Germany is the third most popular study destination for international students. It’s a superlative place to study since the German degrees are extremely recognized and admire all over the world. Germany has got a rich academic heritage and is one of the leading nations when it comes to technology and innovation and economy as well. Moreover one can save a lot on tuition fees while studying in Germany. There are 400 public universities in Germany which give free education. Most of the German universities are public institutions, and they charge fees of only around €60-350 per semester for international students, usually to cover expenses associated with the university services such café, libraries and public transport tickets. Germany has got a very open education system, and according to the German law, universities cannot discriminate opposition or grant preferential and special treatment to persons on basis of race, ethnic group, gender, social class, religion or political opinion.
At present, bachelor’s studies in Germany are free for all the students at the public universities. However, finding free English-language programs at public universities is not easy. The majority of undergraduate courses at German universities are taught in German. According to the DAAD database, there are 98 bachelor programs in Germany that are taught completely in English, including 55 bachelor programs without any tuition fees. Some of these are offered by the private universities, which charge tuition fees around €11,000 – €15,000 (~US$10,500 – US$16.625) per semester. Living expenses are in the range of EUR 600 to EUR 850 per month, depending on the location and your lifestyle
There are three types of higher education institutions in Germany. The type of institution that is right a student depends on his interest.
Universities mainly provide theoretical knowledge. The course is academically based and there are ample of different subject groups. But large number of universities specialise in a particular subject area. These are called technical universities. At a university, you can also study for a doctorate (doctoral degree).
Universities of Applied Sciences offer practice-based academic courses. The focus is more on professional application than theory, and the training is adapted to the requirements of professional life. University of Applied Sciences is a collective term that conduct together specific types of higher education institutions in different countries. As Europe strives for comparability in the higher education and international exchange through students, the establishment of equivalent terms for educational institutions and degrees is important. As at universities, the first degree is the bachelor's, and the second is the master's. The scope of subjects comprises fields such as technology, economics, social work or medicine. During the practical phases, which form part of the course of study and can last one or further semesters depending on the degree programme, the focus is on work placements and longer project phases at companies in Germany and abroad.
In art, film and music colleges you can study artistic subjects, such as music, architecture, visual arts, drama, dance, industrial and fashion design. At universities for modern media, directors, cinematographers, screenwriters and other film and television professionals are trained. Admission requirements for these courses include a specific talent which you must demonstrate at an entrance examination. Exceptionally talented candidates may sometimes even apply (certificate of aptitude for higher education).
Undergraduate courses usually start in September/October. One should start their preparation one year in advance. Shortlist 10 – 12 universities that you would like to apply to by March. The application deadlines are usually during May – June.
In Germany, every university is autonomous, and each university has its own set of admission criteria. So, you need to check the university website, and specifically the program you are interested in to discover the exact admission requirements. The minimum eligibility criteria to study Bachelors in Germany are valid school leaving certificate (12th) with a relevant subject combination and proof of language (English and/or German) proficiency. You might also require to appear for an entrance exam (Aufnahmeprüfung). You need to apply either to the university directly or to UNI-ASSIST (the University Application Service for International Students). Some universities might also ask you to appear for Skype interviews.
You need outstanding grades in your high school in order to study Bachelors in Germany. If you want to attend programs taught in German, you need to have German language ability of B1/B2 level. In order to meet the German language requirements, you will need to appear for the DSH exam (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang) or the TestDaF formerly Test Deutsch also Fremdsprache, meaning “Test of German as a foreign language”.
One needs to fulfil the following criteria:
An assessment test by a Fachhochschule only qualifies you to study at a Fachhochschule, not at a university. An assessment test by a university qualifies you to study at both types of schools: universities and Fachhochschule. In case of failure, the Assessment Exam (Feststellungsprüfung) can be taken once more – and only once more – at the earliest 6 months later. You can take the Assessment Exam only after the foundation year at the Studienkolleg.
You have to attend a Studienkolleg also called Foundation course before you start your undergraduate course in Germany. The state-run Studienkolleg are free of charge. There are also private foundation courses charging fees. Courses normally run for two semesters followed by the final exam called Feststellungsprüfung. Courses mainly start in spring and fall and run for 12 months consisting of 2 semesters. Here are the prerequisites to join a Studienkolleg:
Preparatory courses at universities offer the following specializations:
Preparatory courses at Fachhochschule offer the following specializations: