STUDY IN GERMANY

Germany’s higher education institutions are proud of their traditions, meticulously preserving their quality. To top that, they actively engage in advancing internationalization in the education sector to suit the demands of their growing labor markets. Therefore, Germany plays an active part in the ‘Bologna Process’, which has set itself the goal of creating a single European Higher Education area by 2010. Within the scope of this process, many higher education institutions have already established or are currently introducing internationally comparable Bachelor’s & Master’s Programs. This means that degree program completed in Germany & qualifications gained there are internationally compatible. Germany is a land of possibilities, precision and great academic freedom, making it one of the most sought-after countries for higher education.

Understanding Education in Germany

Germany’s institutes of higher education combine age-old traditions with modern technologies. Germany has almost 350 states maintained and many privately maintained higher education institutions. More than 400 disciplines are on offer, which means it is possible to pursue nearly any specialization or interdisciplinary research. German universities are open to anyone who fulfills the prerequisites of the German university system. Tuition fees in Germany are non-existent at public universities. There are two types of Universities in Germany; University and University of Applied Sciences (also called Fachhochschulen).

University

Universities specialize in methodic, theoretical education. The classic faculties include medicine and law, social and cultural sciences, business management and education. Research is conducted independent of current societal interests as the goal is primarily gaining and furthering knowledge. Students at universities are largely free to determine their course of study themselves, even deciding which lectures to attend or which professor to take an exam with. But there are certain guidelines that have to be followed. 

University of Applied Sciences

They specialize in offering practical education that combines academic and scientific knowledge. They offer students and future employers the advantage of having a clear career focus, a set curriculum, and the opportunity to achieve a degree in a short time. The faculty at universities of applied sciences usually comprises experienced professionals and managers who know exactly what the firms will expect of the students once they’ve left school. They offer a flexible, international education. Graduates from the Universities of Applied Sciences have excellent job opportunities.

Life in Germany


Love black forest cake? Then you will love Germany, the birthplace of this fluffy delicacy! On a more serious note, Germany is an economic superpower that has become a very attractive place for students all over the world to pursue their studies, and ranks right after the United States and the United Kingdom in that respect. Many German universities are in the top 100 world rankings, having both tradition and excellence in teaching. German universities celebrate their acclaimed students, several of whom are great scientists and Nobel laureates; so there isn’t a doubt that you will receive an extraordinary education. Studying in Germany will ensure that there is no shortage of student clubs and activities, both on and off campus. With your student ID, you can receive concessions on tickets and entrance fees to theatres, opera houses, cinemas, museums, public swimming pools and other cultural venues. Be sure to address the elderly with “Sie,” which is the formal “you” to show respect and remember to address your professors by their last name. Germans value punctuality greatly, so ensure to be on time. Germans are assumed to be reserved and that is somewhat true of smaller towns and villages. But in larger cities and places with a lot of young people, this myth will get busted. The icing on the cake to all that Germany has to offer is the world-famous Oktoberfest – a festival celebrating beer, its many brews, and amazing German music!

Admissions process in Germany


Admissions processes vary between institutions, so make sure to check the information given by your chosen university before applying. If you wish to undertake a program being taught in German (the teaching language of most undergraduate programs in Germany), you will also need to prove your German proficiency. If you wish to study in English, you will need to meet the specific entry requirements of your chosen university program. These requirements depend on the reputation of the school and of the program, and can be found by looking at the program information in the university’s prospectus or online. Undergraduate students: A high-school diploma, school-leaving certificate or university entrance exam result is usually sufficient.

Postgraduate students

An undergraduate degree certificate, language certificate and entrance exam clearing certificate. Generally, you will be asked to provide the following documentation with your application:

  • A certified copy of your higher education entrance qualification (e.g. a high-school diploma) and any other relevant qualifications in the original language
  • A translated overview of the subjects and grades of your qualifications
  • A passport photo
  • A copy of your passport (personal information and photo ID)
  • Proof of language proficiency (a test certificate or online equivalent)

For the majority of public German universities, the application period for the winter semester begins in early May and ends in mid-July. For the summer intake, the application period is between early December and mid-January. You should expect to receive a formal acceptance or rejection approximately one to two months after the deadline has passed.

To ensure the best chances of acceptance, take care to provide all the documentation asked for and ensure that all your documentation is certified. Your AEC counselor will help you build a strong application.

Scholarship prospects in Germany


Scholarship prospects in Germany are abundant, allowing students to pay low tuition fees and helping them cut down their higher education costs to a great deal. Students can choose from;

  1. Government-funded scholarships – DAAD and Erasmus
  2. Non-Government Scholarships – From  Einstein International Postdoctoral Fellowship to Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) for Developing Countries, Germany offers 10 major scholarships that are independently funded.

University-specific scholarships – Every major university has a number of scholarships endowed by the management. Contact your chosen university for more details.

Work and Study in Germany

The visa rules state that a student can work 180 days halftime or 90 days full-time in a year. Germany is the only country where a student can do a part-time technical job in the industry. Sometimes big universities offer part-time jobs within the Campus called Hi/wi. The pay is better in these kinds of jobs.

Post-study employment prospects


As an international student, you will be allowed to stay in the country and seek work for an additional period of 18 months. If you gain work in Germany within this time you should make sure that you extend your visa, residence or work permit to ensure you are living in the country legally.

Eligibility exams for germany

The requirement for the GRE & GMAT varies from university to university. GRE & GMAT is not mandatory for all the programs in Germany. To register for these exams, please visit http://www.gre.org & http://www.mba.com

All students whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the IELTS. For more information on registering for the IELTS and the TOEFL, please visit http://www.ielts.org and http://www.toefl.org

Documents for german viza

Before filling out the application form and booking an appointment, please prepare 2 identical sets of the following documentation for your visa:

  • Valid passport (issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least another year as of date of visa application; passports with observations regarding the front data page cannot be accepted) with at least two empty pages
  • Application form & declaration (in accordance with Section 54 of the Residence Act) duly signed
  • Declaration for additional contact and legal representation information
  • Copy of your passport’s data page (A4 size copy)
  • Statement of purpose / Motivation letter
  • Certificate issued by the APS (Academic Evaluation Centre) – please consult aps-india.de for further information about application process
    See below for exceptions.
  • Proof of admittance to the study course/preparatory college (original and 2 copies) including information on the language of instruction
  • Where not confirmed by the German University in the admission notification: Proof of the language skills in the language of instruction for the study course or the preparatory course (without a preparatory language course as a rule at least B2-level in the language of instructions) (original and 2 copies). Only certificates approved by German government will be accepted (such as Goethe Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan, ÖSD, IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge Assessment English). Do NOT provide “exemption letters” or “Language of Instruction Certificates!”
  • Certificates of all academic qualifications you have previously obtained (original and 2 copies)
  • Curriculum vitae
  •  Proof of financial means to cover the costs for the time of your studies by one of the following documents:
    – confirmation of a German / EU scholarship / stipend

           or
          – “Verpflichtungserklärung” (formal obligation letter) by a sponsor living in Germany

            or
          – blocked account for the first year of your stay, amounting to 11,208 euros

When applying for visa, you can provide evidence that you are able to meet your living costs by opening a blocked bank account. You have free choice of provider. Information on providers that offer this service worldwide is available on the website of the Federal Foreign Office.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • You cannot withdraw more than 934 euros per month from a blocked account. This is applicable from 01.01.2023. However, especially at the beginning of your stay, you might be required to spend more than 934 euros in a month (e.g. to pay a deposit when renting a room or an apartment). It is therefore highly recommended to make sure that you have access to sufficient financial means according to your individual Situation.
  • If the university charges tuition fees: Proof of funds equivalent to the tuition fees for the first two semesters and the fee structure (detailed overview of fees). This can be either of the following:
    – Confirmation of payment issued by the university OR
    – Education loan OR
    – Unblocked deposit added to your blocked account (i.e. deposited in addition to the 11,208 euros mentioned above)
  • 3 passport pictures according to biometric specifications, not older than 6 months
  • Visa fee of 75 € payable in INR only (pls. check our website for payment options and applicable exchange rate)
  • Travel health insurance valid on arrival in Germany to the date of enrollment at the University (mentioned in your admission letter) (approx. 3 months). Kindly click here to find out about the travel health insurances accepted.

    In case you receive a stipend from public funds: please provide ONE of the following:
    – Proof of a private German health insurance which fulfills the below mentioned requirements and starts at your tentative travel date
    OR
    -Proof of a public German health insurance, which consists of a letter from your German healthcare provider, and additionally a travel health insurance from your travel date up to the starting date of the public German health insurance.
    OR
    – Proof of a private foreign (including Indian) health insurance mentioning the specific policy you chose which fulfils the below mentioned requirements and starts at your tentative travel date

  • When does a health insurance meet the requirement of being equivalent to a German public health insurance?
    No limit to the reimbursement in case of sickness
    • If the insured person becomes sick, no deductible higher than 300 € per year can be demanded
    • Pre-existing conditions must be included
    • No clause for termination regarding the insured person reaching a certain age, change of residence permit or loss of residence Permit
    • The Insurance cover cannot have any time limit (or needs to be automatically renewed)

Students who do not need to present an APS certificate:

  • If you obtain a non-German degree
  • If you have a foreign degree that is not Indian (e.g. British degree, Turkish degree, etc.)
  • If you intend to do a PhD / PostDoc in Germany
  • If you have an international Indian degree (e.g. International Baccalaureate)
  • If you receive a stipend from public funds (EU or German funds)

Please prepare two identical application sets with the above-mentioned documents and bring your original certificates along. Please DO NOT staple any documents.

Please note that the German Missions reserve the right to ask for additional documents or the verification of certificates, for which additional fees would be charged.

Submission of the above-mentioned documents does not guarantee that a visa is granted. Submission of incomplete documentation or refusal to appear for a visa interview may result in the rejection of your application.