Studying in Germany A Practical Guide for International Students - 7th Edition - DAAD
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Studying in Germany A Practical Guide for International Students 7th Edition
The Most Important Questions at a Glance
9 Timeline
What do I have to do and when?
16 Degree programmes
How do I find a suitable degree programme?
22 German skills
How much German do I have to know?
15 English-language degree programmes
Where can I study in English?
30 Applications
How do I apply for admission?
28 Scholarships
What funding opportunities are available?
25 Living expenses
How much does rent, food etc. cost?
68 Part-time jobs
How can I earn money during my studies?
26 Health insurance
How do I get health insurance?
36 Visa
When do I need a visa?
40 Accommodation
How do I find a room or flat?
42 Checklist
What do I have to take care of and when?
Studying in Germany A Practical Guide for International Students 7th Edition
Publisher DAAD Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst German Academic Exchange Service Kennedyallee 50, 53175 Bonn www.daad.de Section Information on Studying in Germany Project Coordination Esther Kirk, Julia Enke Publishing House Dr. Dagmar Giersberg, Bonn Translation Robert Brambeer, Titisee-Neustadt Layout and Typesetting DITHO Design GmbH, Cologne Printed by W. Kohlhammer Druckerei GmbH + Co. KG, Stuttgart Print run July 2019 – 25,000 © DAAD Photo Credits Thomas Bergmann (Cover), Norbert Hüttermann (p. 7, 67), Christian Lord Otto (p. 34), Peter Himsel/David Ausserhofer (p. 39), Ikhlas Abbis (pp. 46, 50, 74), Doerthe Hagenguth (p. 59), other pictures: private. This brochure is also available in German. This publication was funded by the Federal Foreign Office.
Studying in Germany 3
Contents
Studying in Germany? A Good Idea! 6
1. Preparation 8
1.1 Degree programmes and universities 10
Types of universities | Public or private? | Programmes and degrees |
International degree programmes | Information and advice |
Map: Universities in Germany
1.2 Admission requirements 19
Higher education entrance qualification | Qualification assessment
examination | Demands | German language proficiency
1.3 Financing 24
Costs | Proof of financial resources | Funding opportunities
1.4 Applying for admission 30
Subjects with centrally restricted admission | All other subjects |
Application fees | Documents | Deadlines
4 Studying in Germany
1.5 Entry visas and residence permits 36
Visa requirements | Types of visas | Application
1.6 Looking for accommodation 40
Student hall of residence | Private accommodation | The first nights
1.7 Checklist 42
2. The first steps in Germany 44
2.1 Student advisory services 45
International Office | Support services | Student organisations |
International student groups | Departmental student representatives
2.2 Finding accommodation 51
Assistance | Apartment listings
2.3 Enrolment 52
2.4 Registering with the authorities 53
Residents‘ Registration Office | Residence permit
2.5 Scheduling and organisation 55
Courses | Programme structure | Examinations | Timetable
A Practical Guide for International Students 5
3. Tips for a successful stay 60
3.1 Making contacts 61
3.2 Learning German 64
3.3 Gaining work experience 68
Part-time jobs | Restrictions | Internships | Payment
3.4 Career opportunities after graduation 72
Legal requirements | Job search | German skills
Good luck! 76
Appendix 77
Facts and figures – International students in Germany 78
About the DAAD – Goals, tasks, programmes 80
Addresses and related links 82
Index 84
6 Studying in Germany
Studying in Germany?
A Good Idea!
So, you’re interested in studying in Germany?
That’s fantastic! We’re happy to hear that!
Studying abroad – especially in a country any additional information, feel free to
very different from your own – is an contact the DAAD staff in your country and
exciting challenge. You will be influenced they will be happy to assist you. Or simply
by the surge of new impressions and post your questions on
points of view you encounter here. Study- www.facebook.com/Study.in.Germany.
ing in Germany – in the heart of Europe –
will certainly have a long-lasting impact We wish you success and a wonderful,
on your life. unforgettable stay in Germany!
There are diverse opportunities in Germany
for learning and researching. German Who are we?
universities have an outstanding reputa-
The German Academic Exchange
tion throughout the world. Each year
Service (DAAD) is a joint organisation
they produce significant, internationally of German institutions of higher
recognised advances and innovations. education and student bodies. Our
Here you will find ideal conditions for task is to support academic coopera-
gaining a successful university education. tion around the world, especially by
By the way, you are one of many talented, promoting the exchange of students
young individuals who wish to study in and academics.
You can find more information about
Germany. There are almost 360,000 young
studying and living in Germany in our
people from around the world studying and info brochures and on our websites
researching at German universities. www.daad.de and
At present, they comprise 12.9 percent www.study-in-germany.de.
of all students in Germany. In fact, there
are very few countries that can boast a
higher percentage of international students.
And you are not alone as you travel to
Germany. This brochure will help you
prepare for your studies here. If you need
7
8 Studying in Germany 1. Preparation This chapter tells you how to plan a successful study visit and what you should take care of before you leave home. Studying abroad is like turning over a new leaf in an unknown world. There are many things to consider, plan and organise. The following timeline will give you an over- view of each step you will take on your way to Germany. On the following pages you will find detailed information about each step on the timeline. Using the checklist at the end of this chapter, you can make sure that you have completed all of the important steps and obtained all the necessary documents for your trip to Germany (see pp. 42–43).
Preparation 9
! Timeline
About 15 months before your planned trip to Germany
■ S tart gathering information about study opportunities
in Germany either online or from a DAAD office
(see pp. 10–18).
■ Find out whether you fulfil the requirements for
studying in Germany (see pp. 19–23).
– Is your school-leaving certificate sufficient?
– Will you have to take a language test?
■ Determine how you will finance your study visit in
Germany and whether you are eligible for a scholarship
(see pp. 24–29).
About nine months before your trip
■ D ecide on a degree programme and university
(see pp. 10–18).
