TASA ASIA | GERMANY

Germany is one of the most popular destinations for study abroad. The quality of higher education is one of the best in the world. Few factors are listed below which makes Germany a sought after destination for international students.

Quality Education

Germany provides high quality higher education. A student obtaining a degree from a German University is sure to have a flourishing career anywhere in the world. Germany is ahead especially in the field of Science and Technology, Engineering, Automation. The students get the best of facilities for their higher education here.

Variety

The universities in Germany offer international students a wide range of courses in their many universities. At the graduation and masters level, courses are available in English which makes it easier for international students.

Diversity

Since Germany is a very popular international education destination, students get to mix with other international students from many ethnicities. This makes learning a very enriching experience for the students.

Cost-effective

German government funds the universities. Hence, the universities charge a low fee which works out as a cost-effective option for students. The living costs are also affordable which makes Germany all the more preferred study abroad destination.

The education system in Germany is divided into five levels, early childhood education, Primary education, Secondary education, Tertiary education, and Continuing education. The primary and secondary education is compulsory and it is between age 6 to 16. German higher education institutions offer degrees in Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate levels.

Higher education in Germany

German universities offer a wide range of courses in the higher education segment. Bachelor’s degree, Magister or the Master’s degree and Doctoral programs are three segments of higher education in Germany. Apart from these, there are also diploma courses offered in many streams. There are many universities across the states of Germany offering a wide range of programs in all the levels of higher education.
The top universities of Germany are Technische Universitat Munchen, Ludwig-Maximilians Universitat Munchen, Ruprecht-Karls Universitat Heidelberg, Karlsruher Institute of Technologie, Humboldt Universitat Zu Berlin, Freie Universitat Berlin, Universitat Freiburg and so on. Some of the best colleges in the country are situated in Munich, Berlin, and Heidelberg.

The qualifying exams vary between study programs and levels. For each course, Indian students will need to meet a minimum English language requirement. Besides, there will be a minimum academic performance record as stipulated by the universities to qualify for admission. A basic German language course certificate may add value to the student's admission in German universities.

General Exams

GMAT - The Graduate Management Admission Test is given by those who want to pursue an MBA or business or management-related courses. The aspirants are measured on English, mathematical and reasoning skills.

GRE - The Graduate Record Examination is taken by students applying to graduate schools to pursue an MA or MS. Also, many business schools accept GRE scores for granting admission for pursuing MBA or business or management courses.

Students need to check on the qualifying exams as stipulated by the universities and accordingly apply for the same.

Language Exam

TOEFL – It is the most popular English proficiency exam accepted by a majority of the universities. The TOEFL tests the students’ usage and understanding of the English language as it is used in communicating in college and university settings. Students can appear for this exam any number of times. This test is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), which conducts the test and sets the test paper.

IELTS – International English Language Testing System is a standardized language test that needs to be cleared for admission in different universities in Germany.

Students are advised to thoroughly check the entry requirements of the university/college they are applying to and then take up the exams accordingly. Many educational institutes accept some specific exams whereas some institutes allow students to give the exams of their choice. Therefore, before preparing for the exams, students should check the university requirements.

Application Requirements

Apart from the above-mentioned tests, there are other requirements for applying to educational institutes in Germany.

Letter of recommendation – (LOR) is a reference letter written by a third-party describing the qualities, characteristics, and capabilities of the prospective student for recommendation to the college in terms of that individual’s ability to perform a particular task or function. The third-party could be a professor, direct manager, etc.

Statement of Purpose – A Statement of Purpose (SOP) is the introduction of the student to the college and admission officers. It is always written in the first person and describes the reason for applying to a particular college. It needs to highlight why the college should accept you. The style of writing could differ from formal to casual, but it is important to remember that it should reflect the student’s personality as well.

Essay: Essays are also required to be submitted by a prospective student. Essays are an important part of the university admissions process. Students may be required to write one or two essays, along with a few optional essays too. Common topics include career aspirations, strengths and weaknesses, skills, experiences, and reasons for considering a particular school.
Apart from the above-mentioned requirements, students applying to undergraduate courses should have completed 10+2. Also, those who are applying to graduate courses must have completed 16 years of education. In addition to all these, students also need to show proof of the finances to the universities to secure admission.

Cut-off for Exams

All the major universities and colleges also set cut-off for various exams which students need to obtain for securing admission. Before applying to their preferred universities, aspirants should check the cut off marks for GMAT, GRE, TOEFL and then start preparing for the exams accordingly.

The cost of education in Germany is one of the biggest factors which makes it the most preferred destination for international education. Since the university fees are not very high, students find it a great bargain for the quality of education that they get in Germany. The tuition fee for International students varies according to different universities, courses, and the city that the students choose to live in. The cost of living is not very high in Germany. Living expenses like accommodation, food, travel, etc are as per the choice of the student. Costs will vary depending on the lifestyle, place of residence and socializing of the students. The location of the accommodation plays an important role in the costing for the students. A student residing in the metropolitan city will be spending more on accommodation as compared to a student who resides in the suburban part of the city.

Science, Engineering, Automobile, Information Technology, Medicine, Business Management, Art, Information Technology, Economics, Communications/Media are popular courses that Indian students pursue in Germany.

Student visas are issued to applicants whose primary purpose of visit to a country is to pursue education. Although getting admission in the university is extremely important, these legal documents for obtaining visas are of utmost importance. Every country has its own immigration rules. The documents can range from education-related ones to different proof of funds acceptable and so on to enable the students to study in that country. These are specified on the official website. Students can check on the same and accordingly apply for their visa. There are some common factors in all student visa applications.

The students need to know the entire process of applying and obtaining the student visas to study abroad. Studying abroad requires meticulous planning. Students are advised to plan their admission/ application process as per the university deadlines and should accordingly work backward. Students are required to appear for English eligibility tests as per the university policies and also have required documents in place for the smooth processing of their application. Hence, students are always advised to apply 3-4 months in advance to avoid any last-minute delays. Candidates seeking financial aid, scholarships and education loans should start a couple of months earlier than the regular applicants for the process of application and approval of the same.

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