Everything You Need to Know About Studying in Germany!
Mentoria
Last Updated: January 2, 2023
Have you always dreamt of studying abroad? Do you get overwhelmed by the number of options you have? How do you even choose? Psst… what if I told you about a country where most of the courses are living is actually affordable? No, this isn’t a prank, it’s what you get as a student in Germany!
Germany is becoming more and more popular among international students, and it’s easy to see why! Stunning countryside, incredible food markets, legendary nightlife, affordable tuition… it sounds like an academic paradise! Germany provides a rare combination of excellent educational institutions and a high standard of living that rivals other well-known locations like the United Kingdom or the Netherlands. This Western European nation is among the best choices for studying abroad because of a variety of aspects, including its top-notch education, accessibility, lovely culture, and rich history. Sounds like an opportunity too good to miss? Let’s get to know more!
Why Germany? Why Not The UK or US?
When one thinks of studying abroad, the US and UK are the first two countries to come to mind. However, their popularity also makes them harder to get into and costlier to study. Germany, on the other hand, offers cheap or free tuition in most universities and is known for producing renowned scholars. What do Karl Marx and Albert Einstein have in common? Both studied in Germany!
Germany is known for its high-quality products and services, and this applies to their education system as well. The higher education system in Germany offers students 17,500 degree programmes at 450 universities authorised by the German government. International students can pursue bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees. While they are known for their scientific courses, they also offer some great programmes in humanities. Let’s look at a quick list of reasons why Germany should top your list for studying abroad:
- Most university courses in Germany are free. There are no tuition expenses for Germans, Europeans, or non-Europeans attending school in Germany. This holds true for nearly all academic programmes at public universities. There is a small catch: You must complete your studies in Germany and obtain a residence permit if you are from outside the EU before you enter the nation.
- German living expenses are typically reasonable – you need an average of €861 per month to meet living costs.
- Over a thousand courses are taught in English in German universities. While some technical institutions may prioritise language, literature and arts, others may concentrate on mathematics, natural sciences, engineering and technology courses.
- Germany places high importance on education, which is evident in the excellent faculty and syllabus. Degree programmes are continuously updated to keep up with the evolving business landscape. To guarantee that they are prepared for the workforce after graduation, students get the chance to use cutting-edge technology and the most recent research.
- Germany offers numerous scholarships to international students. You can look for relevant scholarship alternatives using the official scholarship database maintained by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), depending on your country of origin.
Want To Study In Germany? Here’s How You Can Qualify!
You must check the criteria before proceeding in order to satisfy the standards for overseas students to study in Germany. The selected university’s requirement for a language competence test is one of the crucial elements.
In accordance with the course and university you choose, you must be older than 18 and have SAT or ACT scores between 400 and 1600. According to university requirements, you should have obtained the necessary band scores on the English proficiency test.
Apart from Passport, Visa, Letter of acceptance and Proof of financial support, you will also require transcripts and diplomas from your previous studies as part of your application to study in Germany.
Also, depending on the program you are applying to, you may need to provide proof of your language proficiency in German or English. Here are some of the most common test scores required for studying in Germany:
- TestDaF: This is a German language test that is required for admission to many universities in Germany. The TestDaF is offered at various locations around the world and is administered by the TestDaF Institute.
- DSH: The DSH, or the “German Language University Entrance Examination for Foreign Applicants,” is another German language test that is required for admission to many universities in Germany. The DSH is offered at universities in Germany and is administered by individual universities.
- TOEFL: The TOEFL, or the “Test of English as a Foreign Language,” is a widely accepted English language test that may be required for admission to programs taught in English at German universities
- IELTS: The IELTS, or the “International English Language Testing System,” is another English language test that may be required for admission to programs taught in English at German universities.
- The GRE: The “Graduate Record Examination,” is a standardised test often required for admission to graduate programs in Germany.
It’s crucial to remember that depending on the programme and the university you are applying to, the specific exam results needed for studying in Germany may change. It might be a good idea to contact the university for more details on the precise test scores you must submit.
Let’s Get to Know the Top Courses in Germany
Convinced that Germany is the right destination for your further education? Let’s take a look at the best courses there:
1. Medicine
The highest-paying degrees in Germany are in the medical field. You receive practical and superior instruction when you study medicine at German universities. The universities enjoy a stellar reputation abroad. The training required for a medical degree in German universities lasts 6 years and 3 months, which equates to both undergraduate and graduate study. This covers two years of pre-clinical studies, three years of clinical studies, and one year of internship. You have a variety of specialisations to select from when studying medicine:
- Surgery
- Dentistry
- Biochemistry
- Neurosurgery
- Public Health
Here are Germany’s top medical schools:
Of all the degree holders, a doctor or a dentist is anticipated to earn the most money.
