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Germany has emerged as a popular destination for international students seeking a superior education that is both affordable and of high quality. Ranked third globally after the United States and the United Kingdom, Germany offers a multitude of opportunities for those venturing abroad to study. As an international student who studies in Germany, you can expect not only an exceptional education system but also personal growth, language acquisition, and unforgettable experiences that will shape your future. Join us as on this blog; we delve deeper into the incredible experience that awaits while you study in Germany.
Why should international students choose to Study in Germany?
Germany proves to be an optimal destination for aspiring international students from all corners of the globe. The country’s allure stems from its remarkably affordable education system enriched by a vibrant tapestry of cultural diversity. Germany is home to several globally renowned universities offering endless courses in the higher education sector. Furthermore, students can relish the advantages of a cost-effective lifestyle that adds to the overall appeal of pursuing their dreams in Germany. Germany is one of the very few countries in the world that offer FREE Tuition Fees for international students as well. Despite being a non-English speaking country, Germany offers a wide range of English-taught courses to international students. Thus, many academically strong students, even from middle-class backgrounds, have the aspiration to pursue their studies in Germany.
Is Higher Education FREE for the International Students in Germany?
There are two types of universities in Germany – Public Funded University and Private Funded University. Public Funded Universities provide seats for international students with FREE Tuition fees for Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in Germany. But even though tuition fees are free, there comes a semester contribution fee (minimal amount only) in most of the public universities in Germany which is collected at the beginning of every semester. So even the international student who has good academic grades will be able to secure a seat in the Bachelor’s or Master’s program and study in Germany with free tuition fees. While in private universities, tuition fees have to be paid per semester or yearly.
There is an exception to studying FREE in public universities in one of the German federal states of Germany. In Baden-Württemberg, a southwestern state of Germany, all non-European Union (EU) students are expected to pay tuition fees per semester (1500 EURO), even in public universities.
Is it easy for international students to obtain admission to study in Germany?
The process of getting admission to German Universities is a step-by-step process that needs proper research and planning done. As Germany is a hub of renowned world-class universities providing numerous courses for Bachelor, Master, and Ph.D. Levels, it is a tedious process to shortlist the universities and the courses of your choice. This step can be simplified and made stress-free by choosing a trusted education consultancy near you. Your academic excellence plays a major role in winning a seat in the public universities of Germany. By submitting all proper documents, you can prove your eligibility to secure admission, and the admission offer is purely made by the respective German universities. Also, it is important to expect tight competition in these public universities and make sure you prepare all the required documents and apply before the deadline. Most universities have 2 intakes in Germany:
- Winter Intake – Begins mostly in September or October
- Summer Intake – Begins mostly in March or April
How to select the right university to study in Germany?
While selecting a university to study in Germany, it is important to consider your interests and goals.
One such important criterion is the language of instruction, as many universities in Germany offer courses and programs in German only. Depending on your interests, like research-oriented or job oriented, you can choose the higher education institutions in Germany from the listed types below.
There are different types of higher education institutions in Germany:
Universities: These higher institutions in Germany focus on research and theoretical knowledge.
Universities of Applied Science: These types of German higher institutes have a practical-oriented academic approach focusing more on professional application than on theory.
Private Universities: Unlike public universities, private universities are not funded by the government. Instead, they are funded by tuition fees, research grants, etc.
Colleges of Art and Music: These kinds of higher education institutes train artists, musicians, designers, etc., where the applicants have to demonstrate a specific talent through an entrance examination.
Universities of Cooperative Education: These institutions focus on academic studies along with vocational training in practical phases. This option is interesting for people who prefer to learn practically and start their careers quickly.
Approximately 60% of higher education institutes in Germany are funded by the federal government and the federal states, and they offer tuition-free programs to study in Germany.
Some of the higher education institutes are state-approved but privately operated, and this accounts for 30% of higher education institutes in Germany. Around 10% of higher education institutes are state approved and run by one of the churches, which mainly focus on fields like theology, philosophy, social work, or education.
While selecting the right German University to study, it is important to look at the location of the university, as major cities like Munich or Berlin, or Hamburg will have higher living costs, easier accommodation options, easier part-time job options, etc. You can seek the help of an experienced educational consultant, as they have good knowledge about the German universities, courses and can even provide local assistance for international students in Germany providing airport pick-up, accommodation assistance, part-time job assistance, student permit assistance, any other emergency assistance etc. These services given by the education consultancy can make the students feel comfortable during their first time in Germany and help them to adapt fast with the foreign land.
How important is the knowledge of the German Language for study in Germany?
Learning German is not an important criterion for international students enrolled in English-taught programs in German Universities. However, some public universities require overseas students to demonstrate a basic level of German for admission, even to English-taught programs. Furthermore, German language proficiency may be required for those who intend to work part-time to supplement their income while studying in Germany.
