- Nominal to No Tuition cost- Unbelievable yet true, Germany is one of the rare study destinations that offer higher education to International students for little to no fees, if they choose to pursue their studies at a public university.
- Globally ranked Universities- Many German universities have established a great reputation and ranking worldwide by exhibiting a rich tradition of imparting quality education along with practical experience, consequently allowing students to progress with purpose.
- Myriad of Recognized Course Options- Though most renowned for its Engineering programs, Germany offers a plethora of diverse degree courses for International students to choose from that are valued across the globe.
- Voyage through Europe- The residency permit required by International students to live and move around the country also permits them to visit the whole Schengen Area.
- Standard of living- With some well-thought planning, the living expenses in Germany can be quite affordable. There are various accommodation options and cost of other goods and services is quite economical too.
- Career prospects- As per law International students are allowed to work part time 20 hours a week for the duration of their course provided, if they have a work permit. Once you graduate with a German degree you can anticipate great job offers on a global scale.
WHY STUDY IN GERMANY?
Education System in Germany
The German Education System has made necessary provisions to ensure that all students with aptitude receive quality education up to the university level, irrespective of their financial background. A lion’s share of German students attends public schools, as they excel in their academic framework and consistently produce high-performing students.
Mandatory primary and secondary education for all students from 6-15 years has been dictated under the German law. Students have a number of options as to where they wish to receive their high school education such as;
- Gymnasium- In other words, German High School, usually joined at the age of 6 and continues for 9 years full time schooling. It traditionally awards an Abitur diploma after passing the final examinations.
- Private Schools– levy a tuition fee and offer varied courses. Upon completion they award students with German Abitur and other diplomas and certificates.
- Internat- German boarding schools offering Abitur, for most study programs and other specialized courses. There are options for the Internat for sports, music and other fields too.
- International Schools- Germany has a handful of International schools that follow a consistent curriculum across the globe and award students with the International Baccalaureate, acceptable at many universities throughout the world.
Higher Education
- Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB): In simpler terms, a university entrance qualification to prove that your previous academic credentials sufficiently match the expected standard of the German Higher education system. Depending on your school diploma and its recognition, students may qualify for
- Direct General Admission
- Subject Restricted Admission
- General admission to a Preparatory course for students who do not qualify for direct admission.
- Classical Universities– Offering higher education in varied fields and offer Degrees and Diploma credentials for Bachelors’ and Masters’ programs.
- Private Universities also offer degree and diploma programs in a number of subjects.
- Vocational school/Technical school- Provide training and specialization to students for specific careers
- Universities of Applied Sciences- It has been observed that research-based programs and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) courses from German universities are considerably more popular among International students.
The Education System in Germany continually endeavors to achieve a comprehensive and well-developed outlook towards innovative methods of research and training, to impart students with an adequacy surpassing the global standards.
Types of Qualifications
As per the ruling in 2014, all International students who enroll to pursue their higher education at a public university in Germany, will be exempt from paying regular tuition fees. They would only be required to pay nominal dues to cover administrative costs of about €250 per semester.
International students who wish to attend private schools and universities, here is a brief review of the prevalent study options in Germany across different levels in Euros:
| QUALIFICATION | DESCRIPTION | DURATION | AVERAGE ANNUAL FEES |
| Certificates Diploma Advanced Diploma | Provided by institutions offering specialized technical training to students and preparing them with the required skill sets for their aspiring field of industry. | 6-18 months | €10,000- €25,000 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | Undergraduate programs focusing on academic knowledge in a variety of courses across various disciples. | 3-4 years | €15,000- €30,000 |
| Post Graduate Diploma | Vocational in nature, this qualification aims to develop practical skills of students in a speedy manner. Students can apply after completing their bachelors’ degree preferable in a similar field. It can sometimes be equivalent to a masters’ qualification. | 1-2 years | €20,000- €30,000 |
| Master’s Degree | Postgraduate programs provide a broader view of the subject area and available for coursework as well as research merit. It requires relevant bachelor’s degree from a similar field. | 1-2 years | €20,000- €40,000 |
| Doctoral Degree Higher doctoral degree | PhD is a premier research award which require a masters’ degree and a pre-approved research proposal by a panel of institute academics for admission. | 3-4 years | €20,000- €30,000 |
*Please note all fee figures are indicative
Student Bursaries
Many institutions offer variety of financial assistance for International students in the form of
- Grants- Usually issued by the government, to award students with monetary assistance to pay for their university education, on the basis of their financial need.
