Study in Germany for Indian Students
Why Study in Germany?
Germany is one of the countries that has recently become popular amongst international students. A few reasons to choose the country are given below.
- Extensive courses: You have several courses to choose from for all areas of study. The country not only has some top-ranked universities but also offers courses in all streams and disciplines.
- TOP-Ranked Universities: Germany has several universities that come on the list of the top ones in the world. A certificate from a German university has a dignified status and will help you both in your higher studies and the job.
- Wide assortment of public universities: Germany has several public universities that fascinate international students. These universities do not charge tuition fees and instead charge only a minimal amount as administration fees. This should be paid at the start of the semester.
- Programs in English: The most significant advantage of studying in Germany. The courses are all taught in English so that language will not become a barrier.
- Lower studying cost: The cost of studying in Germany is much less compared to countries like the USA or the UK. You will find this difference in both the cost of living and the cost of studying.
- Earn while you learn: You have the option to work part-time and earn money while you study. You have the opportunity to work for 20 hours per week during your semester. This will not only help you make extra money but also helps you to gain experience.
- Powerful student visa: The German student visa is powerful in terms of staying in the country or travelling abroad. Once you get your German student visa, you can travel all over the Schengen area and apply for a German residence permit that lasts until you graduate.
- Learn the language and culture: If you study in Germany, you can learn German if interested. Also, you can learn about German culture, which is rich, old and diverse.
Room for better career options: Germany boasts of a very high employment rate among international students, and there are bigger chances of you getting a good job. Germany is home to several leading companies in the world like Adidas, BMW, Bosch, Audi, Porsche, Fanta, Nivea, Volkswagen etc. - Scholarship Opportunities: You will find financial assistance in several ways when studying in Germany. There are scholarships and fellowships funded by the government, private organisations and universities which can help you financially.
Best Course to Study in Germany
A few oft-chosen courses are listed below.
- Medicine: Medical degrees are too popular in Germany. Doctors, especially dentists, are some of the well-paid professionals as well. The number of international students taking Medicine is increasing.
- Engineering: Nearly 25% of international students in Germany are enrolled in Engineering courses. There are several top-ranked universities, including Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Technical University of Munich etc.
- Business Management: Though Engineering is more prominent in Germany among international students, the number of students opting for Business Management degrees is not rare. Several German universities like the Manheim Business School have found their place in the QS World Rankings.
- Humanities and Social Sciences: The country has a few reputed universities that offer courses in these disciplines. It is also interesting to note that five German colleges are ranked in the top 100 Humanities colleges in the world.
- Maths and Computer Sciences: This is yet another popular course in Germany. The number of international students in these disciplines comes to nearly 30,000. Germany has a solid technological base, high-tech labs, and other similar facilities.
- Applied Arts and Fine Arts: With over 24,000 international students in these disciplines, Germany has a leading position worldwide. These courses are more practical than theoretical, and students get to work in studios and classes producing independent works on their own.
- Law: Though Medicine and Law are two of the toughest courses in Germany to get into, it is worth it. The fact that lawyers are some of the well-paid professionals in Germany adds to the value of the course.
- Natural Sciences: The disciplines of Physics, Chemistry and Biology enjoy popularity in Germany among international students. Because Germany gives massive importance to research-oriented studies, these are good courses to choose.
- Architecture: Together with Engineering, Architecture also enjoys a good reputation in Germany among international students. The popularity of the course has increased over the years.
- Psychology: The discipline of Psychology has recently gained popularity worldwide. Several studies have started taking up the course, which offers several branches. The job is challenging and in huge demand as well.
Top Universities in Germany
The Top 10 universities in Germany are given below.
- Technical University of Munich: It is one of the most prestigious universities in Europe. Almost 32% of the student population constitutes international students, and the university offers programs in various disciplines.
- Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich: They have 400 partner universities worldwide, which is good for students. They offer several courses, including those that are rare, like Catholic Theology, Protestant Theology etc.
- Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg: The university promotes research-oriented studies. It creates equal opportunities for both men and women. It creates a diverse environment.
- Humboldt University of Berlin: The university has a good international population amongst students and teaching faculty. Students are also equipped with skills valuable in the job market.
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology: The university offers space for interdisciplinary research and provides degree programs in areas like Architecture, Civil Engineering, Mathematics etc.
- Free University of Berlin: The university has over 33,000 students, including 13% international students in Bachelor’s programs and 27% in Master’s programs. There are degree programs in 11 disciplines.
- RWTH Aachen University: Ranked in the top 10 universities in Germany, RWTH is better known for its teaching and research. More than 11,000 among the student population are international students.
- Berlin Institute of Technology: The university is better known for its excellence and quality. There are programs offered in Humanities, Electrical Engineering, Economics and Management etc.
- Eberhard Karls University of Tubingen: The university is over 500 years old and has a good reputation in research and teaching. Degrees are offered in several areas of study.
- Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg: Founded in 1457, the university offers an equal environment for everyone to study. You will find courses in Theology, Law, Biology etc.
Cost of Studying in Germany
The cost of studying in Germany is considerably less compared to countries like the USA or the UK. Public universities do not have tuition fees for Bachelor’s programs, which helps cut costs.
STUDY PROGRAMS
The following table provides the average tuition fee for the popular courses in Germany.
S. No. | Course | Average Fees (INR) | Average Fees (EUR) |
1 | Diploma | INR 26,500 | EUR 300 |
2 | UG | INR 26,500 | EUR 300 |
3 | PG | INR 26,500 | EUR 300 |
4 | MS | INR 26,500 -INR 25,00,000 | EUR 300 – EUR 28,000 |
5 | PhD | INR 26,500 – INR 2,65,000 | EUR 300 – EUR 3000 |
Cost of Living in Germany
Germany is not an expensive country to live in. At the same time, it is not too cheap either. Accommodation and transportation cover a major portion of your expense. You need not worry about it as you will find aid several scholarships available for international students.
Kind of Expenses
If you wish to study in Germany, you need to know about the expenses that may likely come your way. It is important to know it and plan accordingly to avoid further problems. The table below provides a gist of the kind of expenses you can expect in Germany.
However, it should be noted that it highly depends on your area.
S. No. | Kind of Expense | Average Cost (EUR) |
1 | Accommodation | EUR 250 – EUR 390 |
2 | Utility | EUR 100 – EUR 200 |
3 | Food | EUR 170 |
4 | Transportation | EUR 25 – EUR 200 |
What are the Requirements to Study in Germany?
The requirements for a few programs are given below.
Master’s Program: To do your Master’s in Germany, you should score at least 75% in your Bachelor’s. You should additionally obtain at least 6.5 in IELTS or 90 in TOEFL.
Doctoral Program: You should have a good score in your Master’s to do your Doctoral program in Germany. You should also obtain at least 6.5 in IELTS or 80-100 in TOEFL.
What are the Exams Required to Study in Germany?
The requirements are given below.
- IELTS: The IELTS score depends on the university and course you are applying to. For instance, you need a score of at least 5.0 to study BSc and 4.5 to study MA at the Free University of Berlin.
- TOEFL: The TOEFL test can be taken in both Paper-Based and Internet-Based formats, although the latter is more popular. The TOEFL score is again dependent on your course and university. The Humboldt University of Berlin asks for a minimum TOEFL score of 79, while the University of Freiburg wants a minimum score of 100 in TOEFL.
- GMAT: A GMAT score of at least 640 is required to study in Germany. Though all universities do not ask for a GMAT score, the popular ones ask for the score, and it is better to have it.
Scholarship to Study in Germany
There are scholarships and fellowships of several kinds that come your way if you wish to study abroad, and Germany is no exception. You will find scholarships hosted by the government, universities and private organisations. They will have different eligibility criteria and values.
A few such scholarships are listed below. Remember, there are several scholarships exclusively for Indian students.
S. No. | Name of Scholarship | Eligibility | Amount in EUR |
1 | DAAD WISE Scholarships Program | Indian students from selected universities doing particular courses are eligible | EUR 9000 for monthly expense & EUR 12,900 for travel expense |
2 | Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship | Those with a good academic record are eligible | EUR 1000 – EUR 5000 |
3 | Heinrich Boll Scholarships | Those who apply for PG & PhD in Germany are eligible | EUR 10,200 for Master’s & EUR 12,000 + travel allowance for PhD |
4 | Kofi Annan MBA Scholarships | MBA students with a good academic record are eligible | EUR 25,000 – EUR 43,500 |
5 | ESMT Women’s Academic Scholarship | Female students with a GMAT score more than 700 are eligible | EUR 15,000 |
6 | Goethe Goes Global Scholarships | All Master’s students are eligible | EUR12,000 |
7 | EMS Undergraduate Scholarship | Those with an excellent academic record studying at EMS are eligible | 50% off on tuition fees |
8 | WHU-Otto Beisheim School of Management, International Scholarships | Those with an excellent academic history admitted in the college are eligible | EUR 10,000 |
9 | Master Scholarships at University of Stuttgart | Students of Infrastructure Planning and Integrated Urbanism and Sustainable Design are eligible | Full-funded |
10 | DLD Executive MBA Scholarship | Senior executives in selected fields are eligible | EUR 10,000 |
Germany Student Visa
The three types of German student visas are as follows.
- German Student Visa: This is the standard visa you require to study at a German university.
- German Student Application Visa: This is valid for the university application process and is required for those who need to be in Germany to apply for university admission in person.
- German Language Course Visa: You require this visa if you have to study a German language course in Germany.
- Proof of financial resources in the home country.
- Valid passport.
- All academic and unacademic documents.
- Letter of acceptance from a recognised German university.