Study Abroad Germany
Outstanding education institutions. German universities are renowned for providing top-notch education; many of them are even among the best in the world. You can be sure that studying in Germany will provide you with a degree that is much above the norm for the world, which will be quite helpful when looking for a career after graduation.
Wide range of study programs. Whatever stage of your education you’re in, Germany has a study program for you. There are numerous bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D., and language courses to meet the demands of every student because they have so many universities.
Language of instruction. Most German universities include English-taught programs that are suitable for students from abroad, so you don’t have to study in German just because you’re in Germany.
Practice-oriented studies. A large portion of the study programs will be particularly practice-oriented because the majority of German institutions think that the best way to learn is by applying your information in the real world.
Affordable tuition fees. Although university costs can be high, Germany’s tuition costs are fortunately much lower than those in the US or the UK. As a result, you can study in Germany at prestigious universities for a reasonable tuition price.
Cost-effective way of life. When you contrast Germany’s cost of living with those of other adjacent nations like France, the Netherlands, and the UK, you’ll find that it is surprisingly affordable. As a result of many student discounts, it is even cheaper if you are a student.
Vibrant social life. When you relocate and study in Germany, especially if you live in one of the major cities, you’ll quickly realize that it’s the ideal location for young people. Numerous cities offer thriving nightlife, a wide selection of restaurants and pubs, as well as numerous festivals and events all year long to keep students occupied.
Work opportunities for students. International students are permitted to work part-time while they are pursuing higher studies in Germany, unlike in several other nations. A maximum of 20 hours per week, or 120 complete days, is allowed. Working while you study is a smart choice if you need the additional cash to pay for your time abroad.
Study in Germany as an International Student
One of the countries with the greatest levels of modernization is Germany. Germany is a highly developed nation with a high quality of living and a social market economy that is usually regarded as one of the most effective in the world. It is a global leader in business and technology. Young people from all over the world prefer to study in Germany primarily because of the country’s combination of high-quality education and exceptional cultural experience.
Academic Excellence Ranking of Germany
Germany boasts world-class academic programs as many of its top institutions are part of the top 300 in the QS World University Rankings 2021. The top three institutions, Technische Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, made in the top 100 in the best universities in the world. International students who choose to study in Germany will have many excellent options.
Public and Private German Universities
In Germany, there are 400 public universities, and 95% of all university students study there. Students do not pay tuition at these universities because they are financed by the government. Around 120 private colleges are likewise not state-regulated and do not receive government financing.
Top Institutions to Study in Germany
All undergraduate tuition for German public university students was eliminated in 2014 by Germany’s 16 states. As a result, undergraduate students at public universities in Germany, both local and foreign, are currently able to attend classes without paying anything other than a nominal semester fee to support administrative and other costs.
Top Universities in Germany | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Technische Universität München | Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München | Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg | Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin | Freie Universität Berlin |
KIT, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie | Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen | Technische Universität Berlin | Technische Universität Dresden | Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen |
Top-Earning Jobs in Germany
Top-Earning Jobs in Germany | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Medicine, Dentistry | Industrial Engineering | Law | Engineering | Mathematics, Computer Science |
Natural Sciences | Business and Economics | Architecture | Psychology | Earth Sciences |
Scholarships to Study Abroad Germany
Germany is a great place for international students to study since it provides some of the best opportunities to earn a degree and experience real German culture. The following is a list of well-known scholarships available to overseas students in Germany:
-
- DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) or the German Academic Exchange Service
-
- Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships in Germany
-
- DeutschlandStipendium National Scholarship Programme
-
- Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships in Germany for International Students
-
- Erasmus Scholarship Programs in Germany
-
- The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarship
The International Student Experience Study Abroad Germany
Germany is considered among the top countries in the world for international students, which is not shocking. Over 357,000 foreign students are pursuing higher studies in Germany, and the number is continually rising.
Quality of Life
In the top 10 list of nations with a great quality of life, Germany comes in at number four. This is based on the United Nations Development Program’s 2019 Human Development Report. Life expectancy, the number of years spent in school, and GNI per capita were taken into consideration. Being one of the top 10 nations in the world denotes an exceptional level of general human progress.
Safety and Security
Germany is one of the safest countries to live in the world. They have an impeccable police and security system. Crime statistics are low, and about 72.5 percent of people say they feel safe walking home alone at night. Their homicide rate is one of the lowest in the world.
Students living in university dorms also feel safe and secure, as most universities have high-tech security systems installed.
Cultural Diversity
German universities and colleges are very open and welcoming of cultures from different parts of the world. International students will find it fairly easy to assimilate. The local population is quite diverse as well. Around 18 percent of immigrants in Germany come from Asia, 7% from America, Oceania, Australia, and 5% from Africa.
Academic institutions have German and English-taught programs for students to choose from. But it is highly recommended to take German language lessons before enrolling in the institution to grasp German culture better.
Tuition and Expenses
Living and pursuing higher studies in Germany are less expensive than in other European countries. However, you must still be ready to pay to live a relatively comfortable life while studying in the country. Here’s an idea of the average cost of tuition and living expenses in Germany.
Tuition Fees
-
- There are public universities that may not charge any tuition fees, like the University of Stuttgart, the University of Mannheim, the University of Bremen, the University of Cologne, and the University of Hamburg.
