It is a known fact that, among international students, Germany is the fourth most popular destination for studying in the world. As of 2018, over 13 per cent of students at German Universities like yours came from all over the world. Studying in Germany should be seen as a privilege because employers all over the world respect German degrees highly.
Due to its high level of academics and tuition-free public universities, Germany is one of the most preferred study locations for international students. Various public universities in Germany have free or quite reduced tuition fee study programs available for both national and international students.
Also, Germany possesses state-of-the-art innovations and valuable historical artefacts and is also a place of diverse beauty. It is home to more than 80 million immigrants. People all over the world find solace after getting to Germany. Although most of Its environs are extremely cold you will adapt to it.
In this article, you will learn everything relevant concerning studying in Germany, the procedures to follow, Active and potential Scholarships, and also how to get a student visa in Germany.
Study in Germany: A Complete Step-By-Step Guide
- Research the Schools that Offer Your Choice Of Program.
- Ensure you Meet The Requirements
- Make Financial Preparations About Your Study.
- Learn Basic German Words
- Apply For Admission
- Make applications for scholarships as well as grants (for those hoping to study for free)
- Commence Research on Housing and student work options
- Get all relevant documents of your study ready
- Get Your German Visa
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Best Universities In Germany.
Navigating through the numerous schools in Germany can be tiring. Surfing the internet searching for the best University that gives you value is time-consuming and frustrating. Listed below are Germany’s very best universities.
The list is compiled using the QS World Universities rankings.
- Technical University of Munich
- Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
- Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg
- Humboldt University of Berlin
- KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- Free University of Berlin
- RWTH Aachen University
- Berlin Institute of Technology
- Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen
- Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg
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Available Scholarships In Germany
If you hope to fund your study in Germany through Scholarships, then this is for you. Listed below are the available scholarships available. Go through them, research them if possible, and choose the one that works best for you.
- Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships in Germany for International Students
- DAAD Scholarship Programs
- Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships in Germany
- The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarship
- Erasmus Scholarship Programs in Germany
- DeutschlandStipendium National Scholarship Programme
Determining The Type Of German Study Visa You Need
- If your Germany study purpose will be less than 3 months, Then you should go for the Schengen Visa
- For studies that require more than 3 months, then the National Visa is the option.
However, some countries enjoy the privilege of not using a visa to go to Germany to study. You would still need to get a residence permit if your study program exceeds 90 days.
Types of Germany Study Visa
- German student application visa: This visa only allows for an international student who is yet to be admitted into any university. This type of visa is for students who need to be in Germany to apply for admission in person.
- German Student Visa: This is the type of visa popular among international students. This visa pertains to those who are already admitted into any German university and are ready to start their full-time program studies.
- Germany Language Course Visa: If your reason for wanting to go to Germany is for a language course, then this visa is for you.
Requirements for a German Study Visa
#1. Visa Application Documents
- Two copies of your completed visa application form
- A valid national passport
- Make at least two of your passport
- Two recently taken bio metric portrait photographs
- Your birth Certificate
- Receipt of payment for German student visa application.
#2. Proof Of Earlier Education
You must have a valid document indicating your education in the past. If you are hoping to go to Germany for your Master’s or Ph.D., then you must present documentation of your first degree which approves you to go further.
Nevertheless, if you are going there for your first degree then you must show your original leaving certificate as proof so you can be allowed to study in Germany.
#. Evidence of University Admission
Having applied and been offered admission in Germany, you would be sent an admission letter mostly via email these days. This letter will serve as proof and a reason for the German embassy in your country to want to grant you a visa.
#4. Means Of Sustenance
The embassy would want to ensure after getting to Germany, you get stranded. This is why they tend to probe into your finances while you study. They are interested in knowing if you have enough cash to see you through your study period.
Some of the ways they do this are
- A minimum sum of €10,332 should be available in a German-blocked account.
- Letter of your sponsor’s commitment and also financial records.
- Scholarship certificate, indicating the costs it covers.
- A letter from a German residence stating with details that the resident will cover your costs while you study. The letter is received at the German Alien Registration Office.
#5. English Or German Language Proficiency Certificate
You must also present evidence of how proficient you are in either German or English depending on the program for which you are going. Many professional bodies provide language tutors globally. Having gone through the training, you will be given a certificate that you will be required to present while processing your visa.
How To Apply For Germany Study Visa
The process for international students to get a German visa can be somewhat stressful and most times discourage students from going for their studies. It varies depending on the country though, but the steps outlined below will give you at least a guide as to the visa application process.
- Locate the Consulate or German Embassy Closest to you.
- Review The Requirements and Procedures
- Set Up A Visa Appointment
- Have All Of The Visa Application Documents Ready
- Prepare For Your Visa Interview
a. Locate the Consulate or German Embassy Closest to you
The first step you take is to try locating the German embassy in your country. You can search using Google to know the closest German consulate closest to you. Get relevant information like the address and contact number(s).
b. Review The Requirements and Procedures
After you find the embassy website, navigate to the student visa application section and review all the specific requirements for student visa application as it relates to your country. Before going ahead to fix a visa appointment, make sure you have prepared all the required documents.
c. Set Up A Visa Appointment
Set up a visa appointment, once you are fully prepared. Follow the stipulated procedure as given on the official consulate website in your country. Make sure you apply for your visa appointment as early as possible in order as sometimes all student visa slots might have been taken. Timing is very relevant when it has to do with booking an appointment for a study visa.
d. Have All Visa Application documents prepared.
