Study in Germany: The Complete Guide To Your German Dream!

There are reasons galore for a huge percentage of students who plan to study in Germany. Every year, many students apply for UG, MS, MBA, and also a Ph.D. in Germany.

• As per the Federal Statistic Office, almost 7 million students are enrolled at German universities and colleges. This is 3.1 percent more than in the previous year.
• Indian students in Germany are the third largest group of international students. According to official statistics, in 2017/18, there were 17,570 Indian students studying in Germany.

Germany is not only rich in cultural history but is also a trendsetter in terms of technology and quality of education. Students opting to study in Germany, not only get the best education but also get an opportunity to learn about the enriching culture and heritage of this country.

• Did you know that Germany offers a wide range of programmes at low or no (for German and EU students) tuition fee?
• Did you know that by getting a work permit along with your student visa, you can work for a total of 120 full days or 240 days in a year?

So, if you are planning to go for higher education in Germany or any other course, it is of paramount importance to acquaint yourself with the necessary information on the requirements to do so. There are several questions you will find yourself looking for to be answered. How to apply? Can I get a scholarship? What is the procedure for getting the student visa?

Read further to find out all about how to pursue your dream of studying in Germany.

1. Zero in on a study programme: When you have already decided that you want to study abroad, it is better to start working on the plan right away. You will need to do meticulous research to find out the suitable programme and the university to pursue it from. Unless you want yourself getting confused over what to study and where, you better start researching in advance.
   • German degrees are valued globally and hence, give you an edge over other candidates. Also, the country has more than 400 higher education institutions with over 19,000 different study programmes.

2. Ensure you meet all the eligibility criteria: When you are done with finalising your course of study and prospective universities you want to apply to, the very next step is to go through the eligibility criteria and other essential requirements.
   First of all, gather all your academic documents like official transcripts, test scores (if any), SOP or Personal Statement, letters of recommendations (LORs), and your passport. It is always better to start preparing your documents at least three months prior.
   • Go through the university website to check all requirements. You may contact the university in case something is not clear.
   • You will also need to verify the language requirements since most of the courses are taught in German. You will be asked to provide your German language proficiency scores like DSH or TestDaf.

   It usually takes three months for a course for beginners. In case you opt for an English programme, you will need to provide your IELTS or TOEFL scores.

3. Look for financial resources: Another very important thing to ensure is that you have the required financial resources to meet your study expenses and your stay in Germany.
   • As per the current law, every non-EU or non-EEA student must have proper financial means for their stay in Germany
   • If you select a private university to study in Germany, the average tuition fees can somewhere fall around 20,10,000 INR for undergraduate programs while 30,90,000 INR for postgraduate courses
   • It is mandatory for an international student in Germany to have a minimum of €10,236 which nearly covers the cost of living for the first year of study.

   From the above chart, it is evident that you need to start saving and/or arranging for finances at the earliest, unless, you have been granted a scholarship.

4. Apply for admission: The next step is to apply for admission by submitting your application. Contact the university to find out how you can submit the application.
   • Most of the universities in Germany are part of the national university online application platform known as UniAssist. However, there are universities that run their own online admission platform, too.

   Remember that Germany receives a lot of applications every intake. Therefore, you must submit your application as soon as possible.

   • The general admission intakes to study in Germany are”
     Winter intake deadline: 15 July
     Summer intake deadline: 15 January
     It is always better to submit your application at least six weeks before the actual deadline. This ensures that you get a chance to make corrections or additions, if needed.

5. Get your German student visa: The very first thing to do after receiving the admission letter is to apply for a German student visa.
   • Germany has three different types of student visas
     1) German Student Visa, for those applying for a full-time programme
     2) German Student Application Visa, for those who want to go to Germany to complete the admission process in person
     3) German Language Course Visa, for those who are planning to pursue a German language course in Germany.

   To apply for a visa, you need to get in touch with the German embassy or consulate in your country. You can start the visa procedure by showing your acceptance letter from the university you applied to.

   Submit the required fee (roughly 6200-6620 INR) and prepare for the visa interview

   Documents needed to apply for a German Student Visa:

   • Valid Passport
   • Proof of sufficient funds
   • Health insurance-related proof
   • Copy of a health certificate
   • Motivational Letter
   • Transcripts or mark-sheets of academic qualifications, language proficiency tests
   • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
   • Letter of acceptance from your chosen higher education institution (if you are not applying for a prospective student visa)
   • Proof of English/German Language Proficiency scores
   • Proof that you have submitted the visa application fee

6. Find Accommodation: You need to start looking for accommodation at least 2 weeks prior to your arrival. If you delay this, you might have to drive a hard bargain to find a cheap but comfortable accommodation for yourself. Hence, start looking online way before you land in Germany. In fact, you should start looking for an accommodation right after you get your student visa.

7. Start learning German: Nothing better than becoming a multilingual or a polyglot! Learning German will not only prove helpful in terms of studies (even if you have opted for an English programme, the knowledge of the language will help you get along with your German classmates), but it will also help you understand the country’s culture, history and traditions from a new perspective.

Ideally, one should begin six months ahead of the commencing of your course.

If you have a dream to study in Germany, reach out to the experts at Manya – The Princeton Review to help you with the application procedure and thus, fulfil your dream.

For more information, call our Study Abroad Helpline 1800 102 4646