Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg

OVGU Magdeburg at a glance

Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, OVGU) is a public research university located in Magdeburg, the state capital of Saxony-Anhalt (Sachsen-Anhalt). Founded in 1993 through the merger of the Technical University, the Teacher Training College, and the Medical Academy, OVGU is named after physicist and Magdeburg mayor Otto von Guericke, famous for his vacuum experiments.

Four things Indian applicants should know first:

• No tuition fees. OVGU Magdeburg charges no tuition fees for standard consecutive Master's degree programs. Students pay a semester fee of €329.30 for the winter semester 2026/27, which includes the nationwide Deutschlandsemesterticket transit pass.
• Application via uni-assist. Applicants with foreign university credentials must apply through uni-assist e.V. by 15 July for the winter semester and 15 January for the summer semester.
• Language of instruction. The standard Master's in Computer Science (Informatik M.Sc.) is a 3-semester program taught in German, so you need proof of German. Students seeking English-taught computing alternatives at OVGU can apply for M.Sc. Data and Knowledge Engineering or M.Sc. Digital Engineering.
• English-taught alternatives close earlier. Data and Knowledge Engineering and Digital Engineering take applications from 15 April to 15 May for the winter semester, two months before the general 15 July uni-assist deadline.

What it really costs

Tuition fees. Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg charges no tuition fees for standard undergraduate and consecutive Master's degree programs.

Semester contribution. For the winter semester 2026/27, the mandatory semester fee (Semesterbeitrag) is €329.30, broken down as follows:

Living costs and the blocked account. For the German student visa, international applicants must show €11,904 a year in a blocked account, which is released at €992 a month. According to university living guides, affordable housing options for students start at around €250 a month for small, furnished rooms in student dorms or private shared apartments (WGs). Small, furnished individual apartments start at about €300 a month, while larger apartments cost around €400 to €450 a month. See our blocked account guide and total cost breakdown.

Health insurance is compulsory to enrol in Germany. See our health insurance guide.

Can you reduce the cost?

• Part-time work. International students from non-EU countries are legally permitted to work 140 full days or 280 half days per calendar year. See our guides to part-time work rules and securing Werkstudent jobs.
• Scholarships. See our DAAD scholarships guide.

Getting in: what OVGU looks at

From OVGU's international admissions regulations and study program requirements:

1. Undergraduate degree: a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Computer Science from a recognized university or university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) with an above-average grade, or a comparable STEM/MINT degree containing at least 20 credits in computer science components. Indian applicants must hold an individual APS certificate. See our guides to 3-year degrees in Germany, ECTS credit mapping, and the APS certificate.
2. Language requirements:

- M.Sc. Computer Science: taught in German; international applicants must provide proof of German language proficiency at level C1 (DSH-2, TestDaF 4x4, ZOP, or equivalent). - English-taught Master's (such as Data and Knowledge Engineering): need an English certificate (TOEFL, IELTS or equivalent); the uni-assist TOEFL code is 2727. Check the program page for the exact score. See our English language test guide.

1. APS certificate: applicants with academic credentials from India, China, or Vietnam must submit the original certificate from the Academic Evaluation Centre (APS) with their uni-assist application.
2. Application fee: OVGU itself does not charge an application fee, but international applicants must pay the standard uni-assist processing fee (€75 for the first university).

Deadlines and application process

1. Apply via uni-assist: international applicants with non-German educational credentials must submit their application documents, transcripts, degree certificates, language proofs, and APS certificate online via my.uni-assist.de.
2. Application deadlines for international applicants (via uni-assist):

- Winter semester: 15 July. - Summer semester: 15 January. - Exceptions: Data and Knowledge Engineering and Digital Engineering: 15 April–15 May (winter); Data and Knowledge Engineering also 15 October–15 November (summer). Some other programs have their own dates too.

1. Submit required documents: certified copies and translations (in German or English) of your bachelor's degree certificate, comprehensive transcript of records, curriculum vitae, language certificate, and APS certificate.

Popular Master's programs for Indian students

• M.Sc. in Computer Science: 3 semesters, taught in German; German proof needed.
• M.Sc. Data and Knowledge Engineering (MDKE): taught in English; apply 15 April–15 May for the winter semester.
• M.Sc. Digital Engineering: taught in English; apply 15 April–15 May for the winter semester.

Compare OVGU Magdeburg with other German technical universities in our MS Computer Science in Germany comparison.

Where you'll live

Studentenwerk Magdeburg manages student residence halls across the city and near the main Universitätsplatz campus. Affordable options for students start at around €250 a month for small, furnished rooms in student dorms or private shared apartments (WGs). Small, furnished private apartments start at around €300 a month, with larger flats costing around €400 to €450 a month. Popular student residential districts include Alte Neustadt, Altstadt, and Stadtfeld Ost.

After you graduate

International graduates of a German university can get a residence permit of up to 18 months to look for a job, and may take any job during that time. Once you find qualified work you switch to a work permit or EU Blue Card. See our guides to the job seeker permit and the EU Blue Card.

Who OVGU Magdeburg is a good fit for

• A strong choice if you want to study Computer Science or Engineering in Germany with zero tuition fees, and have German C1 proficiency for the standard M.Sc. Computer Science (or choose the English-taught M.Sc. Data and Knowledge Engineering).
• Think carefully if you have no German language skills and apply for the standard M.Sc. Computer Science (which requires German C1; choose Data and Knowledge Engineering or Digital Engineering instead).

Sources

Every figure on this page comes from these official pages, checked on 23 October 2026:

• OVGU Magdeburg: Fees and semester fee breakdown for winter semester 2026/27
• OVGU Magdeburg: Computer Science M.Sc. study programme profile and deadlines
• OVGU Magdeburg: Application via uni-assist and APS requirements
• OVGU Magdeburg: Data and Knowledge Engineering English Master's programme
• OVGU Magdeburg: Rent and additional living costs guide
• Make it in Germany: prospects after graduation

Fees and rules change. Always confirm on OVGU Magdeburg's own pages before you pay or apply.