WHY STUDY IN GERMANY
Germany is a beautiful country with a rich historical heritage, natural wonders and also with modern metropolis. German, which is the most spoken language all over the world. Its economy is the third-largest in the world. Germany has been witnessed as a great hub when it comes to the flanking of international students for their education.
Germany’s universities are recognised internationally; in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) for 2008, six of the top 100 universities in the world are in Germany, and 18 of the top 200.Germany ranks third in the QS World University Rankings 2011.
Germany is the third most popular destination among international students in the world. More than twelve percent of students at German universities come from abroad. German university degrees are highly respected by employers worldwide. The best factor about this country is that studying cost is very affordable. In Germany, the majority of universities do not require tuition fees. International students are offered with great job opportunities and career prospects after doing masters in Germany. All over Germany, the atmosphere is perfect for students & can offer you great cultural life to enjoy time outside of your classes.
KEY BENEFITS OF STUDYING IN GERMANY
- German higher education is one of the best in the world! Whether it’s cars or education, people everywhere recognize “Made in Germany” as a seal of quality.
- Germany has many Top universities in the World. There are 44 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2018, which is more than any other country after the United States and the United Kingdom. There are 43 universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2018 in top 500, with 10 in the top 100.
- The most important reason for studying in Germany is that mostcourses have no Tuition fee but, you will need to pay a semester contribution up to 250 Euros, depending upon the university and the services or benefits included.
- The most important reason for studying in Germany is that mostcourses have no Tuition fee but, you will need to pay a semester contribution up to 250 Euros, depending upon the university and the services or benefits included.
- Many courses and degree programmes are being offered in English, especially at the master’s degree level. As per the DAAD website, there are 1471 courses that are completely taught in English.
- Although students don’t pay tuition fees and receive a ton of benefits, the cost of living in Germany can be still considerable. Various means of funding like scholarships like DAADand part-time jobs called “HiWi” (Research assistant) or “Werkstudent” (Part-time job in a company) are available to students for coping up with the living expenses.
- After completing your degree in Germany, you can stay on in the country for up to 18 months to look for a job related to your qualification. As per a study, Germany is likely to face a shortage of 3 million skilled workers by 2030; this means more job opportunities after studying in Germany.
- Besides studying, living in the center of Europe provides you with an opportunity to travel across the whole continent. What more, the German student visa would allow you to travel to 26 countries without any restrictions. you can reach a number of destinations within a couple of hours by train or plane.
- Whatever plan you may have for the future, learning the German language will always be beneficial and opens door to many job opportunities. German is the world’s 4th most popular language. Living in Germany would provide you an easy way to learn the language.
- Germany is a safe country for international standards. The police are trustworthy and offer help whenever they are needed. However, the Crime rate in Germany is at very low scale since 1992.
WHICH ARE GERMAN VISA TYPES FOR STUDY PURPOSES?
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There are three types of visas meant for people intending to pursue educational activities in Germany:
- Language Course Visa (Visa for Language Learning)– for educational activities lasting from 3 months up to 1 year, for the purpose of participating in short German language courses.
- Student Applicant Visa (Visum Zur Studienbewerbung) – if you want to study in Germany, but are still trying to find the right program or you still haven’t got the confirmation letter from your University
- Student Visa (Visum Zu Studienzwecken) – if you have already been accepted to a German university.
KNOW ABOUT THE GERMANY STUDENT VISA
In Germany, a visa is the authorizing official document required to permit a non-German national to enter and stay in the territory of Germany for the purpose of studying, in a specific intended period.
Therefore, being a foreigner who:
- Just received the Acceptance Letter from a German University,
- Soon is expected to get A Response on his/her University Application in a University in Germany,
- Has to Enroll in A Foundation Course before applying in a German University,
- Needs to Take a Foundation Course (Studienkolleg) to prepare for the test “Feststellungsprüfung” – qualification assessment examination
- Needs to Complete a Doctoral Degree
- Wants to Engage in a Research Project in Germany
… YOU will HAVE to apply for the appropriate German Study VISA at the Embassy or Consulate of Germany in your country to enter and stay for the intended period in Germany, in case you come from one of these countries.
In case you will need to remain in the territory of Germany for more than 90 DAYS, or 3 MONTHS, you will be called to also get a Residence Permit early enough after the arrival in Germany.
Now, Let’s have a look into a process of getting Germany Student Visa in step by step.