Immediately after booking your visa appointment and confirming the date, cross-check to ensure you have all the required documents at your fingertips. Also, note that you don’t necessarily need to pay an outsider because you can do it yourself.
e. Prepare For Your Visa Interview
Make sure you pay the visa application fee which is between €60.00 – €75.00. Hold a copy of the receipt of your payment as you for your visa interview. Also, keep in mind that the application fee is non-refundable irrespective of whether your visa is rejected or not.
How To Study In Germany For Free
If you aspire to study in Germany for free, then you should strictly follow this procedure
- Make your program selection
- Decide on your desired school you wish to study that is tuition-free
- If you are applying for a Scholarship, decide on your choice of Scholarship
- Know the cost of studying administrative fees and living cost
- Make your application
- Prepare your Visa
DAAD Scholarship
The Germany Academic Exchange service – also known as DAAD offers scholarships to foreign graduates from developing as well as developed countries from all disciplines with at least two years of Professional experience and the chance to get a Master’s or Post Graduate degree at a state-recognized German University. Also in some unique cases to take a Doctorate.
Here is a link to the DAAD scholarships currently running – DAAD
List Of Tuition-Free-Universities in Germany For International Students
Below is a list of some schools that are currently Tuition-free in Germany. If you are considering studying in Germany for free, then you can make your choice from the list. you can also do your research to find more universities.
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- Ludwig Maximilians University
- Technical University of Munich
- Technical University of Berlin
- University of Stuttgart
- Heidelberg University
- University of Hamburg
- Darmstadt University of Technology
Study in Germany Without IELTS
There are many ways to study in Germany Without IELTS. It could be through a scholarship or simply applying to a university that does not require IELTS. Below are the Top Universities that do not require IELTS scores in Germany.
- University of Kaiserslautern
- University of Giessen
- Free University of Berlin
- University of Siegen
- University of Koblenz and Landau
- Esslingen University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule Esslingen)
- Braunschweig University of Technology (TU Braunschweig)
- University of Kiel
- University of Kassel
Why Study in Germany
- International Degree Recognition
- No Tuition Fee Payment.
- Programs are Taught in English
- Excellent Higher Education and Infrastructure
- High Job Opportunities Available
- Learning New Language(s)
- A Chance To Stay Back In Germany
#1. International Degree Recognition
Degrees earned in Germany are globally recognized following the fact that all Universities in Germany currently operate under the Bologna reform. The Bologna reform targets bringing more harmony to the higher education system across Europe. The reform ensures all students get a harmonious and globally recognized degree. Such degrees are – Bachelor’s, Masters or Ph.D.
#2. No Tuition Fee Payment
Germany being a country that values education a lot has taken a very bold but necessary step by ensuring its public universities are free.
In the past decade, Germany has been faced with issues politically trying to ban tuition in the country. Attaining a consensus was difficult given the fact that Germany is a decentralized federal country that is made up of 16 federations.
Although, some private universities and all public institutions are tuition-free as of now. Benefit locals of Germany, as well as international students, enjoy.
#3. Programs Are Taught In English
A challenge or limitation faced by most international students is the fact that they mostly do not understand other languages. But that is not the case for Germany.
You need not worry about the language barrier in Germany because most programs are taught in English- which is a standard global language. hence, students can easily understand what is being taught.
#4. Excellent Higher Education and Infrastructure
Universities in Germany are internationally known to have wonderful infrastructure and excel in curricula. It has high-standard facilities that provide state-of-the-art technology and a well vast and grounded staff that contribute to making available enlightening curricula thereby ensuring future generations a higher level of expertise regardless of the choice of discipline.
#5. High Job Opportunities Available
In as much as The German Government has made tuition free, you still need to cover your living cost even while you study over there. Therefore students must look for a job even as they study. There are no restrictions on EU students as regards finding a job. But for international non-EU students, this is not the case because they have to apply for a permit, and on getting the permit they are restricted to working for 12 hours per day for 240 days in a year.
#6. Learning New Language(s)
Working might be somewhat difficult for you in a foreign country when you don’t understand the local language. This is why knowledge of the international language is quite important. Studying in Germany allows you to learn German. As you interact with your classmates and other locals you can also learn German passively as most of your friends are likely to be nationals of Germany.
Also, you get the chance to learn other languages because you will also meet people from other countries like you hence when you pay enough attention, you can equally learn their language.
#7. A Chance To Stay Back
Lastly, Having finished your study in Germany, you can decide to remain in Germany. Most international students over the world go through the problem of remaining in their country of study after graduation. The law for most international countries does not allow this but as I implied earlier Germany is an education-oriented country. Germany’s law allows international students to stay another 18 months following their graduation to allow for a job search in Germany.
Conclusion
Studying in Germany was indeed a dream come true after eventually getting admission. The most compelling benefit of studying in Germany is the free tuition of universities. I hope this article answers all your questions regarding studying in Germany.
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Can I study in germany without ielts?
Yes! Provide an English Proficiency certificate or Medium of Instruction (MOI) by the time of your admission.
Can I study in germany in english?
Yes- There are English-taught programs offered at Germany’s internationally top-ranked universities.
Can I study in germany free?
Most public higher education institutions including the highest-ranked universities in Germany are free.
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