Germany

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 – just like you. Germany is an attractive place to study and German university degrees are highly respected by employers worldwide.In Germany, you can make the most of yourself. Here you can develop your intellectual abilities and personal skills freely and reach your full potential. If you are out to achieve great things, you will find determination, motivation and commitment open many doors – both during your studies and after your studies.German is among the most spoken languages across the world. While it is possible to study in Germany without any knowledge of German, international students are bound to pick up the language after staying in the country. This can be extremely helpful when the students enter an international career.

Germany is surely one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. A rich historical heritage, natural wonders and modern metropolises make Germany an ideal tourism destination. For the international students, it gives them an opportunity to enjoy Europe at its finest while studying at some of the best universities in the world.

German universities offer excellent teaching and research, ranking among the best in the world. You will earn an internationally renowned degree, giving you excellent prospects on the global labour market.German universities provide outstanding academic programmes, while universities of applied sciences offer a range of attractive, practice-oriented options. Many study programmes combine theory and practice. This will greatly facilitate your career start.

In most cases, the German universities do not charge any tuition fees. Even if they do, the fees tend to be quite low. The German government provides considerable funding to the universities. The majority of bachelor’s degree courses and programmes can be studied without the need to pay any tuition fees. Although most master’s programmes charge tuition fees, the fees are considerably lower than that of other countries.The living expenses in Germany are more reasonable and affordable when compared to the other countries in Europe. The cost of rent, food and other living expenses are approximately the same as the EU average. Additionally, students in Germany can enjoy a variety of concessions. Entry fees to various institutions and buildings, such as theatres and museums are low for students.

Around 400 higher education institutions offer graduate and postgraduate programs for interested internationals depending on their aims and mode of studying. There are four main types of higher education institutions operating by different criteria, offering quite a wide range of possibilities for the students to choose from. Universities, the classical approach to academia and research remain the highest and most prestigious institutes world-wide. Technical universities or hochschule, as Germans call them, focus mainly on technology and engineering valuing not only the art of theory but also the art of practice. In fact, the emphasis in these institutions is on the practical skills their students will gain during their studies. Colleges of fine arts, film and music focus mainly on engaging rare talents in their environments, therefore there are special admission requests in order to enroll in such institutions.It is not necessary to be fluent in German in order to study at their universities. Many courses are offered in English, especially those at the master’s level. A huge number of international degrees can be studied in English.

As an EU/EEA citizen you won't need a visa or permit to work and live in Germany. However, you'll need to register your residence at your local registration office within three months of your arrival - to do this, you'll need a valid EU/EEA passport and proof of your residency (such as a rental contract). Coming from all other countries, it's likely you'll need to obtain a visa or residence permit to make the move to Germany. Visit the Federal Foreign Office - Entry & Residence to find out more about your exact entry requirements. This information is still correct following the UK's decision to leave the EU, and will be updated if changes occur.

Home to Europe's largest economy, it's predicted that Germany will experience its ninth consecutive year of economic growth in 2018. This is due in part to a low unemployment rate of 4.2% and a high-quality education system focused on developing vocational skills to equip workers with the assets needed to succeed in their careers.It's not just the larger companies that contribute to Germany's successes - small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and family-run businesses play a crucial role in the country's strong and stable economy.Employees who work a five-day week in Germany are entitled to a minimum of 20 days' annual leave, however most companies provide their workers with an average of 25 to 30 days per year. Germany also enjoys more public holidays than any other European country - you won't have trouble finding the time to explore the country during your stay.

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.The dual education system combines both practical and theoretical education but does not lead to academic degrees. It is more popular in Germany than anywhere else in the world and is a role model for other countries.[55] The oldest universities of Germany are also among the oldest and best regarded in the world, with Heidelberg University being the oldest (established in 1386 and in continuous operation since then). It is followed by Cologne University (1388), Leipzig University (1409), Rostock University (1419), Greifswald University (1456), Freiburg University (1457), LMU Munich (1472) and the University of Tübingen (1477). While German universities have a strong focus on research, a large part of it is also done outside of universities in independent institutes that are embedded in academic clusters, such as within the Max Planck, Fraunhofer, Leibniz and Helmholtz institutes. This German peculiarity of “outsourcing” research leads to a competition for funds between universities and research institutes and may negatively affect academic rankings.

In comparison with other countries, Germany is a safe country. In town or in the countryside, by day or by night, you can move around freely here. Germany offers economic and political stability, which makes it an ideal place for you to study.A sizeable portion of the student communities at German universities come from international backgrounds. The international community make it easier to get adjusted to life in Germany. It also provides a great opportunity to interact with various cultures from different countries. Additionally, the universities help the students adjust to the new country faster with the help of mentoring programmes.

International students with excellent academic records can apply for a variety of scholarship programmes to finance their studies in Germany. The DAAD or German Academic Exchange Service is among the biggest scholarship organisations in the world. Students can easily find a scholarship that can take care of their specific needs with the help of this organisation.