Study in Germany – one of the popular study abroad destinations for international students after the USA and the UK.
Germany has a long history of academic partnerships with India. Many great intellectuals have visited India over the years to conduct research on ancient Indian texts and have published translations of works like the Vedas, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Both the World Wars and the perception of Germany after the wars and the split and the unification of the country are all recorded in history. What needs to be examined is the sheer perseverance and skill with which Germany rebuilt itself and the great advancements made in science and technology accomplished by German engineers. A fair bit of credit for this goes to German universities that offer top-quality education.
The higher education system in Germany is quite popular, and every year many Indian students go for it because they rely on its quality of education. The type of college or university that you choose in Germany will depend on your interest. There are both public and private institutions. Primarily there are three categories of German institutions: Universities, Universities of Applied Sciences and Colleges of Arts, Film and Music.
Life as a Student in Germany
Germany is a great place for students to live and study. If you can secure on-campus accommodation it is a good deal for you. You can cross-check if you can sign-up for meal plans or if your on-campus residence halls allow you to do your own cooking in shared kitchen or en-suite kitchens. Alternatively, if you can afford to live in a private apartment near your campus that’s a good choice as well. A private apartment will not force you to stick to strict timings and will allow you to retain your independence.
Transport
The country is well-connected by a rail network and within cities, buses and the metro trains offer affordable travel options. The Intercity-Express popularly known as ICE connects major cities, including international destinations in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and Switzerland. If you love travelling by the bus, you can opt for the IC Bus service as well. Students usually spend vacation time opting for the Eurail Pass and travelling across beautiful cities in Europe.
In Germany, students can visit awe-inspiring castles, museums, churches, memorials of the World War and discover quaint little restaurants in mountain villages. If you can afford to travel, then you should not miss out on the beauty of Germany. The Oktoberfest where the world comes together to sample fine beer is a great event to attend. The Berlin Film Festival brings together some of the world’s finest filmmakers and their creations on one platform.
Life Experience
Germany offers a fascinating life experience. Be it football, food, music or the environment, there are strong opinions among the public for every cause. For most of the older citizens, the memories of war, the bifurcation of the country and the fall of the Berlin Wall are still haunting memories and it is best to avoid bringing up such topics in conversation. The new generation of high-performing achievers is focused on creating a better life for themselves and the ‘work hard and party harder culture’ is quite prominent in the country!
The primary intakes take place in September each year, at most German institutions, though the intake cycle may vary from university to university. Another intake that is available for students to apply is March.
Some institutions might require students to do a bridge course before they enrol themselves for an undergraduate programme in Germany. The bridge course is aimed at compensating for the 13 years of schooling in Germany, for which students need to have a basic understanding of the German language. Any preliminary certification in German from a recognised institute of language might help in that case.
German institutions charge relatively less for higher education since they believe that good education is must, irrespective of people’s financial constraints. Most institutions are publicly funded and, therefore, free. But some private universities do charge fees from students.
Average tuition fee at a German institution is €9,170 per year, which varies depending on the university you choose to study in. The cost of living depends on the city that you choose to live in. Munich is an expensive city to live in Germany whereas cities like Tarnow and Wolfsburg are cheaper options.
International students can work part time for 20 hours per week – generally the first six months on campus and off campus post this period. Some universities with more intensive courses allow their students to work for nearly 12 hours since working for more hours can affect their students’ performance.
International students can apply for work permit post their studies, which gives them the opportunity to work in the country for a three-year period.
Some of the popular scholarships that international students can apply for to study in Germany include – DAAD, Heinrich Boll and Erasmus Mundus scholarships.
* The Erasmus+ Programme: the Erasmus+ is a European Union programme for Education, Training, Youth and Sport that develops the employability quotient of youth in Europe and supports their education. There are a number of partner countries outside Europe who can also benefit from this programme. India falls into the category of an Erasmus partner country and students who meet the eligibility requirements can apply for an Erasmus grant to study in Germany.
This works if you are already enrolled as a student in an Indian university which is a member of Erasmus Charter for Higher Education. You can then apply to study for a higher degree at a German university, which is also a part of the Erasmus Charter.
As a student it is imperative that you focus on your goals and complete your degree. Have the right balance of studies and fun and make the most of your time in Germany! Now that you have all concrete information in one place, do visit the course listings and apply for a programme at a University in Germany that fits your requirements.
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