Study in Germany Scholarships, Top Universities, Courses, Cost of Study

Study in Germany articles gives a clear idea about the top German Universities, courses, cost of study etc. Germany or the Federal Republic of Germany is the second most popular migration destination in the world after USA and study in Germany is gaining a lot of importance amongst the students. Located in western-central Europe, Germany has 16 constituent states with Berlin as its capital.

Germany has the world’s fourth-largest economy in terms of nominal GDP and the fifth-largest in terms of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). Germany is a global leader in various industrial and technological sectors. The living standards are very high in Germany and it also maintains a universal healthcare system, comprehensive society, and diverse environmental protection laws.

The Education System in Germany is highly regarded and reproduced all around the world. It helps students prepare for their future as per their academic abilities and career he/she wants to pursue. Moreover, the Universities in Germany are Public institutions and students are not required to pay their tuition fee. Students usually have to pay only for textbooks, certain administrative fees and for room and board. Let us have a look at the education system of Germany. There are a lot of Indian students studying in Germany and in 2014-15 there were 11,860 Indian students enrol in German universities, a massive increase of 23% over the figure of the previous year. The number has more than doubled in the past four years. 

 This article is divided into the following sections:

• Reasons to Study in Germany
• Education System in Germany
• Popular field of studies
• Top Universities in Germany
• Cost of Studying in Germany
• Scholarships to study in Germany

Reasons to study in Germany 

Germany is emerging as one of the most preferred foreign study destination in the global education scenario. Here are some of the reasons for the same:

• Standard of Education: German higher education is considered among the best in the world especially in the field of engineering and science. German Educational Degree is accepted by employers and institutions throughout the world.
• A wide range of Degree Choice: The German Universities offer somewhere around 17,500-degree programs at every level i.e. Bachelor’s, Masters or Doctoral Level. General universities emphasize strongly on the scientifical study in a varied range of disciplines. Universities of applied science, on the other hand, are very practice-oriented. For students interested in artistic subjects, there are a number of programs available at the college of art, film or music.
• Very Low Tuition Fees: German Universities do not charge any tuition fee from students and in case they are required to pay, the fees are very low. Most of the Bachelor’s program are usually tuition-free while for Master’s Courses, students are required to pay tuition fee, but it is nominal when compared to other countries.
• Affordable Cost of Living: The cost of living in Germany is very reasonable in comparison to other European countries. Students get a special concession at theaters, swimming pools, cinemas and other institutions by presenting their student ID.
• Scholarship Programs for everyone: The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is one of the largest scholarship providers and offers numerous scholarships to students across the world to study in Germany.

Germany Education System 

• Kindergarten: Kindergarten education is optional in Germany and is provided to children between the ages of 3 to 6 years.
• Primary Education: Primary education is given for a period of four to six years and at this level Students are not labeled as per their academic abilities.
• Secondary Education: Secondary education is provided at three different levels depending on the academic abilities of the student.
  • The Gymnasium: It is for the most brilliant students and prepares them for their university studies.
  • The Realschule: It is suitable for intermediate students and continues for a period of 6 years.
  • The Hauptschule: The Hauptschule prepares students for their vocational education.
• University Education: Students need not pay any tuition fee for their University Education. University Education is available to international as well and is also getting popular.

Popular field of studies: Germany is well known for its art and engineering as world’s most reputed cars such as Audi, BMW, Ford, Porsche, and Volkswagen are engineered in Germany. It is just one side of the multi-dimension excellence of technology in Germany. Germany is also emerging as a leading education destination for the following fields of study:

• Arts & Humanities
• Engineering & Technology
• Life Sciences & Medicine
• Natural Sciences
• Social Sciences & Management
• Mathematics

German Universities

Germany is home to some of the Top ranked Universities of the World. In terms of the number, Germany is home to 6 of the World’s Top 100 Universities and 13 out of World’s Top 200 Universities. The names of Top German Universities and their ranks are as follow:

That much is not enough as Germany had some of the oldest running universities of the world, the names of them are:

• Heidelberg University (1386)
• Leipzig University (1409)
• Rostock University (1419)
• Greifswald University (1456)
• Freiburg University (1457)
• University of Munich (1472)

Cost of Studying in Germany 

Although the cost of study and cost of living is not very expensive in Germany but let us have a look at some figures to have a better idea about the finance. The total cost of Study in Germany comprises basically 4 factors i.e.

