Study in Germany

Germany, the birthplace of Kindergarten schooling and the modern university, is a dream destination for students. It is well-known for courses in science and engineering, especially automotive, mechanical and biomedical.

Getting admission into German Universities can be a huge task. The education is free; yes, you read that right, as 95% of the universities do not charge any tuition fee. However, there is always a price to pay as nothing comes for free; and the price for this would be a great educational background.

Admission requirements are set very high by the German Universities. For UG courses, as much as a 90% score is expected. Also, students need to either complete 1 year of Bachelor’s study in India or appear for IITJEE exam to be eligible to apply for a UG course in Germany. In addition to this, students need to appear for IELTS or TOEFL to prove their efficiency in the language.

For PG courses, students are expected to have at least 70-75% from a reputed Indian University. They are also required to appear for GRE and a score of above 300 should do the needful. IELTS (6.0) or TOEFL (100) is also required. The courses meant for international students are called International study programs and are taught in English. Hence, students looking for courses exclusively in English must look under the section specified ‘Internationals’. Unless a student has sound knowledge of German language, there is no point in opting for courses taught in German.

Students willing to learn German must do it through certified sources. In India, students need to contact Max Muller Bhavan and clear TestDaF. The level to be cleared is generally specified on the University website as it depends on the percentage of classes that are conducted in German.

Some of the  top universities in Germany  for International students:

• University of Heidelberg
• Humblot University of Berlin
• Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
• Free University of Berlin
• Technical University of Munich

Fees and Living Costs

Education in Germany is free of tuition fee expenses at most of the Universities. The universities charge a semester fee of about 140–500 Euros, which is utilized for the university’s development, labs and other such facilities. Living cost in Germany is approximately 800 Euros per month. This can go up depending on the
lifestyle of a student.

Application Procedure

There are two intakes in a year for admission, viz. in Sep/Oct and in March/April. The application and visa process, in total, takes about 9 months; so students need to plan accordingly. The deadline for Sep/Oct intake is 15 July and for March /April intake is 15 Jan. Hence, an early application is highly recommended. Once the university receives the application, they may take about 3-4 months to inform students of the outcome. Not all universities inform the student if the application is incomplete or lacking any documents. Therefore, it is recommended that students send all the requested documents in one go to avoid any last minute issues. The students have two options for making an application. They can either apply directly or take help from UNI ASSIST. UNI ASSIST charges Euro 68 for their service of applying to the first University. An additional Euro 15 per University for further applications. UNI ASSIST assists students with its partner Universities only.

Visa and Work Permit Study Abroad in Germany

International students need to apply for a visa before arrival. Anyone with written approval for preparatory study measures or a university place from a university can apply for a student visa. Those still awaiting the admission notice or have to appear for an entrance examination are required to apply for an applicant visa. It often takes several months for a visa to be issued. It is therefore important to apply for an applicant visa as early as possible so that you can arrive before your course commences. You should not wait to receive confirmation of a university place, as the admission notice arrives very late in Germany. It is preferable to apply for an applicant visa with the university’s confirmation of application and then convert it to a residence permit for study purposes in Germany. As an international student, you are permitted to work for 120 full days or 240 half days in a year. This will help you in getting a bit of extra pocket-money. After completing your degree in Germany, you can stay on in the country for up to 18 months to look for a job that is in keeping with your education. Once you find a job, the residence permit issued to you for the purpose of studying, can be converted into a residence permit for taking gainful employment.

Jobs and Careers

Want a job in Germany? Then you need to learn German and build your contacts. What is also equally important is the location of the university. Some of the top locations are Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart, Hannover and Bonn. The average salary is about 35,000 Euros for a post grad and about 24,000 Euros for a graduate. Indian students are used to the concept of campus placements and on-campus recruitment for getting jobs, wherein companies visit campuses and hire graduates. There is no concept of placements in Germany. Most German universities have a Career Services cell, which helps you get jobs and helps you prepare for interviews. They may refer you to companies or help you get in touch with HR managers. The job search is mostly self-driven in European countries, where it is considered your prerogative.

For more abroad career guidance visit Collegepond.