Study in Germany – Top Universities, Scholarships, Visa, Intake
Description: Want to study in Germany? Get free counselling for top universities in Germany? Courses, student visas, scholarships, costs, and more!
Study abroad in Germany – Top Universities, Visa, Scholarships, Courses.
Why should I study abroad in Germany? Plenty of German international graduates have asked themselves this very question. This blog will cover the requirements, costs, and part-time work needed to study abroad in Germany. With the many benefits Germany offers its students, numerous international students consider Germany an ideal study destination.
Germany’s thriving economy offers its graduates various job opportunities in fields such as engineering, healthcare, and education. With over 20,000 diverse degree programmes, you are certain to find one that matches your interests or passion.
Germany is home to 428 recognized higher education institutions. Many rank highly in the QS ranking and offer quality education. German universities provide excellence by placing equal focus on theory and practice and by substantially supporting international students.
As an international student, you must apply for a student visa. To qualify, you will need various documents, such as a passport, photographs, financial proof, and more. What makes Germany unique is that all citizens are required to have health insurance so this will also be required for your visa.
This was just a brief introduction to the topics we will cover in this blog. Let us now examine why you should consider studying abroad in Germany, an amazing country.
Table of contents
- Study in Germany – Top Universities, Scholarships, Visa, Intake
- Study abroad in Germany – Top Universities, Visa, Scholarships, Courses.
- Why study in Germany?
- Education system in Germany
- Eligibility to study in Germany
- Top courses to study in Germany
- Top universities to study in Germany
- Intake in Germany
- Cost of studying in Germany
- Cost of living in Germany
- Part-time Work Options for International Students in Germany
- Post-Study Work Permit in Germany
- Student visa requirement for Germany
- Job prospects in Germany
- Job prospects in Germany
- Final Take Away
- FAQs
Latest Updates:
- Increased work hours: In Germany, international students can work 20 hrs. per week or 120 full days per year.
- Increased number of international students: Germany has welcomed over 400,000 international students. Most recently there are 469,485 international students in Germany.
- Increased support for international students: Germany is offering additional support to international students through courses and study programs. This is done to create a seamless transition from their journey to their home country to their stay in Germany.
Key Highlights
| Feature | Description |
| Top courses | Engineering, Business Management, Humanities & Art, and Computer Science. |
| 3 Top Universities based on QS ranking | Technical University of Munich, University of Munich, and University of Heidelberg. |
| Average tuition fees in public and private universities | Public university: free or low-tuition Private university: Undergraduate (30,000 euros), Masters (40,000), PhD (3000 euros). |
| Student visa requirements | Passport, photographs, financial proof, health insurance proof, and more. |
Why study in Germany?
- High-quality education: German universities are highly ranked and renowned for providing quality education emphasizing innovation and research.
- Free or low-tuition fees: Because the state mostly funds public universities, local and international students can study for free in Germany. You will have to pay administration fees but for the most part public tuition fees have zero costs. This, however, only applies to public universities, you will have to pay tuition for public universities.
- Practice-oriented studies: Many German universities focus on theory and practical application. They believe the best way to grasp information is to put it into practice.
- Opportunity to work while you study: International students can earn extra money and gain experience by working part-time while you study. Students can work up to 20 hours per week.
- Plenty of other international students: Germany is one of the most popular study destinations for international students, so you will meet plenty of other students who want to connect.
- Support for international students: German universities provide orientation programs, dedicated international offices, as well as language courses to international students to assist with visa applications, smooth transition into Germany, accommodation, and more.
- Career opportunities: Germany has a thriving economy with research institutions, start-ups, and multinational companies that collaborate with universities to offer students internships and job placements within their organizations.
Education system in Germany
- Bachelor’s degree: When high school is completed, students can earn their first higher education qualification where they will specialize in their field of interest after that. This system includes universities, colleges, as well as vocational training that offers academic excellence in addition to abundant research opportunities. On average, a bachelor’s degree lasts three years and also has 186 ECT credits.
- Master’s degree: A master’s degree is earned after a Bachelor’s degree. It lasts 1-2 years and also has 120 ECT credits.
