Study in Germany
Table of Contents
Germany is located in the heart of the old continent, Germany is compelled of 16 states and is well known for being the largest national economy in Europe and one of the biggest in the world. With an interesting and rich history narrated by the old-fashion and colorful architecture, castles, palaces, cathedrals and monuments themselves, its landscapes, mountains and forests, delicious food, Germany remains one of the top destinations in the world for travelers.
Usually when one says Germany, among the first things that come to people’s mind is Hitler and Berlin Wall. However, Germany is not all about that. Travelers who have visited the country know that Germany is actually not only an economically and politically powerful country, but it also has a rich culture, with a population that has an extraordinary
Studying In Germany
Germany is the fourth most popular destination among international students in the world. More than thirteen percent of students at German universities in 2018 came from all over the world. Germany is an attractive place to study and German university degrees are highly respected by employers worldwide.
Reasons To Study In Germany
1. TOP QUALITY: German universities offer excellent teaching and research, ranking among the best in the world. You will earn an internationally renowned degree, giving you excellent prospects on the global labour market.
2. DIVERSITY: The range of courses offered at German universities is immense and gives you the opportunity to choose whatever area of study you want to focus on. A huge array of international programmes and interdisciplinary degree programmes allows you to specialize.
3. GEARED TO PRACTICE: German universities provide outstanding academic programmes, while universities of applied sciences offer a range of attractive, practice-oriented options. A lot of universities collaborate with companies. Many study programmes combine theory and practice. This will greatly facilitate your career start.
4. POTENTIAL UNLOCKED: In Germany, you can make the most of yourself. Here you can develop your intellectual abilities and personal skills freely and reach your full potential. If you are out to achieve great things, you will find determination, motivation and commitment open many doors – both during your studies and after your studies.
5. SAFE COUNTRY: In comparison with other countries, Germany is a safe country. In town or in the countryside, by day or by night, you can move around freely here. Germany offers economic and political stability, which makes it an ideal place for you to study.
General requirements to study in Germany
1- Entrance Qualification
2- Transcript of Grades
3- Proof of Language Proficiency (German or English)
4- ID or Valid Passport Copies
5- Letter of Motivation (Optional)
6- Recognized Bachelor Degree { for masters degree}
7- Work Experiences (Optional)
Requirements To Apply for German Student Visa:
the numbers of foreign people choosing Germany for their abroad studies are increasingly growing each year. Most international students will likely need to get a German student visa at a German consulate in their country before they can come to Germany to study.
Depending on the country you come from, you might be exempt from needing a visa to study in Germany, but you are still required to obtain a residence permit for studies lasting more than 90 days, once you arrive in Germany. For studies that last up to 3 months, you need a Schengen visa. For studies that last more than 3 months, you need a German national visa if you enter Germany with a national visa you have to extend your stay by getting a German residence permit for studies at the Foreigner’s Office. You should do this while your entry visa is still valid.
1- Duly filled out and signed a national visa application form.
2- Your valid national passport.
3- Two photocopies of your passport.
4- Your certificate of birth.
5- Your marriage certificate. (If applicable).
6 – Your child’s certificate of birth. (If applicable).
7- Your recent passport-style photographs. (Up to 3).
8- Previous Schengen visa.
Accommodation
Students in Germany either live in a student hall of residence or private accommodation. We recommend finding accommodation before you arrive in Germany. You’ll most likely have to find a place to live on your own because in contrast to other countries, German universities do not automatically assign rooms to students when they enrol.
Depending on where you study and what your financial situation is like, it may not be easy to find accommodation. Therefore, start looking as early as possible – ideally before you arrive in Germany.
The International Office at the university can provide advice and useful information for finding a place to live.
STUDENT RESIDENCE HALLS
There are several student halls of residence in every university town. A room in a residence hall is frequently the most affordable accommodation you will find. However, at some universities, rooms in student residence halls are in high demand. But if you apply early enough, you have good chances of getting a room. You should apply as soon as you receive your notification of admission from your German university. The applications are processed by the Studentenwerk (Student Services Organisation), which is responsible for operating the residence halls and allocating rooms.
The Accommodation Finder is a very helpful tool for finding information about various student residences in your university town. With just a few clicks, you can even submit an application to the Studentenwerk for a room in a residence hall.
At some universities, the International Office is responsible for allocating rooms in student halls of residence. If this is true in your case, inquire at the International Office about how best to obtain a room in a residence hall.
PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION
Like elsewhere in the world, private accommodations can vary enormously. In Germany, you will find everything from empty rooms to fully furnished flats on the market. You can rent a room or an entire flat.
There are also rooms available in flatshares.
In a flatshare (WG, or Wohngemeinschaft), several people live together in one flat. Each person has his or her own bedroom, but shares the kitchen, bathroom, possibly a living room and sometimes the cost of telephone and Internet. Flatshares are very popular among students.
Usually, you can only sign a rental contract for a room or apartment in person. In other words, you probably won’t be able to rent a private room until you arrive in Germany and meet the landlord.
Nevertheless, you can start looking via the Internet and possibly set up appointments to view the flats when you arrive.
Transportation
Germany has a very dense transportation network. There are many ways to travel from place to place in cities and throughout the country – be it by bicycle, bus, or rail. This makes it easy to take weekend trips to other cities, the countryside, the mountains or the sea, or even venture across the border and visit other countries in Europe.BICYCLES
Cycling is a popular activity in Germany –, especially among students. Not only is it good exercise and inexpensive, but it protects the environment and is extremely practical for getting around town. You’ll find that taking a bike is often the fastest way to reach your destination. And you don’t have to worry about finding a parking space, getting stuck in traffic or waiting for the next bus. In most cities, there are specially marked paths reserved for cyclists and numerous bicycle stands where you can park and lock up your bike. For Germans, bicycles are not only a means of transportation. Many people enjoy taking weekend cycling tours together with family and friends into the countryside.