■ Contact the International Office at the university of
your choice (see p. 16).
About four to five months before your studies begin
■ P repare and submit your application of admission
(see pp. 30–35). Note the submission deadlines!
■ Would you like to live in a student hall of residence?
Then apply for a room now (see p. 40).
When you receive your notification of acceptance
■ D o you need a visa? If so, then apply for one now
(see pp. 36–38).
■ Do you have a health insurance policy which is recognised
in Germany? Then request a statement confirming your
coverage from your provider now. For more information
on health insurance, see p. 26.
About one month before your trip
■ M ake sure you have collected all the necessary
documents (see p. 43).
■ Plan where you will spend your first nights in Germany
(see p. 41).
Your trip to Germany!10 Studying in Germany
1.1
Degree programmes and universities
This section provides you with an overview of the
German university system and the degree programmes
you can choose from.
The more choices you have, the harder What kind of colleges and
it is to choose. This especially applies universities are there?
to your situation, as there are so many
opportunities to study in Germany. Deciding on a college or university is
somewhat easier as there are only three
There are 430 officially recognised institu- types to choose from in Germany:
tions of higher education in around
170 towns and cities throughout Germany. ■ Universities
The map on page 18 shows the location of ■ Universities of applied sciences
these institutions. In total, German uni- ■ Colleges of art, film and music
versities and colleges offer around 20,000
degree programmes. And from all of these, Studying at a university is a good idea if
you will have to choose one. We’ve put you are interested in a scientifically-oriented
together some information to help with education. Universities offer a broad range
your decision. of courses and subjects. Some schools
specialise in certain disciplines, such as
advanced technology, medicine and edu
cation. If you would like to enter a doctoral
The academic year in Germany
The academic year is divided into Semester schedule at most universities:
two semesters at German universities
– winter and summer semester. Universities
Winter semester: October to March
A semester is comprised of the lecture Summer semester: April to September
period, during which students attend
seminars and lectures, and the lecture- Universities of applied sciences
free period when the university is closed Winter semester: September to February
for holidays. The semester schedule Summer semester: March to August
varies depending on the type of univer-
Important: Some degree programmes
sity you attend. Therefore, enquire about
only begin in the winter semester
the exact dates at the university of your
choice.Degree programmes and universities 11
A perfect match!
I was thrilled when I stumbled across a
degree programme in cognitive science while
looking for computer science programmes
online. This bachelor‘s degree programme,
offered in Osnabrück and Tübingen, offers a
combination of computer science, psychology
and biology. It was perfect for me!
What I especially like is that they give you
a lot of freedom to design your programme
according to your interests. And the students
are very, very motivated.
Alona Sakhnenko comes from Ukraine where she
studied applied mathematics. She is now complet-
ing bachelor‘s programmes in cognitive science and
computer science at the University of Osnabrück.
programme in Germany, then a university technicians and producers for film and
is the perfect place for you. television. Potential candidates must pos-
sess a high degree of artistic talent which
Universities of applied sciences are ideal they are asked to demonstrate in an apti-
if you are looking for a more practice- tude test. Therefore, you can expect spe-
oriented education. These institutions pro- cial admission requirements if you wish
vide students with a scientifically based to apply to a college of art, film or music.
education, tailored to the demands of
professional life. The degree programmes
generally include internships (see p. 71) and Facts and figures
a practical module. This enables students to
apply their knowledge on the job at compa- A total of more than 2.9 million
students were enrolled around 430
nies and businesses.
officially recognised universities
and colleges in the winter semester
If you wish to study an artistic or design 2018/2019.
oriented subject, you may be the perfect
■ 1 ,778,737 students at
candidate for a college of art, film or music.
128 universities,
There you will find courses in the Fine ■ 1,003,402 students at 218 uni-
Arts, Industrial and Fashion Design, versities of applied sciences
Graphic Arts, Instrumental Music, Per ■ 36.834 students at 53 colleges
forming Arts, Voice, etc. Colleges of of art, film and music
modern media train students to become Source: Federal Statistical Office
directors, camera operators, screenwriters,12 Studying in Germany
What is the difference What kind of degree programmes
between public and private are there?
universities?
Each course prepares you for a particular
Most universities and colleges in Ger- university degree. When you choose a
many are public, i. e. they receive funding degree programme, you’re not only
from the federal government. Some are choosing a subject, but also the degree
also financed by the Protestant or Catholic you wish to ultimately attain.
Church. In addition to these subsidised
institutions, there are 120 private German universities offer a wide range
universities and colleges which of degree programmes to suit your needs
confer officially recognised degrees. The and educational level.
majority of these are universities of
applied sciences. ■ You can attend university in Germany
as a beginner (undergraduate studies).
Most students in Germany are enrolled ■ You can gain international experience
at public universities. Only 7.4 percent of at a German university for a couple of
all students attend a private institution, semesters to supplement your degree
the reason being that private colleges often programme at home.
charge high tuition fees while public ■ You can enter a postgraduate programme
universities generally do not (see p. 27). in Germany, if you have already
The quality of instruction at both types of completed your undergraduate studies.
universities, however, is comparably high. ■ You can study as a doctoral candidate.
Degrees conferred by
Did you know … German universities
University education in Germany is You can attain the following degrees at
not centrally coordinated. Each of
German universities:
the 16 states (see p. 18) has its own
higher education laws and guidelines.
