Germany over the last two or three decades has become a highly sought-after destination for post-graduation among international students. Top rated universities with decades old legacy and rich cultural diversity makes Germany the center of educational excellence.
Offering countless course options with international accreditation and better employability statistics at affordable living costs, Germany is nothing short of a dreamland for international students.
Whatever be your field of study, be it science, law, economics or management, German universities have got you covered. From the plethora of options available, to filter in these courses and check your eligibility some clarity on the process should be there.
The three-tier education system in Germany
Germany, like their European counterparts, has a three-tier education system namely Bachelor’s or the undergraduate program, masters or the postgraduate program, and PhD or the advanced postgraduate research.
While most students are interested in doing a masters abroad, let’s focus our attention on it.
Why study In Germany?
No, those big cities with towers and huge libraries are not the only reason you should choose Germany for your education goals. Here are some of the reasons why Germany should be there in your list of study abroad destinations.
· Tuition fee waiver
You heard it right. Most public universities hardly charge any tuition fee for your course. All that you need to take care of is the living expenses.
· A gold mine for Engineers
If masters in engineering is what you look for, Germany should be on top of your preferred location. They are renowned for their engineering standards in the global market.
· Education standards
Free education in no means makes it cheap. Public universities in Germany sweep the top slots of the international rankings. This often leads to securing admissions in German public universities.
· German language proficiency
It’s no secret that German love their language a lot. But once you tackle this challenge its probable that you receive better offers from the European Union nations.
German education – A brief
German universities see classes as a ground for nurturing interest, attentiveness and punctuality. This training will ensure you have a better learning curve that supplement you in your career building. While this can take a little getting used to for students from India, you won’t feel it difficult due to the inclusive policy of universities.
Where to study in Germany?
Most top universities in Germany are located in top cities that are of historical significance and with a lot to explore. Some of the most chosen cities are:
· Berlin
· Cologne
· Frankfurt am Main
· Hamburg· Munich
The six types of universities in Germany
Universities are generally two types in Germany.
· Public university: Administered and operated by the state.
· Private university: Owned and operated by independent companies or organizations.
The underlying difference is the funding methods these institutions rely on. The fee policy and quality control and the course accreditation are done by the state as well. While the charges levied by private institutions are higher, they have a variety of courses on offer.
· Research universities: Masters and PhD students are enrolled in research universities in Germany.
· Technical universities: They are a sub group of research universities where they offer diplomas and other technical certifications.
· Universities of applied science: These are mostly private institutions partnered with commercial institutions focused on business and social sciences.· Art, film and music colleges: They can be independent or a part of research universities offering courses in creative disciplines.
Three master’s programs offered in Germany?
· Consecutive masters: Those with a relevant bachelor’s degree will only be admitted to such masters and there won’t be any gap after the bachelor’s degree. This is more like the integrated masters program offered by top Indian universities like the IITs.
· Nonconsecutive masters: A different but related area to that of their completed degree. While the work experience can be a necessity it doesn’t matter if you chose to study a completely different discipline.
· Professional masters: Focusing on the regulated professions like teaching, nursing, law etc.
Numerus Clausus – Restriction for Admission in German Universities
There is a restriction for the number of student admissions in Germany unlike other educational destinations. Especially when you choose one of those professional master’s programs you should be aware of these restrictions. This bottle neck ensures high quality standards and the employability of candidates.
There are two types of such restrictions in German universities.
· Central numerus Clausus: Restrictions set by the central government.
· Local numerus Clausus: Local restrictions imposed by respective universities.
In your application procedure the University concerned will clearly mention whether there are any such restrictions involved. It’s your responsibility that you go through those documents and make sure if there is any central or local Clausus involved. Keep in mind that the central Clausus is much stricter in its nature where those local restrictions have much more flexibility as it is the internal matter of these concerned universities. This is where having an experienced agent to guide you through the application process can come in handy.
Language proficiency requirements
Programs in Germany are offered in either English or German or both.
For programs offered in English, if you are a non-native English speaker, you have to clear TOEFL, IELTS or PTE. In case you have a bachelor’s in English you won’t have to take up these tests.
For programs offered in German, you have to show your proficiency in German language. You will have to attend tests like TestDaf and DSH to prove the same. You are entitled for relaxation in scores if you continue learning the language once you get into Germany.
We hope that you found this article helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to book a 30 minute free consultation with our advisors.
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