Germany is a higher education paradise. Unlike in any other country, in Germany you will find many worldwide ranked universities, countless courses to choose among, globally valued degrees that promise a high employability to you and affordable living costs.
Moreover, Germany has a long and rich history, a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle mixing the modern and the classics, the urban and the rural which will immerse and make you love every second spent here.
Not surprisingly, Germany is ranked among the world’s top destinations for international students. According to the latest official statistics, there are over 357,000 foreign students seeking a university degree in Germany whereas the number is steadily increasing.
Every year, thousands of scholars coming from all around the world trust their education to German universities and reasons for this are obvious.
Low Or No Tuition Fees
At the time when higher education is becoming a necessity due to the increased need for highly qualified professionals and cost of attending university are increasing faster, Germany is the only top study destination whose universities charge no tuition fees.
A decision which came into power in October 2014, stated that all international students attending a public university in Germany would be free from paying normal tuition fees. Foreign students will only have to pay few administrative costs like student contribution, student union fee and a public transport ticket which account to around €250 per semester altogether.
According to a survey we conducted in 2018, 35.3% of prospective foreign students in Germany highlighted low or no tuition fee universities as the top reason why they would attend higher education in Germany.
Top-Ranked Universities
Some of them have been consistently ranked among the world’s best universities. Students value these universities for the quality of education, hands-on experiences during their studies, opportunities to improve academically during and after studies and most importantly the safe and friendly environment.
They enjoy this worldwide reputation thanks to their recognized teaching and research excellence, build upon a long and rich tradition of higher education. In addition to the traditional top globally ranked universities, there are several other German universities introduced in global rankings every year. Besides being among the best some German universities are also the oldest in Europe.
Travel Europe on a student visa
If you are a European student and want to study and live in Germany, you will cherish the same rights as a German citizen and EU\EFTA citizen regarding free entry, the opportunity to study and work without any additional permits.
If you are not however a European citizen and you want to study in Germany, you will have to
apply for a Visa. Unless you are enrolled on a summer school language program, you will need to apply for a student visa that allows you to reside in Germany for more than 90 days and also get a residency permit to become able to live and move around the country. The residency permit will also allow you to travel visa-free in the whole Schengen Area, which makes for a wonderful opportunity to visit the countries you are interested in within the time-frame.
Once you receive the letter of acceptance from the designated German University, it is recommendable to apply for a student visa at least 3 months prior to your intended departure (the time you are expected to be in Germany).
As for the residency permit, all your documentation will be sent to the Immigration Office of the German region where your University is stationed, and after every bureaucratic procedure is done you will be issued the residency permit.
In order to obtain the student visa, however, there are certain criteria that need to be met. If you are traveling to Europe on such a permit, you will have to inform the designated authorities prior to your departure.
Countless Degree Courses
In relation to having a large number of universities, Germany offers countless degree courses designed to suit everyone’s interests. As an industrialized country Germany has invested a lot in Engineering universities and today Engineering programs are particularly valued at German universities. However, there are a lot more study programs offered at these universities and in some of them, they are global leaders like medicine and pharmacy.
Furthermore, the list of traditional courses in German universities is expanding fast as new study fields are emerging accordingly with cutting-edge scientific improvement. Whether you’re willing to study atom or mysterious galaxies in the universe, in Germany it is likely you’ll find a program about it taught by the most regarded professionals in that particular field.
Globally Recognized Study Programs
Study programs at German universities are modern in terms of their structure and the way they’re delivered to students. They’re designed to meet up the most up-to-date scientific developments running out in the world and educate individuals who can confidently face global challenges.
Their curriculum is subject to constant provision and change aiming to find or create comprehensive approaches to teaching and research. At the end of your course, you will be certified with a degree which is globally recognized and valued.
Employers all around the world look upon you with the highest respect because they’re aware of what quality of education you’ve been offered during your studies which makes them ready to hire you and trust you large responsibilities.
Affordable Costs of Living
Rent is the major financial concern you will have to tackle when studying in Germany. However, there are many options available to you and though the cost of rent varies (mainly depending on the location of the apartment), overall it is not that expensive.
To ease your financial burden you can find someone with whom you can share the room and this will cut in half your expenses. The cost of other goods and services like food, amenities, public transport and so on is not high.
Work Opportunities For International Students
The German law states that international students are allowed to work part-time for up to 20 hours a week or 120 full days of a year. It is estimated that more than 60% of current international students work part-time while studying in Germany.
You don’t need to possess a qualification in the first place because there is a wide range of jobs available and you will likely find something anyway. Commonly, students in Germany work as tutors, bartenders, administrative staff, babysitters, etc.
Working part-time alongside studying is an option you must seriously consider in Germany, although you may not need additional money to cope with living costs or the type of your course doesn’t include a placement year. Your working experience may increase your future employability, can learn you to add discipline to your lifestyle and live independently.