WHICH ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY FOR A GERMAN STUDENT VISA?
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Submit the application for a German student visa at the German embassy or consulate, or other intermediating application agencies in your country. The decision about your application is based on the information and the supporting documents you provide. These documents have to be sent as originals, accompanied by two photocopies of each.
Here is a checklist of the required documents to apply for a German student visa:
- Two duly completed national visa application forms
- Valid national passport(Read passport requirements)
- Previous passports(If applicable)
- Two recently taken biometric portrait photographs(photo requirements)
- Proof of admission into a study program(Send any of the following)
- University admission letter “Zulassungsbescheinigung”
- Letter of admission in foundation course.Issued by a Studienkolleg
- Letter of admission in the propaedeutic course
- Letter of admission in a preparatory German language course
- Authenticated certificates of earlier education
- German university entrance qualification “Abitur”. If you’ve studied in a German education provider abroad. (If not, send the following documents).
- Recognized foreign academic qualification. It must show you have a qualification equally recognized as the German Abitur.
- Academic records or transcript
- Curriculum vitae
It has to be accompanied with evidences previous and current internship and work experiences, if any.
- Means of subsistence “Finanzieruungsnachweis”
The evidences you provide must show you have enough money to cover living, accommodation and study costs. (Send any of the following)
One of the easiest and the fastest ways to open a German Blocked Account, is through Fintiba/Sutor Bank. The blocked account provided by Fintiba is accepted by German embassies/consulates all around the world. Learn how to open a Fintiba blocked account.
A person living in Germany, showing they’ll be covering your accommodation and/or other living costs while you’ll be here.
- Letter of declaration by a parent
It has to show their commitment to support you financially during your stay here. It must be supplemented by their bank statements of the latest 6 months.
- Scholarship awarding certificate
It must show you as a receiver and the amount of financial coverage granted to you by this scholarship.
The Health Insurance must have coverage of at least 30,000 EUR and it must be valid for at least 3 months. The tariff EDUCARE24 by DR-WALTER meets all the requirements and is accepted by all German consulates worldwide.
- Motivational letter
You’ll have to express the reason for choosing the specific university, study program by “Motivational Letter”. Mention also your study and future plans and how these studies will be improving your career and life.
- Marriage certificate
Send this if you’re married. Support that with a birth certificate of any child (If related).
- Proof of having paid the visa application fee (The fee is 75 EUR).
- Proof of German language proficiency (For German-only and mixed-language
study programs)
You must have one of following Test Score :
- German Language University Entrance Examination for International Applicants (DSH).
- Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF)
- Goethe Institute German Language Diploma (GDS)
- German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs, Level II (DSD)
- Proof of English language proficiency (For English and mixed-language study
programs)
You must have one of following Test Score :
AFTER STUDY PLAN
If you want to stay in Germany to find work after graduating, you should start planning for this while you’re still a student. It’s highly beneficial to have proficiency in the German language to find work in Germany, as the number of jobs open to you will be very limited without it.
EU citizens have the right to seek work in Germany without the need for a work permit. As an EU citizen, you will be treated in the same way as German residents in terms of access to the employment market, working conditions and social and tax advantages.
Students from non-EU countries who wish to work in Germany after graduating can extend their residence permit for up to 18 months to find work relating to their studies. To apply for the extended residence permit, you’ll need:
- Passport
- University degree certificate or official document from your university confirming that you successfully completed your studies
- Document proving you have health insurance
- Proof that you have means of supporting yourself financially
The 18 months begin as soon as you receive your final exam results, so you should start looking for employment during your final semester. In these 18 months, you can work as much as you like and take up any kind of employment to support yourself.
As soon as you’ve found a job role you’d like to accept, you should apply for a German residence permit or EU Blue Card (similar to the US Green Card). You can remain in Germany while your application is pending.
The EU Blue Card may be preferable if you intend to live and work in another EU state. You can ask the foreign residents’ registration office for advice on which permit to apply for and what documents you’ll need. If you decide to apply for the Blue Card, you must have been offered a job that pays at least €53,000 (~US$57,844) a year, or at least €41,808 (~US$45,629) a year for mathematicians, engineers, natural scientists, technicians or physicians.
If you’d like to stay in Germany and become a permanent resident, you can apply for a ‘settlement permit’ as early as two years after receiving your permanent residence permit or EU Blue Card.