- Scholarships- Financial aids designed to support student’s education based on academic or other achievements.
- Tuition waiver- They are granted by the university and essentially reduces the amount of tuition fees that the institute usually charges.
- Studentships- This type of funding is usually provided for a specific project, covering the cost of tuition and research material along with a stipend allowance for the student.
It is recommended to check with universities and get a clear understanding of the aids that are applicable to you. With many students applying for monetary support, International students should commence this process a year prior to the intake session.
Intake season
Typically, German universities conduct 2 intakes for an academic year:
- Summer Intake- April
- Winter Intake- September/October
Depending on the semester you plan to attend, International Students are advised to keep a vigilant check on deadlines and submissions;
- Begin the admission process at least 6 months prior
- Dedicate 3 of those months to accurately fill the application forms
- Complete any aptitude or Language tests 3 months before
- Complete visa application and interviews 3 months prior
Employment Opportunities and Future Prospects in Germany
Finding part-time jobs in Germany is not difficult, there are numerous types of jobs available that do not require you to have any specific qualification such as
- Tutoring
- Baby-sitting
- Administrative work
- Bartending
It has been observed that a majority of International students take up part-time work while studying in Germany for their daily expenses or help cover their tuition costs.
The student visa legally allows them to work up to 20 hours per week without an additional work permit.
A number of universities in Germany also have tie-ups with companies to sponsor internships for their students.
These internships may or may not include a stipend but are a great way to gain some International work experience and build your resume.
Though it is not a requisite it would certainly be extremely beneficial to be fluent in German if you plan to pursue a life and career there.
The law in Germany also permits International students to extend their Residence Permit and continue living there for an additional 18 months to pursue work prospects related to their field, after completion of their graduate course.
You can reach out to the Foreign Residents’ Registration Office to find out the additional documents required to be submitted to extend the permit.
You can apply for a German Residence Permit or EU Blue card once you have successfully found a job in your field, which will allow you to continue living and working in Germany.
2 years after receiving this permit you can even apply for a Settlement Permit to become a permanent resident of Germany should you wish to do so.
Student Visa and Residency Permit Requirements:
In order to study in Germany, you will be required to apply and acquire,
- A student visa- before departing for Germany
- A residency permit- register after arriving in Germany
To apply for a student visa there are certain requirements to be fulfilled and criteria that need to be met, depending on the local German Embassy/Consulate in your country of residence.
Some basic documents and requirements for the visa application are:
- A valid passport
- 2 Passport-size photographs
- Completed Application for German National Visa (D Visa)
- Statement of Purpose
- Letter of Acceptance from designated university
- Attested academic transcripts
- Attested work experience documents, if applicable
- 2 Letters of recommendation from employer, if applicable
- Certified English Proficiency Test scores (TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/DUOLINGO) for English courses
- Certified German Proficiency Test scores (TestDaf, DSH) for German Courses
- Scores for GRE/ GMAT, if required
- Proof of financial welfare
- Proof of health insurance
- Declaration to Authentify submitted documents
Documents and Requirements for a Residence Permit
Within 2 weeks of arriving in Germany, International Students are required to register themselves with the local Immigration Office where your university is located. The documents are similar to those required during your Study Visa application process;
- Resident Permit fee
- A valid passport
- Letter of Acceptance from designated university
- Certified English Proficiency Test scores (TOEFL/IELTS) if enrolled for a English course.
- Certified German Proficiency Test scores (TestDaf, DSH) if enrolled for a German Course.
- Proof of financial welfare
- Proof of health insurance
- Tenancy agreement if applicable
Your Residence Permit is valid for 2 years and should be renewed prior to its expiration date.
Step-by-Step Guide to Application and Visa Process:
Our expert faculty at Study Square will guide and assist you every step of the way offering you the best chance of success to study at your dream university in Germany.
All you need to do is;
- Register on our website (provide link)
- Schedule a meeting with our Admission counselor
- Select a suitable course
- Shortlist universities based on your preferences
- With our assistance send your applications to the selected universities
- Receive expert guidance for Visa process
- Acquire Letter of Acceptance from the university
- Avail our assistance to apply for the Student Visa
- Attend our pre-departure session
- Prepare to embark on a remarkable journey to the country of Poets and Thinkers!
ENQUIRE NOW
Get in touch with our experienced and trustworthy team at Study Square to get assistance and guidance on your study pathways.
