OVERVIEW

Germany, located in western central Europe, is considered a ‘great power’ – a European country that has the ability to exert its influence on a global scale. Germany is a valuable member of the G8 group of countries and the NATO. It is also the most populated country in the European Union, and a popular migration destination, second only to the United States. Germany is considered a developed country with a very high standard of living. It is the world’s fourth largest economy and a global leader in many technological and industrial sectors. With its rich cultural history, Germany is home to many influential creative artists, entrepreneurs, inventors, and scientists.

Why Study in Germany

Germany offers a broad spectrum of educational opportunities for students who want to study abroad. With its history of nurturing some of the best world changers, Germany is considered a great place to get a well-rounded education at an affordable rate.

Here are some other factors that entice students to study in Germany:

• World class degree that is globally recognized.
• Huge range of education opportunities in about 450 universities that offer up to 17,500 study programs.
• Affordable tuition fee, with most universities receiving government funding.
• Living expenses is on the lower side, when compared to other major European countries.
• Germany is home to one of the largest scholarship organizations in the world that offers innumerable student scholarships.
• The city is considered safe, with a reliable police force.
• While German is the primary language, a lot of courses for international students are offered in English.
• Easy access to Schengen countries
• Free education in public universities

Courses Offered

Germany offers several higher education programs in top universities that cover a wide array of subjects. The traditional courses available are:

• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctorate Degree

Education Requirements

Each higher education study program will have its own academic qualifications. Each university would make its requirements clear in its admission brochure. Typically the educational requirements for a Masters Degree would be:

• 15 to 16 year education
• 75% overall score or 2.75 GPA

Most universities require reasonably good IELTS or TOEFL scores:

• IELTS: 6.5
• TOEFL: 85

A business management applicant would also need to produce a GMAT score of 550 in order to be considered eligible by the university.

Cost Of Education

Since most German universities are funded by the government, the tuition fee is exceptionally low, even for international students. Education is free at public universities, with students having to pay only a nominal enrolment fee. This enrolment fee may vary from university to university.

Students can also freely avail of a number of student concessions to help them live within their budget during their stay in Germany. The average living expenses for a single student comes up to about 800 euros per month. As a side note, it’s cheaper to stay and study in smaller cities than larger ones.

Application Procedure

Students who would like to study abroad in Germany would have to start their research well in advance. German universities have a flexible student intake around the year.

Here’s what the application procedure looks like.

• Select a study program and the university where it’s offered.
• Take a look at the academic requirements of the course and ensure that they are met.
• Send in the application to the university.
• When admission has been granted, arrange for financial support and apply for a student visa.
• When the visa has been approved, coordinate with the university for accommodation and book flights.

Work Rights

Students are allowed to take up part time jobs during the course of their study. Students can work part time up to 240 hours per year. If working full time, students are permitted to work only 120 hours per year. For permission to work longer hours, students would have to contact their respective foreign authorities.

Jobs that involve being a research assistant or student assistant do not have the 120 hour limit, but the authorities would need to be kept informed. Unpaid internships are also considered as jobs as long as they are not part of the course curriculum.

If students are interested in working in Germany following their studies, it needs to be planned ahead. Students from non EU countries are given an 18 months residence permit during which they can look for a good job. Knowledge of the German language would help in getting good job prospects.