German universities are largely self Bachelor’s degree (B.A., B.Sc., Bachelor
regulatory, which means that not of Engineering, etc.): This is the first-
all rules apply to every university. level academic degree recognised on the
Therefore, always enquire about international job market. Bachelor’s
the particular regulations at the uni degree programmes teach students the
versity of your choice.
fundamentals of their subject of study in
six to eight semesters. Once you have
received your bachelor’s degree, you can
enter professional life or continue studying
for the second-level academic qualification
– the master’s degree.Degree programmes and universities 13
Master’s degree (M.A., M.Sc., Master of Doctoral degree: A doctoral programme,
Engineering, etc.): This is the second-level which involves the completion of a
academic qualification you can receive research paper (dissertation), concludes
from a German university. If you wish to with the conferral of a doctoral degree.
enter a master’s degree programme, you The duration of doctoral programmes
are required to have a bachelor’s degree depends on the candidate’s particular area
(or equivalent academic qualification). of research. However, most programmes
Master’s degree programmes last two to generally take two to five years to complete
four semesters and allow you to deepen (see p. 14).
and expand your knowledge in a certain
subject. After you receive your master’s In recent decades the academic programmes
degree, you can enter professional life or at German universities have undergone
continue studying for the next academic major reform as mandated by the Bologna
qualification – the doctoral degree. Process. Meanwhile, the bachelor’s
and master’s degree programmes have
State examination (Staatsexamen): The all but replaced the traditional German
state examination is not an academic Diplom and Magister Artium programmes
degree, but rather a state qualification. at most universities.
This means that the examination regula-
tions are stipulated by the German states, As you look into more universities and
not by the university. Another difference their programmes, you may still encounter
is that the examinations are administered these types of degrees. A Diplom is gener-
by state invigilators. Those who wish to ally conferred to students who study the
work as a medical doctor, lawyer, pharma- Natural Sciences, Engineering, Economics
cist or teacher in Germany have to pass a and Social Sciences, while students in
state examination. Students are permitted the humanities are awarded the Magister
to take the first state examination after Artium (M.A.) degree. Both degrees are
successfully completing their studies in comparable to a master’s degree.
Medicine, Law, Pharmaceutics or Teacher
Education. Afterwards, they can begin a
professionally oriented, practical training
phase to prepare themselves for the second
state examination and/ or enter a doctoral
programme. Passing the state examination,
however, does not guarantee the candidate
a job. If you wish to attain this qualifica-
tion, you should enquire whether the
German state examination is recognised
in your home country.14 Studying in Germany
Doctoral degrees
There are many opportunities for you Some states in Germany have es-
to attain a doctorate from a German tablished English-language graduate
university. schools which, in contrast to research
Basically, you can take two routes – training groups, are permanently estab-
either research independently and lished at their respective universities.
write a dissertation under professorial This is where young, highly qualified
supervision, or enter a doctoral pro- researchers can receive intensive and
gramme that provides a fixed structure. individual advising.
Option 1: You first have to find a univer- There are also a wide range of interna-
sity professor (Doktorvater or Doktor
tional doctoral programmes (see p. 15).
mutter) to supervise your dissertation.
For more information about these
Since instructors are not obliged to
international structured doctoral pro-
take on every candidate, your research
idea must be compelling. Find out in grammes, visit www.daad.de/interna-
advance which university and professor tional-programmes.
would be best suited for your research
project. For more information, visit Please note: The information in this
the HRK website www.higher-educa- brochure – especially pertaining to the
tion-compass.de and the information admission requirements and the struc-
portal GERiT (German Research Institu- ture of the academic programmes –
tions) at www.gerit.org. primarily applies to the bachelor’s and
master’s degree programmes. If you
Option 2: You can enter a structured are interested in entering a doctoral
doctoral degree programme in Germany. programme, you can find more relevant
The most significant of these include: information at www.research-in-
■ Research training groups germany.de/phd. Our “PhDGermany”
■ Graduate schools database (www.phdgermany.de) con-
■ International doctoral programmes tains an extensive collection of doctoral
positions especially suited to interna-
Research training groups are university
tional candidates. Once you have found
programmes that promote young
a position that interests you, you can
scientists and researchers. These train-
apply directly via the DAAD portal by
ing groups allow doctoral candidates to
clicking the link provided in the job offer.
embed their dissertation in a compre
hensive research programme. Such
programmes are generally interdisci
plinary and are supervised by several
scientists. Visit the webpage of the
German Research Foundation (DFG)
for a list of the research training
groups which it is currently funding:
www.dfg.de/gk.Degree programmes and universities 15
International degree
! programmes
Double degree programmes have an
international or bilateral orientation. They
are usually offered by a German university
German universities currently offer around in cooperation with one or more partner
1,530 internationally-oriented degree pro- universities abroad. Students who partici-
grammes. These well-structured, high- pate in such degree programmes usually
level “International Bachelor, Master study at the partner university for several
and Doctoral Programmes” feature inten- semesters. Students receive full credit for
sive student counselling and academic completing pre-approved courses from
advising. Most courses are taught in Eng- their university at home. Some of these
lish, though German language courses degree programmes require students to
often supplement the programmes. spend approximately half their time at
the partner university. When completed,
More information? students receive a double degree – one
www.daad.de/international-programmes from each university.
There are also a number of programmes
Online degrees especially tailored to the needs of inter
national doctoral candidates. The most
You don’t have to live in Germany prominent of these include the Graduate
to benefit from the degree pro-
Schools in the Excellence Initiative and
grammes at German universities.
Both public and private universities the International Max Planck Research
offer free and tuition-based online Schools (IMPRS). They offer especially
and distance-learning programmes talented German and international gradu-
in numerous subjects. You can ates the opportunity to pursue their doctor-
find these bachelor’s and master’s ate at some of the most excellent scientific
programmes at www.hochschulkom- centres in Germany. In addition to intensive
pass.de (under the menu tab “Dis- expert advising, most of these programmes
tance learning”) and internationally feature English-language courses and, in
oriented programmes at www.daad. many cases, special funding opportunities.
de/international-programmes (under
the menu tab “Study online“).
More information?
www.mpg.de/de/imprs16 Studying in Germany
What is the right degree Where can I get academic advice?
! programme for me?
