Germany is one of the most well-liked study abroad countries outside of the English-speaking world, and it's easy to see why given its hip student cities and affordable (or free) tuition.
If you're unsure of what you need to do in order to study in Germany and are overwhelmed by the volume of information on the procedures, you've come to the right place.
The procedure for studying in Germany as an international student has been streamlined into steps listed below that you must follow.
To keep track of where you are right now and what needs to be done to turn your dream of studying in Germany into a reality, go through these steps one at a time.
Pick an University/College:
The first step in organising your studies in Germany is to identify a University or College and select a Study Programme that matches your interests.
This shouldn't be a big problem because there are so many universities and study options that are all unquestionably of the highest calibre.
There is undoubtedly a study plan that will fit with your life goals and future plans, regardless of the direction you want to go in.
We advise you to think about the study programme for at least three months before making a decision.
You have enough time to search through all German universities that offer programmes relevant to your line of work.
Because it affects everything, choosing a university and a study programme is a very important part.
After deciding on the college and study programme you want to enrol in, you must carefully review all the requirements.
You can do this by checking out the section on admissions requirements on the university's website. Never be afraid to get in touch with the university directly if there are any issues you don't understand.
It is advised to read the requirements section several times because entry requirements vary depending on the university and the course type you select.
The most frequent problems at this point are bad timing and missing documents, both of which can result in delayed admission or even application rejection.
You must start preparing these documents well in advance to prevent such a scenario.
For instance, you must enrol in a German Language Course for at least three months before taking a test to determine your level of proficiency in German.
Making sure you have the necessary financial resources to live and study in Germany is the next step.
Every foreign student who is not an EU or EEA citizen is required by law to have adequate financial resources to support their stay in Germany while they are studying.
In order to enrol as an international student in Germany, you must have a minimum of €10,332, which is roughly equivalent to one year's worth of living expenses.
This sum of money must be deposited into a bank account in Germany that has been blocked.
It is customary to begin collecting this money six months prior to your application, and two weeks prior to submitting your application for a student visa, you must have it deposited.
Even if your programme is in English, your ability to succeed in university greatly depends on your knowledge of the German language.
You can be certain that you will comprehend study materials, grasp the concepts being taught in lectures, and be able to express yourself clearly if you have a solid grasp of the German language.
While many study programmes at higher academic levels are taught entirely or in part in German, the majority of undergraduate courses in Germany are taught in the native tongue.
You'll communicate with locals frequently, with the exception of at the university, in German.
Despite the fact that learning German from scratch can be difficult, if you get started early, you'll be a native speaker by the time you travel to Germany.
To acquire a fundamental understanding of the German language, we advise beginning at least six months before the start of your course (or before the application if German language proficiency is a requirement).
Enrol Now To Learn German Language
It's time for you to submit the application after double-checking your supporting documentation. Although the application can be submitted online, some universities might only accept applications that are submitted in person or by mail.
To find out how to submit your application, get in touch with your university. The majority of German universities are represented by the UniAssist national online application system.
Universities that operate their own online admissions platform on their websites are another option.
Once the call for applications is open, you must submit your application and then wait for the admissions letter.
The application processes change a little depending on what level of studies you're pursuing in Germany.
You need a German student visa if you're an international student from a non-EU or non-EEA nation.
We advise making an appointment for a visa at the German embassy or consulate while you are still gathering the necessary paperwork.
Make sure you have the necessary funding in place before beginning your studies in Germany.
Opening a so-called Blocked bank account is one of the best and simplest ways to demonstrate to the authorities that you have enough money to pay for your education and living expenses.
To open a blocked bank account with Expatrio, we advise. The German Federal Foreign Office has given Expatrio official approval and recognition as a German company.
Before granting you a student visa, the German embassy or consulate in your country will also request that you obtain health insurance.
Before enrolling and before obtaining a student visa and/or residence permit, this is necessary.
There should be a social security agreement in place between your country and Germany if you live in one of the EU or EEA member states.
Therefore, if you have public health insurance in your home country, you should have coverage in Germany as well.
To benefit from this, you will typically need to obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) (free to obtain).
It is advised to begin looking for housing as soon as you have a place in a course and your student visa because, regrettably, the majority of German universities do not provide housing to enrolling students (if applicable).
Depending on where you live in the country, rent is likely to be your largest monthly expense. You should anticipate to pay a little bit more in larger, more student-friendly cities in Western Germany (such as Düsseldorf, Cologne, etc.) as well as Heidelberg and Freiburg (i.e. Berlin).
Once you've found housing, you must register at either the Bürgeramt or the "residents' registration office" (Einwohnermeldeamt).
Enroll At Your University:
Enrolling in the course for which you have been admitted is the last step to securing a spot at the university of your choice.
In this way, the enrollment procedure converts you from a qualified applicant to a German student.
Germany offers free public higher education, but there is still a registration fee that can be anywhere between €150 and €250.
In addition, if you want to use public transportation for free for six months, you must pay for your semester ticket.
You must personally appear at your university's administration office to enrol in your course in Germany and present the required documentation:
Following your enrollment, the university administration will issue you a registration document (ID card) that you can use to register for classes and apply for a residence permit.
Enrol Now To Learn German Language
Congratulations, you should now be (almost) ready to start your studies in Germany. Don't forget to pack everything you need and to make arrangements for a few more crucial matters.
You must register with your city's local registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt), if you haven't already, once you've found housing.
At that address, you will receive a document confirming your registration once you've registered, which you can use for the following step.
Open a bank account for students. Most banks offer these free of charge, making it much easier to manage your regular payments (like rent).
Conclusion:
Ask for advice from the student committee's (Fachschaft) advisory service or the international office at your university if you have any concerns or questions.
Important information: You must re-register each semester after the previous one has ended, and you will have to pay the same registration fees.
