Study in Germany

Study in Germany

All About the Top Universities, Admission Procedure, Accepted Exams and more

The bustle of Germany, with its topographical diversity and cultural wonders, is an unignorable country. Featuring a multitude of art and literature masterpieces, while also being a leader in technology, to study in Germany is an enriching experience. As a student, the foremost façade in education is exploration, and Germany provides just the right environment to flourish and flounce. With an impeccable public education system that is constantly revised to keep up with demand, it is a top choice among students looking for international immersion. 

Read further to find out everything you need to know about pursuing your higher education in Germany; top colleges, admission process, eligibility criteria to costing, scholarships available and much more.

Study in Germany

Germany is a place to be if you are looking for higher education options to study abroad. When a student looks to go beyond the borders of their own country to pursue education abroad, it is highly motivated by gaining exposure to an education system that is different from what they have experienced throughout. Additionally, a student also looks to gain insight into diverse cultures and hope to network with people from all walks of life, along with broadening their horizons when it comes to understanding language, art, technology and much more. 

All the above-mentioned reasons make Germany an attractive choice to pursue higher education and study abroad. Germany has the second largest number of population in Europe, which means that you are bound to network with people from all cultural background existing in unification. Germany is also the largest economy in Europe and the 4th largest in the world; which only points towards the strong economic foundation and power that it holds. To pursue higher education in a country with such prosperity will be an enriching experience that you wouldn’t be able to shake off. People residing in Germany have a higher standard of living along with a liberal outlook to shape their lives as they wish to; these factors will foster the independence streak in the life of a student. 

Germany has got flexible and liberal immigration rules in place, putting it on second to the United States of America as the most popular immigration country. As a matter of fact, about 20% of the German population composition consists of other Europeans, Asians, Americans, Africans and other minorities. This makes it not just a culturally rich country but also an adaptive place where foreigners feel comfortable living in. 

To talk about the education system here, Germany boasts over 409 colleges and universities of higher education, spread throughout the country. Along with over 14,500 diverse bachelors and masters courses to choose from, the student gets to pick just the right combination of programme and college. These vast number of options available to the student allows them to pin point exactly what they wish to pursue and then walk into the programme head-first without having to compromise. The education system in Germany consists of state-run schools, universities, universities of applied science and colleges of art, music and film; this ensures that there is something that caters to every stream of education. The dynamic academic curriculum is constantly updated and backed by state-of-the-art research facilitates, to rile up the collective spirt of innovation, education and learning. 

Every year, Germany sees an influx of more than 3,75,000 international students; making the foreign student population out of the total stand at a colossal 13.2% share. These sheer numbers lend credibility to the German education system and the fact that it is a worthy choice amongst plenty of students. Data also reveals that a whopping 91% of international students what to pursue their education in Germany, a number that just cannot be overseen when we talk about the popularity of the German education system. In fact, more than 48,000 foreign scientists and researchers are teaching at German universities, which makes the teaching learning process even more diverse and fulfilling for the students. 

Some reasons why students consider undertaking higher education in Germany among the plethora of options available are:

1. Low-cost education: Out of all students, 35.5% choose Germany because of its no tuition for students, both domestic and international. Read on to find out more about the cost of studying in Germany.
2. Established teaching faculty: 29.3% of foreign students value the quality of teaching faculty at German universities.
3. Lucrative employment opportunities post graduation: 69.2% of international students prefer to remain in Germany after competition of their education to find a good job opportunity.

Additionally, during your stay in Germany, not only will you get to learn the subject matter that you are enrolled in, but will also be equipped with German language skills. One of the widely spoken languages of the world, fluency in German will aid you in international networking and business development, a sure-shot addition to your career chart. However, you if you are looking to enrol in a course that is based in English language, you will have the option to choose from more than 1,300 masters degree and Ph.D. programs in a variety of disciplines. 

Top Universities and the Highest Paying Jobs

The educational quality in German universities is top-notch and stands at 3rd best educational system in the world, preceded only by United States and United Kingdom as reported by US News & World Report. The course curriculum at German universities and the degrees are universally accepted and global recognized, this makes the students passing from these an attractive choice for prospective employers.

Top 5 Universities/Colleges in Germany

Highest Paying Graduate Degrees in Germany

While selecting the higher education course is an autonomous decision, there are some degrees that stand as a more popular choice than others. Data suggests that Engineering is the most preferred course for students in Germany with about 71,000 plus enrolments each year; flowed by Business management which stands at over 52,000 admissions per year; and then humanities with about 37,000 enrolments per year. Apart from these, international students also prefer to study law, maths & computer science, fine & applied arts, management and medicine at some of the finest universities and colleges in Germany.

With over 14,500 disparate bachelor’s courses, master’s degree and Ph.D. programs, picking out the degree that aligns with your goals and suits your interests is the foremost decision for any student looking to study abroad. With a focus on practical learning, unlike many traditional universities and colleges in the Indian education system, the process of gaining education in the German academic curriculum is highly bent towards achieving industry specific skills. This focus on practical hands-on learning, multiple skill-sets among each candidate, and development of soft skills makes students who graduate from the German education system a valued choice for employers.

