Studying in Germany for Indian students comes with a lot of benefits because German universities are globally ranked and valued for their top-class quality. Their state-of-the-art facilities, countless funding options, research-based courses, award-winning curriculums, diverse and vibrant student community, and unique lifestyle ensure you get the best studying experience.

These features have turned them into a hub for talented international students willing to improve their academic and research capacities. And many Indian students find themselves part of this group of scholars.

ADVANTAGES OF STUDYING ABROAD

The main advantage of studying abroad includes:

1. Academic knowledge boost
2. Social and cultural knowledge boost
3. Internationally recognized study degrees
4. Career prospects in the global labor market
5. Language improvement
6. Increase in diversity understanding

DISADVANTAGES OF STUDYING ABROAD

1. Being away from family and friends
2. Managing living cost

For overseas students who desire to pursue higher education, Germany is the best country to study in. The unrivaled and highly recognized higher education system is primarily what makes Germany such a valued and deserving study location.

Germany is a country rich in culture and the arts, and one of its most notable features is the high caliber of its educational system. Through its education and expertise, this nation has produced some of the most successful people in the world over the years.

REASONS TO STUDY IN GERMANY AS AN INTERNATIONAL

1. Germany’s free education system and internationally recognized credentials are the first two arguments. The majority of public German institutions now charge no tuition after the government decided to do away with international fees in all public universities in 2014.
2. You will typically only be needed to pay a little amount towards administrative and public transport fees at higher education institutions. This fee varies per university and is typically between €150 and €250 per semester.
3. Not only that, but universities in Germany also provide students with internationally recognized degree programs that equip them with the skills they need to compete in the labor market and address societal concerns. Having a degree that is acknowledged globally gives you an advantage and the confidence you need.

MORE REASONS TO STUDY IN GERMANY

2. German Universities Are Listed Among the Best Universities in the World. Numerous German universities rank among the top global universities as a result of their high standards for academics, teaching, and learning as well as the modern environment, scientific paper citation numbers, a positive international reputation, a high proportion of international students, and other quality criteria.
3. This serves as more evidence that German institutes of higher learning are aware of what is necessary and important in the modern world. Eight German universities were listed among the top 100 universities in the world by The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020 and eight German universities were listed among the top 150 universities in the world by QS World Rankings 2020, two of the most well-known and reliable sources for rankings in higher education. 

Do You Know? Germany Has a Wide Range of Enticeing International Study Programme

Numerous degree programs are available in Germany that are tailored to individual interests. Germany has made significant investments in engineering colleges as an industrialized nation, and as a result, engineering programs are now highly regarded at German universities.

However, these universities also offer a wide range of other study options, including world-class programs in medicine and pharmacy. More than 1,500 international programs are available at German institutions for students from throughout the world.

Students have a variety of alternatives to choose from, including learning exclusively in German, exclusively in English, or in a blend of the two. This is especially useful for students who don’t speak German but are determined to earn a degree from one of the numerous esteemed German universities.

4. Germany Provides an Appealing Dual Education System. In Germany, education providers integrate dual areas of learning, such as theory and practice, which considerably aids students’ grasp of labor market trends and needs. Theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge may be ‘good enough’ on their own, but when combined, they boost employability by producing graduates with critical skills.

HIGHER EDUCATION AND DEGREES AVAILABLE IN GERMANY

Depending on what students are interested in and their circumstances, Germany provides a diverse choice of higher education institutions, as well as diverse and appealing degree programs at all levels of study. Basically, students have a lot of options because any degree program you might be interested in can certainly be available in Germany at a reasonable price. Three types of HEIs are available to international students in Germany.

Depending on the student’s interests and preferences, Germany offers a variety of higher education options. Students in Germany have the following options:

Universities – typically scientific-research oriented, Universities of Applied Sciences – mostly oriented towards professional practices, offering several internship opportunities during studies, Colleges of Art, Film, and Music – dedicated to creating and entertainment enthusiasts.

STUDY LEVEL

German HEIs offer three types of study degrees:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA, BSc, BSEng) – The first academic degree.

6-8 semester programmes lasting 3 to 4 years, with 180 to 240 ECTS credits awarded.

• Master’s Degree (MA, MSc, MEng) – This is the second academic degree.

2-4 semester programme lasting 1 to 2 years, with 60 to 120 ECTS credits awarded.

• PhD – The third academic degree.

4-10 semester study includes research work (dissertation) culminating in a doctorate.

German HEIs provide an extensive range of study programs.