Finding a competent attorney is a challenging task we are all faced with whenever we have legal issues. This is not a problem in Germany. Some of the most difficult degrees to be admitted into are law and medicine. The courses are so valued because they have such strict admission requirements and are quite difficult. In order to practise law professionally in Germany, one must pass two exams and complete a 6-year legal education. The first state exam must be taken by students who have completed four years of college. After passing the exam, they must complete a 2-year internship to get expertise in all parts of the legal system.
Due to their commitment to obtaining a degree and their significance in society, lawyers also receive good pay. Here are some of the top colleges for law in Germany:
- The University of Bayreuth
- The Humboldt University of Berlin
- University of Bremen
- University of Freiberg
Engineering is by far the most well-liked and sought-after field of study in Germany. It draws about 25% of all foreign students to the nation.
Electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and automotive engineering are among the most popular specialisations in Germany. Due to the concentration of industries in Germany, mechanical engineers are in high demand. They can work in a range of fields like manufacturing, shipbuilding, and the automobile industry where technical construction is necessary.
Here are the top engineering colleges in Germany!
- Technische Universitat Munchen
- Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie
- RWTH AACHEN
- BTU Cottbus Senftenberg
Engineers must be extremely exact since even little mistakes can have significant repercussions. Because of this, they are very handsomely compensated.
Germany’s business schools are well-known throughout the world and provide some of the best programmes for studying management in Germany. It’s interesting to note that German colleges are renowned for more than only full-time MBAs. For their executive MBA programmes, many German universities also place well. German universities also grant MIM, or Master in Management, degrees to foreign students in addition to the well-known MBA programmes. With a few modifications to the course structure and prerequisites, it is essentially identical to the MBA programme.
- The MBA institutions in Germany provide a wide range of specialities. For example: MBA in International Logistics & Trade
- MBA in Digital Technology
- MBA – Innovation & Entrepreneurship
German business schools are among the best in the world and provide some of the best programmes for international students.
- University of Mannheim
- Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
- RWTH Aachen University
- Technische Universität München
Put Germany among your top choices for studying for a psychology degree. Along with the well-known benefits of free or low tuition and affordable living expenses, a number of German universities and institutions consistently rank highly in the world for psychology degrees. They offer specialisations in clinical psychology; cognition science; developmental psychology; education; forensic psychiatry; health psychology; international/cross-cultural psychology; neuropsychology; organisational behaviour and more.
Here are some of the top colleges for psychology in Germany:
- University of Berlin
- The University of Munich
- Humboldt University of Berlin
- Ruprecht Karls University Heidelberg
Universities in Germany are well known for their IT and computer science offerings. Aspiring students will be able to enrol in a variety of undergraduate and graduate computer science and IT programmes. Top colleges in Germany provide a wide variety of programmes. Among the top specialisations are Scientific Computing, Advanced Programming, Computer Architecture, and Networks.
Here are the top colleges for computer science or IT in Germany:
For overseas students interested in studying computer science and information technology, the following are a few of the top universities in Germany:
Regardless of what you choose to pursue, Germany has emerged as a more practical study-abroad choice. It provides favourable language conditions, lower expenses, and a greater likelihood of landing a job in your desired field. If you’re unsure which field you should opt for while applying to study in Germany, opt for Mentoria’s Plus plans to shortlist your ideal career path and get guidance on studying in Germany.
What About Cost Benefit Analysis?
In Germany, you can benefit from a top-notch education while also having a good chance of getting accepted into a majority of courses.
Even though many universities offer free tuition, you still have to pay a small administration fee to enrol in an undergraduate programme at a public university in Germany. This fee typically amounts to roughly €265 for each semester, but it varies by university.
Internatial students are permitted to work part-time in Germany for a maximum of 20 hours per week, or 120 calendar days. More than 60% of the present international students in Germany are part-time employees.
In Germany, it is common for students to work as tutors, bartenders, office assistants, babysitters, etc. Your work experience may improve your employability in the future, teach you how to live independently and with more discipline.
Many firms will approach you with a number of recruitment offers once you have earned your degree. Graduates from German colleges are among the highest-paid workers since they are highly sought-after job candidates.
Get Ready For Germany!
For international students looking to study abroad in Europe, Germany is the top choice. According to statistics from 2022, Germany has 416,437 international students, placing it in the top five countries in the world. If you’ve come this far, I’m sure you’re now seriously considering Germany as your go-to destination for your education. Need a little more personalised guidance on getting into the right course and college there? We can help!
Mentoria promises to handhold you during your career discovery journey – from the time you sign up until you get into a career you love. If you haven’t done it already, register now and begin with the first step – a career assessment that helps you discover yourself and your ideal career!