Get as much advice as you can! There are
Now you have a general idea of the oppor- also academic consulting and advising
tunities offered by German universities. It’s services in your home country to help you
up to you to find out which degree pro- plan your study visit in Germany. If you
gramme best suits your needs. need advice, please contact the following
people or agencies:
As you look for a suitable degree pro-
gramme, we recommend using the search ■ The DAAD-Information Centres (ICs)
engine on www.study-in-germany.de. It and the DAAD branch offices (see p. 82)
offers extensive information about all pro- ■ DAAD-affiliated instructors and
grammes currently offered at state-recog- lecturers at foreign universities
nised universities in Germany. You will also ■ Goethe-Institut or Goethe-Zentrum
find important information provided by the ■ T he German diplomatic missions –
HRK database on admission requirements, i. e. embassies and consulates
application deadlines and contactaddresses.
We also recommend visiting www.univer-
sityranking.de. This site ranks the degree
Self-assessment tests
programmes at 380 German universities in
If you’re having a hard time deciding
37 popular subjects. on a major, you might want to take
the “Study Interest Test”, or SIT, for
For more on international bachelor’s, short. The test is free and only takes
master’s and doctoral degree programmes, 15 minutes (www.hochschulkompass.
see www.daad.de/international- de/studium-interessentest).
programmes. For more links to other self-tests, visit
www.studis-online.de/StudInfo/
If you need further assistance with choos- selbsttests.php and
ing a programme, you can find extensive www.hochschulkompass.de/en/de-
information on the DAAD website and at gree-programmes/choosing-
www.studienwahl.de. a-programme/higher-education-
orientation-tests.html
If you’re interested in technical sub-
jects, the consultation service “Self
Assessment international” is right for
you. Visit the service at
www.self-assessment.tu9.de.
If you’d like to find out whether you
can meet the demands at German
universities, the TestAS will help as-
sess your ability (see p. 21).Degree programmes and universities 17
You’re the focus ...
in everything we do! At the University of
Bremen you can design the programmes for
international students. We at the Inter-
national Office welcome your ideas and
involvement. We are happy to help you
integrate your strengths in developing a
multifaceted programme for international
students. In addition to orientation events
at the beginning of the semester, we also
provide concrete academic assistance, such
as thesis-writing workshops and a learning
tandem programme. We also invite students
from around the world to get together and
participate in recreational activities. Per-
haps you have some other ideas about how
we can network the numerous cultures on
our campus!
Dr. Annette Lang is the director of the Internation-
al Office at the University of Bremen.
Your most important contact in Germany And, of course, our staff at the DAAD
is the International Office (Akademisches head office in Bonn are happy to answer
Auslandsamt) at the university of your your questions regarding your study visit
choice (for a list of addresses, visit in Germany (for contact info, see p. 82).
www.daad.de/aaa). The International You can also post your questions on
Office provides information about study www.facebook.com/Study.in.Germany.
opportunities in specific disciplines and Remember, you are not alone. We’re here
degree programmes, admission require- to help you!
ments, study preparation, languages tests,
internships, financial aid and assistance
with planning your studies.18 Studying in Germany
Universities in Germany
Flensburg
Kiel
Heide Stralsund
Schleswig- Rostock
Holstein Greifswald
Elmshorn Lübeck
Wismar
Wedel Hamburg Mecklenburg- Neubrandenburg
Willhelmshaven Bremerhaven Hamburg
Emden
Western Pomerania
Buxtehude
Ottersberg Lüneburg
Oldenburg
Bremen
Bremen Brandenburg
Neuruppin
Hermannsburg Eberswalde
Vechta
Lower Saxony Wustermark Berlin
Berlin
Brandenburg
Hannover Potsdam
Osnabrück Frankfurt/O.
Braunschweig
Hameln Friedensau Wildau
Herford Wolfenbüttel
Bielefeld Hildesheim Magdeburg
Münster Lemgo
Detmold Wernigerode
Kleve Cottbus
Hamm Clausthal-Zellerfeld Saxony-
Gelsenkirchen Köthen Anhalt
Bochum Paderborn
Mülheim Nordhausen
Dortmund Halle
Essen Witten Göttingen
Krefeld Hagen Iserlohn Merseburg
Kassel Leipzig
Düsseldorf Wuppertal Moritzburg
North Rhine- Bad Sooden- Thuringia Saxony
Westphalia Allendorf Dresden
Hesse Weimar Zittau
Köln Siegen Mittweida Freiberg
Erfurt
AachenBrühl Dietzhölztal Jena Gera Chemnitz
Alfter St. Augustin Marburg
Bonn Gießen Schmalkalden
Ilmenau Zwickau
Bad Honnef Hachenburg Fulda
Vallendar
Koblenz Idstein
Bad Homburg
Rhineland Oberursel Frankfurt a. M.
Palatinate Coburg Hof
Wiesbaden Offenbach
Bernkastel-Kues Geisenheim Aschaffenburg
Bingen Darmstadt Bayreuth
Trier Mainz Würzburg Bamberg
Pfungstadt
Worms
Ludwigshafen Erlangen
Kaiserslautern Mannheim
Heidelberg Fürth Amberg
Saarland Speyer Ansbach Nürnberg
Saarbrücken
Heilbronn Neuendettelsau
Karlsruhe
Pforzheim Eichstätt Regensburg
Ludwigsburg
Aalen
Bad Liebenzell Stuttgart Ingolstadt Deggendorf
EsslingenSchwäbisch Gmünd
Offenburg Tübingen Nürtingen Passau
Rottenburg Reutlingen Bavaria Landshut
Ulm Neu-Ulm
Riedlingen Freising
Trossingen Augsburg
Furtwangen Biberach Ismaning
Sigmaringen München
Freiburg Baden- Neubiberg
Weingarten
Württemberg Rosenheim
Weilheim Isny Kempten
Konstanz FriedrichshafenAdmission requirements 19
1.2
Admission requirements
In this section we outline the requirements you must fulfil
before you can be admitted to a German university. In particular,
these requirements concern your school-leaving certificate,
your prior knowledge of the subject you intend to study and
your language skills.
