Here is a step-by-step method of how to apply to study in Germany and all the necessary information that come with it.
I must tell you this is no joke if you have read to this point; it means you are serious to get all the answers to your study abroad in German questions.
Follow these 8 steps one by one to keep track of where you are right now and what you need to do to make your dream of studying in Germany a reality.
1. Finding the best Study Program for you.
2. Meet All Requirements.
3. Learn The German Language(OPTIONAL but important)
4. Find Financial Resources.
5. Apply For Admission.
6. Get Your German Student Visa.
7. Find Accommodation.
8. Enrolling At Your University.
Finding a Study Program
The search for a university and the choice of a study program that suits your interests is the first step in planning your studies in Germany.
This is unlikely to be a big problem, as there are many universities and countless degree programs–and their quality is undoubtedly world class.
No matter which direction you want to go in life, there will be a syllabus that suits your desires and plans.
However, finding a university and a degree program may take a long time if you do not think about studying in Germany before starting your application process.
Additional Information
The high number of courses available could be one reason you have not decided yet.
I recommend you think about the study program for at least 3 months before making a final decision. During this period, you can search for all German universities that offer courses for your professional field.
If you have found these German universities, you can concentrate on a smaller list of universities that you consider ideal.
You can either focus on a university or apply to several universities of your choice to increase your chances of getting admission.
Finding a university and a degree program is very important because it determines everything. In this article, I listed all the free tuition universities in Germany below and the private universities too.
Meeting All the Study Abroad Requirements
After you have decided on a university and a degree program, you must check all prerequisites. To do this, visit the University’s website and its section Admission Requirements.
If you do not understand some things, contact the university directly.
The entry requirements vary depending on the university and the type of course chosen. It is therefore recommended to read the requirements section several times.
Wrong timing and missing documents are the most common issues that occur. Both can lead to late admission or even rejection of applications.
Additional Information
To avoid this, you must prepare these documents in a good time. For example, to complete a standardized language test for German, you must take a language course of at least three months.
When you learn German from scratch, it takes much longer.
The later legalization of your documents can have a similar processing time until we issue them to you.
For temporary delays resulting from the procedure, you must begin preparing your documents at least 4 months before applying for your place at the university.
Applying For Admission into a German University
After re-examining your application, it’s time to apply. Applications may be online, but some universities may only receive applications in person or by mail.
Contact your university to find out how to apply. Most German universities are part of the online application platform of the national universities, UniAssist.
Also, some universities operate their online admission platform on their website. Remember that German universities are a hub for foreign students and admissions committees for foreign applications are in high demand.
More Details
Checking all applications takes time and you need to submit your application as soon as possible to use it.
You must submit your application as soon as the call for applications is open and then wait for the letter of admission.
Depending on the educational level you are aiming for in Germany, the application procedures vary slightly.
Entrance Requirement into a German University Taught In English:
Admission requirements are like those taught in German.
The main difference is that you have to show English proficiency in English-taught classes by sending a standardized test result, with TOEFL and IELTS, which are the most common.
The following documents will be requested in other to be admitted into German University taught in the English language:
1. A recognized qualification
2. Certified transcripts of your previous study notes
3. Fluency test in English
4. GRE or GMAT
5. Motivation or reference letters (optional).
Your qualifications must meet the standards of German higher education; otherwise, you may not attend a normal university course.
On this occasion, the University of your Choice may require you to complete a preparatory course to acquire the skills and knowledge you need to take part in the normal course you intended to study.
Additional Information
Depending on your English proficiency, there are several types of recognized grades accepted at German universities, but most often TOEFL and IELTS test grades are preferred.
The minimum admissions score is 80 for TOEFL and 6.5 for IELTS but varies depending on the university and the type of course.
At the graduate level, English has a higher standard, so the minimum score is higher than that of the undergraduate courses.
We recommend you achieve the best possible result, as this plays an important role in your admission, especially in high-demand universities where competition is fierce and the admission committees must have several performance elements.
Getting Your German Student Visa:
If you are a student from a non-EU or EEA country, you need a German student visa.
Since public universities in Germany are operating tuition-free education as stated earlier, students do not need to bother about tuition fee payment.
They will need you to show the embassy that they have a sufficient amount of money to take care of their living expenses.
If you are putting together your documents, we recommend you contact the German embassy/consulate and make an appointment for a visa.
More Details
Make sure you have enough money to study in Germany. One of the easiest and best ways to convince the authorities that you have enough money to cover your education and living expenses is to open a block account.
A minimum of €8000-10,000 on a block account is usually needed by the embassy.
We recommend you open an escrow account at Fintiba. Fintiba is a German company officially approved by the German Foreign Office.
Besides other documents, the German embassy/consulate in your home country also requires you to have health insurance before receiving a student visa.