Admission Process and Eligibility Criteria to Study in Germany

If you have finalized on the decision to undertake your higher education in Germany, or are looking for the ways to go forward, this section will provide you all the necessary details. Read on to find to everything that you need to know about the admission process in German universities, their eligibility criteria and exams that are accepted.

1. Select a university and course that you wish to pursue: The foremost decision, this is probably the most crucial stage in your admission process. You need to introspect and then select a higher education degree that aligns with the career path that you want to pursue as well as that appeals to your interests, personality and passion. At this point, you may want look back on all the subjects that you have divulged into and which of these shines brighter than the rest. Once you have pinpointed the course of your choice, you need to conduct a through research on the university that you aim to enrol in. Keep your options open, in terms of universities and colleges open at this point to increase your chances of selection.
2. Go through the admission requirements and eligibility criteria: If you are going for a bachelor’s level program, you will have to provide documents that pertain to your high school education. A transfer certificate, passing certificate or a high school marksheet may suffice to this effect. Similarly, for master’s level programmes, you will have to furnish your bachelor’s degree from a recognize university.  Foreign students that have studies from outside Europe may also have to sit for an entrance exam (this can be college specific or a standardized test that is accepted in multiple universities) after taking up a preparatory course. To know more about these standardized tests, read on.
   
   If you are taking up a course in which the medium of teaching is German language, you will have to prove proficiency in the same. The two major language exams that are accepted in Germany are: 
   i.  DSH (German language exam for university entrance): Available only in Germany.
   ii. TestDaF: Available in over 90 countries worldwide
   
   However, if your course of choice is based in English language and you are not a native English speaker, then you will have to prove proficiency in the same by appearing in these exams:
   i. IELTS (International English Language Testing System): The score is valid for up to 2 years and is accepted by more than 140 countries and 10,000 plus institutions
   ii. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): The score is valid for 2 years and is accepted by more than 10,000 colleges/institutions worldwide in over 130 countries.
3. Apply to your selected course in chosen universities: Go through each prospectus and make sure to apply to multiple universities and colleges to increase your chances of conversion. In terms of admission, German universities provide flexibility as to when you can enrol for the programmes. You can choose to apply twice a year in either the winter or the summer semester, whichever seems more convenient. You may also need to submit a copy of your passport along with the above-mentioned document requirement.
4. Get a German student visa: Once your college application gets accepted and you receive the offer letter, you now need to apply for a German student visa to study abroad.
5. Settle in: Once you have enrolled to your course, settle into your student life, your new accommodation and your course structure. Don’t forget to make the most out of your stay in Germany, explore every façade and enjoy every moment.
   

Accepted Examinations for German Universities 

Many universities may also ask for a reputable score in one or more of these below mentioned standardized exams. These range from aptitude tests for specific courses, general academic performance tests to language proficiency indicators. Find a list of the accepted examinations below:

1. GMAT

GMAT stands for Graduate Management Admission Test and is a standardized exam for admission into MBA program. The score for GMAT is valid for 5 years and is conducted in over 650 test centres across 114 countries. With more than 2,00,000 test takers, the credibility of this exam cannot be denied. The GMAT seeks to test the candidate on the basis of their analytical skills, quantitative ability, verbal reasoning, reading comprehension skills, writing ability and data interpretation skills. You can give the GMAT exam 5 times a year with a 16 days gap between each attempt. University of Mannheim, EU Business School and Munich Business School are some reputable German colleges that accept GMAT score for enrolment to their MBA program.

1. GRE

GRE stands for General Record Examination and is also another credible standardized test for admission in various masters and doctorate courses in universities.  The GRE score is also valid for 5 years, and can be taken 5 times a year with a gap of 21 days between each attempt. It aims to test the verbal ability, quantitative reasoning, critical analysis, writing ability and logical reasoning skills of the pupil. Some top German universities and colleges that accept the GRE score: University of Mannheim, EBS University of Business and Law, Frankfurt School of Finance & Management; and many more. 

1. IELTS and TOEFL  

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System, while TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. Both these exams are taken to establish the proficiency of the candidate in English language, and are accepted by more than 10,000 colleges and institutions. With no eligibility criteria and flexibility, these exams aim to test the listening, reading and writing skills of the candidate. In German universities, you are required to furnish the scores of these exams to enrol in courses that have English as the language medium. Offenburg University of Applied Sciences, Leipzig University and Witten/Herdecke University accept the IELTS/TOEFL scores.

Cost of Studying in Germany and Scholarships

The primary reason why a majority of students prefer to undertake studies in Germany is that the cost of education is minimal. In a society that is driven by education and all innovations are backed by research, the cost of pursuing higher education can break through the roof. However, in Germany it is completely different- for the better. In October of 2014, the government of Germany took a commendable decision that the tuition fees will be abolished for all students, both domestic and international. This decision changed the face of the education sector in Germany, making academic excellence more easily accessible to all students, irrespective of the means. Apart from the nominal administration costs in universities- that round about to Euro 250 per semester, there are no additional costs as far as tuition is concerned.