Germany
Advantages of Studying in Germany
Germany is a higher education paradise. Unlike in any other country, in Germany you will find many worldwide ranked universities, countless courses to choose from, globally valued degrees that promise high employability to you and affordable living costs. Moreover, Germany has a long and rich history, a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle mixing the modern and the classics, the urban and the rural which will immerse and make you love every second spent here.
Not surprisingly, Germany is ranked among the world’s top destinations for international students. According to the latest official statistics, there are over 3.58 lakh foreign students seeking a university degree in Germany whereas the number is steadily increasing.
Every year, thousands of scholars coming from all around the world trust their education to German universities and the reasons for this are obvious.
Diverse range of study
Germany’s higher education system has something for everyone! There are almost 450 state-accredited universities with some 17,500 degree programs in Germany. German universities offer degree programs in every possible subject and academic level – be it bachelor’s, master’s, state examinations or doctoral degrees. General universities focus strongly on scientifically oriented study in a wide range of disciplines. Universities of applied science, on the other hand, are very practice-oriented. If you’re more interested in artistic subjects, you can enrol at a college of art, film or music.
Study in English
More and more courses and degree programs are being offered in English, especially at the master’s degree level. This is good news if you don’t know any German or if your German isn’t good enough yet. You’ll find an overview of international degree programs in Germany in the large DAAD database.
Low tuition fees – and sometimes none at all
Students normally don’t have to pay tuition fees at German universities, and if so, the fees are very low. Most German universities receive considerable financing from the government. Bachelor’s degree programs are usually tuition-free at public universities. Some master’s degree programs, however, come with tuition fees, but they’re not as high as in other countries.
Affordable living expenses
Compared with other European countries, the cost of living in Germany is reasonable. The cost of food, rent, clothing and cultural activities are equivalent to the EU average. There are also a number of concessions available to students. You can receive reduced prices at theatres, museums, opera houses, cinemas, swimming pools and other institutions. All you have to do is present your student ID.
Live in a safe country
Germany is a safe country – also on an international scale. The police are reliable and help you in every situation. Whether you live in a big city or in the country, you can move freely day or night without having to take any special precautions.
Live in a diverse country in the heart of Europe
Beaches and mountains, medieval city centres and pulsating metropolises, and above all, lots of nature. Germany is a diverse country with many facets! Living in Germany means living in the middle of Europe surrounded by many other countries. Whether you’d like to visit Paris, Prague, Rome or Copenhagen, you have a wide range of destinations at your doorstep. Within a couple of hours by train or plane, you can experience an entirely different culture and language. Weekend trips are no problem and affordable.
Learn a language which can open many doors
German is one of the ten most spoken languages in the world. Around 185 million people worldwide can speak German. You can still study in Germany even if you don’t know German, but having some knowledge of the language can make everyday life easier and help you make friends faster. Knowing a foreign language also looks great on a résumé.
Scholarship programs
As an international student with outstanding academic achievement, you have good chances of receiving a scholarship to finance your studies in Germany. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is one of the largest scholarship organisations in the world and offers countless scholarship programs. No matter what your country, subject or status, you’ll find a scholarship that matches your profile and needs in the DAAD scholarship database! And not only does the database contain programs offered by the DAAD, but also many other organisations in Germany.
Industries & Research
The country also has to its credit a total of 76 Nobel Prize winners till date, 65 of whom have won the prize for their contributions to the natural sciences or medicine. Companies in Germany have created the German economy to be the largest in all of Europe. This economy, in fact, is the third largest in the world. Billions of Euro in investment money come into Germany each year. To maintain the high standard of living in Germany takes a lot of hard work. German companies contribute to this high standard of living in the quality and popularity of their products and services. And they do this by excellent manufacturing and engineering as also extensive research.
Of the world’s 500 largest stock market listed companies measured by revenue, the Fortune Global 500, 37 are headquartered in Germany. In 2010 the ten largest were Volkswagen, Allianz, E.ON, Daimler, Siemens, Metro, Deutsche Telekom, Munich Re, BASF, and BMW. Other large German companies include: Robert Bosch, ThyssenKrupp, and MAN (diversified industrials); Bayer and Merck (pharmaceuticals); Adidas and Puma (clothing and footwear); Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank (banking and finance); Aldi, Lidl and Edeka (retail); SAP (computer software); Infineon (semiconductors); Henkel (household and personal consumer products); Deutsche Post (logistics); and Hugo Boss (luxury goods). Well known global brands are Mercedes Benz, BMW, Adidas, Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen, DHL, T-Mobile, Lufthansa, SAP, and Nivea.
Life Style
Germany is a modern, cosmopolitan country distinguished by its openness, a high standard of living and multi-national diversity. Freedom of worship and the separation of church and state are the cornerstones of the legal system. The German way of life is characterized by a colorful culture offering diverse opportunities for leisure activities and encounters.
Listening to music and enjoying the comfort of home are Germans favorite leisure activities, and some like to read a book or a magazine at the same time. Socializing is also popular: spending time with friends, receiving guests and activities with the family are all high on the list of preferred leisure pursuits.
There is a comprehensive range of culture offered by private and public institutions. Almost all theatres, museums and libraries are funded with public money so that as a rule entrance fees are affordable. In addition to the cultural centers, smaller towns and communities offer various cultural and sporting events.