Those who wish to study at a German The database will then inform you whether
university require a Hochschulzugangs your certificate:
berechtigung or higher education entrance
qualification. Although the term is daunt- ■ is recognised as a qualification for
ing, the idea behind it is simple – it is a direct university admission,
school-leaving certificate confirming that ■ is only recognised as a qualification for
you are qualified to begin your university subject-restricted study (i. e. only for
studies. In Germany, after students graduate admission to a certain range of subjects),
from secondary school, they receive a ■ is only recognised in combination with
general university entrance qualification proof you have successfully completed
(Abitur) or qualification for a university of one or two academic years in your
applied sciences (Fachhochschulreife). home country, or
■ is not recognised as a higher education
Will they recognise my entrance qualification.
higher education entrance
qualification? Your school-leaving certificate is usually
recognised as a university entrance qualifi
How can you determine whether your cation in Germany if you come from an EU
higher education entrance qualification will country, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway or
be recognised in Germany? A good place Switzerland and your certificate is also rec
to start is the DAAD admission database at ognised as a university entrance qualification
www.daad.de/admission. Simply enter the there. This also applies to those who
country where you received your school- have received their Abitur from any of the
leaving certificate. 140 German Schools abroad.20 Studying in Germany
A wonderful time!
I spent one year in a foundation course pre-
paring for my bachelor’s degree programme
– with students from all around the world
who were also new to Germany. It was super
exciting!
My language skills were actually pretty good
when I arrived in Germany. But during the
foundation course, I was able to really im-
prove my speaking ability - and acquire a lot
of subject-related knowledge. After I
completed the course, it was great for me to
see that I had reached the same level as the
native speakers in my degree programme.
Ana Cristina Arango comes from Colombia.
She is pursuing her master’s degree in Romance
literature and cultural studies at the Goethe
University Frankfurt.
The DAAD online admission database only specific requirements and whether you
provides a general overview. The database meet the prerequisites for admission.
at www.anabin.de can give you detailed
information with a more extensive list of What if my school-leaving
countries and school-leaving certificates certificate is not sufficient?
(select “Schulabschlüsse mit Hochschul-
zugang” – “Suchen”, German only). If your school-leaving certificate is not
sufficient for university admission, you
In some cases, especially gifted applicants will have to take a qualification assess-
may be admitted into artistic degree ment examination in Germany, called a
programmes without a higher education Feststellungsprüfung.
entrance qualification. Depending on the
university, candidates must either submit You can prepare for this examination in
a work portfolio or pass an aptitude test. a foundation course (Studienkolleg) in
Germany. These are special programmes
Ultimately, the university you apply to has offered at universities and universities of
the final say concerning your admission. applied sciences. They include modules
Therefore, before submitting your applica- with a focus on certain subjects.
tion, be sure to enquire at the International
Office at the university of your choice aboutAdmission requirements 21
The examination assesses a student’s is help available – the Test for Academic
proficiency in several subjects that are Studies and/ or propaedeutic courses.
crucial to the degree programme. One
component of the qualification assessment With the Test for Academic Studies
examination is a language test. However, (TestAS), you can assess your ability to
students must have some basic German cope with the demands that German uni
language skills to even participate in a versities place on their students. The
foundation course – approximately the result could also help you narrow down
B1 level based on the Common European your choices for a degree programme.
Framework of Reference for Languages After taking the test, you will be able to
(see infobox on p. 23). In the examination, more realistically assess the likelihood
you must demonstrate that you possess of completing a degree programme at a
the language skills necessary for your German university. Furthermore, passing
intended course of study. the TestAS significantly increases your
chances of gaining admission to the uni
Subject-specific foundation courses usually versity of your choice. Please find out
take two semesters to complete. Students whether your university requires the
who demonstrate above-average achieve- TestAS and what advantages it has for you.
ment may be permitted to take the qualifica- The TestAS is administered several times
tion assessment examination after only a year at TestDaF testing centres around
one semester. Foundation courses provide the world and possibly in your country as
about 30 hours of instruction per week. well. For a list of testing centres and infor-
mation about TestAS examination fees,
Participation is usually free of charge at visit www.testas.de.
public universities in Germany. However,
like normal students, foundation course Propaedeutic courses are another way to
participants are also required to pay the prepare for the demands of university
semester contribution (see pp. 24–25). study. These university preparatory courses
If you wish to attend a foundation course, are offered to international applicants by
you must apply in advance. some universities. They provide students
the language and academic skills they
More information?
www.studienkollegs.de
Prerequisite: Internship
For some degree programmes –
What are the demands of primarily at universities of applied
university study? sciences – internships are a pre-
requisite for university admission.
You might fulfil the formal prerequisites for Therefore, enquire at the university
admission, but can you meet the demands of your choice whether an internship
is obligatory for admission to your
of university study in Germany? If this is
degree programme.
something you are concerned about, there22 Studying in Germany
require for studying in Germany. They
often include an introduction to the Language certificate
German university system and scientific
At www.sprachnachweis.de, you can
working methods.
find out the German proficiency level
required for your degree programme
These courses are usually aimed at appli at the university of your choice. The
cants who have a recognised higher educa- website also offers a helpful over-
tion entrance qualification, but wish to view of the tests that you can take to
prepare themselves for the degree pro- prove your German language skills.
gramme. A preparatory semester can help
them complete their degree programme The language proficiency required for uni-
in a successful and timely manner. The versity admission can be certified by two
International Office at the university of different tests – the DSH Test (“Deutsche
your choice can tell you whether such pro- Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang”)
paedeutic courses are available. For a gen- and the “TestDaF” (Test Deutsch als Fremd-
eral overview, visit the DAAD database at sprache).
www.daad.de/international-programmes
(select “Prep Course” in the section You are not required to take either of
“Degree / Level”). these tests, if one of the following cases
applies to you:
! How good does my
German have to be? ■ You have received an Abitur from a
German-language school.
For most degree programmes, the language ■ You have received the “Goethe
of instruction at German universities is Zertifikat C2: Major German Language
German. Therefore, you will have to prove Certificate” or the “telc Deutsch C1 Hoch-
you have adequate knowledge of German schule” examination.
to be admitted to the university. ■ You have received the German Language
Diploma (Level II) from the German
The exception to the rule applies to students Standing Conference of Ministers of
who participate in international degree Education and Culture.
programmes (see p. 15) and special postgrad-
uate programmes. You can take the German as a Foreign
Language Test (TestDaF) in your home
Some universities do not require applicants country even before you arrive in Germany.
to prove their German language skills, if The test is administered in Germany and
they only intend to study there for one or almost 100 other countries around the
two semesters. However, this rule does world six times a year, and in the People’s
not apply everywhere. Therefore, enquire Republic of China, three times a year. Visit
about the specific admission requirement www.testdaf.de for information about test-
regarding language ability at the university ing centres, dates, application procedures
of your choice. and much more.Admission requirements 23
The DSH Test (“Deutsche Sprachprüfung für
den Hochschulzugang”) is mainly offered The Common European
by universities and foundation courses Framework of Reference for
in Germany. Enquire at the International Languages (CEFR)
Office at your university for the upcoming
testing dates. Language skill levels in Germany
correspond to the three level groups
as defined by the CEFR: Basic User
The TestDaF and DSH assess several (A), Independent User (B) and Pro-
levels of language proficiency. Those who ficient User (C). These are divided
pass all the sections of the tests at the into six subgroups which range from
intermediate level (TDN 4 for the Test- absolute beginners (A1) to almost
DaF, or the DSH-2 for the DSH) are native speakers (C2).
eligible for unrestricted admission to
university. Depending on the specific
regulations at your university, a lower
mark in one of the sections will not
necessarily disqualify you from regular
admission.
You are required to pay an examination fee
if you wish to take the DSH or TestDaF.
The cost of the fee depends on the
administering authority and the country in
which you take the test.
Of course, learning German is not only
important for gaining admission to univer-
sity. Keep in mind that your German
language skills will significantly determine
how comfortable you feel in Germany
and how easily you make German friends
(see pp. 64–66).24 Studying in Germany
1.3
Financing
In this section we outline the expenses you can expect
during your study visit and the funding possibilities that
are available to you.
Your financial resources are an important cilities and administrative services. In some
aspect of your plans. Before you leave your states students are charged an administra-
home country, you must secure sufficient tive fee which can range from 50 to 75 euros
funds to finance your stay. a semester.
What expenses will I have? The semester contribution at many uni
versities also includes the cost of a public
Be prepared to pay for the following transportation ticket. This semester ticket
expenses during your stay in Germany: allows you to use all modes of public
transportation in and around your univer-
■ Semester contribution sity town for six months free of charge.
■ Basic living expenses (rent, food, Depending on the city and the range of the
clothing, books, telephone, etc.)
■ Health insurance coverage
■ Tuition fees (if applicable) Example: Semester contribution
at the Freie Universität Berlin
Semester contribution
Summer semester 2019
All university students are required to pay
Enrolment fee € 50.00
a semester contribution, the amount of
which can vary depending on the services Social contribution € 54.09
it includes. The amount can range between
130 and 390 euros. Most universities charge Student union contribution € 9.10
around 290 euros on average.
Semester ticket € 198.80
One part of the semester contribution
Total € 311.99
covers social services and fees. This helps
finance, for example, the student dining
halls, student halls of residence, athletic fa-Financing 25
ticket, you can expect to pay between 25 and Students are eligible for numerous price
160 euros per semester for the ticket. concessions. Theatres, opera houses, cin
emas, museums and other cultural venues
! Living expenses frequently offer concession rates to stu-
dents who show their student ID at the
Compared to other European countries, ticket counter.
Germany is not overly expensive. The price
for food, accommodation, clothing, cultural
activities, etc. is slightly higher than the EU
average. The approximate cost of living is
relatively low compared to that of Switzer-
land and the Scandinavian countries. How much does it cost?
average
It is difficult to say exactly how much
money a student in Germany needs per
Supermarket:
month. The cost of living varies from
1 kg potatoes € 0.75
city to city. Generally students can live
1 kg rice € 2.70
on less money in smaller cities than in
500 g spaghetti € 0.75
large cities. Of course the amount of
1 loaf of bread (ca. 500 g) € 2.00
money you will need greatly depends
1 l of milk € 1.00
on how economically you live.
1 bottle of mineral water (1 l) € 0.60
Students in Germany require an average of 1 frozen pizza € 2.00
almost 920 euros per month to cover their
living expenses. Those who have inexpen- Café or restaurant:
sive accommodation and live modestly can 1 cup of coffee or tea € 2.80
probably get by on about 720 euros per 1 glass of cola (0.3 l) € 2.30
month. 1 glass of beer (0.3 l) € 2.70
1 glass of wine (0.2 l) € 4.50
Renting a flat comprises the largest 1 pizza / pasta dish€ 7.50
portion of one’s monthly expenditures. 1 small salad € 3.50
However, the rental prices in Germany
vary greatly. Depending on the city, students Student dining hall:
pay between 259 and 373 euros per month 1 lunch € 2.20
for accommodation. The rental prices are 100 g salad from buffet € 0.75
comparatively higher in cities like Munich,
Cologne, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg and Admission prices:
Berlin. If you are looking to live cheaply, Cinema € 8.00
it might be a good idea to take a room in Theatre € 15.00
a student hall of residence or a shared flat Art museum € 7.50
(see pp. 40–41). Swimming pool € 4.0026 Studying in Germany
! Health insurance If your health insurance policy from home
is not recognised in Germany, you are
Everyone who studies in Germany must required to take out a policy in Germany.
