Study in Germany for Free

Germany has established itself among the top 5 study abroad destinations in the world. Every year, more than 350,000 students from different countries come to Germany to study. Apart from this, it is home to more than 13 top-tier universities in Germany, which are among the top 250 renowned institutes in the world.

The country offers 17,000 courses out of which 88 are completely in English. Universities in Germany are typically known for low tuition fees or no tuition fees. India is one of the second-largest emitters of international students and the number has doubled from the past 6-7 years. The admission process in Germany begins with two-semester intakes and students planning to pursue courses, must submit 6.5 bands in IELTS or other language tests.

Choose Program and University

The first while preparing to study in Germany is to choose the right course. Whether a student is enrolling in an undergraduate or postgraduate course, it is always important to choose the right program. DAAD in Germany offers over 17,000 courses through top universities in Germany. Additionally, 88 courses are taught completely in English, and students with non-german knowledge can enroll in them. However, some top programs for which Germany is known are mentioned below.

Engineering

Engineering is one of the most popular fields in Germany. Students from diverse countries planning to study in Germany choose undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the Engineering field. Some of the engineering specializations that students opt for are Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, and Electrical Engineering, among others. Apart from this, top universities like the Technical University of Munich, RWTH AACHEN, and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology offer several specializations in the Engineering field. Also, the country is highly known for the Automotive industry and various big employers employ students from German universities.

Some of the top universities offering Engineering programs are tabulated below.

Business Management

Though Engineering tops the list but management courses are also not very far on the list. International students coming from diverse countries take admission in management courses offered by various B-schools in Germany. Apart from regular MBA, Germany is also popularly known for its Executive MBA. Hence, some of the top universities offering management programs are tabulated below.

Humanities

Apart from Engineering and Business programs, Germany is also known for top universities offering humanities programs. Social science is one of the most pursued programs under humanities and over 37,000 students enroll in humanities courses. Humanities is a vast field other than social science, history, geography, political science, and more.

Maths and Computer Science

Maths and Computer Science is fourth on the list and attracts nearly 30,000 students. Both the programs are offered in the English language too. Students willing to start their careers in fields like IT, Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics, and more can pursue programs in Germany through top universities. Some of the top universities with rankings are mentioned below.

Follow Upcoming Intakes in Germany

Unlike India, Germany offers two intakes- Winter and Summer intake. Winter intake starts in the month of September/October whereas summer intake starts in the month of April. The application timeline for intakes is mentioned below.

Check Admission Requirements

After a student finalizes the program and university. It is essential to note down the admission requirements for the country. Germany is a country where most universities don't charge any application fees and require german language proficiency for the ceratin course. The admission requirements vary according to the course and university. However, some of the requirements are mentioned below.

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field
• GRE or GMAT score: May be required
• Language Proficiency: International students are required to submit proof of English as well as German language proficiency as many universities in Germany offer education in German. The test scores required are:
  • German Language Proficiency: DSH Level II or I, Goethe: C1 or C2 level, TestDaf: Level 2-4. 
  • English Language Proficiency: IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90.
• Certificate or Mark Sheet of the latest educational qualification
• CV/Resume
• Statement of Purpose
• Letter of Recommendation
• Copy of Passport

Apply for German Student Visa

A student visa is required to study in Germany. The following is a step-by-step guide to obtaining a German Student Visa.

How to Apply: Fill out the online application form and make an appointment with the nearest German embassy. Obtaining a student visa for Germany can take anywhere from 3 to 12 months.
Application Fees: 75 EUR
Documents Required:

• Completed application form
• Letter of acceptance
• Standardized test scores like IELTS (6.5 or equivalent), TOEFL (79 to 90), etc
• Passport photos
• Valid passport
• Proof of minimum funds which must be 720 EUR per year
• Health insurance of 672 to 960 EUR
• Medical checkup (not required for Indian applicants)

Cost of Studying in Germany

• Undergraduate programs at German public universities are usually free. However, students are required to pay €250 (INR 22,148) and €500 (INR 44,297) every semester for enrolling and confirmation.
• A consecutive master's degree in Germany is also free which means students who have to pursue a bachelor's degree in Germany can pursue master's programs for free. However, non-consecutive degrees range between €20,000 (INR 17,71,912) to €30,000 (INR 26,57,868) per year at public institutions and up to €30,000 at private German universities.
• Ph.D. programs at German universities are mostly free and students are required to pay a confirmation fee of €250.

Cost of Living in Germany

Tuition fees in Germany is free for most universities but students are required to pay for living expenses in Germany. The average cost of living in Germany is tabulated below: