WHY STUDY IN GERMANY
Germany is one of the most influential European nations culturally, and one of the world’s main economic powers. It has the most sound economy among all European nations.
- Considered the hub of Automobile engineering, Auto designs and Mechanical engineering as well as a robust center of the literature, music and the arts, Germany continues to attract people from all over the world because of its well-constructed education system, old world charm and coziness.
- One of the largest countries of Europe, Germany’s impact on the continent as well as the global economy is huge, not just with regard to cutting-edge technology and research for the manufacturing sector but as an important global trading partner raising questions and providing solutions concerning social, political and economic issues.
- The education system has earned a reputation for producing talent across disciplines that is often in great demand in the international labour market.
- A large focus on R&D projects and substantial investment on a macroeconomic scale into Research and Development enables institutions to attract elite faculty and students to further the learning curve of Germany.
- It’s the perfect blend between theoretical frameworks and practical exposure with strong academic standards adopted to incorporate the best of both elements.
- Very low Tuition fees.
- The universities and the obtained degree are well known all over the world.
TYPES OF UNIVERSITIES IN GERMANY
The universities in Germany are open to students from all countries. Currently in Germany there are about two million enrolled students, 250,000 of them are international students. With over 10 % international students Germany is the world’s favorite place to study! The diversity of Germany’s higher education system may perhaps confuse you as your start, but it enables you to make the best choice for your future studies.
Universities of Applied Sciences in Germany offers great practical relevance and focus, well-founded academic training for degree programs in the field of technology, business and management, social studies, media and design. If you like learning and working in the applied field, then this will be an interesting option for you.
The colleges of Art, Film and Music in Germany are perfect for anyone wishing to turn their artistic talent into a profession. The range of programs extends from painting, design and architecture to directing, music and drama. The entry threshold is high, the training excellent. One to one teaching or classes in small groups ensure that the young artists get the finishing artistic touches.
For students interested in a career in the field of social work, education, special needs education or curative/therapeutic education, plus nursing and health care professionals, and church musicians.
Despite the high tuition fees – around 1,800 to 4,700 euro per semester – private universities in Germany are becoming a popular option. Some of the reasons for this lie in the good reputation: small study groups, strong ties with business and industry, very practical focus, strong international orientation, short studies, good career prospects. But before you sign a contract with a private university, please make sure that you check that the university is state recognized. If it’s not, the academic degree you gain will not be recognized, which could lead to major problems when you start looking for a job after graduating.
These are not higher education institutions. Nevertheless, their certificates and degrees are partly recognized as equivalent to Fachhochschulen qualifications. Berufsakademien offer academic studies (focuses on business, technology, social studies) in combination with vocational training, i.e. cooperative education. This dual training alternates between courses taken at the academy and practical (workplace) training in a company. Some of the Berufsakademien even deliver the training bilingually: German-English. This profile has resulted in many companies showing a strong interest in Berufsakademie graduates, including, in particular, global players with their branches around the world.
ADMISSION TO STUDY IN GERMANY
International students that want to apply to study in Germany should normally apply direct to the International Office at the higher education institution of their choice. As soon as you have received notification of admission from the International Office and taken a language test, you can register as a student at the respective institution of higher education. Closing date for admissions applications at the Foreign Student Office are July, 15th for the following winter semester and January, 15th for the following summer semester.
Top Universities In Germany
Latest statistics indicate Germany to be the 4th most popular destination for studying abroad for international students. There are several reasons to study in Germany, whether it is the world class universities and colleges and their diverse subject pool from which students can choose or the historical cultural heritage in which Germany is steeped. Germany has consistently been considered a leader in Science, Technology and Engineering. Hence, the top courses to study in Germany are the following: Automobile, AutoDesigns, Mechanical, Structural and Chemical Engineering, Physical Sciences, Renewable Energy, Computer Sciences and Information Systems. According to the QS world rankings, 43 German universities featured among the world’s best.
Required Tests
- For Postgraduate/Professional Courses : GRE, GMAT
- English proficiency tests : IELTS, TOEFL
- Anyone wanting to study in Germany needs an adequate knowledge of German. International applicants must complete a language test before enrolling.
*Tests: TestDaf (Test of German as a foreign language), DSH (German language test for admission to university for international applicants)
SCHOLARSHIP IN GERMANY
ERASMUS MUNDUS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS IN GERMANY
German colleges and Universities participate in quite a number of study programs which are funded by Erasmus Mundus Scholarships. The scholarships allow international students to pursue a participating Erasmus Mundus study program for free.
GERMAN FOUNDATIONS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS
A number of political and religious foundations in Germany offers scholarships to international students from various backgrounds, interests, and qualifications. Studentwerk-berlin.de outlines them in this list. Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarships is an example of a scholarship offered by a German political foundation while KAAD Scholarships is an example of a scholarship offered by a religious foundation in Germany.
DAAD SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS
*ERASMUS MUNDUS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS IN GERMANY
German colleges and Universities participate in quite a number of study programs which are funded by Erasmus Mundus Scholarships. The scholarships allow international students to pursue a participating Erasmus Mundus study program for free.
* GERMAN FOUNDATIONS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS
A number of political and religious foundations in Germany offers scholarships to international students from various backgrounds, interests, and qualifications. Studentwerk-berlin.de outlines them in this list. Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarships is an example of a scholarship offered by a German political foundation while KAAD Scholarships is an example of a scholarship offered by a religious foundation in Germany.
DAAD SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS
DAAD is a joint organization of Germany’s higher education institutions and is responsible for promoting international academic relations, primarily through the exchange of students, academics and researchers. The DAAD scholarship database contains scholarship and funding opportunities for foreign students, graduate students and scientists who are seeking financial support for their studies, research work or teaching assignments in Germany. The database not only lists all the scholarships offered by the DAAD Germany, but also diverse programs offered by a wide variety of institutions. The most popular DAAD scholarship program for developing country students is the DAAD Scholarships for Postgraduate Courses with Special Relevance to Developing Countries. Another popular example ” target=”_blank”>DAAD Scholarships in Public Policy and Good Governance.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Anyone wanting to study in Germany needs health insurance – without this you won’t be able to enroll in a German university. To study in Germany you need health insurance. Many students will be able to use their health insurance from their home country. Germany has concluded social insurance agreements with some countries, including the member states of the European Union and the European Economic Area. This means that anyone who has statutory health insurance in their home country can register this insurance cover with a statutory health insurer in Germany. To find out the best way of doing this you will need to contact your local health insurance company. You generally need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Private health insurers from other countries are sometimes also recognized in Germany. Your local insurer will be able to provide more information. In this case, you will need a confirmation certificate to enroll in the university. Anyone commencing their studies in Germany with private insurance is then not allowed to switch to a statutory health insurer for the entire duration of their course.
HEALTH INSURANCE FOR A LANGUAGE COURSE OR A PREPARATORY COURSE?
Anyone participating in a preparatory language course or other preparatory course is generally not obliged to obtain health insurance, but may do so voluntarily.
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FINDING INSURANCE IN GERMANY
Anyone who does not have access to their local health insurance will need to obtain insurance in Germany. The statutory health insurers in Germany are obliged to provide discounted student rates for their insurance cover for students until they reach 30 years of age or until the end of their 14th semester of study. You can obtain health insurance from any statutory health insurer in Germany. They generally charge a standard fee for student health and nursing insurance. The membership fee is currently 80 euros a month. The health insurer will issue you a certificate on the existing insurance cover, which you need to submit during enrollment. Anyone who is over 30 years of age or has been studying for more than 14 semesters during their period of study in Germany can maintain their statutory insurance, but at a higher rate. Anyone who is over the age of 29 when starting their course can only obtain private insurance.
Work prospects (Established & Emerging Sectors)
- Germany’s tradition of research and innovation is a huge factor for its favourable economic situation. The 33,000 patent applications are evidence of Germany being at the forefront of European Innovation.
- Although the biggest 30 corporations such as Volkswagen, BASF, Siemens and Allianz contribute significantly to Germany’s competitive advantage and innovation, there are thousands of SME’s across a diverse range of sectors, particularly from Mechanical Engineering as well as Nano and Biotechnology that have a substantial impact in advancing innovation and growth.
- Germany’s comparative advantage lies in designing and manufacturing complex high tech industrial goods that are largely used as capital goods and production technology.
- The biggest sectors by far are automotive manufacturing, mechanical engineering, electrical and chemical engineering employing over 3 million people and generating revenues exceeding EURO 800 billion.
- Automotive manufacturing companies boast around 30% of internal spending on R&D, currently expanding expenditure on innovation in environmentally friendly vehicles, improving diesel efficiency and hybrid drives as well as the implementation of power trains.
- Like all other OECD countries, the service sector is the major contributor of GDP employing almost 30 million personnel in commerce, hospitality, transport, finance and corporate services.
- Banking and Insurance is the central pillar of the service sector and is the core supporting system of all manufacturing and development activities.
- The German economy is embracing all relevant megatrends to provide mobility and security as well as increasing technical efficiencies in bettering power generation as well as improving urbanized societies to be at optimal efficiency.