- PhD degree: Once a master’s degree is completed, a student can earn a PhD degree after that, this is the highest qualification offered at German universities. Its duration depends on the subject as well as the in-depth research required for each unique topic.
- Continuation Education: For individuals who wish to advance their skills for career growth or change. Continuation education includes life-long learning in addition to skills development for those who wish to learn more outside standard educational stages.
- Dual Study Programmes: German universities place equal focus on theoretical and practical knowledge. Dual study programs provide theoretical learning through lessons and research opportunities in addition to vocational training through company collaborations with universities. Dual study programs provide students with a competitive edge in the labor market.
Eligibility to study in Germany
- Hochschulzugangberechtigung (H2B) certificate: This is a university entrance certificate that proves that your school-leaving qualifications are on par with German qualifications. If your qualifications are not enough you will need to attend a 1-year course called ‘Studienkollege’ or work on additional education in your home country.
- Language proficiency: Complete a recognized language certificate like Deutsche Sprochprufung if the course is in German and complete a standard English test such as IELTS or TOEFL if your course is in English and you are not a native speaker.
- Financial proof: Financial proof to demonstrate enough money to support yourself during studies, a minimum of 11,904 Euros annually.
- Aptitude test: Some German universities will require this from non-EU students for their undergraduate programs.
- Student visa: You will need a national visa if you study longer than 90 days in Germany.
- Health insurance: If you are from an EU member state that has a bilateral agreement with Germany, you can use your health insurance but if not, you will need a student health insurance from Germany.
Documents required to study in Germany
- H2B certificate
- Deutsche Sprochprufung or IELTS/TOEFL test scores
- Financial proof (blocked bank account statement)
- Health Insurance (30k Euros)
- German student visa
- Passport
- Letters of recommendation (2-3)
- CV
Top courses to study in Germany
| Course name | Fees | Intake |
| Engineering | 2500 euros | Winter |
| Business Management | 2750 euros | Winter |
| Humanities and Art | 1500 euros | Winter |
| Computer Science & IT | 1500 euros | Winter |
| Social Science | 3000 euros | Winter |
Top universities to study in Germany
| University Name | QS ranking | Action |
| Technical University of Munich | 28 | Apply |
| University of Munich | 54 | Apply |
| University of Heidelberg | 84 | Apply |
| Free University of Berlin | 97 | Apply |
| RWTH Aachen University | 99 | Apply |
| Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | 102 | Apply |
| Humboldt University of Berlin | 126 | Apply |
| Technical University of Berlin | 147 | Apply |
| University of Freiburg | 212 | Apply |
| University of Hamburg | 191 | Apply |
Intake in Germany
Cost of studying in Germany
| Study Programme | Average Fees | Action |
| Undergraduate programme (private) | up to 30,000 euros | Apply |
| Undergraduate programme (public) | 250 euros per semester | Apply |
| Master’s degree (private) | up to 40 000 euros | Apply |
| Master’s degree (public & consecutive) | Free | Apply |
| Master’s degree (public & non-consecutive) | up to 20,000 euros | Apply |
| PhD degree (private) | up to 3000 euros | Apply |
| PhD degree (public) | 250 euros | Apply |
| Continued studies (private) | up to 5000 euros per semester | Apply |
| Continued studies (public) | 100-300 euros per semester | Apply |
| Vocational diploma courses | 3000 euros | Apply |
Cost of living in Germany
- Accommodation (student dormitory): 266.83 euros per month
- Utility costs: 200 – 300 euros
- Food expenses: 198 euros per month
- Transportation: 49 euros per month
- Internet: 46.03 euros
- Health insurance: 100 – 150 euros per month
| Name of Scholarship | Description | Funding |
| Expatrio Scholarship | For international students worldwide | Fully funded |
| DAAD Scholarship Programs | For students who want to study Master’s, PhD, as well as postdoctoral studies | Fully funded |
| Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships | For all Master’s and doctoral students | Fully funded |
| Deutschlandstipendium National Scholarship Program | For any student who wants to study at a partner institution of the scholarship | Partially funded |
| Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship | For international students who want to study Master’s or PhD degree that will last for at least four semesters. | Fully funded |
| Erasmus+ Scholarship Programs | For students who want to participate in an exchange programme in Germany for their bachelor’s, master’s, as well as PhD studies. | Fully funded |
| Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarships | For students who showcase academic excellence in all study programmes. | Fully funded |
| Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships | For students who obtained a doctoral degree and want to pursue a 1-2 year research project at an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country. | Fully funded |
| Bayer Foundation Fellowships | For medical students as well as students pursuing a master’s or PhD in scientific disciplines | Fully/partially funded |
| Humboldt Research Fellowship | For researchers of all nationalities (except German & Brazilian) | Fully funded |
Part-time Work Options for International Students in Germany
- Internships: German universities offer internships to students within their field of study.
