For students who eye an educational experience abroad as well as want to avoid going overboard with expenditure, Germany is a hot destination. It is one of the few countries which have declared education free for all students, up till graduation. Seems like fun, doesn’t it? Germany boasts of having some of the most acclaimed international universities. Here we take a look at how studying in Germany would be for you.

Requirements:

Each German university decides its own admission policy. So it is advisable that you contact your desired university fir accurate updates on admission process and requirements. The DAAD admission database will tell you whether your school/university entrance qualification is recognized in Germany. The international office at the university will inform you about the same. if the educational certificate from your home country is not equivalent to a German diploma giving access to higher education, you still have a chance of studying in Germany. You must take a preparatory course at a Studienkolleg, which are university-run centres for international students providing language teaching correlated to the subject you have chosen to study. Courses usually last a year.

If you apply for a course that is going to be taught in German, it is advisable that you have a proficiency in German language. The most acceptable certificates of proof include the DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber) and TestDaf (Test für Deutsch als Fremdsprache) certificates for German as a foreign language. However, to increase your prospects of a better job, or an easier stay, we suggest basic knowledge of the language. It’ll help you a long way.

Finances:

Compared to other European countries, Germany would fare much lighter on your pockets. The majority of your expense would go into Rent. Rest, take into account the food, travelling, clothing, events into account and make your decision. You will also need health insurance as a pre-condition of registering at a German university. Also, In order to fulfil the visa requirements, you will need to show proof that you have, or have access to, around €8,040 per year (US$9,230) or €670 (US$770) per month to cover your living costs.

Visa:

international students require an entry visa for Germany depending on where they come from and how long they plan to stay. To obtain the information about visa requirements, contact the German embassy or German consulate. Once you arrive in germany,you will need to submit your visa to the foreigners’ authority at the study location in order to convert this to a residence permit for study purposes.

Tuition fee:

as aforementioned, most German universities are funded by the government. Therefore, most universities catering to bachelors have no tuition fee. Although a semester fee has to be paid for the contributions for Studentenwerk (Student Union) and AstA (student self-government). Some amount has to be paid however, for masters’ courses. Also, consecutive master’s courses( stemming from the bachelor’s or related to it) are exempt from tuition fee.

Scholarships:

The DAAD offers many scholarship programmes targeted at German and foreign students, graduates and researchers. Universities mostly provide scholarships for only a part of the college duration, and the selection process is extremely rigorous. Besides this, students can look up for scholarships locally in their own country.

Special Tips:

• To save money, especially in Germany, students can avail special discounts which range from travel to tourism. So it is imperative to carry your student Id everywhere! Literally!
• Get a bank account. It saves a lot of rent and fee hassles.

Studying abroad is an enriching experience and Germany would make you fall in love with its scenic cities and vibrant culture. You will want to stay a while longer…

Mallika Bhagat