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Germany : A Dream Study Abroad Destination

Updated on 07 November, 2023

Shivangi Mishra

Shivangi Mishra

Sr. Content Editor

Germany is referred to as the ‘land of poets and thinkers’ for it has produced gems like  Kant, Adorno, Bach, Beethoven, and more than 90 Nobel Laureates, including Robert Koch, Max Planck, and Albert Einstein. These personalities it has produced directly reflect on its able education system and culture. No wonder, in recent times, aspirants from all over the world want to study in Germany. As per official data, there were roughly 320,000 international students in Germany’s higher education institutions in the 2019/20 academic year, representing a growth of 6% and following a growth of 7% the previous year. Indian students make up 13% of the total international student population!

counselling">Study and settle in Germany – Consult Experts Now!

Read More: Germany vs. Canada: Which is better for study abroad?

Why Germany is a Haven for International Students?

Excellent Educational Infrastructure and Staff

German higher education institutes are categorised as -

  • Universities
  • Applied Sciences universities
  • Technical, Film, Music, and Art colleges

Most of the top-notch German public universities have a rich history and tradition of educational excellence. Other institutes that were founded after WWII or even recently, follow up in the footsteps of legacy institutions while making the curriculum relevant to the modern age. Apart from the curriculum, German universities also excel in infrastructure facilities and in terms of skilled professors and trained staff. All of this adds to the entire college experience of a student and sets them up for a promising future after graduation, regardless of the discipline. The German education system follows practice-oriented studies, innovation, and international cooperation to offer the best education to the students. 

Recommended Read: How to study in Germany for free for Indian Students?

Internationally Recognised Degrees

German universities operate under the Bologna reform, thereby ensuring that all the students get internationally recognized degrees at all levels – from undergraduate to doctorate and beyond. 

The degrees in German are broken down semester-wise in the following manner: 

  • Bachelor’s in Arts or Science is 6 semesters
  • Master’s in Arts or Science is 2-4 semesters, depending on the program
  • PhD is 4-6 semesters, depending on the program. 

This is true for all fields of study except for law, pharmacy, and medicine. These courses last a few more semesters than a regular bachelor’s course. 

English as the Language of Communication

While German is the native language, professional and higher education degrees are English-taught for the benefit of international students who want to study in Germany.

No Tuition Fee at Public Universities

The state funds most of the higher education in Germany. This is the reason both domestic and international students can study in Germany for free. Though public universities offer free education, they have limited English taught courses and required B1 Level German language proficiency as well as a good GRE score. This is where the University of Applied Sciences make more sense for students looking to study high-quality education in Germany without learning the German language. While the tuition fee is waived, you will still need to bear additional costs including the cost of living, transportation, etc. As per various surveys, 867 euros a month is the average living cost for international students in Germany. 

Working After Graduation and Job Opportunities

Non-EU students who graduate from German universities need a work permit that allows them an 18-month stay back to find a job in their field. To find work, it’s very useful if you have a good knowledge of the German language. Meanwhile, in these 18 months, you can take any employment to support yourself.

As soon as you’ve found a job role you’d like to accept, you should apply for a German residence permit or EU Blue Card. Germany is a business hub that fosters new-age job roles and innovations. You can bag a lucrative job, provided you have the right qualifications and skills.

The practice-based universities (University of Applied Sciences) in Germany have tied agreements with large organizations to help students with internships. These internships will definitely set a good foundation for your professional life in Germany.

Important Resources to Read About Germany:

Masters in Germany costMS in Data Science in GermanyGermany study visa
SOP for GermanyWhy Study in GermanyStudent Accommodation in Germany
How to study in Germany for freeCost of Study in GermanyMBA in Germany without IELTS
Requirements to study in Germany for Indian studentsJob Opportunities in GermanyHow to settle in Germany from India
MS in Data Science in GermanyMBA in Germany without GMATMS in Computer Science in Germany

Top German Universities

QS World University Rankings 2023TypeInstitute
49PublicTechnical University of Munich
59PublicLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München
65PublicHeidelberg University
118PublicHumboldt University of Berlin (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)
131PublicFree University of Berlin (Freie Universität Berlin)
141PublicKarlsruhe Institute of Technology
147PublicRWTH Aachen University
158PublicTechnische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin) 
169PublicUniversity of Tübingen
189PublicUniversity of Freiburg

Eligibility to Enrol in German Institutes

Indian aspirants who want to enrol in Germany for higher education must check if their previous qualifications are recognized at German universities. Every school-leaving certificate attained in the home country must be compared and translated into German qualification terms. In India, the 10+2 education is recognized for admission to bachelor’s courses. However, Germany has a 10+3 education system. Indian students who want to enrol in bachelor’s programmes in Germany will have to undertake a one-year preparatory course known as Studienkolleg. Depending on your study field you want to study in Germany, you’ll be required to attend one of the following Studienkolleg courses:

For master’s admissions, one must have a recognized bachelor’s degree and work experience (if needed). 

Scholarships in Germany for International Students

Germany has generous scholarships for international students, including grants offered by DAAD or the German Academic Exchange Service across all levels of education. Other notable scholarships and fellowships include Erasmus+, EMS Undergraduate Scholarship, ESMT Women’s Academic Scholarship, and Humboldt Research Fellowship. 

 

More Resources to Read About Germany:

Germany Post Study Work VisaStudy in Germany after 12thHow to apply for German Universities
Salary after MS in GermanyStudy MS in Germany without IELTSGermany Job Seeker Visa
Free Education in GermanyJob Opportunities in Germany after MSMBA Cost in Germany
Part time Jobs in Germany for Indian StudentsData Science Course in GermanyCost of living in Germany

Study abroad with upGrad

Pursue a Master in Data Science in Germany with upGrad Abroad, jointly offered by IIIT-Bangalore and IU-Germany. Get a dual alumnus status on completion of the course – meaning double the connections and double the network. upGrad takes care of most of the documentation work for you and allows you to have relaxed English proficiency requirements while providing specialized training and curriculum. To enrol, get in touch with our counsellors. 

Read More: How important is the German language to survive in Germany?

Study in Germany – Discover more!

Important Links about Study Abroad

Scholarship OnlineFulbright Nehru FellowshipCourses After 12th Commerce

Top University for Computer Science

Education Loan Eligibility

Recommendation Letter SampleCareer After BComSGPA to Percentage
Best Courses After 12th ArtsMotivation Letter for MasterHow to Write Statement of Purpose

CGPA

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is education in Germany free for international students?

The state funds most of the higher education in Germany. This is the reason both domestic and international students can study in Germany for free. Though public universities offer free education, they have limited English taught courses and required B1 Level German language proficiency as well as a good GRE score.

 

 


 

Which are the best universities in Germany?

Most public universities in Germany rank high on QS and THE scales. Some top-ranked institutes in Germany are – Technical University of Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Heidelberg University, Humboldt University of Berlin, Free University of Berlin, and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.

What are the most popular scholarships to study in Germany?

Germany has some generous scholarships for international students including grants offered by DAAD or the German Academic Exchange Service across all levels of education. Other notable scholarships and fellowships include Erasmus+, EMS Undergraduate Scholarship, ESMT Women’s Academic Scholarship, Humboldt Research Fellowship, among others.

 

 

 

 


 

Shivangi Mishra

Sr. Content Editor

She is an experienced writer and journalist who has extensively covered the education sector in India and Abroad. Now helping Indian aspirants realise their foreign education dream by providing them with relevant content and information through upGrad Abroad. Amateur traveller, loves to read Architectural Digest!

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