• The cost of Living: Cost of living depends on upon the area where the student lives and it includes expenses over food, clothing, learning the material, entertainment, telephone, internet, etc. So on an average, the monthly cost of living will be approx. 670 euro
• Health Insurance: Insurance policies for students start from around 80 euros per month, till the student is below 30 years and haven’t studied more than 14 semesters after that it changes to 160 euros per month or more.
• Semester Contribution: Semester contribution includes social services and fee, which helps in financing student dining halls, student halls of residence etc. and it costs approx. 250 euros per semester.
• Tuition Fee: The tuition fee per semester is approximately 500 euro semester along with 50 euros per semester.

Germany Scholarships

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is one of the largest scholarship providers and it is said that they have a scholarship for nearly everyone, irrespective of the background, origin or level of study. Some of the Scholarships by DAAD and other bodies for study in Germany are mentioned below:

• EURIAS Postdoctoral Fellowship
  • Offering Body: Network of European Institutes for Advanced Study (NetIAS)
  • Amount of Scholarship: 26000 Euro + Traveling allowance + Accommodation or relocation support + Suitable Social Security coverage + Research Budget
  • Eligibility: Ph.D. Scholars, Masters in Law
• German Chancellor Fellowship
  • Offering Body: The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
  • Amount of Scholarship: Fellowship Grant (2,750 euro) + Research Allowance (500 euro) + Travel Allowance + Insurance + Language Course + Study Tour.
  • Eligibility: Graduation.
• Erasmus Mundus India to Europe Scheme
  • Offering Body: Erasmus Mundus
  • The amount of Scholarship: Monthly Allowance (1000-2500 euro) + Travel Cost + Full Insurance Coverage + Tuition Fees + Living Expenses.
  • Eligibility: UG, Masters, Doctoral or post-doctoral level
• Working Internships in Science and Engineering
  • Offering Body: DAAD
  • The amount of Scholarship: Monthly Allowance (650 euros) + Travel Cost + Full Insurance Coverage + Participation in a meeting of DAAD scholarship holders.
  • Eligibility: Graduates
• Masters' Scholarships in Public Policy & Good Governance
  • Offering Body: DAAD
  • Amount of Scholarship: Language Course + Monthly Scholarship + Insurance + Travel Allowance + Family Allowance
  • Eligibility: Graduates
• Study Scholarship for Foreign Graduates in the Field of Architecture
  • Offering Body: DAAD
  • Amount of Scholarship: Monthly allowance (750 euros) + Insurance + travel allowance + One-off study allowance
  • Eligibility: Architecture Graduates
• Study Scholarship for Foreign Graduates in the Field of Music
  • Offering Body: DAAD
  • Amount of Scholarship: Monthly allowance (750 euros) + Insurance + travel allowance + One-off study allowance 
  • Eligibility: Music Graduates
• Study Scholarship for Foreign Graduates in the Field of Performing Arts
  • Offering Body: DAAD
  • Amount of Scholarship: Monthly allowance (750 euros) + Insurance + travel allowance + One-off study allowance
  • Eligibility: Performing Arts Graduates
• IIT Master Sandwich Scholarships
  • Offering Body: DAAD
  • The amount of Scholarship: Monthly allowance (750 euros) + Insurance + travel allowance + Language Course (4-6 weeks).
  • Eligibility: IIT Master’s students
• Semester Scholarships for Students of Indian Institutes of Management (IIM)
  • Offering Body: DAAD
  • Amount of Scholarship: Monthly allowance (750 euros) + Insurance + Participation in Get-Together of the DAAD scholarship awardees
  • Eligibility: IIM Students.