |
| Language | German B1 | Usually B2 to C1 for German-taught programmes; English-taught programmes exist |
| Side job | Up to 20 hours a week (with permission) | 140 full days or 280 half days a year |
| Afterwards | Often kept on permanently by the company | You look for a job yourself |
The risk of studying that few people mention
Studying in Germany is demanding, especially in a foreign language. According to a study by the German Centre for Higher Education Research (DZHW), around 41 percent of international bachelor students do not complete their degree. Many have to work alongside their studies to pay their living costs, which leaves less time for learning.
In an Ausbildung, school and practice are connected: you learn something at vocational school and apply it in the company the following week. You have a fixed trainer, a fixed income and a clear contract.
After 12th grade: which route?
If you have just finished school, both routes are open in principle. The Ausbildung is the more direct one: you need German at B1 and a training contract, and you start earning straight away. For a degree, check first whether your school certificate gives direct access to German universities. The DAAD and the university you are interested in can tell you. If it does not, you need a foundation course first.
Already have a bachelor degree?
You can do an Ausbildung with a degree. Companies sometimes ask why, so be ready to explain your choice. But check first whether you even need one: if your degree is recognised in Germany, a visa for qualified professionals may be the faster route, without three years of training pay. The official portal Recognition in Germany shows how your qualification is assessed.
After an Ausbildung, you can still study
An Ausbildung does not close the door to university. In Germany, people who have completed an Ausbildung and worked for a few years may study in their field in many federal states, even without the usual university entrance qualification. The rules differ from state to state. Many skilled workers take a different route: they become a Meister or a state-certified Techniker, with salaries often comparable to those of graduates.
When an Ausbildung is the wrong choice
If your real goal is a degree, do not use an Ausbildung as a shortcut. Companies train you for two to three and a half years because they want to keep you. Leaving right after the visa is unfair to them, and it damages the reputation of every applicant who comes after you. If you want to study, get your information directly from the DAAD and the universities.
If you want to work with your hands and your head, earn money from the first day and build a life in Germany, the Ausbildung is a strong choice. Check in one minute whether it is realistic for you.
Questions about Ausbildung and university
It depends on your goal. If you want a paid, practical route to a permanent job in Germany, an Ausbildung is usually faster and cheaper. If you want an academic career or a profession that requires a degree, study.
Usually not, if your training pay is at least 1,048 euros gross or 822 euros net a month (2026). If it is lower, you have to show the difference, for example in a blocked account.
Yes. After completing the Ausbildung and working for a few years, many federal states allow you to study in your field. You will need a residence permit that allows it, so plan the change with the immigration office.
Sources
- German Embassy Jakarta and Federal Foreign Office: blocked account amount for students 2026
- Residence Act, Sections 16a and 16b: work permitted for apprentices and students
- BIBB: collectively agreed training pay 2025
- DZHW: study on dropout among international students (2022)
How we write these guides: we check every legal statement against official German sources such as the Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Employment Agency, Make it in Germany and the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), and we add what we have learned from more than 320 apprenticeships we have organised. We do not accept payment for mentioning companies or services. This information is general and is not legal advice.
More guides
How to apply from abroad
Where to find places, the German CV and cover letter, and the interview.
Is there an age limit?
What the law says, and why companies still often choose younger applicants.
Costs and scams
What you really pay, what you should never pay and how to check an offer.
Life in Germany as an apprentice
Small towns, winter, halal food, Ramadan on shift and homesickness.
After the Ausbildung
Staying on, the job search permit, permanent residence and salary.
How to choose a recruitment agency
What agencies may charge, the warning signs and the questions to ask.
Is an Ausbildung in Germany realistic for you?
Seven questions, one minute, an honest answer: what you already have, what is still missing and whether we can place you. We are also preparing a step-by-step online course for applicants from every country.