Germany is the third most popular destination for international students in the world, with its fascinating student cities and low or almost free tuition fees.
If you plan to study in Germany at the postgraduate level, another article will be written on the topic of obtaining master’s/doctoral degrees in Germany.
If you are planning to obtain your first university degree in Germany, please continue reading the article to the end:
- Choosing a field of study at the university
If you have decided that Germany is your destination to study abroad, now is the time to choose the right course and university.The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has a database of nearly 2,000 programs available, including 1,389 programs in English.
Unfortunately, opportunities to study in Germany in English at university level are currently limited, although there are some courses that are taught in both English and German (usually you start in English for the first two to four semesters and then switch to German). This allows you to study in English while improving your German proficiency, especially since your university may offer German lessons.
When you want to also consider the latest rankings of top universities in Germany while making your decision or check the latest QS World University Rankings by subject to find the best German institutions in your field, they offer a good comparison tool which will help you narrow down your choices of universities.
- Check the admission terms and requirements
Before applying, check that your current qualifications are recognized by your chosen university. To study in Germany, you must hold a recognized Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB), which stands for “higher education entry qualification”.For undergraduate students, a high school diploma, school leaving certificate, or college entrance examination result is usually sufficient.
The DAAD has an informative database about admission requirements in some selected countries. Students with qualifications from outside Europe may have to take the so-called Feststellungsprüfung entrance examination after attending middle school Studienkolleg. Although highly talented students may be able to pass that, you will also need to check the language requirements. Most courses are taught in German, which requires international applicants to provide evidence of proficiency in the German language. Two main exams are available for this purpose: Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH, meaning “German language examination for university entrance”) and
TestDaF.
Likewise, if your course is taught in English, unless you are a native speaker or have previously studied in English, you will need to prove your knowledge of the language through a test such as IELTS or TOEFL. Universities usually states the required the score/grades on their websites.
- Clarify the financial situation
To fulfill the student visa requirements, you will need to provide proof that you have about 8700 EUR per year (about 10000 USD) to cover living costs, although you will end up needing more money than this limit, depending on lifestyle habits and spending (the average student spends 850 EUR / 975 USD per month). Living costs also vary by location. According to a survey Mercer, for the cost of living, Munich is currently the most expensive city in the country. If you are concerned about costs, there are scholarships available to support students studying in Germany at different levels of study. - Submit an application
For most courses, you can apply directly to the university’s international office. Alternatively, you can use the website : www.uni-assist.de, which is a central admission portal for international students, operated by the (DAAD). It is worth to mention that not all universities use this. It is always recommended to apply for several courses and universities separately to increase your chances of being accepted. In many German universities, it is possible to apply for admission twice a year – to start studying either in the winter or summer semester. Generally, winter applications must be submitted by July 15, and summer applications must be submitted by January 15. However, application deadlines differ between universities, and the same university may set different deadlines for each program. Be always sure to carefully check the exact dates for your chosen program.It is recommended that applications be submitted at least six weeks before the deadline, to ensure time for corrections or additions should any information be lost. You should expect to receive a formal acceptance or rejection about one to two months after the deadline has passed. Each university will determine the specific documents required and the application process steps, but you will usually be asked to submit:
- A certified copy of your high school diploma or previous grades and any other relevant qualifications in your original language
- Translated overview of your modules and marks for your training materials
- A copy of your passport (personal information page and photo ID)
- Proof of language proficiency (test certificate or online equivalent)
- You may also need to pay an application fee
- Get health insurance
Before you leave Jordan, you should make sure that you secure a health insurance during your stay in Germany. This is required before you register and is one of the requirements to obtain a student visa and/or residence permit. If you reside in a country within the European Union or the European Economic Area, there must be a valid social security agreement between your country and Germany. This means that if you have public health insurance in your country, you must be covered in Germany as well.If your health insurance is not valid in Germany, you are expected to pay between 80€ (92$) and 160€ (176$) per month to cover it. The cost is higher if you are over 30 years old, and if you are over 29 years old when you start your study program, you can only get private insurance.
- Apply for a student visa at the German Embassy
The requirements for obtaining a student visa for Germany depend on your country of origin. You can find an overview of countries where a student visa is required or not on the website of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You can also read this article to learn how to obtain a German student visa and residence permit. - Searching for housing
Once you have secured a seat in the study program and obtained a student visa (if applicable), you are advised to start looking for accommodation. unfortunately, most German universities do not offer accommodation for registered students. Rent is probably your highes monthly expense, and it will vary depending in which part of the country you live. In the larger cities within west Germany (like Düsseldorf, Cologne, etc.) and smaller student-oriented cities like Heidelberg and Freiburg, you should expect to pay a bit more than if you lived in East Germany (i.e Berlin). Once you have found a place to live in, you need to register with the Population Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) or “citizens office” (Bürgeramt). - University enrollment
You must register before you can start studying and using the university’s facilities such as the library. You will also need to re-register before the start of each semester. This usually costs between 150€ and 250€ (about 170$ – 290$), depending on the university. There may be an additional fee of around 180€ (~$205) for a “Semesterticket”, which covers public transportation expenses for six months. The usual documents you need for registration are:- Your passport with a visa or residence permit
- Several Passport photos
- Enrollment form completed Evidence of higher education entry qualification, either original certificates or officially certified copies and translations Admission notice
- Proof of sufficient knowledge of German (or English)
- Proof of legal health insurance in Germany
- Payment receipt of the semester fee
Once registered, you will receive a registration certificate that acts as a temporary student ID, allowing you to apply for your residence permit and register for classes.
- student life in Germany
Congratulations, you should now be (mostly) ready to start your studies in Germany! Don’t forget to pack all the essentials, as well as tidy up some of the most important things:- If you have not already done so, once you have found accommodation, you must register at your city’s local registry office (Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt). Once registered, you will receive a document confirming your registration at this address, which you can then use for the next step…
- Obtain a student bank account. Most banks offer these services for free, and they will make managing your regular payments (such as accommodation) much easier.
- If you want to find a part-time job while studying, you can find out how it works for EU and non-EU students here
- If you are worried or unsure about anything, seek help from the Student Advisory Service (Fachschaft) or the International Office at your university. Alternatively, if you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments below or check out our FAQ article.
https://www.topuniversities.com/where-to-study/europe/germany/how-apply-study-germany
https://www.studying-in-germany.org/
https://www.topuniversities.com/where-to-study/europe/germany/how-apply-study-germany