Please contact the German embassy in your home country for more information on how to apply for the visa.
Finding Accommodation:
Now that you are officially registered as a student in Germany and have your student visa, you need to think about where you want to settle.
Housing in Germany for international students is not that expensive, but it is normal for you, as a foreign student, to find the most financially suitable housing.
We recommend you give priority to this topic as it can cost you a lot of time you would otherwise have used to learn. In this context, you can try to find accommodation online before landing in Germany.
If in the end, you do not find what suits you; you have at least a list of resources that you can turn to secure your accommodation the day you arrive in Germany.
As with the steps outlined above, you must find accommodation once you have received your student visa. Everything should be ok two weeks before landing in Germany.
Enrolling At Your University:
The final step in getting an official place of study at the University of your choice is to register for the course you have been admitted to. In this sense, the registration process leads you from a successful candidate to a registered student in Germany.
Public higher education in Germany is free, but you still have to pay a registration fee of between 150 and 250 euros. Also, you must pay for your semester ticket to use public transport for 6 months free of charge.
To register for your university course in Germany, you must present yourself in person at your university office and present the following documents:
1. Your valid passport
2. A passport photo
3. Your Visa or Residence Permit
4. Completed and signed Application Form
5. Degree qualifications (original documents or certified copies)
6. The Letter of Admission
7. Proof of health insurance in Germany (You can get your health insurance here.)
8. The payment fee receipt
After registering with the university administration, you will receive a registration card (ID card), which can then apply for a residence permit and visit your courses.
An important note: you must re-register each semester after the previous semester and pay the same registration fee.
We can find a more detailed guide to studying in Germany as an international student and all you need to know in the comprehensive guide to free study in Germany.
What it is like to study and live in Germany?
Germany is a destination that provides you with high rewards and world-renowned study degrees. Super quality is one of the benefits to expect when studying to get a degree in Germany, whether they are undergraduate or postgraduate degrees.
You may choose to learn in English or German, whichever, the tuition fee is still free or very low.
Below, you will find all the information you need to calculate your budget for a study program in Germany. Check details about tuition fees, living costs, and scholarship opportunities in Germany.
Tuition Fees in Germany:
Universities that are owned by the government of Germany are usually free of tuition fees except on the grounds where the student wants to pursue a postgraduate degree that differs from the subject in the undergraduate program.
The free-tuition scheme is available for all international students, regardless of their country of origin.
Most of the higher institutions in Germany are public schools, so an administrative fee of about 200EUR–500EUR/year is required from the student. This is for your enrolment and student services.
However, universities in Germany that are privately owned require a low tuition fee of between 3000 and 20,000 EUR/year, depending on the particular institution and subject of study.
For instance, degrees like business or medicine or engineering are more likely to be more costly than courses like social sciences.
Student Living Costs in Germany:
The cost of living in Germany is not high. Students may require about 630–1,000 EUR/month to cater for accommodation, which is the major expense they will make.
However, if you wish to stay in metropolitan cities like Berlin, Frankfurt or Dusseldorf, you may have to budget about 1400EUR/month for accommodation.
But for smaller towns and suburban regions, you may need about 1100EUR/month.
Accommodation costs in Germany:
In your expenses, accommodation is the major expense to make.
There are more affordable options for foreign students who are to live in the halls of residence or single or shared private rented rooms. Here is a brief cost of an average living cost for a student.
1. Living alone: 360 EUR/month
2. Living with partner/child: 400/month
3. On-campus: 150-240 EUR/month
Most times, securing accommodation in the student hall of residence can be a hard nut to crack, according to a European study.
Furthermore, if you rent an apartment in Germany, you will also have to pay for:
Utilities: around 200 EUR/month
Internet pass: around 27 EUR/month.
Food costs:
As a student in Germany, you will pay about 170 EUR/month on food. Some of the cheapest supermarkets you will find around the country are Aldi, Lidl, and Netto.
If you wish to have dinner in a restaurant once in a while you will pay 10 EUR for food in a cheap one. A three-course meal for two in an average restaurant costs 45 EUR and an additional light drink will be 3 EUR.
Transportation costs:
Transportation cost is the next expense to consider as it comprises about 10% of monthly expenses.
Moving around on public transport is about 60EUR/month, with regards to the city; renting a bicycle can be around 20EUR/daily; using Germany’s Deutsche Bahn train system is around 20-70EUR.
Visa Fee:
Another factor of crucial consideration is how to apply and get a student visa. The application for a visa strictly depends on the country of origin. If you are from EU/EE, you may just require an identity card.
However, if you are from a nation like Japan, the UK, or the US, you can apply for a student visa when you are already in Germany.
Every other person from other nations, especially from developing nations, will be required to apply in their country before they come to Germany.
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