Buses And Local Trains
Residents in larger German cities use public transportation to get around town, which includes busses and local railway lines, such as underground trains (U-Bahn), suburban railway (S-Bahn) and trams (Strassenbahn).
Info sheets, listing bus stops and tram stops, are available at public utility and transport companies, the railway station and the tourist information office. Timetables are posted at all bus stops and railway stations. There you’ll find when the busses, trams and trains arrive, where they go and how long it takes to get there. Busses and trains usually come on time and run more frequently during the week than on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
Timetables and route maps are also available online from your public utility website. You can access their page via your city’s website or simply download the corresponding app.
You must purchase a ticket before boarding public transportation. There are various ways to purchase tickets, e.g. at ticket machines at the bus stop or platform, in the tram, or directly from the driver (in busses). Some ticket machines accept cash (and occasionally only coins). But there are many machines now which also accept debit or credit cards.
Railway
Railway travel in Germany is normally fast and comfortable. Tickets for fast trains (Intercity-Express (ICE), Intercity (IC) and Eurocity (EC)) usually cost more than those for local railway lines like the Interregio-Express (IRE), Regional Express (RE), Regional Bahn (RB) trains, the underground (U-Bahn) and suburban railway (S-Bahn.
Travelling by rail is not exactly cheap, especially when you spontaneously decide to take a trip somewhere. You can save money by purchasing your ticket far in advance. You can buy tickets at the counter in the railway station, at ticket machines or via the website of the Deutsche Bahn. Tickets are often less expensive if you book them online.
If you travel by rail more frequently, it might be a good idea to purchase a “BahnCard 25” or “BahnCard 50”. This card automatically reduces the price of your ticket by either 25 or 50 percent. You can also take advantage of special offers, such as the “Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket” (Good Weekend Ticket) with which up to five people can travel by local public transport on either Saturday or Sunday. Another great offer is the “Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket” (Across the Country Ticket), with which you and four friends can travel anywhere in Germany on regional trains for a low price.
There are numerous bus lines which take passengers to German cities and destinations all over Europe. These coaches are an inexpensive alternative to railway travel. You can find connections and book tickets online.
car-sharing
is very popular with students. The idea is very simple: a driver offers space in his or her car to other passengers who happen to be going the same way. All the passengers share the cost of petrol. Not only is car-sharing economical, but it’s also a great way to meet interesting people. You can find car-sharing offers online. Many universities have a special notice board called a “Mitfahrerbrett” where people can offer or look for car-sharesCars
If you would like to drive a car in Germany, you require a valid driving licence. German authorities recognise all licences issued by EU member states. Additional conditions may apply to licenses from other countries. You can find out more from your local driving licence registration office or the website of the German Automobile Club (ADAC).Taxis
Taxis are relatively expensive in Germany and prices vary depending on the city. Taxi companies charge between 1.50 and 3 euros per kilometre. They frequently charge a minimum fare of 2.50 to 3.50 euros, which you have to pay no matter how short the trip is. If you can split the fare between your friends, then a taxi might be an option – especially if you’ve missed the night bus or the last tram.
Taxis wait at taxi stands in cities. You can order one by phone or online to pick you up at a certain location. The telephone numbers of taxi companies are listed in the “Yellow Pages” (Gelbe Seiten).
Working During Studying In Germany
There are many ways of earning money while you study, for example as waiting for staff, academic assistants or private tutors. A knowledge of German will improve your chances of finding a part-time job. But please be aware of the legal regulations.
If you want to earn money while you study, you can look for a job at your university. Or you can look for a typical student job in your town, for example, as waiting for staff in a café, a babysitter or temp work at trade fairs. The ideal job will be in some way associated with your degree programme: trainee teachers can sometimes provide tutoring, and art history students can work as temporary staff in museums. Good knowledge of German is always an advantage.
Student Services at the universities and the local representative of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency) can provide information about jobs for students. Online job boards can be found on your university website and in the digital media provided by student services. When searching, also look at ads in local newspapers and notices on the ‘Schwarzen Brettern’ – the large information boards at various locations on campus.
Working As An Academic Assistant
People who work as academic/student assistants at a university are called Hiwis (Hilfswissenschaftler) in Germany. Academic assistants may, for example, supervise the library, lead tutorials or research literature for professors. The advantage: the work is often related to your studies, which means you learn something at the same time. If you’re interested in an academic assistant job, you should enquire about vacancies at the administrative office of your institution and keep an eye on the notice boards at your university.
Life after graduation
Students from outside the EU/EEA Students from non-EU countries who wish to work in Germany after graduating can extend their residence permit for up to 18 months to and work relating to their studies. To apply for the extended residence permit, you’ll need
1. Passport University degree certificate or social document from your university concerning that you successfully completed your studies.
2.Document proving you have health insurance Proof that you have means of supporting yourself manically.
3. The 18 months commence as soon as you receive your final exam results, so it’s advisable to start looking for employment during your final semester. In these 18 months, you can work as much as you like and take up any kind of employment to support yourself. As soon as you’ve found a role you’d like to accept, you should apply for a German residence permit or EU (Blue Card) (similar to the US Green Card). You can remain in Germany while your application is pending. The EU Blue Card may be preferable if you intend to live and work in another EU state.