THE PROS AND CONS OF STUDYING IN GERMANY

by with No Comment Culture

With almost 200 countries worldwide, picking a suitable destination for your tertiary education can be quite a hard decision to make. However, today, we’ll be going over what it takes to study in Germany.
We’ll dive into some of the factors to consider when considering studying in Germany and present you with some reasons why Germany may or may not be an option for you.

WHY SHOULD I STUDY IN GERMANY?

High-Quality Education

With well-established institutions that date back as far as the fourteenth century, Germany has managed to create a well-respected community of universities that work and strive to bring the best education to prospective candidates worldwide. 

With over 40 internationally recognized universities and more than 17,000 study programmes nationwide, Germany has more than enough options for a high school graduate looking for a potential university match. 

Germany serves high-quality education with a prestigious degree that guarantees you a job, in a world where employment opportunities are continuously depleting. 

Affordable Education

Many countries in the world have respectable universities and greatness to offer, but the difference between them and Germany is that acquiring that education does not create a financial strain on the students. 

As a nation, Germany is strong enough to support its universities through state finance. You do not need to pay high amounts of tuition fees to get access to high-quality education. 

The idea of affordable yet high-quality degrees presents an opportunity to bridge the wealthy and the less wealthy together, giving them a better shot at knowledge and educational growth.

Rich Culture and Lifestyle

As a first-world country with old roots and a great economy, Germany is a great place to be for a university student looking for more than just school and books. Germany has an incredibly rich history, culture, and lifestyle.

 With incredible architecture and classic art and music, Germany stands to give students an enriching experience that will broaden their minds and challenge their perspective – creating the bright, young leaders that are desperately needed to direct today’s world.

Great Location

Positioned fairly close to the center of Europe, Germany seems the perfect place for a student to live, considering how easy it becomes for one to travel to other countries for leisure trips places far and wide. 

Whether by train, plane, or sea, travelling around the continent becomes conveniently cheaper due to Germany’s central location, and with abundant job opportunities for students, studying in Germany also becomes another opportunity to explore the world and what it has to offer.

THE CONS OF STUDYING IN GERMANY

Language Barrier

Although Germany offers some world-renowned education, the degree comes at a cost. The majority of the available bachelor’s degrees are studied in the German language, and specific fluency levels are required to be accepted, at your own cost. 

There are six language levels to conquer, but at least three are required for most universities to successfully admit you, so German language lessons are much needed. 

Here at Kampus Konnekt, we can provide German lessons to help you solve this problem. German is not only needed to study, but it’s also useful in daily life, especially for ease of communication.

Working Limits

As a student in Germany, you can get a job, but your working hours are very limited. An international student is only allowed 120 full working days, with a maximum limit of how much money they can earn before they are required to pay tax and change their insurance costs. This results in higher costs and bills that may prove harder to keep up with.

The opportunity to study tertiary education is valuable, and its requirement in the modern world has grown considerably fast over the last century. 

Kampus Konnekt is here to help you realize your dreams, by connecting you to quality education and helping you conquer any obstacles along the way.

THE LIFE OF AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IN GERMANY

by with No Comment Culture

As a foreigner in a country you’ve never been to before, you might probably find it difficult to feel at home or to get used to the environment or even how things are done.

As an international student living and studying in Germany or planning to, there are quite some interesting facts you should take note of. Germany has a lot to offer aside from the success of the German educational system.

The Grace of Learning a New Language

I know quite a lot of us find learning a new language fun and interesting. Even if you don’t fall into this category, as an international student in Germany, there is a chance that you’d be tempted to learn the German language for better communication with people. The German language happens to be the most spoken language in the world and the most spoken native language in the European continent. With this, there is an open door of job opportunities waiting for you in German companies globally.

Work Opportunities Available on a Platter of Gold.

In Germany, international students are allowed to work part-time unlike in some other countries where there are restrictions but only for up to 20 hours a week or 120 days full days a year. This could help your employment experience and also help pay bills, reducing the burden on your finances.

You must also keep in mind that, international students aren’t allowed to be self-employed or to freelance and if you want to work past the limited hours, you are to take permission from the local employment agency and the foreigner’s registration office.

