We owe a lot to Germany when it comes to the history of education and universities. Germany is the birthplace of what we call ‘research universities’ – big places with ivory towers and libraries where new knowledge is produced every day.
This university model has since covered the entire planet, and is basically what most universities are set up for today: to produce knowledge and make new discoveries. Don’t you want to study in Germany, the place where it all began?
Yes, you've read that right! Almost all public universities in Germany don't charge any tuition fees to international students, regardless of their nationality. This is a huge benefit, one that allows you to only focus on living costs, like accommodation, food, transport, and so on.
Engineering and technology in general are highly valued by Germans. Whether we're talking about automobiles, highways, or monumental structures, Germany has it covered.
Even Tesla, one of the most important manufacturers of electric vehicles, decided to open a factory in Germany.
We've mentioned that German public universities are free, but don't make the mistake of believing that free means low-quality. In Germany, it's exactly the opposite; over 60 universities and universities of applied sciences (UAS) are present in the most important international university rankings.
German higher education institutions have excellent standards, high expectations, and empower students to become leaders in their academic (and future professional) fields.
Even if you study an English-taught degree, don't miss the opportunity to either improve or start learning German.
It is an important language, thanks to Germany's position as one of the world's leading economies. Companies in Germany and other European nations are willing to pay high salaries for graduates with advanced German skills on their CV.
It's true that German isn't the easiest language to learn; but if you start with the basics and keep improving slowly, you will soon be surprised by your progress.
Graduates with a diploma from German universities are highly valued on job markets, both in Germany and other countries. This happens because everybody recognises the impressive academic level of German education institutions.
Whether you want to stay in Germany and become part of their powerful economy or return to your home country or move somewhere else, a German degree will always make you stand out from other job candidates.
You won’t have any trouble finding an excellent university to pursue your education in Germany. The whole country has plenty of options and places for you to search for your desired degree options.
Germany has different types of universities and institutions, offering classes that can apply to your specific needs. Whether they are those traditional research universities, universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen), or specialised art and music institutions, you can find the classes that fit your needs and interests best.
Students in Germany enjoy a variety of social events, both at their universities, and around the cities. Take a train to Oktoberfest, find an art festival, or spend a day at one of the many historic museums around every part of Germany.
Germany is also known for offering an exciting multicultural environment; you’ll be in classes with people from all over the world, and you’ll notice that several languages are spoken throughout the city you’re living in.
In your classes, you’ll be expected to show attentiveness with the lectures, punctuality, and an interest in participating. This may seem intense but you’ll find yourself growing and learning throughout your degree programme.
Germany has Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD programmes in nearly every subject or field you can imagine, and students all over the world find degree programmes that appeal to them and offer a unique education.
Here are some subjects you can find when you go attend a Germany university:
Germany is home to some of the biggest cities in the world, and each one has its own story to tell. Cities all over Germany are perfect for students and can offer you a great cultural life to enjoy time outside of your classes.
Check out some of these cities and learn more about what it is like to study there:
So, how to apply to a university in Germany? Here are a few important steps:
These kinds of courses enable degree-seeking students to get an extra educational boost just before they start their Master’s degree or other post-graduate degree programmes.
Try a pre-M.B.A., pre-Law, or pre-Medicine programme, as well as any other foundation or preparation courses that will allow you to study in the degree programme of your choice.
If you’re attending a degree programme in Germany, you will sometimes need to prove that your language skills are good enough to participate in the classes and understand the lectures; some schools will require German, while others will require strong English skills. These courses will also prepare you for any of the English-language tests that universities require.
Universities in Germany will want to see proof that you have good English-language skills, so that you can easily succeed in their courses. Almost all German universities accept these official English exams:
In terms of tuition fees, Germany is a paradise for international students. Almost all public universities are free for international students, regardless of their country of origin. This means you'll only have to worry about living expenses and other administrative costs.
The tuition fees in Germany all depend on where you decide to study. In October 2014, Germany abolished tuition fees for undergraduate and graduate international students (at public universities). However, the south-west state of Baden-Württemberg introduced tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students in the fall of 2017.
Master’s degree students enjoy tuition-free education as long as their degree programme is “consecutive”, or follows immediately after a Bachelor’s degree. However, “non-consecutive” degrees may require a tuition fee of up to 5,000 EUR per year (at public universities), and 30,000 EUR per year (at private universities).
Thanks to the people at DAAD, the German Academic Exchange Service, we have a good breakdown of some of the living costs that students ought to expect while studying in Germany. Overall, you should prepare about 700–1,100 EUR/month.
Monthly expenses:
Because of its unique geographical location, Germany is right in the middle of several European countries, languages, histories, and cultures. The official language in Germany is, well…German, of course! But, in certain areas, you’ll also find English, Dutch, French, Turkish, Romani, Danish, and Polish.
Did you know that Germany is Europe’s second largest beer consumer? No wonder everyone associates Germany with those big Beer Steins and Oktoberfest!
Also, right now, Germany is the world leader in climate and energy policy! What does this mean? Well, at least a third of the country is now powered by renewable energy.
Germany is a huge country, but if you have a chance to travel, there are several places you must see when you’re there.
Recent international policies promote international university cooperation and student exchange between countries worldwide. High-quality study and PhD degrees are made more available to students in order to create a global educational network, achievable through student and staff mobility. Career and research oriented programmes support international student development.
University cooperation enables students study worldwide, for instance in Australia, Asia, Europe and the United States and provides ways of recognizing previous degrees. Different study options offer appropriate alternatives to students, depending on their preferred mode of study.
Many study programmes in Australia, Asia, Europe and North America are English-taught. The most popular international student destinations include the following countries: Australia, Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, the United States, and more. However, these are not the only countries offering English-taught education. The rest of the world is full of endless study choices, from highly ranked to smaller, more specialized, universities.
If you want further education beyond the undergraduate level or if you want more personal development or a career in academia, you could obtain a PhD degree. PhD degrees are postgraduate programmes that usually follow a Master's, MPhil or MRes, but there might be additional requirements depending on the university. Students are required to do their own research in a chosen topic. With the help of a supervisor, you develop knowledge and analytical skills in a specific or multidisciplinary field and you carry out independent research. The duration of a PhD degree differs per country and institution. Sometimes your own research is accompanied by work for the department such as giving seminars or small group teaching.
PhD students are required to study on campus under close supervision, but there are universities that accept students enrolled into a part-time distance education PhD degree. Studying on campus can also be full-time as well as part-time, in which case the part-time variant is normally twice as long as the full-time study.
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