Everything You Need To Know About Study in Germany

Every year, there is a stark increase in the number of students applying to Germany for Doctoral, Masters and Bachelor studies.

Benefits of Study in Germany:

1. High Academic Standards – Germany is home to some of the well-acclaimed universities offering programs in a variety of disciplines. Due to employment of the ‘Bologna process’, there have been significant reforms establishing internationally accepted degrees. With an increase in the number of foreign students, more and more universities are switching to English taught programs across various disciplines like engineering, medicine, law and arts.

2. The Dual Education System – It is Germany’s dual education system that sets them apart from most nations of the world. With a strong emphasis on simultaneous attention on theoretical and practical education, they prepare students to be potential candidates for giant companies in the technical industry.

3. Low Living and Education Costs – Germany imposes a minimal tuition fees at the state-maintained institutions even for international students. With numerous student benefits, the cost of living is lower than in most other developed nations.

Student Entry Rules and Visa Regulations:

 

It is important to get in touch with the German embassy or consulate in your home country before applying for a visa as the rules mainly depend on your nationality and duration of your stay. It is not necessary for students from certain countries to have a visa, but many others need one if they wish to stay for more than 90 days. The rules of application too differ depending on your home country as some are allowed to apply for their visa even after they arrived in Germany while others need to apply for it before their departure.
Students can apply for a three-month “student applicant visa” if they have not yet received notification of their admission to a university or course. This visa can be extended up to a maximum of six months within which you must be admitted to a university and apply for a student visa. Those who secured admission to university in Germany can directly apply for a three-month valid “student visa”.

Funding Your Education:

 

Even with a low tuition fee, cost of education can be a financial burden for international students. German Universities do not provide grants, but help students get scholarships. Deutsche Akademische Austauschdienst or DAAD offers monetary and non-monetary scholarships to international students through partner institutions. Also, most international students do not need a work permit to work 120 full days or 240 half days within a year.

Health and Safety:

 

All international students are required to have medical insurance coverage throughout the duration of their stay to make their study abroad experience foolproof. Even though Germany is relatively a safe international destination with a very low violent crime rate, students must stay vigilant and take safety precautions that they would follow at their home country.

An Insight into German Education System.

However, there are certain factors that make German Education System unique. Germany is a favorite destination for many prospective foreign students.

Basic Academic Structure in Germany:

Pre-school education in Germany is available for children between the ages of 3 to 6. However, these are not state-supported and are not free. Children must compulsorily start attending state run schools at the age of 6. Compulsory education continues mostly until the end of the school year and the children would ideally reach the age of 18. The compulsory schooling rules vary from one federal state to another in Germany.

The Dual Education System:

Germany is proud to have Europe's lowest youth unemployment rate; thanks to its Dual Education System. Students who complete their high school degrees are given an option to specialize in an area of their interest. While many go to universities, others choose a dual training program. Students receive vocational training that involves both practical knowledge and theoretical expertise in this system.

The German Higher Education System:

There are three types of higher education institutes in Germany. They are

1. Universitäten (Universities) – Universities emphasize traditional form of higher education and links research and teaching. Most universities offer a wide range of subjects, so the students can specialize in specific subject areas of their interest.

2. Fachhochschulen (universities of applied sciences) – Institutions offering these courses focus on practical training. The main emphasis is on technology, business, design and social sector.

3. Kunsthochschulen (Colleges of art and music) – Programs are offered in artistic and creative subjects like fine art, music, graphic art, fashion designing, film-making, etc. Students are required to successfully complete an entrance examination to gain eligibility to these courses.

Education Opportunities for Foreign Students:

Students from around the world are considering Germany as an increasingly attractive option for higher education. Quality oriented teaching, admission to top ranking universities, world-class facilities, excellent faculty, and scholarships available to international students are some of the factors that constitute to a significant increase in the number of foreign students in Germany. Also, foreign students can work in Germany for up to 90 days without a work permit. As per the rules of certain states, students are permitted to work during semester breaks too. Due to the growing in-flow of international students, various universities have switched to English taught courses for their convenience.

Reforms Associated With Bologna Declaration:

German education system has been going through several reforms associated with the “Bologna Declaration” to establish internationally accepted Bachelor and Master Degrees and increasing global employability of their students. While many of the aims of the Bologna Process have already been employed, some are yet to be accomplished.

Flexibility of the German education system attracts students from all over the world. Highly subsidized tuition fees and relatively low living costs makes Germany one of the top priorities in terms of choice for international students.

10 Things You Don't Know About Study In Germany.

Here are a few things that you don’t know about Germany.

1. International Courses Are Available In English Language:

Due to increase in number of international applicants to German universities, plenty of international degree courses are now being taught in English. However, you must acquire your German language skills by attending various courses along with your normal studies.

2. Tuition Fees in Germany Is Very Low For All Students:

Both local and international students pay a low tuition fee (0-500 Euros per semester) in Germany. Additional to this, you must pay semester contributions, which varies from university to university. This covers a part of the administration costs of your university, social contributions to the ASta and the Studentenwerk.

3. You Receive Student Concessions in Germany to Travel Around:

The semester fee that you pay often includes the amount for semester ticket to use public transportation in the city or sometimes for the region just around the university. If you are a regular traveler, you can enjoy reduced travel costs with the help of a BahnCard.

4. Finding an Accommodation Is Difficult:

Unlike universities in most countries, German universities do not allocate an accommodation facility for you when you register for your course. You have to find a place on your own depending on your personal needs and budget. Choose from three options available for students – student residence, shared accommodation and apartment.

5. International Students Do Not Need a Work Permit to Work 120 Days:

A foreign student in Germany is legally allowed to work a maximum of 120 full days or 240 half days within a year without a work permit.

6. Recycling Rules Can Be Confusing:

As an international student in Germany, you might be surprised to see how seriously Germany takes recycling. There are color coded bins everywhere, each of which is designated to a specific type of waste material. Make sure that you keep a copy of the recycling rules with you and follow it always.

7. You Cannot Enter a German University without Health Insurance:

As a student to study in Germany, it is mandatory for you to have a health insurance, either an inexpensive compulsory student policy or a coverage policy from your home country accepted in Germany.

8. You Don’t Get Free Drinking Water in Restaurants:

You don’t get a complimentary glass of water in any restaurants in Germany. You must pay for bottled water (with or without carbonation).

9. All Stores Are Closed On Sundays and Holidays:

Sundays and holidays are dedicated for resting. Your neighbors will expect you to not disturb them. So forget about shopping, mowing your lawn or fixing your broken shelf on a Sunday.

10. Not All Stores Accept Credit Cards:

Small restaurants, most supermarkets and drugstores in Germany do not accept credit cards. So make sure that you have enough money to shop.