Here are some of the part-time roles you can lay your hands on in Germany, as an international student:

  •  A Tutor
  • A German Language translator
  • A Waiter
  • A Babysitter
  • A Writer
  • A Bartender
  • A Cashier
  • A Courier
  • A Library Supervisor at your academic institute
  • A Filling document officer
  • A Media Personae

 Read More on How to Fund Your Studies in Germany

A Chance for Exploration

If you love to travel around Europe and vlog, seeing new places and trying new things, I guess it’s a plus for you as an international student in Germany. There are lots of beautiful places to visit and new food to try, new culture and customs to learn and new friends to make. This gives room for socialization and cultural awareness.

A Low or No Tuition Fee

For public universities in Germany, the cost of studying is low or free. This makes it easy for international students to live and learn comfortably. 

The Standard of Living

The standard of living in Germany as an international student is quite low. The expenses of rent and other finances are affordable. With this, there will be enough to save and probably invest. Read here for more tips on how to live in Germany.

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Germany: What Does it Cost to Study There?

by with No Comment Education

A Guide for International Students

The cost of study has been a major discouraging factor for international students. As we know, individuals with great intellectual abilities seek growth academically. This article looks to explain what the cost of study in Germany looks like and gives plausible suggestions on how to capitalize on its privileges.

Germany has become an increasingly popular study destination, with almost 374,583 applications for the 2018/2019 winter semester session from over 180 countries. This increasing influx of students into Germany for study might be for several reasons. But the most reasonable as identified by the Kampus Konnekt49 is because Germany has about 50 universities with a global reputation as it concerns studying abroad. Along with the perceived low cost of living, little or no tuition fees and a comfortable environment. All this is well suited for dedicated study, not to talk about the fun-filled environment.

Is College Study In Germany Free?

As of 2014, 16 states in Germany abolished tuition fees for undergraduates and some selected postgraduate students from public universities. This implied that both domestic and international students at public German Universities paid absolutely nothing for tuition. Save only a small fee for administration and semester registrations.

There may be additional charges for the purchase of “Semester-tickets” which cover public expenses for 6 months. The price, however, varies with different Semester-ticket options. These are reasons the Kampus Konnekt49 confirms that the low cost of living is one of the major attractions for prospective international students.

With the drastic change in the global economy, however, this may not last forever. The southwest state of Baden-Württemberg reintroduced the payment of tuitions for all non-EU students as of autumn 2017. There is a great likelihood that other states would follow suit in the coming years.

Cost of Living in Germany

We bear in mind that even though studying in Germany might be free of cost or very low, one cannot avoid the essentials of living expenses. They can vary from city to city with Munich as the most expensive, having a living cost of €12,000 (~US$13,900) per year.
Rent is mostly the largest expense when considering living costs, although this is cheaper if you live in a shared flat or a student hall of residence. Their average rent is €280 (US$340).

According to statistics from DAAD, average monthly costs are estimated:

Food: €168 (~US$205)

Clothes: €42 (~US$52)

Transport: €94 (~US$115)

Telephone, internet and TV license: €31 (~US$38)

Work/study materials: €20 (~US$25)

Leisure activities: €61 (~US$75)

How Much Deposit Would You Need to Study in Germany?

It is a known fact that for you to get a student visa to study in Germany, you will need to show proof you have, or have access to, a certain amount of money. Now, this is for students that would require a visa only. If you are an EU citizen or citizen of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you would not need a visa.

Other citizens, however, expect to pay €75 for a visa and have proof of fund or access to funds of €10,332 per year. This extra amount of money suffices to cover all expenses while studying (of course if spent wisely). But the application process can be sometimes tedious to even require a loan for low earners.

In conclusion, Germany is ranked 4th in universities with the greatest attraction for international students. This is because of several reasons, with free tuition being the most considered. Living expenses are very affordable compared to other European countries with a shared meal costing as low as €8-14. But the cost of living greatly depends on the area. Rent can also be very cheap when compared to other European countries. With these said; Germany is assumed to be of great attraction to prospective international students hoping to school abroad with a low budget.

Kampus Konnekt49 provides translation services for individuals who wish to study abroad or simply become a nurse. We also offer German classes for prospective students, support and consultations.

 

International students in Germany

Why is Germany An Attractive Destination for Study?

by with No Comment Education

In this article, you will know and understand the different higher institutions in Germany.
You will also know why the country is one of the most attractive and sought after countries in the world for international students to study. In addition, you will learn what you need to do if you wish to study in Germany.

