Study in Germany

Germany has been one of the most popular destinations for pursuing higher studies. There are several reasons for this; let us have a look below.

• First and foremost, Many German universities offer their courses in English as well as German. Hence, knowing German is not all too necessary. However, it is important to remember that international students must provide German and English language certificates regardless of the teaching medium.
• Out of 16 states, 11 of them have no tuition fees - for the national and international students alike.
• Besides free tuition, German universities also offer scholarships for international students that help them cover accommodation and living costs in Germany.
• Has the best engineering and technical courses in the world. Moreover, it houses the best automobile companies, which attract students who want to pursue their engineering dreams.
• Great scholarships are provided - no matter the field you study in. Germany has an opportunity for every student that arrives to study with them, giving them profound experience as well as education.
• Germany is super student-friendly. This means that they have facilities built for students' use and convenience - including their part-time job rules and regulations.

As of 2024, 460,000 international students are enrolled in German Universities. The number of international students has grown steadily every year, and with the ease of admission and no tuition fee, the steady growth of international students may see another spike in the near future.

Although Germany indeed has a lot of top-ranked universities, few universities stand at the top in Germany, which are mentioned below.

Top 5 German Universities

1. Technische Universitat Munchen (TUM) (Technical University of Munich)
2. Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen (LMU) (LMU Munich)
3. Freie Universitat Berlin
4. Universitat Freiburg
5. Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin
6. Eberhard Karls Universitat Tubingen

These universities are majorly engineering-focused but offer all kinds of courses at the same level as engineering courses. Universities like TUM & LUM have several branches in and around Germany. There are no drastic changes in the courses offered due to different locations, but the medium of lecture delivery might differ. So, if you prefer a course delivered in English, choosing the university branch that provides the same will be wise.

Masters Degree

A Master's degree typically takes two years to complete. The most popular degree programs are Business, Economics, and Engineering.

Bachelor's degree

BS/BSc degree will take 3 to 4 years to finish. Business is the most popular degree.

What are Technical Universities?

Technical universities are the universities of Germany that focus on studies related to engineering and such. Earlier, German technical Universities restricted their teaching to technical and engineering disciplines, but as time has passed and with the increase in international students, technical universities now offer a variety of courses in arts and humanities. Regardless of expanding their vision to various fields of study, the primary focus of their activities is still engineering and science.

What are Fachhochschule Institutions?

The term Fachhochschule means 'university of applied sciences'. Their main coursework is more practical than theoretical. This could be due to the common belief among German universities that practical work helps better understand than theory. This is also the primary reason the courses are shorter, and more students are enrolling in these Institutions.

More about academics in Germany

The academic year runs from October to July and is on the semester system. The German curriculum emphasizes independent study. Students are expected to do independent reading, prepare oral reports and papers, and attend lectures and small group discussions. To sit for the exams, the student must complete a certain amount of coursework.

German Universities grade on a scale of 1-5; 1 is the highest while 5 is failing. The academic record consists of the student's collection of Scheine or certificates of completion for each course.

Tuition and Fees

As mentioned above, 15 of Germany's 16 states provide free tuition fees. Yes, this applies to international students as well. The other universities charge a tuition fee of between €500 and €3000 per semester.

Tuition fees also depend on the course type you would be enrolling for. While maximum degree courses are free, the university might charge you a fee for laboratory work, practical work, or field trips. Additionally, universities that do not charge tuition will most definitely charge an application fee between €50 - €100.

In German universities, there is an additional charge for student unions. The fee paid for the student union is subject to change based on the university you would be attending.

Many German universities have miscellaneous fees, such as student union fees. Hence, it is advisable to check with your university regarding any miscellaneous fees to avoid surprise payments.

Scholarships

Scholarship programs are plentiful in Germany. Not only does the state provide enough scholarship opportunities for international students, but German universities also do. The scholarships have separate requirements, but the basic requirements relate to academics.

A national scholarship scheme that ensures internships for international students is known as DAAD RISE. DAAD RISE is a program that allows 300 international students of engineering or applied sciences to get a three-month scholarship and an internship with researchers or German companies.

In this program, travel fees are paid (if any), and a stipend is paid to the student to cover their daily needs. This program is most popular with undergraduate students but is also available for students enrolled in postgraduate and PhD. Programs.

To learn more about the program, click here.

Entrance Tests

TestAS is an aptitude test for international students from non-EU countries who want to study at a German university. It does not require any special knowledge and test abilities necessary for a successful course of study. This test can be taken in many countries. It is offered in German and English and can be taken twice a year.

Visa Regulations

The visa requirements for going to Germany depend on the country you are coming from. Read below to see if you would need a visa to study in Germany.

• If you are a student coming to Germany from the EU (European Union), including Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein, you do not need to get a visa to enter Germany, stay there, or study there. Germany considers its fellow EU nationals as closely as their German nationals, eradicating any need for visas.
• If you are a student from the USA, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Israel, or South Korea, you would be exempted from the requirement of a visa as well. However, students from the countries mentioned above must register with their residents’ registration office and the aliens’ registration office (Ausländeramt). After this registration is successful, the students will obtain an Aufenthaltserlaubnis (or residence permit) within two weeks of their arrival in Germany.
• If you are a student from Brazil, El Salvador, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Taiwan, or Honduras, you will only require a student visa if you plan to work in Germany after your course is over.
• The students from the remaining countries will require a student visa to study in Germany.

To learn more about the visa regulations, please click here.

Health Insurance

Students wishing to study in Germany must have health insurance and pay for nursing care. Without insurance, you cannot register for higher education, nor will you be able to get a student visa if you need one. The health insurance policy is automatically applied if you are an international student. Although, there are some exceptions.

• If you are above 30 and have enrolled in a degree program at a university in Germany, you will have the choice to access a public health insurance provider.
• If you are a student above or of the age of 30 and have enrolled in a preparatory or language course, you will not be able to access public health insurance. Instead, you will need to have private health insurance.
• If you are coming to Germany as a Ph.D. or guest student, you must have private health insurance.

The cost of public health insurance in Germany ranges between €104 and €120 per month. This ensures long-term health and care insurance.

If you are a student from the EU or Switzerland, Iceland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Israel, Norway, Switzerland, Serbia, Liechtenstein, Morocco, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey, and Macedonia, do not require another health insurance in Germany. The health insurance they have will be applicable in Germany.

Working while studying

Students not from EEA or Switzerland can only work 90 full days (or its equivalent, 180 half days) per year. If you want to work more, it needs to be approved by the Federal Employment Agency. Jobs related to higher education don't fall under any limits, but they need to be recorded by the agency and classified as higher education jobs.

Click here to learn more about part-time jobs, the rules set by the government, and the pay for them.