-
- A German private university can have yearly tuition of up to €26,000.00.
-
- Studying for a master’s degree can have yearly tuition of up to €40,000.00.
Cost of Living and Accommodation
Type of Expense | Cost Euro (€) per year |
---|---|
Rent (including utility costs) | 3,876.00 |
Food | 2,016.00 |
Clothing | 504.00 |
Transportation costs | 1,128.00 |
Health insurance, doctor’s fees, medications | 960.00 |
Communication | 372.00 |
Working materials (books, etc.) | 240.00 |
TOTAL | 9,828.00 |
Financial Assistance and Work Options
You are only permitted to work for a total of 120 days a year with a student visa for Germany. The primary goal of your stay in Germany is still to study, and if you choose to work rather than attend your study sessions, your eligibility to remain in Germany may be canceled.
After graduating, you are also permitted to apply for a residency visa to hunt for employment. After graduating, you have up to six months to hunt for work.
The government and private institutions give many opportunities for international students to continue their studies in Germany. By looking into the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) website, one can check for the scholarships and grants that are still open.
What are the Requirements to Study in Germany?
Each institution will determine the precise paperwork needed and the application procedure, but generally, you’ll be requested to provide:
-
- A certified copy of your high-school diploma or previous degrees and any other relevant qualifications in the original language
-
- A translated overview of your course modules and grades
-
- A passport photo
-
- A copy of your passport (personal information and photo ID page)
-
- Proof of language proficiency (a test certificate or online equivalent)
Study Visa Application
The complete documents must be submitted to a German consulate or embassy in the student’s home country. You must pay for the visa application before setting up an interview. The processing usually takes 25 days. However, there are instances when it takes up to three months.
Student Residence Permit Application
Once you get a student visa for Germany, you can travel around the country freely within the three-month period allowed by your visa. However, same as those students who applied for a residence permit, you must follow the same process as mentioned above within 90 days of the validity of your visa.
You need to register your address at the resident’s registration office. You must then set up an appointment with the Immigration Authorities nearest your residence. You will need to set an interview schedule and get an application form as well.
On the day of your interview, you must submit the application form together with the required documents (please follow the list needed to be submitted for a student residence permit shown above). Student may be valid for two years and can be extended depending on the length of your study.
How to Apply to Study Abroad Germany
Either a German student visa or a student residency permit may be required to study in Germany. The student’s citizenship will be the determining factor in this. The student must provide evidence of admission from their chosen German university in order to obtain both a visa and a residence permit.
The results of the language competence test are another need. You must present one of the following if your program is taught in German: TestDAF, a KCSE certificate from KNEC, or an A1 certificate from the Goethe Institute.
You must take, pass, and submit your IELTS or TOEFL scores if your program is taught in English.
Student Applicant Visa
-
- You are allowed to apply for this visa if a university has not accepted you and you wish to check out the campuses in Germany.
-
- You may apply for a university in Germany using this visa, but you are not yet allowed to study if you are still using this visa.
-
- Usually given a three-month validity period but may be extended up to six months depending on the discretion of German authorities.
Student Visa (Long-Term Visa)
-
- This is given to those who were given admission by a university and is valid for three months.
-
- You must apply for a residence permit to continue your studies in Germany after the three-month validity period of this visa ends.
Language Course Visa
-
- If you will be studying for a German language course, you will be granted this visa, which may be valid for a maximum of one year, depending on the length of your language course.
-
- This cannot be converted to a student visa or changed to a work permit.
For those students who are required to get a visa to study in Germany, you must prepare the additional documents that may be asked of you during the visa application process:
-
- Completed application form, which you may download from the Videx website used by the federal republic of Germany
-
- Valid passport
-
- 2 photocopies of your passport
-
- Birth certificate
-
- 3 recent passport-style photographs
-
- Health insurance
-
- Proof of your financial means to cover your living expenses abroad via a blocked bank account
-
- Evidence of your earlier education
-
- Proof showing your accommodation arrangements that will cover your study period
-
- Marriage certificate (if married)
-
- Child’s certificate (if you have children)
For those who qualify for a student residence permit instead of a student visa, you must secure a few things before you are allowed to study in the country, including your accommodations.
While in the country, you will need to register with the local residents’ registration office and wait to be given a confirmation called Meldebestätigung.
To register, you must bring the following documents: a signed housing confirmation for the landlord, your passport, IDs, and a completed registration form (you can get a copy from the residents’ registration office). Below is a full list of requirements that you will need to prepare:
-
- Passport
-
- Confirmation from residents’ registration office
-
- Proof of your health insurance
-
- Certificate of enrolment from your university
-
- Proof of your financial means to cover your living expenses via a blocked bank account
-
- Proof of any scholarship award (if any)
-
- Health certificate
-
- Contract agreement with your landlord
-
- Biometric passport photos
-
- Proof of language proficiency
-
- Original certificates of your previous education
Germany offers a wide variety of well-regarded universities, a huge selection of courses, degrees that are highly valued around the world, good employment prospects, and reasonably priced housing. German culture blends the modern with the traditional, the urban with the country, and its vast and rich past will engross you and make you cherish every minute you spend here.