Germany is the leading European country in the world that contains a blend of academic excellence, multicultural environment and ample opportunities for thousands of international students who choose German Universities as their home of higher studies.
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Why Choose to Study in Germany?
Germany is the fourth-largest economy in the world and the first-largest national economy in Europe because of their industry-favourable policy. The education system of Germany is world-renowned and established global standards for other developing countries.
Due to this, Germany continues to attract thousands of foreign students including Indians every year with its research and innovation-oriented curriculum in STEM major.
The QS World University Rankings contains 53 German universities in its list out of which 9 universities are in the top-200 list. Every year, approximately 40,000 Indian students fly to Germany to pursue their higher studies.
The year 2023 saw a rise in the peak of outgoing Indian students to Germany by 26% which was higher than ever. It showcases the popularity of pursuing higher studies in Germany by Indians.
Intakes in German Universities
Like other European countries, German universities also accept applications for two intakes which are
| Types of Intake | Application Cycle | Commencement of Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Intake | April-January | April |
| Winter Intake | September-July | September |
The whole admission process for each intake takes almost one year to complete.
Hence, Indian students aspiring to get enrollment in German universities should begin their preparation at most 15-16 months prior to the commencement of a particular intake.
Winter intake is the primary intake for which universities of Germany offer all courses and hence the competition for this intake is high.
On the other hand, Summer intake is also known as secondary intake and is less common because of low competition.
Students who opt for summer intake in case they have missed the deadlines for winter intake.
Levels of Higher Education in Germany
The education system of Germany is vibrant and unique because the country’s curriculum mainly focuses on the dual and inclusive education system which imparts theoretical and practical exposure equally to its students.
Apart from that, most of the public universities in Germany don’t charge tuition fees.
Bachelor’s Degree-
The duration of most undergraduate programs in Science, Humanities, Arts etc. is 3-4 years.
Master’s Degree-
The duration of postgraduate courses in Germany is 1-2 years depending upon the stream.
Doctoral-
The duration of the Doctoral courses is 3-5 years in Germany.
Application Process in German Universities
Every university in Germany is autonomous which allows them to frame their own set of rules and regulations regarding higher educational courses administered by them.
There are also minor differences in the deadlines concerning specific courses that they set up for the application process.
Hence, students wishing to pursue degree programs in Germany needed to check the specific dates of the admission cycle on the website of the university which they have chosen.
Also read- Costs of Living in Germany
Top Universities in Germany
| University | QS World University Ranking 2024 | Specialisations |
|---|---|---|
| Technical University of Munich | 37 | Civil Engineering Agricultural Sciences Cell Biology |
| Ludwig-Maximillians-Universität München | 54 | Economy Data Sciences Physics |
| Universität Heidelberg | 87 | Economics Physics Astronomy |
| Freie-Universität Berlin | 98 | Biochemistry Computer Science Economics |
| RWTH Aachen University | 106 | Geosciences Architecture Geophysics |
| KIT, Karlsruher-Institut für Technologie | 119 | Natural Sciences Humanities Engineering |
| Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin | 120 | Business Administration Law Sciences |
| Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin) | 154 | Computer Sciences Law Astronomy |
| Albert-Ludwigs-Universtaet Freiburg | 192 | Mathematics Science Computer Science |
| Universität Hamburg | 205 | Environmental Sciences Agricultural Sciences Geophysics |
Top Courses in Germany
- Engineering
- Humanities
- Business Management
- Law
- Medicine
- Computer Sciences
- Fine Arts
- Mathematics
Documents Checklist
The eligibility criteria for getting admission to higher educational courses in Germany are university and course-specific.
We are presenting you some common eligibility criteria and documents list which are common for all universities. For specific details, you can visit the university website.
Following is the list of common documents:
- All previous educational transcripts
- Aptitude Test AS scorecard (depends upon university)
- Completed Application Form
- Scores of all the tests like – GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS, etc.
- German language proficiency test scorecard like TestDAF,
- Letter of Recommendation: A minimum of two LORs is essential for a university application since it gives admissions committees important information about the potential, skills, and character of an applicant.
- LOR is usually provided by instructors, mentors, or supervisors who have a close working relationship with the candidate in a previous college or workplace.
- Statement of Purpose: SOP includes the purpose and motivations which drive you to choose France as your career destination. It can be two/three pages long.
- Proof of Financial Source: To get your student visa, you will have to prove that you have at least EUR 10,332 to support yourself while living in Germany. The document you need is called a “Finanzierungsnachweis”, or proof of financial resources.
- Health Insurance
- CV/Resume
- Passport size photographs
- Work Experience certificate (if applicable)
- Passport
The eligibility criteria for different courses in one or more universities might differ.
Note:- Since Germany follows a 10+3 level of education system, most of the Indian students are not eligible to pursue Bachelor’s degree courses in Germany except under some special conditions.
They need to complete the foundation course Studienkolleg before being admitted to bachelor’s programs.
The duration of this course is 1 year. Indian students can visit the official portal of DAAD to check their eligibility for bachelor’s courses.
Steps for Applying to German Universities
Research and Evaluate
The basic process of applying to some universities is to first evaluate the field of interest you have, skills you possess and subject knowledge you carry. Through this, you will have an idea in what field or subject area you can excel in case you haven’t decided on your career
Shortlisting
Based upon this, explore the available courses and universities that offer them. Visit their respective websites and go through details of the course including curriculum, fee structure and other benefits like scholarships and scope of the chosen course. Shortlist 8-10 universities which are supposed to fulfil your career aspirations.
Application Process
- Prepare for standardised and German language proficiency tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT etc 6 months before the beginning of the desired intake application cycle.
- Qualify the tests and receive their scorecards.
- Gathered all the necessary documents.
- Most German Universities prefer the UniAssist platform to accept applications. However, you can also visit the university website and make an online application for the desired course for the following intake.
- Submit the online application by paying registration fees (if required)
- Appear for the virtual interview (if required)
Visa Process
- After passing the interview, receive the offer letter.
- Visit the German Embassy or Consulate office with the required documents and apply for a Student Visa.
- You can check the list of required documents necessary for making a visa application here
The whole application process from preparation of enrollment to departure might take 13-15 months to complete fully. Keeping this fact in mind, the international student wish to pursue degree courses in Germany should initiate the process as earliest as possible in any given intake.
Conclusion
Germany is the world’s leading study destination for Indian students and every year thousands of Indians visit Germany to fulfill their career aspirations in different fields. The autonomous system of German institutes provides flexibility and partiality in the admission process which is purely merit-based.
Most of the universities teach their programs in Germany, hence proficiency in Germany is mandatory. However, some universities do offer courses in the English language too.
Due to the presence of the service sector which accounts for 70% of the national economy, there are ample job opportunities for international students. Overall, the decision to pursue higher educational courses in Germany will not make them feel regretted.
FAQs
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If you are an aspirant looking to study at your dream university, book an appointment with AdmitX today and start your applications early to avail yourself of all the benefits.