The Energy Efficiency Sector, Energy Storage and Fuel Cell Industry, Nanotechnology as well as the Safety and Security Industries are amongst the anticipated areas indicating strong
Work prospects (Established & Emerging Sectors)
- Germany’s tradition of research and innovation is a huge factor for its favourable economic situation. The 33,000 patent applications are evidence of Germany being at the forefront of European Innovation.
- Although the biggest 30 corporations such as Volkswagen, BASF, Siemens and Allianz contribute significantly to Germany’s competitive advantage and innovation, there are thousands of SME’s across a diverse range of sectors, particularly from Mechanical Engineering as well as Nano and Biotechnology that have a substantial impact in advancing innovation and growth.
- Germany’s comparative advantage lies in designing and manufacturing complex high tech industrial goods that are largely used as capital goods and production technology.
- The biggest sectors by far are automotive manufacturing, mechanical engineering, electrical and chemical engineering employing over 3 million people and generating revenues exceeding EURO 800 billion.
- Automotive manufacturing companies boast around 30% of internal spending on R&D, currently expanding expenditure on innovation in environmentally friendly vehicles, improving diesel efficiency and hybrid drives as well as the implementation of power trains.
- Like all other OECD countries, the service sector is the major contributor of GDP employing almost 30 million personnel in commerce, hospitality, transport, finance and corporate services.
- Banking and Insurance is the central pillar of the service sector and is the core supporting system of all manufacturing and development activities.
- The German economy is embracing all relevant megatrends to provide mobility and security as well as increasing technical efficiencies in bettering power generation as well as improving urbanized societies to be at optimal efficiency.
- The Energy Efficiency Sector, Energy Storage and Fuel Cell Industry, Nanotechnology as well as the Safety and Security Industries are amongst the anticipated areas indicating strong prospects for the future.
COST OF LIVING IN GERMANY
As of October 2014, all of the Universities are free of charge; Germany has finally approved the abolition of tuition fees in the country. However before you get ahead of yourself, there’s no such thing as free lunch; yes all of the Universities are free of charge now but there is this thing called “Semesterbeitrag” considered a semester contribution that is mandatory and it ranges from 250 to several hundreds of Euros depending on the University. The benefits of this so-called contribution are the access to free public transport in and around the city area which long-term saves loads and loads of money.
Public transport in Germany is comfortable, fast and efficient. For the ones who appreciate weekend getaways and wish to explore the country, there is the Bahn- Card purchased annually that offers discounts ranging from 25%, 50% and 100%, basically a free ticket.
The annual price of this card varies from 57 EUR second-class to 114 EUR first-class under the 25% discount up to the 100% discount costing 4080 EUR second-class and 6400 EUR first-class.
Assuming that, while new in town one wants to share the apartment with a roommate, split rents in the common student neighborhoods go up to 300 EUR even cheaper, tax included. If you’re lucky enough to find out that you share the same interests with the roommate so you end up being friends you may as well start using the apartment fridge after all, split the food supply expenses and do some cooking of your own. In the end of a month you will end up saving a fortune.
Cheaper rents for the ones not able to afford this kind of a lifestyle are offered by dormitories and student residences meanwhile the student Mensa has always hot soup, meat and “karttofel” for less than nothing.
On the contrary, if you are used to having the space to yourself and most importantly can afford renting a flat on your own prices may vary from 350-800 EUR. The outrageously expensive deal breaker about renting on your own is the acquired deposition of approximately 1500 EUR in case any damage is done.
Shopping for groceries and essentials monthly won’t escalate a sum of 100 EUR and if you are sharing it with the roommate even less. Cooking in is healthier, make’s a perfect hobby and saves tons of money. This is another reason why sharing the apartment with roommates is much more fun, you get to cook for each other and dine together while cooking for one person is usually dull and kills the joy.
LIVING EXPENSES & ACCOMMODATION
The cost of living in Germany generally differs according to the city you are in, while Leipzig can be bizarrely cheap and affordable Munich is nothing likewise. Among the bigger metropolitan cities as Hamburg, Koln, Stuttgart and tiny yet cozy towns like Erfurt, Freiburg or Osnabruck Berlin is caught somewhere in the middle as a common ground to shed some perspective on a random students truthful cost of living when in Germany.
Berlin, besides being relatively cheap has also the advantage of being a huge city with numerous options given that in this same city one can live on a few hundred bucks straight and decent close to some millionaire celebrity whose limit is the sky. So to say, with few managing skills you are in for the kill.
