German universities have a strong network with universities all over the world. Every year thousands of students can go abroad and spend some time in a different country, studying and living. This should be the same way for international students. Because of this, German universities and technical colleges try to provide enough university places for international students and they also make efforts to support them in many other ways concerning the time abroad.
But what is it that makes Germany that special and what can it offer to the students from all over the world? The Federal Republic of Germany proportionally is a quite small country but its history as well as its actual role in the world is something special. It is not only in Europe that Germany has an important position but it is also an important international trading partner and player, concerning political and economic questions.
German employees from different fields and disciplines are in great demand all over the world and have realistic chances to get a job in an international company in many different countries. Germany itself is also a good and attractive country to work.
These opportunities exist due to the good German educational system. Most Universities and Govt institutes offer free education to international students.
The universities and the obtained graduate degree are well-known all over the world and show the future employer that the student had a firm basic education. At German universities the practical part of the studies has an important part to play. Internships have to be done in many programs of study and every professor recommends doing one. The big industry and especially the large cities provide many opportunities for these internships. One can absolve them in the most different kinds of disciplines and companies.
Depending on which area in Germany one decides to study, there are numerous activities and journeys to do and go in the free time or on holidays. During this traveling one can see the different areas of the country and all its faces. With more time and a larger amount of money one can also start travelling Europe from Germany. The country gives the perfect start for this trip and one can see a lot of countries during the time abroad.
In Germany there are the sea and beaches of the Nord- and Ostsee, cultural and historic interesting towns or buildings and winter sports areas in the south. There will be no boring time during the studies in Germany.
Studying in Germany has changed during the process of Bologna and the changes resulted in the Bachelor and Master system. The first graduate degree obtained is called Bachelor. After this there is the possibility to continue with a deepening or additional Master program. Both are independent and accepted graduates.
The large focus on research projects is also a reason for the good reputation of German universities. The state provides money for the research projects and this enables the student to do their own projects and learn in an actual real-life situation.
The study programs are furthermore considered as more difficult than the ones in other countries but this has a positive impact on the reputation.
Furthermore, studying in Germany not only provides interesting topics but also numerous free time activities and many travel opportunities. It is worth, getting to know this country in the heart of Europe.
Admission requirements
Certificate and transcript of your undergraduate studies.
Details of your secondary education –some very competitive application processes may wish to know further details of an international’s education history
Interviewing – German universities may discuss your application and your experience in an arranged interview with you. The interview may be formal, especially in highly-competitive universities with limited places, or it can also be done over conferencing platforms, like Skype to make it easier on international students.
Additional entry tests –this more often occurs in competitive universities, where you may be asked to complete an additional entry exam or take a standardized postgraduate admission test as part of your application. This can also be required in law, medicine, and other similar regulated professions in order to ensure the compatibility of your previous trainings. Also, business schools and MBA programs may require a particular score from recognized tests, like GMAT or GRE
What kinds of documents and papers one needs of the entry to Germany depends mainly on where he or she comes from and on how long he or she wants to stay in Germany. It is important to get the necessary information and to put together all the papers quite early and in time before the studies abroad.
In general, there are the following rules: For citizens from the EU or from the countries Island, Norway, Switzerland, or Liechtenstein it is only necessary to have an identity card to entry Germany. It is not necessary to have a visa. Citizens from other countries instead need a visa if they stay in Germany for more than 90 days. There are some more rules for the visa application as well. Citizens from the countries Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, and the USA can apply for their visa even after they arrived in Germany. For citizens from other countries, it is necessary to apply for the visa before coming to Germany.
If staying less than 90 days in Germany there are even more regulations. Citizens from certain countries can entry Germany for this time without a visa. These are Venezuela, Vatican City, Uruguay, Singapore, Seychelles, Paraguay, Panama, Nicaragua, Mexico, Mauritius, Malaysia, Macau, Croatia, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Chile, Brunei, Brazil, Bolivia, Bermuda, Barbados, Bahamas, and Argentina.
More detailed information and lists of the certain countries can also be found on the Webpage of Schengen Visa Info or by going to the consulate or the German embassy in one’s home country. For those who just want to go to Germany for one semester there are also information counsellors at the home university.
When applying for the visa there are different ones for what one has to apply. What kind of visa is necessary depends on the application to the German university. If the university place is already secure and confirmed one can apply for a visa for the stay for study purposes. If the application is not yet confirmed or one must apply for a visa to visit the German university or to do a test one has to apply for a visa for the purpose of university application. But careful, the visa doesn’t cover the whole stay in Germany. Those visas normally just last for three months. Afterwards, one has to apply for an additional residence permit in Germany. This can be done at the Aliens Department after changing one’s residence at the Registration Office.Those who are still confused or who have further questions can go to the International Office at the German university. The chancellor can answer all the important questions and remember the deadlines.
To get a visa and later the residence permit one need certain document. For the visa it is necessary to show the health insurance in Germany (you can choose: Raise Care or Allianz) and a proof of financing. The German Embassy or the Consulate can say what else is required, for example, German knowledge, the confirmation of the university place in Germany, etc.
For the residence permit it takes the confirmation of the Registration Office, Health Insurance, and certificate of enrolment, identity document and visa. It is also important to know that the residence permit is not forever, but just lasts for two years. Those who study longer can extend the permission.
All those formalities are quite confusing and it can also last a long time till all documents are applied and confirmed. Therefore, it is important to get the information in time. Especially for those who study the total time in Germany and organize their stay alone. When doing a semester abroad, there is a lot of help from the home university as well, but it is also good to start planning early
Study in Germany
German universities have a strong network with universities all over the world. Every year thousands of students can go abroad and spend some time in a different country, studying and living. This should be the same way for international students. Because of this, German universities and technical colleges try to provide enough university places for international students and they also make efforts to support them in many other ways concerning the time abroad.
But what is it that makes Germany that special and what can it offer to the students from all over the world? The Federal Republic of Germany proportionally is a quite small country but its history as well as its actual role in the world is something special. It is not only in Europe that Germany has an important position but it is also an important international trading partner and player, concerning political and economic questions.
German employees from different fields and disciplines are in great demand all over the world and have realistic chances to get a job in an international company in many different countries. Germany itself is also a good and attractive country to work.
These opportunities exist due to the good German educational system. Most Universities and Govt institutes offer free education to international students.
The universities and the obtained graduate degree are well-known all over the world and show the future employer that the student had a firm basic education. At German universities the practical part of the studies has an important part to play. Internships have to be done in many programs of study and every professor recommends doing one. The big industry and especially the large cities provide many opportunities for these internships. One can absolve them in the most different kinds of disciplines and companies.