Germany has long been a popular destination to study abroad. It has more than 300 institutions of higher education throughout the country, has a fascinating history, and is relatively affordable. Study abroad in Germany and you can learn or improve your German language skills, get international business experience with an internship, or work at a startup.
Many students also choose to study abroad in Germany for its central location and ease of transport to neighboring countries.
Germany's contributions to western culture through the arts, business, technology, and research still continue to be celebrated today. Now a multicultural society, we hope you feel inspired by Germany's successes and choose to study abroad in Germany.
Germany is the 3rd most popular study destination among the international students in the world. Country’s technological innovation and scientific exploration are world renowned for its quality of products and education.
Top- notch education
Numerous scholarship programs
World’s 4th largest economy
Endless oppurtunities to work
A global industrial hub
A safe and welcoming environment
Ease of Visa acquisition and residency
World’s biggest country for engineering and research based programs
Despite that the country ranks among the five most popular study destinations in the world, the cost of studying in Germany is very affordable.
Tuition fees are the first thing students tend to (over) think of when planning to study abroad. In Germany, you will be relieved from such a concern.
In contrast to other popular study destinations in the world where tuition fees present the biggest concern, international students in Germany cannot relate to this. A government plan voted in 2014 abolished tuition fees for all students enrolled in public universities, including those coming from overseas.
This has been a major driver for the expanding of international enrollment and now more than 380,000 foreign students are attending university in this country. Although in some parts of the country tuition fees got reintroduced in 2017 and international postgraduate students have to pay for their degrees, the cost of studying in Germany remains much lower than elsewhere.
Despite there are no tuition fees you must pay for, universities in Germany charge a small amount of money dedicated to administrative costs, student union and public transport. This payment is known as “semester contribution” and it is paid at the beginning of each semester. The price of the “semester contribution” can hardly exceed €300.
BUT, tuition fees at private universities still remain. Although public universities account for the largest proportion of higher education providers, there are several private universities operating in Germany as well.
Private universities are free to decide individually upon tuition fees. Thus, depending on the university of your choice, fees will vary accordingly. In addition, they’re reviewed regularly and are often subject to change.
Although most of the time universities apply same fees for all degrees they offer, on some occasions your chosen course will also determine the cost of studying in private universities. For example, MBA and Engineering degrees are known to be among the most expensive study programs.
At maximum, the cost of your annual fees in private German universities will be around €30,000. This is way lower to what you would be paying in other popular study destinations.
Scholarships
While the cost of studying and living in Germany is very affordable, the variety of available scholarships make it a perfect location to study in. There are various scholarships offered to international students in Germany. Different types of scholarships include partial scholarships, merit-based scholarships or state-specific scholarships. These scholarships are either funded from government or non-governmental organizations. In addition, universities also provide several scholarships to outstanding international students.
Based on your personal circumstances, you can easily be eligible for one of them. We recommend that you seriously consider one as it can help you a lot to deal with your living costs in Germany.
Below are some scholarships you can apply for in Germany
The Deutschlandstipendium
DAAD Scholarships
Erasmus +
Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarships
Humboldt Scholarships
Helmholtz Scholarships
Thus, two intakes in Germany were started.
Intakes in Germany for International Students.
| Intake Season | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|
| Courses Available for Admission | Almost all (primary intake) | Very few |
| Starting Month | September – October | April |
| Ending Month | February – March | July – August |
| Tentative Deadline | Mid-July | Mid-January |
It is legal to work in Germany with a student visa, but students are restricted to the number of days they can work. This is 120 full days each year or 240 half days. (If you take a job as a student assistant or research assistant at your university, it’s usually no problem to exceed the 120-day limit. However, you must inform the Alien Registration Office if you do.) Students from the EU can work for up to 20 hours per week without the need for a work permit.
If you want to stay in Germany to seek work after your degree, international students with a residence permit can extend it to stay in Germany and seek work for up to 18 months after graduating, as long as the job is related to their field of study. Graduates from EU/EEA countries can stay on to seek work without any restrictions or permits. After two years of employment in Germany, it’s possible to apply for permanent residency status. It’s definitely beneficial to be proficient in the German language when seeking work in Germany, but not always essential
Certified copy of a high-school diploma or a previously completed degree
Translation of the course modules and grades
Passport photo(s)
Copy of your passport
Proof of language proficiency – German and/or English
Motivation letter
Application fee
An official authority should certify all the documents you submit.