There are different German Proficiency Levels which are measured below:
Levels A1 & A2: These levels are for beginners learning the fundamentals of the German language.
Levels B1 & B2: These are for intermediate students, which are more advanced than the basic A1 & A2 levels. A b2 learner can speak effectively in everyday situations and at work.
Levels C1 & C2: These are the advanced levels of German, and a C2 level speaker is deemed to have near-native proficiency levels.
Having the proficiency of German language at A1 & A2 level will be an added advantage even for the students applying to English-taught programs, while applying for their student visa for Germany.
What are the minimum criteria to apply for a Bachelors Program in Germany?
Admission criteria to universities vary from program to program.
Bachelor’s Degree Program in Public University: There are 2 main types of Bachelor’s Degree Programs to study in Germany.
German Taught Bachelor Program: (Public University)
Criteria 1: Students should complete the StudienKolleg Course (Year 13) or complete the first year of a Bachelor’s in any other country.
Criteria 2: Students should have a minimum B1 level of German Language Course.
English Taught Bachelor Program: (Public University)
Criteria 1: Students should complete the StudienKolleg Course or complete the first year of a Bachelor’s in any other country.
Criteria 2: Students should have a minimum IELTS Score of 6.5, and basic knowledge of the German Language A1/A2 level is recommended for some cases.
What is the StudienKolleg Course in Germany, and who needs to pursue this course?
International (Non-European Union) students cannot apply directly to Bachelor programs in Germany without completing 13 years of education. StudienKolleg is a one-year foundation course for international students in Germany. The course is divided into 2 semesters, and students can choose a variety of subject areas. The goal of StudienKolleg is to prepare students for university studies in Germany, and students who complete the StudienKolleg program are eligible to apply for undergraduate courses.
Is StudienKolleg free in Germany?
Most of the public studienKolleg do not have any tuition fees for the course. Rather a contribution will be collected per semester, which is around a few hundred EURO. But admission to public studienKolleg is strictly based on the result of an entrance exam called ‘Aufnahmeprüfung.’ This entrance exam tests German language proficiency as well, where international students require a minimum of B2 Level German Language Proficiency.
While there are private StudienKolleg where the annual tuition fees can start from 5000 EURO, where there is no entrance exam to secure admission, these private StudienKolleg may assist the students to get into their partner universities in Germany while some of them even provide students with Food and Accommodation.
How to apply to German Universities to study bachelor’s programs with free tuition fees?
Some universities accept admission directly through their university website, while some other universities accept admission through uni-assist. A uni-assist is a web-based platform that evaluates and processes applications of international students to around 180 German Universities.
As most international students are looking to study in Germany with free tuition fees, applying to one university will not guarantee their admission. Hence it is advisable to apply to a list of public universities individually, complete their admission process, clear the interview selection process, etc., as competition will be tight for these public universities in Germany. The whole admission process of applying to various German universities having your desired courses can be made hassle-free by choosing the right Study in Germany Education Consulting Service Provider.
How to apply to German Universities to study bachelor’s programs with free tuition fees?
To secure admission for a Master’s Degree in Germany, an appropriate bachelor’s degree with a good GPA is required. As the eligibility for choosing your desired course in a Master’s program depends a lot on your specialization done in Bachelors course, if you are planning to choose a Master’s program which is slightly different from the path of your Bachelors Major, it is very important to check the preliminary eligibility check before applying to these universities. A well established German Education Consultancy in UAE can guide you with these eligibility checks before applying to the respective German universities.
German Universities differentiate 2 types of Master’s Programs:
Consecutive Master Program: This master’s program can be enrolled immediately after finishing the Bachelor’s Degree.
Non-Consecutive Master Program: This type of Master’s Program usually costs tuition fees even in public universities: One such course is the ‘Executive MBA program.
What other mandatory costs do we expect for International Students to study in Germany?
For an international student to get a student visa to Germany, it is important to open a German Blocked Bank Account, which serves as proof of financial resources while living in Germany for a year. Blocked Account is one of the mandatory requirements when applying for a German Student Visa or Student Residence Permit. The amount of money that you need to deposit to your Blocked Bank Account is decided by the German Government. As of May 2023, per German Government rule, blocked bank accounts should have 11,208 EURO, and 1/12th of it can be paid out to the student per month. The whole Germany Student Visa process can be simplified by seeking the support of one of the most reliable education consultants in the UAE.
In conclusion, Germany, as both a Schengen country and part of the European Union, is an excellent choice for international students looking to pursue higher education. Not only does it provide a top-notch education with free tuition fees for international students, but also it offers a high standard of living and easy access to other European countries for those who wish to settle or explore new opportunities.