have health insurance. When you officially Public health insurance policies cost around
enrol (see p. 52), you will be asked to show 90 euros per month. However, if you are
proof of health insurance coverage. You older than 30 or haven’t completed your de-
will also need confirmation of coverage to gree programme by your 14th semester, you
obtain a residence permit (see p. 54). are no longer eligible for the inexpensive
student rate. Some public health insurance
It is possible that your health insurance providers offer a less expensive interim
policy at home is also valid in Germany. rate for one semester (so-called “graduate
This is usually the case for public health student rate”) before raising the premium
insurance policies in EU member states, to about 180 euros per month.
as well as Bosnia, Herzegovina, Iceland,
Liechtenstein, Morocco, North Macedonia, For students who are 30 or older, it might
Montenegro, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, be less costly to take out a policy with a
Tunisia and Turkey. Germany has signed private health insurance provider. The
social insurance agreements with these Deutsches Studentenwerk has made an
countries to ensure cross-border coverage. agreement with a provider for such cases.
With your European Health Insurance For more information, enquire at the Stu-
Card (EHIC), you are also insured in Ger- dentenwerk office at your university or visit
many. In some circumstances, domestic www.vela.insure (“VELA Optimal” plan).
and international health insurance policies
from private foreign providers may also be Whatever the case, be sure to clarify your
recognised in Germany. Enquire at your health insurance status before you come
health insurance provider for more infor- to Germany. In order to enrol (see p. 52),
mation before coming to Germany. If your you have to provide proof of health insur-
insurance policy from your home country ance coverage to your university. Your
is recognised (be it private or public), you health insurance provider at home and the
will have to provide a statement at en- International Office at your German univer-
rolment confirming that you are indeed sity will be happy to help you. At many
exempt from mandatory German public universities, the Studentenwerk offers
health insurance coverage. To do this, visit service packages for international students
the branch office of a German insurance which include accommodation, meal
provider before you enrol and request this vouchers and a health insurance policy
statement confirming your present coverage. (see p. 45–47).Financing 27
Tuition fees term study. Students enrolled in certain
master’s and online degree programmes
Most students in Germany attend public are also required to pay tuition – in some
universities where tuition fees are rarely cases, up to 10,000 euros per semester or
charged for undergraduate programmes more. The cost of study at private universi-
and many master’s programmes. The only ties is relatively high as well.
exception are the public universities in the
state of Baden-Württemberg. There, inter- Tuition fees – no matter how high – say
national students from non-EU countries very little about the quality of education in
may be required to pay tuition to attend. For Germany. Tuition-free degree programmes
more information, contact the International also offer very good quality.
Office at the respective university.
More information?
In some states, universities charge fees www.studis-online.de/StudInfo/
for second degree programmes and long- Gebuehren
Students’ monthly expenses (not including tuition fees)
average Example: Rent and utilities
Rent and utilities € 323.00 average
Groceries € 168.00 Room in a student hall
of residence € 271.00
Clothing € 42.00
Room in a shared flat € 310.00
Learning materials € 20.00
Own apartment € 389.00
Car and/ or
public transportation € 94.00
Health insurance, medical
costs, medicine € 80.00
Communication
(Telephone, Internet, TV) € 31.00
Recreation, culture, sports € 61.00
Source: Deutsches Studentenwerk,
Total € 819.00 21th Social Survey28 Studying in Germany
How can I prove that What kind of funding can
I can pay for my studies? I apply for?
Before you begin your studies, you will have You now have an idea of the costs you
to show how you intend to finance your can expect. But you might not have to pay
stay. You must provide what is called a for everything yourself. There are numer-
Finanzierungsnachweis or “proof of finan- ous scholarships and funding possibilities
cial resources”. In most cases, you are that can help students pay for their study
required to include this document with your visit in Germany.
visa application. At the latest, you will need
it when you apply for a residence permit
(see p. 54). At present, foreign students
! Scholarships
must prove they have about 8,640 euros International students can apply for scholar-
per year at their disposal. ships from numerous organisations, such
as the DAAD, politically-affiliated founda-
Proof of financial resources can be tions, religious institutions and businessre-
provided in various ways. As a rule, the lated organisations. You should find out
following forms are accepted: whether you are eligible for scholarships
and financial aid from organisations in
■ Your parents submit documents your home country, as well.
certifying their income and
financial assets. The DAAD offers an extensive scholarship
■ A resident in Germany provides the programme for students, academics and
Aliens’ Registration Office a guarantee researchers.
to cover your expenses. Please note: Most funding organisations –
■ A security payment is deposited into including the DAAD – do not finance entire
a blocked account. degree programmes from the first to last
■ You submit a bank guarantee. semester.
■ You receive a scholarship from a
recognised funding organisation. Funding for
European students
Be sure to enquire at the German embassy
in your country as to which form of finan- There are special exchange programmes for
cial proof is required. students from EU countries and Iceland,
Please note: International students are Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway,
only allowed to work in Germany under Serbia and Turkey.
certain conditions. A part-time job may
supplement your budget, but it almost For example, Erasmus+ promotes the ex-
certainly won’t be able to cover all your change of European students in bachelor’s,
living expenses (see pp. 68-71). master’s and doctoral programmes. Students
receive grants to study abroad for a period
of three to twelve months. The exchange isFinancing 29
arranged on the basis of bilateral university
agreements. This means that if you would Scholarship Database
like to study in Germany with Erasmus+,
With the DAAD Scholarship Data-
you enrol as a visiting student at the German
base, it’s easy to research various
university with which your home university types of scholarships online. The
cooperates. Erasmus students usually don’t database includes scholarships of-
have to pay tuition fees in the host country. fered by the DAAD and other funding
organisations, as well.
