Most universities of Germany are public, which means they get funding from the Federal government and some receive their funding from Catholic or Protestant church. However, there are 120 private universities and almost all of them offer applied sciences. Most students are studying in public universities whereas only 7% of students are enrolled in private universities. This is because private universities charge higher tuition fees. Remember that German universities are self-regulatory, which means all laws and rules do not apply to every college or university. Therefore, always inquire about the rules of your desired university.
Each and every course is designed for a student’s overall development. Following degrees can be attained from German Universities:
Bachelor’s degree
- This is the first level degree, which teaches the students about the fundamentals of their desired courses in about six to eight semesters. Once a student attains this degree they get can enter into the professional sector or continue further with their second-level degree.
- This degree takes 3-4 years to complete.
Master’s degree
- This is the second-level degree, which expands the knowledge in a certain subject chosen in a bachelor’s degree. After attaining this degree a student is eligible to pursue their third level degree or enter the professional life.
- This course normally takes two to four semester or 1-2 years.
Doctoral degree
- Before starting this degree, students are required to pass a state examination, which is regulated by the German government and not by any German university. Those who wish to work as lawyers, doctors, teachers or pharmacists have to pass this exam. After passing this exam students are eligible to begin their professional training in the desired field or even pursue their doctoral degree.
- A doctoral degree involves completion of desertion in a particular area of interest. Normally, it takes 2-5 years to complete a doctoral degree but it varies from course to course.
Other degrees
- Many German universities offer Diploma and Magister Artium (M.A) to students who wish to study engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, and economics. However, both these degrees are equivalent to a Master’s degree.
Double degree programs
- Through these programs, students can complete two degrees at one time from one university. Students are required to study at the partner university for many semesters. On completion, students receive a double degree from the partnered university.
- In addition, German universities offer 1,420 international courses in different degrees. Most of these courses are taught in English but are also accompanied by German.
Below are the top courses in Germany to study:
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- Engineering
- Business management
- Humanities
- Fine and applied arts
- Mathematics
- Computer sciences
- Science
There are many other courses offered by German Universities. Students can look into the website of their desired university to see a complete list of offered courses.
- Although students can study for free in public universities or maybe by paying a little amount as administrative fees. This is the reason, which has made Germany the fourth most preferred place to study by students after the US, UK, and Australia.
For an undergraduate course, students are required to pay €500 per semester and €20,000 per year for post-graduate courses. However, the study does not require any fees but students cannot escape their additional expenses, especially living cost. Munich, for example, is the most expensive city in Germany with an average cost of living about €12000 per year. This can get cheaper if students share a flat. According to a survey, the following are an average cost for different things:
- For food: €168
- For transport: €95
- For leisure activities: €62
- For clothes: €43
- For study materials: €30
There are many scholarships available in Germany for students. Some of them are:
- DAAD
- Erasmus
- Einstein International Postdoctoral fellowship
- Heinrich Boll Scholarships for International Students
- Kurt Hansen Science Scholarship
- Masta Scholarship
- Deutschland Stipendium
- DRD Scholarship for Sub-Saharan Africans
- KAAD Scholarship
- Ulm University Scholarships for International Students
Do German Universities use English as a medium of teaching?
German is the official language of Germany but there are some courses that are taught in English.
Is it difficult to get admission in German universities?
Admission in any university is now getting challenging. German universities offer no tuition fees courses, which means they are strict in their admission procedures.
Is there any age limit to apply for under graduation or post-graduate courses in Germany?
No, there is no age limit to study in Germany. In fact, Germany is a known country to give an undergraduate degree to one of the oldest students of age 28 years.
What are the entrance tests required to take admission to a German University?
You need to pass one of the following exams to take admission to a German university:
- Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL)
- Graduate record examination
- International English language testing system (IELTS)
- Graduate management admission test (GMAT)
- Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
- Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Can I work in Germany while studying?
Students studying a full-time course are allowed to work 120 days in a year and need permission from German Employment Authorities.