Germany

Study in Germany

German Universities ranks fourth after the USA, UK and Australia in terms of the number of candidates pouring onto its shores to study and later possibly work and settle down. German universities offer high-quality education at a low cost in comparison to that offered by British, Australian and American universities. in fact, Germany is unarguably the most popular non-anglophone destination for aspiring students from across the globe. Particularly, Indian students have shown keen interest to study in Germany.

Why study in the Germany?

Fully Funded Education at Public Universities

Germany has always emphasised on heavy engineering, manufacturing and digital technology and this has rendered it the status of a unique study destination for overseas scholars. You can study in Germany in any of the following free German universities – Heidelberg University, Free University of Berlin, RWTH Aachen University, Technische Universitat Munich (TUM), Humboldt University of Berlin, University of Hamburg, Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin), University of Stuttgart, Technical University of Dresden (TU Dresden) etc. You can acquire free education in Germany provided you meet the eligibility requirements.

Strongest Economy in Europe

It is the largest and strongest economy in Europe, with the highest growth rate and GDP. in 2016, Germany recorded the highest trade surplus worth $310 Billion, making it the largest capital exporter globally. It is one of the world’s largest car producers. Many of the Fortune 2000 companies have their headquarters there, the top being Volkswagen, BMW, Allianz, Bayer etc. Germany is in drastic need of computer, mechatronics and electrical engineers apart from mechanical engineers. Indian students are counted as among the brightest in these fields also due to their command on the English language. Along with technical personnel, they also require business graduates for the expanding multi-national corporations and service sector.

Learn the most widely used international language

Learning German while they study and work better equips students for jobs in several other German-speaking countries like Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg and several others in minority including Denmark, Hungary, Poland etc.

Post-Study Work Visa / Stay Back Option

A major attraction for all international students, Germany offers a post-study visa of 1.5 years, which enables them to gain experience of the actual work culture, earn a decent living, find a permanent job, apply for work permits and finally apply for a residence permit / permanent residence (PR) after 3 years.

Work And Earn While You Study

International students are permitted to work 120 full or 240 half days in a year. This way they manage to support the cost and earn back a decent part of their fee. The minimum wage per hour is around 9 euros, even though many jobs pay around 15 euros per hour.

Top Ranked Universities

All German cities have at least one university among the top ranking ones in the world. These offer a socio-culturally rich amalgam of academics of international standard, vibrant and fulfilling life, and a chance of landing a job and settling down in a region that is the sole survivor of the large-scale economic mayhem being witnessed in Europe and elsewhere.

Top 20 Universities in Germany

According to Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

What is the admission procedure?

Step 1: Course research

Since there are several universities and programs available, you must research before choosing your desired course. Germany is known for its highly specialised courses, including Mechanical Engineering, Automobile, Computer Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Energy.

Step 2: Check requirements

You must check the requirements for the course of your choice. There are different entry requirements applied within the same university, ensure you are reading and following accurately. You can reach the university through email or if you are unsure, contact your counsellor. Once you have your GRE/IELTS score in hand, narrow down on the universities based on your budget, city, profile, and interests.

Step 3: Procure your documents

Each course and university require certain documents for applying for an eligibility check. Some German universities prefer you to get your undergraduate transcripts attested before submission. Write a letter of intent explaining why you are passionate about the course and why you are qualified to pursue a degree.

Step 4: Submit your application

Create an account through the university website and upload your documents. You must apply individually to your preferred course and university. Most Universities charge approximately € 50 for applications or some free.

Step 5: Accept the admission letter

Eligibility

Some of the common eligibility criteria to get into top universities:

Postgraduate eligibility requirements

• Bachelor degree in relevant subject
• 60% in relevant UG degree
• Average GRE score of 310-320, depending on the university
• Minimum 6.5 band in IELTS or 80-90 in TOEFL
• Work experience, if applicable
• A1 German language

Undergraduate eligibility requirements

• Passed 10+2 exam with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as core subjects.
• Some universities might require students to submit an aptitude test.
• Successfully completing the first year of a bachelor program from a recognized university in India in the relevant subject field or a foundation course in Germany.
• Minimum 6.5 band in IELTS or 80-90 in TOEFL.
• A1 German language

Documents required

To enrol in a master’s degree, you must have a relevant bachelor’s degree recognized by German universities. The following are the list of common documents required by universities:

• Online Application Printout – the application form submitted on the university portal.
• Proof of English Language Proficiency – TOEFL, IELTS, if required.
• Degree Certificate – a recognized 4-year bachelor degree
• CV – updated resume
• Letter of Motivation – a letter stating your purpose of study in the respective course.
• Two Letters of Recommendation – a recommendation from professor and work colleague.
• German Language Proficiency – certain universities ask students to produce A1 level German certification or higher.

Types of Visas

Indian students require a visa to enter and stay in Germany for the duration of the course. You get a national visa that is intended for longer studies. Whereas for short courses, you receive a Schengen visa, which is valid for 3 months and cannot be extended. The following documents required to receive a student visa are:

• Valid passport
• Proof of funds
• Proof of health insurance
• Academic transcripts
• A letter of acceptance
• Statement of Purpose for visa

There are three types of German Student Visa:

1. Language course visa – German Language Course lasting from 3 months to 1 year.
2. Student Applicant Visa – If you have not got a formal admission letter from the university, you need to apply for a prospective student visa valid for 3 months that can be extended to 6 months.
3. Student visa – It is a long-term visa given to students who have a letter of acceptance from a German university.

Cost of tuition and living expenses

Most state universities offer tuition-free study programs as the government decided to provide access to every student. The only university payment you need to take care of as an international student is semester contribution. As for private universities, they remain competitive by charging pocket-friendly fees.

Living expenses for students in Germany are relatively lower compared to countries like the US, UK, or Switzerland. The average monthly living expenses of a student in Germany is around € 600 – 1200 per month, includes expenses like accommodation, books & materials, lifestyle and others. The total cost of living depends on factors like the location and type of lifestyle. International students are allowed to work for 90 full working days or 180 half working days in a year earning 10 to 15 Euros an hour.

Job Opportunities

A degree in Germany will provide you with an 18-month work permit visa. The country has a plethora of opportunities to offer for any field of graduation. The country has a 38-working hour per week requirement with a minimum of 18 holidays a year. Being a computer science graduate, you will be eligible for several IT-based jobs like technical analyst, data scientist, data engineer, System Engineer, Software Architect, Software Developer, etc.

The top employers recruiting a computer science graduate from Germany are:

• SAP
• Amazon
• Bosch
• Zalando
• Deutsche Bank
• IBM
• Lufthansa System
• Jevix