Internships are also funded during or even More information?
after one’s degree programme for a period of www.funding-guide.de
two to twelve months.
Each student may receive funding multiple
times during his/her studies. However,
the total funding period may not exceed
36 months. In certain cases, students may
apply for a low-interest loan to finance their
master’s degree programme.
You can obtain more information and advice
concerning Erasmus+, the application
process and submission deadlines at the In-
ternational Office at your university, or at the
National Agency in your home country.
More information?
eu.daad.de
ec.europa.eu/programmes/
erasmus-plus30 Studying in Germany
1.4
Applying for admission
!
In this section we tell you the most important things
you should know about applying for admission to a degree
programme at a German university.
There are different ways to apply for
admission to a German university. The Numerus clausus …
form of application depends on which
subject you wish to study. … is Latin and means “limited
number”. It indicates that there are
only a limited number of spaces free
We distinguish between two categories at the university or in Germany in the
of subjects in Germany: respective course of study. In most
cases, there are more applicants than
■ Subjects with a centrally restricted spaces available which means that
admission policy (nationwide Numerus special selection criteria and condi-
tions for admission apply to appli-
clausus). These subjects are so popular
cants in these courses of study.
that there are far more applicants
than available places at the university.
At present, these subjects include
Medicine, Pharmacology, Veterinary
Medicine and Dentistry. How do I apply for a subject
■ Subjects with no or a locally restricted with a centrally restricted
admission policy (Numerus clausus admission policy?
implemented by the university).
A nationwide Numerus clausus (NC)
The following information only serves as applies to those subjects for which there
a general guideline and applies only to are more applicants in Germany than
public universities. To be on the safe side, the university system can absorb. If you
enquire about the application procedures wish to study one of these subjects,
pertaining to your degree programme at there are special conditions that pertain
the International Office at your German to your application.
university.ove
On the m
a ny –
in Germ
it wo rks:
how
e
study-in.d
”Go on a voyage of discovery.
Study in Germany.“
Thu from Vietnam and Harshvardhan from India are studying
in Berlin and enjoying a trip in the snow-covered Harz region.
www.study-in.de32 Studying in Germany
Where you submit your application choice or contact the university’s Interna-
depends on: tional Office.
■ the country you come from, and A list of over 180 uni-assist member uni-
■ whether you have a German higher versities is available at www.uni-assist.de/
education entrance qualification tools/uni-assist-hochschulen.
(see p. 19–20).
But as mentioned above, please enquire
The following applicants are required to about the application procedures at the
submit their application for admission International Office at the university of
to degree programmes with a local or your choice.
national Numerus clausus to the Foundation
for University Admission (Stiftung für What is uni-assist?
Hochschulzulassung):
The Working Service Point for Interna-
■ Applicants from EU member states, tional Student Applications, or uni-assist
e.V., is an organisation responsible for
as well as Liechtenstein, Iceland and previewing the documents submitted
Norway by international applicants. Uni-assist is
■ Applicants who have received their commissioned by member universities
secondary school-leaving certificate in to determine whether submitted certifi-
Germany or at a German School abroad cates qualify the applicant for admission
to university in Germany. Most uni-
versities also commission uni-assist to
More information? review additional documentation, such
www.hochschulstart.de as language certificates.
You can apply to several universities at
All other applicants should submit their one time via uni-assist. You only have
applications directly to the university of to submit your transcripts and language
their choice, or apply through uni-assist. certificates once. Uni-assist quickly
reviews your application materials and
informs if you have forgotten any
How do I apply for important documents. If everything ap-
other subjects? pears to be in order, uni-assist forwards
your applications electronically to the
If you wish to study a subject with no universities of your choice. For selected
universities, uni-assist will send you a
centrally restricted admission policy, you
certificate called the preliminary review
should submit your application to uni- documentation (VPD). With this docu-
assist (see info box). If the university of your ment, you may apply to the respective
choice does not work together with uni-as- university directly.
sist, then send your application directly to Important: The university (not uni-assist)
the university’s International Office or the makes the final admission decision.
Student Administration Office. For more
More information?
information about application procedures, www.uni-assist.de
visit the website of the university of yourApplying for admission 33
How much does it cost What must I submit with
to apply? my application?
You are required to provide a number You can obtain an application form from
of documents and certificates with your the university of your choice, uni-assist,
application for admission to a German the DAAD website or the Foundation for
university. In most cases, you will also University Admission (Stiftung für Hoch-
be charged a processing fee. Be prepared schulzulassung).
to pay the following charges and fees:
Additional documents are also required,
■ Fees for notarising copies and such as:
translations
■ Examination fee for the TestDaF ■ Notarised copy of your secondary
or DSH school-leaving certificate
■ Processing fee for the application ■ Notarised copies of all previous
(see below) university degree certificates
■ Passport photo
The cost of the processing fee depends ■ Photocopy of your passport
on where you apply. identification page (the page with
photo and personal info)
Through uni-assist: The evaluation of the ■ C
ertificate of language proficiency
certificates and preliminary review of the (see pp. 22–23)
application documents costs 75 euros for
the first university and 30 euros for each Please note: Copies of documents will
additional university in the same semester. only be accepted if they have been
Some universities cover the processing fees notarised and are accompanied with a
for their applicants. You can find a current notarised translation in German. The
list of these universities at German mission in your country, for
www.uni-assist.de/ example, can notarise copies and trans
kostenuebernahme.html. lations of your certificates. Some univer
sities also accept copies of documents
Directly to a university: Some universities in English or French.
charge a processing fee for reviewing
your application and supplementary Your application will only be processed if
documents. you have submitted all the necessary docu-
mentation and paid the processing fee.
Please remember that your application
will only be processed after you have paid
the fee!
Directly to the Foundation for University
Admission: No application processing fee.You can also read