In Germany, there are over 400 HEIs that offer a wide range of study programs such as Economics, Law, Agricultural and Forest Sciences, Art, Music, Design, Engineering Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Language and Cultural Studies, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Medicine, Health Science, and Education. Programs are provided to both domestic and international students.

Indian Students’ Requirements at German Universities

Indian students wishing to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Germany must provide the following documents:

Entrance Requirements

• Grade Transcript Proof of Language Proficiency ID or Valid Passport Copies Letter of Motivation (Optional)
• In terms of language proficiency, keep in mind that almost no undergraduate degree program in Germany is given in English.
• Also, if you have not completed any year of master’s studies in India, you will be allowed to study only a few subjects because they expect you to complete a preparatory course.

Indian students who want to study in Germany for a Master’s degree must submit the following documents:

• Recognized Bachelor Degree
• Transcript of Grades
• Proof of Language Proficiency (German or English)
• Motivation Letter
• Important References
• Work Experiences (Optional)

Requirements to Become an Eligible Applicant to Study in Germany

Qualification for Higher Education Admission

A higher education entry qualification or a generic higher education qualification certificate permits you to apply to university courses and colleges in all German states. If you want to study at a German university, you will need to provide this qualification, also known as ‘Hochschulzugangsberechtigung’. This is a high school diploma that indicates you have the qualifications to begin university.

This university admission degree is known as ‘Abitur’ in Germany, whereas secondary school graduates obtain ‘Fachhochschulreif’ for qualifications for a university of applied sciences. If you are from the European Union, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway, or Switzerland, your qualifications will be recognized in Germany; otherwise, you will be required to take an exam. Short Preparatory Courses for Free.

Short preparation courses are courses offered to overseas students in three categories: those who need early education recognition, those who need education recognition to join university, and persons who need expertise in a specific topic connected to their study plan.

The following are some of the short preparatory courses for studying in Germany:

Courses in Propaedeutics

German universities typically provide free preparatory short courses known as “propaedeutic courses” to assist potential applicants in acquiring the necessary knowledge and preparedness for admission to specific HEIs. These courses are often offered to individuals whose prior education is recognized in Germany but who want to prepare for a specific degree program.

TEST REQUIRED FOR STUDYING IN GERMANY

TestAS is an assessment that assists prospective students in determining their ability to meet specific program standards at German HEIs. The results of this test can also be used to help you choose a study program. Passing this test boosts your chances of getting into German colleges. This test has the advantage of allowing applicants to realistically assess their possibilities of completing a degree program.

Foundation courses (“Studienkolleg”)

These courses are intended for applicants whose educational background is not recognized in Germany. If your previous education is not recognized in Germany, you must take a qualification assessment examination known as a “Feststellungsprüfung.”

Courses on subject-specific themes are frequently offered for free by colleges and last up to two semesters. Typically, students take the exam one year after starting the course. They may, however, enter the test after one semester if they demonstrate above-average achievement during the course.

Students who wish to join this course must have at least B1 level German language competency – Common European Framework Reference for Languages. Students who pass the examination will be considered legitimate applicants to higher education institutions in Germany. Demonstrating Your German Language Skills.

Demonstrating German Language Skills

The majority of German universities offer study programs in German, proficiency in the German language is required if you wish to apply for such programs.

This does not apply to some foreign programs that provide English-only study options. Furthermore, for students on an exchange program for a semester or two, some universities do not require knowledge of the German language.

Furthermore, some universities offer a combination of English and German language programs, in which case both English and German language proficiency is required.

German language proficiency can be demonstrated through the following examinations:

For courses taught in German, DSH 2 or TestDaF 4, students should start at least at Level A2.

Proving Your English Language Proficiency

Proof of English language proficiency is necessary when applying to study in English-only programs in Germany or English-German combined study programs in Germany.

When it comes to confirming your English language proficiency, the following examinations are recognized:

Results

The most prevalent method of demonstrating English language competency is the TOEFL test. The needed level of English proficiency varies according to the university, but Europe normally expects students to have the following exam results:

The following are the most often recognized test results:

• 550 points for the PbT (paper-based test).
• 213 points on the CbT (computer-based test).
• 79-80 points for IbT (internet-based test).

IELTS Exam Results

The general recognized test results are 5.5 – 6.5 Score

Other commonly accepted methods of demonstrating your English language proficiency for academic studies in Germany include:

A certificate from an English-speaking school. You must have completed at least 5 (B1)/6 (B2) school years in a school where English was the primary language of instruction. Certificates in Cambridge English.

Depending on the requirements of the higher education institution, any of the following:

• B1 Preliminary (very seldom).
• B2 comes first.
• Advanced C1.
• Proficiency in C2.
• Minimum UNI I (B1) or II (B2) certification.
• TOEIC certification.
• University Entrance Qualifications earned in an English-speaking country.
• University Degree obtained with an English-speaking country’s higher education.

General University Admission Requirements in Germany

Germany has a broad higher education application system. The applicant can submit their university application through one of three common channels or intermediary institutions. As a result, there are numerous application procedures that differ slightly from one another, but the general application needs are the same regardless of the channel of application. The following documents are often necessary to apply for university admission in Germany as an international student:

Application Form (both soft and hard copy)

The application form is the most important prerequisite. This form must be properly completed, containing information corresponding to the candidate’s previous education and training history of the record, as well as other required information. All information presented in the application form must be accompanied by a corresponding document, which ensures the accuracy of the information provided.

Depending on the university or organization that receives your application, the structure of the application form may differ. Typically, these forms are available in electronic form, with the option for the applicant to fill them out electronically, sometimes even online.

International Students’ Living Expenses in Germany

Before making the decision to study in Germany, it is critical to learn about the living costs and expenses. In comparison to other European countries, the cost of living in Germany is fairly inexpensive. Rent is one of the most expensive expenses in Germany.

You will need approximately 853 EUR per month (approximately $957 USD) to meet your living expenses in Germany, or 10,236 EUR per year (approximately $11,484 USD). Food, lodging, bills, clothing, and entertainment are all roughly in line with the EU average.

Average Price:

• Semester Contribution Tuition Fees: Between €150 and €250 each semester
• Accommodation costs between €350 and €500 per month.
• €80 per month for public transport
• Monthly Study Materials €30
• €165 per month for food and beverages
• Bills and Utilities
• €215 monthly
• €68 per month for entertainment
• Public health insurance costs between €103 and €111 per month.
• €50 per month for clothing
• Keep in mind that the prices mentioned represent the typical international student’s expenses in Germany. The cost of accommodation will vary according to the type of accommodation. Student halls, for example, are the most affordable form of housing in Germany, whereas private apartments and shared flats are more expensive. The cost of utilities and bills is often shared based on the number of individuals that live with you.
• Living expenditures for several categories of expenses in some of Germany’s major cities:

	Munich	Berlin	Hamburg	Frankfurt
Rent(/month)	1100	800	850	900
White Bread(per packet)	1.45	1.30	1.30	1.30
Restaurent Lunch	12	8	10	12
Eggs (/dz)	1.70	1.70	1.80	1.60
White Rice(/kg)	2.14	1.80	2.14	2.00
Milk (1 Liter)	0.90	.80	0.70	.80
Tomatoes(/kg)	2.80	2.60	2.60	2.60
Potatoes(/kg)	1.00	1.30	1.00	1.30
Beer(/0.5L)	4.00	4.00	4.00	4.00
Taxi(/km)	2.00	2.00	2.00	2.00

Amounts in Euro

Here are some of the most common ways that international students choose to fund their living expenses in Germany:

Support from parents, family, or guarantors – parents or other relatives may elect to financially support your living expenditures during studies by providing monthly financial assistance, and a guarantor (German citizen) may also be an appropriate funding source.

International Scholarships – There are various scholarship alternatives available to help you financially while studying in Germany, including full and partial financial support. When it comes to applying for scholarships to study in Germany, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is the largest scholarship database online for searching for scholarships available in Germany, while Study in Germany is a similarly useful online tool for obtaining this type of information.

Part-time work – This is the most common funding option chosen by overseas students, and if you are considering using this option to support your living costs, you should be aware of the following facts and legal limitations:

International students are able to work in Germany while studying. However, depending on your country of origin, there is a law limitation in Germany regarding the permissible hours of work for students. Students are not allowed to work more than 120 full days or 240 half-days every year.

There is an exemption if you work as a student assistant or research assistant at a university, where exceeding the maximum number of permissible hours of labour is not considered a problem; nonetheless, the Alien Registration Office in the municipality where your university is located must be notified.

It is not recommended for students to begin working during the first semester because there is a period of adjustment.

 Popular public universities in Germany:

• Technical University of Munich
• Ludwig Maximilians University Munich
• Free University of Berlin
• Humboldt University of Berlin
• RWTH Aachen University
• Technical University of Berlin
• Heidelberg University – Germany
• University of Mannheim
• University of Stuttgart
• University of Hamburg
• Berlin School of Business & Innovation
• Reutlingen University
• Leipzig University
• University of Bayreuth
• Braunschweig University of Technology
• SRH Hochschule Berlin
• Frankfurt School of Finance & Management
• Johannes Gutenberg University
• University of Cologne
• Arden University Berlin