- Tutors/tutorial assistants: Students in teacher training can offer tutoring sessions to earn extra money.
- Babysitting: You can offer babysitting services to nearby families.
- Bartenders: Bartending offers flexible hours, therefore making it perfect for part-time student work
Post-Study Work Permit in Germany
International graduates from a German university can apply for a Post-Study Work Visa, which will allow them to stay in Germany for 18 months after graduation while looking for a job. Students will use this time to look for study-related work opportunities.
Documents needed for Post Study Work Visa
- Valid Passport
- Proof of Graduation
- Valid Health Insurance
- Financial Proof
The application fee is 75 euros.
Student visa requirement for Germany
- Admission into a German institution: You will need to provide proof of admission into a German educational institution.
- Language Proficiency: Provide language proficiency of course language through standard test scores like DSH, TestDaF, or TOEFL.
- Passport: Must be valid three months before you leave Germany and have at least two empty pages.
- Two biometric portrait photographs: Must be recently taken within the last 6 months. • Financial proof: Students must prove they have enough means to cover living costs, study costs, and accommodation
- Health Insurance: Must be valid for at least 3 months and have at least 30,000 euros coverage.
Documents Required for Visa Application
- Letter of Admission
- Language test scores
- Passport copy
- Photographs
- Financial proof (bank statement)
- Health Insurance documents
Job prospects in Germany
Germany has a thriving economy that offers various work opportunities in STEM fields. The most popular fields are the:
- Automotive Industry: The German automatic industry is a thriving sector with plenty of work opportunities for engineers, designers, as well as technicians.
- Information Technology: With the rise of digitalization, the IT sector in Germany is flourishing.
- Healthcare: There are plenty of job prospects within the healthcare industry. A graduate could be a doctor, medical technician, as well as a nurse.
- Engineering: Engineering has always been and will remain to be one of Germany’s successful industries.
- Finance: The financial industry in Germany offers diverse job opportunities for individuals within the field.
- Education: With Germany’s strong emphasis on high academic excellence, there are plenty of job opportunities for teachers, academics, as well as researchers.
Job prospects in Germany
- Software Developer: €55,000
- Mechanical Engineer: €60,000
- Data Scientist: €65,000
- Healthcare Professional.• €50,000
- Financial Analyst: €58,000
- Project Manager: €70,000
- Marketing Manager: €65,000
- Electrical Engineer: €62,000
- IT Consultant: €63,000
- Research Scientist: €67,000
Final Take Away
To conclude, Germany is an incredible study location with a great deal of high-ranking universities. Combining German universities’ focus on dual study programs, internships, as well as support systems, you are sure to graduate with an outstanding qualification that will give you a competitive edge in the job market. Germany is also a budget-friendly study location for international students because tuition is free or low cost, most scholarships are fully funded, and there are plenty of opportunities for part-time work. So, get your student visa in check to take your first step into academic excellence!
FAQs
1. Can South Africans study in Germany?
Yes, all international students are welcome to study in Germany.
2. Is it free to study in Germany?
Most study programmes in German public universities are free or low-cost.
3. Is Germany good for studying abroad?
Yes, Germany is an excellent study-abroad destination with plenty of programmes as well as part-time work opportunities.
4. How much money do I need to study in Germany as an international student?
You will need a minimum of 1 1,904 Euros annually.
5. Can I study in Germany if I only speak English?
Yes, if all your courses are in English, you can study in Germany only knowing English.