Studying Abroad in Germany

Reasons to study in Germany

• High-quality education: According to a survey conducted by Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) in 2018, Germany has 4 universities in the top 100 and 14 universities in the top 200 worldwide university rankings.
• Low tuition fees: Universities in Germany charge lesser tuition fees when compared to universities in the USA, Canada or the European Union. Furthermore, several German universities provide postgraduate students with flexible payment plans and early-bird discounts to lessen their financial burden.
• Wide range of programmes on offer: Germany has gained prominence for offering a large variety of programmes to suit the varied interests of students. Whether it is music, engineering, medicine, international business, history, languages, physics or even innovation and entrepreneurship — Germany has it all. Moreover, these programmes are state-of-the-art in terms of syllabus and delivery and teaching methods. Another aspect of these courses is that they are taught in the English language, thus allowing students to study in Germany in English.
• Work opportunities for international students: According to German law, international students are allowed to work 20 hours part-time or 120 full days yearly. Students can take up jobs such as social media assistant, translator, administrative staff, content writer and tutor. Apart from this, international students can opt for the 18-month post-study permit that they can use to apply for jobs on completion of their degree.
• Discover Europe on a student visa: International students studying Germany receive a student visa and a residency permit. This permit allows students to explore the Schengen Area without a visa. Picture yourself sightseeing beautiful locations like Spain, France, Greece, Portugal and Denmark.

Higher education in Germany

• Technische Universität (Technical universities): These universities focus on the traditional forms of learning and subjects like engineering, science and technology are taught here.
• Fachhochschulen (Universities of applied sciences): Universities of applied sciences in Germany provide students with courses that pay emphasis to practical training, with at least 70% of these courses being practice based. Subjects like economics, social sciences, natural sciences and business administration are taught at these universities.
• Kunsthochschulen (Colleges of art and music): These colleges focus on providing students with artistic and creative courses in fields like film-making, music, fashion designing, fine arts and theatre.

Scholarships in Germany for international students

• Governmental scholarships: There are two governmental scholarships that international students can apply for. Take a look at them:
  • Erasmus +: This scholarship programme is meant for international students who want to study in Europe. In order to be eligible for this scholarship, students must meet the predetermined criteria. 
  • DAAD Scholarship: The German Academy Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a variety of scholarships to international students. Similar to Erasmus +, there are certain eligibility criteria that students must comply with. 
• Non-governmental scholarships: A number of non-governmental organisations also have scholarship programmes that are designed to help international students. Take a look at few of these scholarships:
  • Heinrich Böll Scholarships;
  • Kurt Hansen Science Scholarships;
  • Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships;
  • Humboldt Research Fellowships;
  • Einstein International Postdoctoral Fellowship.
• University-specific scholarships: Universities in Germany also offer scholarships to students in several categories like:
  • Career experience;
  • Women;
  • Academic merit.

Accommodation in Germany for international students

• Student halls of residence: Student halls of residence are usually located near the student campus and admission into them is done on a strict first-come-first-serve basis. Halls of residence offer international students accommodation with great potential for socialisation with fellow students and cheap rent.
• Shared accommodation: In the scenario where student halls of residence are completely booked, students can opt for shared accommodation. As compared to halls of residence, these are more economic friendly and convenient. Shared accommodations consist of a number of students sharing 2-3 rooms and splitting the utilities between them. Students can check out WG-Gesucht, Studenten-WG.de and WGcast for such accommodation options.
• Apartments: Some students might prefer staying alone, hence they can choose to live in an apartment.
• On-campus hostels: Not all German universities have on-campus hostels, but the ones that do have limited slots for students that are determined on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Cost of studying in Germany for international students

The cost of living in Germany for international students vary from one city to another, and expenses are greater in cities like Munich. There are numerous expenses that an international student will make while studying in Germany (source: DAAD), including:

• Rent: Rent is the largest monthly expense for students and the amount paid differs on the basis of accommodation. The rent for a shared flat ranges between €260 and €300, for student hall of residence it ranges between €220 and €250 and for a single bedroom apartment, the rent ranges from €500 to €580.
• Food: The average monthly cost for food for international students falls in the range of €150 to €180.
• Transport: International students end up paying between €90 and €100 on a monthly basis on transport. Student discounts are also available.
• Telephone and Internet: The average monthly expense on telephone and Internet of international students falls in the range of €25 to €35.
• Study materials: International students usually end up paying between €15 and €25 for study materials.
• Leisure activities: The average monthly expenses that international students pay for leisure activities are between €55 and €65.
• Health insurance: If your health insurance is not valid in Germany, then you have to pay around €80 monthly for this.
• Student visa: If you are not an EU student, you will be required to pay €90 for your student visa.

Requirements to study in Germany for international students

• Schooling certificate: This is the first document that international students require for being eligible to study in Germany, and is known as “Hochschulzugangsberechtigung” or the university entrance qualification. In layperson’s terms, it is the certificate students receive after completing their schooling.
• English language test: Taking an English language test, i.e. TOEFL or IELTS is mandatory for those students for whom English is not their first language. 
• Proficiency in the German language: Being able to speak elementary German is a requirement for numerous German universities. Students are required to take the DSH or the TestDaF to prove their adeptness in the language.
• Proof of financial capability: In order to be eligible to study in Germany, international students have to provide proof of financial resources, or the “Finanzierungsnachweis”, while applying for their German residency permit and student visa.

Applying for programmes in Germany

• Step 1: Decide the universities to which you want to apply and then check if you meet the admission requirements;​
• Step 2: If you meet the eligibility criteria, choose the programmes that you want to study;
• Step 3: Begin the online application process for the universities;
• Step 4: Provide the universities with the required documents, along with the essays and statement of purpose ( these vary from one university to another);
• Step 5: If the universities shortlist your profile, they will contact you for the interview process.