An axis of the best research and training institutes worldwide, Germany has set the path for modern higher education. The country has surpassed the United Kingdom as the most popular non-English-speaking destination for international students looking to study in Germany. With its renowned education system, the country attracts students across disciplines like engineering, social sciences, and humanities.
According to data from 2019, 30% of international students in Germany came from the Asia Pacific, 17.7% from the Middle East, India, and China accounted for about 20% of all international students. The best part is that from October 2014 onwards, free education in Germany has been available for German and international students at public universities like the renowned University of Hamburg and Heidelberg University. This makes studying in Germany for Indian students an attractive option, especially for those wondering how to study in Germany from India.
A Few Things You Need to Know Before Studying in Germany
Are you planning to study in Germany for Indian students? You must keep the following points in mind before applying to any german university for indian students:
Economic Outlook
Germany is Europe's leading economic power and the world's fourth. The German economy is a highly developed and competitive social market economy. The current GDP of Germany is 4.31 trillion US dollars (approx.).
In 2019, Germany's economic performance had been strong over the last decade, with a record of a low unemployment rate and healthy public and private balance sheets. Germany has a diverse economy where the automobile industry is the country's main sector.
Relations with India
The bilateral relations between India and Germany have always been strong. Germany is India's most important trading partner in the EU. Since 2001, India and Germany have had a Strategic Partnership, which has been enhanced through Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC), allowing for a thorough examination of cooperation and identifying areas of engagement in India. Not only that, Germany is the seventh-largest foreign direct investor in India since 2000. This strong relationship makes Germany an attractive option and highlights the many benefits of studying here.
Career Prospects
If you are planning to study in Germany from India, you must be aware of the career prospects in the country. The employment rate in the country increased from 2.88 million in 2012 to 32.16 million in 2017. There is also a newly launched law, The Skilled Immigration Act, for qualified overseas students, which has made it easier for Indian students in Germany to get a well-paid job after completing their education. Some popular career prospects in Germany are engineering studies, healthcare, IT consultant, software development, etc. The post-study work visa options make germany good for seeking career opportunities.
Education Prospects
Germany provides you with an international and multicultural environment. The tuition fees are free in public universities, and in private universities, it goes up to 26,000 to 40,000 EUR (INR 23 Lacs to INR 35.5 Lacs) per year, making it an affordable education in Germany. The low fees is a major draw.
Germany is world-popular for its engineering studies, management studies, computer science and other popular courses. In addition, there are around 380 universities in the country (almost 160 public and over 80 private universities) offering over 17000 study courses, out of which 46 of them are featured in the QS World University Rankings 2021. Many universities also offer scholarships in Germany like the Erasmus Mundus program and funding through the DAAD to support higher studies.
According to QS World University Rankings 2021, 12 German universities are listed in the top 200, including Technical University of Munich, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, KIT (KarlsruherInstitutfürTechnologie), RWTH Aachen University, Technische Universität Berlin, Technische Universität Dresden, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, University of Gottingen and Universität Freiburg. These are some of the top universities for Indian students.
In Germany, most undergraduate programs are [RS1] taught in German language, but there are about 220 universities, including Hochschule Mannheim – University of Applied Sciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Berlin International University of Applied Sciences, etc., that offer programs in English too, making it easier to get a bachelor's degree in Germany or master's degree in Germany. Apart from English, French and Spanish are some common foreign languages.
According to the latest Project Atlas by IIE, a total of 3,01,157 international students enrolled in the universities of Germany, out of which, total enrolments of Indian students in Germany were 20,562. These Indian student statistics in Germany show the popularity of Germany as a study abroad destination.
Universities in Germany are divided into three categories:
- Research Universities: Mainly focus on theoretical approaches rather than practical applications.
- Universities of Applied Sciences:Mainly focus on the application of research results.
- Academies of Arts, Music and Film: Offer artistic training.
In Germany, the academic year has two semesters: Winter and Summer. The winter semester is from October to March. The summer semester is from April to September. However, overseas applications are accepted all-round the year.
Academic Requirements: A Copy of Passport/ID Card | High School Transcripts | Sufficient TOEFL or IELTS scores if your course is in English| Income Proof | Proof of Public Health Insurance | German visa.
Fun Facts
Germany has 1500 types of Beer & Sausages and 300 types of bread. They love their beer, sausages and bread. Home to some of the longest words, about 65% of German highways don’t have any speed limit.
Local Cuisine
Brot&Brötchen, Käsespätzle, Currywurst, Rouladen and Schnitzel are some of the most famous local cuisines in Germany.
Famous Travel Destinations
Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, Cologne Cathedral, The Black Forest, and many others are among Germany’s most well-known travel destinations.
Final Words
After completing studies, international students who decide to stay in Germany must apply for a new visa at the Foreigner’s Registration Office and have their visa extended before it expires. Furthermore, students must apply for a residence permit while still in their last year of university study to be eligible for job possibilities.
Different types of work permit visas include general employment permits, EU Blue Cards, university graduate permits, highly skilled worker permits, student permits, self-employed permits and scientific researcher permits.
After residing and working in Germany legally for two consecutive years, an international student can apply for permanent residency in Germany. Overall, if you wish to study abroad, Germany is an excellent choice. But, do complete research before applying to any university because having an opportunity to study in Germany is indeed a big one!