How to Apply to Study in Germany
Germany is one of the most popular hubs for international students. Many students opt to pursue higher education in Germany, given the high-quality education, excellent infrastructure and low tuition fees. If you are planning to study in Germany, there are three simple steps to reach the other side of the tunnel:
- Choose a university in Germany
- Check admission requirements
- Get a German student visa
Though the idea of pursuing a degree in Germany sounds lucrative, it is necessary to research properly and know what to expect. So, let’s get started!
How to Choose a German University
The first step on the road to study in Germany is to choose a university. You need to research a string of parameters before narrowing down your options, in order to pick the university that best suits your needs.
- UNIVERSITY RANKING: Universities in Germany offer over 18,000 diverse courses. Germany is the abode of some of the top-ranked universities in the world. The university ranking, however, is not the only thing you need to consider. The department where you want to take a course must also rank well. Only then can you rely on the quality of the education imparted by a specific department of a certain university.
- COURSES OFFERED: While you are researching for the best universities in Germany to pursue a degree at, you will come across many options. You might come across courses that suit your educational goals perfectly, however, the university might not be very famous. On the other hand, you might find a highly reputed university that is offering a course mildly connected to your interests. In this scenario, make sure you opt for the course that accommodates your interests.
- FINANCIAL ASPECT: Financial assistance is a vital component when it comes to choosing a university. An interesting fact about the universities in Germany is that public institutions charge no tuition fees. In fact, public universities rank higher than most private ones. Germany is known to be an economic destination for international students, with financial aid being an added advantage.
- UNIVERSITY LOCATION: The university’s location might not be at the top of your list when picking a university, however, it is an important parameter. You need to pay attention to the facilities you can find in the area of your university, the climate conditions (since some parts of Germany have extreme temperatures) and the accommodation prices in the area.
- UNIVERSITY CREDIBILITY: It is imperative that you choose a university, taking into consideration the university’s accreditation. Germany houses some of the best technical universities, and many of them have been certified with reputed awards. It is essential that you take this factor into account as well.
- CAREER GRAPH: It is more than likely that your career graph will be determined based on the education you pursue. Before you pick a university, you must have a clear idea of the future job prospects the university education will provide you with.
Admission Requirements
There are some prerequisites that must be fulfilled to gain admission to a German university. The German university admission requirements are explained in detail below:
- APPLICATION FORM: You must apply for admission via a university’s application form. Most universities typically have an online application form. The application requires you to provide credible information about your personal details, educational achievements and professional experience. The documents you provide as part of your application form should be readily available. It is essential that the application form is duly completed, and all mandatory data is provided.
- ENTRANCE EXAMINATION FOR UNIVERSITY: A university entrance examination is mandatory for getting admission to a German university. Also known as Hochschulzugangsberechtigung, the university entrance examination is a school-leaving certificate recognised by German universities that qualifies you to attain admission. In case your secondary school examination certificate is not recognised by German universities, you will have to take up a foundation course called Studienkolleg before you can enrol in higher studies at a German university. This is followed by a qualification assessment examination called Feststellungsprüfung. Upon qualifying, you will be deemed eligible for admission to any German university. A prerequisite for entering this course is German language proficiency at the B1 level.
- PRIOR EDUCATION CERTIFICATES: In order to get admission to a German university, you need to provide recognised academic certificates, which must be translated by a registered translator and officiated by a notary. Here is a list of certificates that are generally required for admission to a German university:
- University Entrance Qualification Certificate
- Academic Qualification Certificates
- Graduation Certificate
- Diploma Certificate
- Work Experience Certificate
German Student Visa Rules
The German student visa requirements vary depending on your nationality. If you have gained admission to a German university, you will have to apply for a German study visa immediately.
- European Union (including Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Switzerland):If you are a national from the European Union countries or Norway, Switzerland, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you do not require a German study visa before entering the country.
- El Salvador, Brazil, Andorra, Honduras, Monaco, Taiwan or San Marino: If you are from any of these countries, you will need a German study visa only if you intend to work in Germany before or after your degree. If this is the case, you must apply for a German visa through your country’s German embassy. Irrespective of whether you are a visa-holder or not, you will require a residence permit within two weeks of your entry in Germany.
- US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Israel: If you are a national of any of the above-mentioned countries, you do not need a German visa. However, you have to register at the local Residents’ Registration Office and the Aliens’ Registration Office in order to get a residence permit. You will receive a resident’s permit within two weeks of your arrival in Germany.
- Rest of the World: If you are a national of any other country that is not listed in this section, you will have to apply for a German study visa via the Germany embassy or consulate in your country. The fee for a German visa application is about €60.
How to Get a German Student Visa?
If you have obtained admission to a German university and are planning to move there, you need to apply for a German study visa. You should apply for the visa at least three months prior. In order to get the visa, you will need to contact the German embassy.
The list of documents that are typically required for applying for a German student visa are:
- Duly completed application form
- Valid passport
- Two photographs
- German university acceptance letter/ Admission letter
- Academic proof
- German language proficiency certificate or proof of enrolling for a German language course
- Bank statement as proof of sufficient funds for living costs in Germany
- Health insurance
- Authenticity declaration for documents submitted
If you plan to take up a course in Germany that will last for more than 90 days, then you need to apply for a National Visa as opposed to the Schengen visa that allows you to stay in Germany for 90 days only. Upon arriving in Germany, you will need to obtain a residence permit within two weeks of your arrival.
Accommodation and Cost of Living in Germany for Students
Accommodation can be a daunting stage of the study abroad adventure due to it usually being the most significant expense for students. However, students have various accommodation options to suit every budget and preference. According to Germany Visa, a room in halls of residence costs around €250, a room in a flat share costs €430 and a private one-bedroom apartment costs on average €750 per month.
Students in Germany enjoy a high standard of living at a relatively low cost compared to other popular global study destinations. However, bigger cities in western Germany, such as Cologne, and smaller, student-oriented cities, like Freiburg, tend to be slightly more expensive than cities in eastern Germany, such as Berlin.
As a rough guide, according to Study In Germany, students in Germany spend an average of €410 for housing, €198 on food and groceries, €142 for health insurance, €49 on public transportation, €31 for study materials and around €144 for other miscellaneous expenses per month.
Get Health Insurance
One of the requirements for international students who receive an admission letter to study at a German university is obtaining health insurance. Students must show proof of health coverage for their time in Germany to enrol and secure a student visa.
Most international students in Germany are eligible for public health insurance, which is usually more affordable than private health insurance for students. According to Study In Germany, on average, the cost of student health insurance in Germany is between €130 and €150 per month.
What are the Benefits of Studying in Germany?
- Universities have an excellent infrastructure and an impeccable faculty team
- Universities offer globally recognised degrees
- A German university degree opens the doorway of promising job opportunities
- You can experience the culture and customs of another country
- Most of the study programmes are taught in English
- You can stay up to 18 months after finishing your degree to work in Germany
One of the premium German colleges offering quality courses is the Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI). BSBI offers undergraduate and post-graduate courses ranging from a BA in Economics and Business Administration to a Global MBA. You can read more about the courses offered by BSBI here.