 

Types of Institutions

Germany has three main types of higher education institutions, namely:

1) Universitäten (Universities): Universities are the formal higher education institutions in Germany. The main purposes of universities are (basic) research and teaching. We differentiate universities as traditional universities, technical universities, educational colleges, and theological colleges.

Traditional universities offer academic disciplines and study programs, whereas the other university types are more specialised. Principally, only universities can grant or award doctoral and Habilitation degrees.

2) Fachhochschulen (Universities of Applied Sciences): Germany introduced Universities of Applied Sciences between the 1960s/1970s as one criterion to deal with the growth in student numbers. Their primary missions are teaching and applied research.
Universities of applied sciences mostly specialise in specific disciplines (like engineering or social work). We can’t pursue disciplines like law, medicine, most natural sciences, and humanities at universities of applied sciences.

3) Kunst- und Musikhochschulen (Colleges of Art and Music): Colleges of Art and Music are highly specialized higher education institutions offering study programs in fine art, performing arts, and music. Their fundamental mission is teaching.

Higher education institutions in Germany are public or state-recognized private institutions. Most private higher education institutions are universities of applied sciences with specialised programs.

Why Germany ?

First, general tuition fees at public institutions are free. Since 2014, none of the 16 states in Germany has imposed general tuition fees at public institutions. Although some states started tuition fees between 2006 and 2007. But, they later revoked these. Therefore, public funds mainly fund Public higher education institutions. And even when there are fees to pay, it is affordable.

Thus, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development “OECD” ranked Germany as the third world’s most attractive destination for international students according to education at glance reports in 2014.

Also, flexible foreign student visa policies are a factor that has largely affected international students’ motivation there. Perhaps one reason considered by OECD for ranking Germany as the third most attractive destination for international students.

Indeed, affordable living costs and work opportunities are other reasons worth mentioning. Students consider this factor to be more important in Germany than in other places, as some would like to work while studying. After graduation, students also have 18 months to get a job. That is a great incentive that is offered by only a few Western countries to international students.

Germany makes the list as one of the most popular study destinations in the global education market. Because the country earns it in terms of education quality and affordability.

Here are the requirements for studying in Germany:

1. Study Programme

First, you need to have a determined mindset on the type of degree program and course you want to pursue. You can find more info about courses that fit your academic interest here.

2. University Admission Requirements

Once you chose the programme to study, you check out if the admission criteria fit your academic profile. To be admitted to a German university, the chosen institution must accept your qualifications. An applicant must have a recognized “higher education entrance qualification” also known as Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB) or Abitur. Some institutions also require an aptitude test known as TestAS. It is a test specifically designed for international students from non-EU countries.

3. University Application Documents

Each institution has its own requirement, but in most cases, they expect or demand the following documents:

-A duly completed application form.
-Certified copy of high school diploma.
-Translated overview of your modules and grades.
-Relevant recognized academic certificates.
-Copy of your passport and a passport photo.
-Proof of language proficiency up to C1 level in some cases.

Financial Means

To get a student visa, an applicant has to show proof of financial means. As of 2021, international students need €10,332 per year to cater to their expenses during their time in Germany. A blocked account is the best way to provide proof of financial resources at the German Embassy.

Health Insurance.

Health insurance is also vital if you want to study in Germany. International students must register in the healthcare system while they are in Germany. Residents of one of the EU/EEA member states can use their health insurance from back home. However, they will need to get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
On the other hand, residents of non-EU/EEA member states will need to provide proof of health insurance. It is necessary for their student visa application and university enrolment. Those over 29 years have to pay a monthly amount to the public or private health insurance providers.

Student Visa.

Applicants from countries that need a student visa to enter Germany would apply for one at the German Embassy/Consulate in their home country. They will have to assemble the needed documents, attend an interview at the embassy, and wait for the acknowledgement. The student visa processing time is normally two weeks in normal situations.

Accommodation.

An applicant can choose between different options, like German halls of residence, private apartments, or shared flats. It is necessary to get one’s address registered at the registration office in Germany.

Fear of unemployment while studying or after graduation? Don’t worry, as mentioned above, graduates from German universities have 18 months to find a job after graduation.

Moreover, Germany is one of the biggest employers of labour in Europe and presents a lot of opportunities for graduates.