German Language Schools in Munich, Germany

A charming and more traditional counterpoint to Germany’s larger northern cities, Munich is home to a rich history, world-class innovation, and of course, the infamous Oktoberfest. Located in the Bavaria, Munich provides a beautiful backdrop of historical sites, chic stores and restaurants, and friendly social scenes for students. This Bavarian treasure is a thriving city of international importance and an obvious choice for students wanting to learn German.

Munich provides students with the benefits of an international city as well as the cultural and historical education of a traditional German town. Two of the largest universities in Germany are found in Munich, providing a great student scene. The Bavarian dialect of German is known to be particularly challenging, so those studying it will vastly improve their language skills.

Read the guide to learning German in Munich written by Go Overseas experts, just for you. Then choose a language program in Munich from the schools below and you'll be on your way to becoming a fluent German speaker!

Many students often seek out other cities to learn German because of the stigma about how challenging Bavarian German is. However, students should not be so quick to rule out this fantastic city, as its international population and importance in the German-speaking world make it much less of a “deep-Bavarian” city than many people think. Because Munich is such a large city, there are many options available for students looking to study German. Even though it can sometimes be overwhelming when dealing with so many options, this means that students can almost cherry-pick what specifically is best for them.

Language Immersion

The best way to learn German in Munich is through a language-intensive program. This type of program focuses on improving students’ reading, writing, and speaking skills as quickly as possible through several different types of classes and speaking opportunities. Because Munich is such a large city, there are language programs available for every skill and ability level. One of the most popular is the Goethe Institut, which has eight different classes.

University Courses

One of the most popular options, there are tons of German-language university courses in Munich. From high school students studying abroad to receive college credit to a standard college study abroad program, students of all types and language levels can take German classes here. There are over 18 universities in Munich, many of which offer direct enrollment for international students. The Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich is the most popular, however, and acts as the home base for many study abroad programs.

Language Study and Cultural Immersion Combination Program

Another ideal option for many students is the combination language study and cultural immersion program. In this type of program, students split their time between standard classroom language study and integration into the Bavarian culture through cultural excursions, volunteering, and living with a host family.

Cultural Immersion/Extracurricular Activities

For students looking to learn the most German possible, be sure to enroll in cultural immersion activities. There are many types of extracurricular activities available particularly in Munich, including regional tours, sports, volunteer groups, cooking classes, and travel groups. These types of activities not only strengthen language skills but also introduce students to Munich’s rich history, warm culture, and beautiful traditions.

Highlights

• Did you know… that beer is officially recognized as a food in Munich? Prost!
• School’s out, let’s have some fun: Some of the most popular activities include castle-hunting (Neuschwanstein is only about a 2 hour train ride away!), exploring the several fascinating museums and gardens around Munich, and slinging back a few biers at the city’s many biergartens and breweries.
• Wow others with an idiom! “Essen ist ein Bedürfnis, aber geneissen eine Kunst!” Translates to “To eat is a requirement, but to enjoy it is an art”. Germans love their food, so eat up!

A visa is required if you are staying in Germany for longer than 90 days. Besides legal requirements such as passports and visas, there are very few other qualifications needed to study German in Munich. Most programs do not require a certain language level in order to study here, but be sure to check on the age requirements for each program, as some are 18 and over.

Why Study German in Munich

Study in Munich and step into the epicenter of Bavarian culture and history. From relaxing in the massive Englishgarten Park and skiing the Alps on weekends to catching a glimpse of Bavarian monarchy at the Nymphenburg Palace and touring the BMW museum, we don’t know why anyone wouldn’t want to learn German in Munich. Its central location in Europe means that students will encounter people from all walks of life (and potentially learn a lot more than just German!), and it enables students to travel extensively at a low cost. Study German in Munich to perfect your language skills, experience life in a traditional and cosmopolitan area, and fall in love with one of the greatest regions in the world.

Munich is one of Germany’s more expensive cities, but that doesn’t mean that students will have to deplete their savings to study here. Most types of programs here are fairly reasonably priced, with some being as low as $150 per week. One way to save some money here (and learn more German) is to pick up a part-time job, such as teaching English, babysitting, or bartending. Because most students will be here on a student visa, they can’t legally obtain a real job, so doing part-time, flexible work is usually ideal. Since the majority of students spend more money on travel than anything else, be on the lookout for travel deals and student discounts, such as the Bayern Train Pass.

Scholarships

There are many German-specific scholarships available, with two of the best being the Gilman International Scholarship and the DDAD Scholarship, which aid many different types of students every year. Most study abroad programs also offer their own scholarships based on merit, diversity, or financial need, such as Wayne State University’s Junior Year in Munich Scholarship, which every student is eligible for. Be sure to check with your school to see if they offer specific German-language or other types of study abroad scholarships.