Free Education In Germany: A brief overview of the Educational System

Steps to Applying for Universities

It's crucial to follow the steps to get admission to German universities.

1. Choose a University:

Once you have decided to study in Germany, it's time to select a good university and a course. The best way is to search through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). It's a database of more than 1000 programs available. You can always check the university rankings on sites like QS Rankings, Times Higher Education, etc. 

1. Check your Admission Requirements:

Before applying to any university, it's recommended to check with the university whether your qualifications meet the requirements or not. To study in Germany, you should have a higher education entrance qualification.

Also, you need to check with the universities whether they need TOEFL or IELTS examinations. In some universities, they ask for proficiency in the German language, you need to check for the same with the universities. 

1. Arrange your Finances:

To be eligible for a German student visa, it is crucial to maintain a blocked amount. Now, what is a blocked amount?

A blocked account is an essential bank account for international students so that they can deposit the required amount, which is currently €11,208. According to a news source, this amount has been recently increased by the German government. A blocked bank account serves as proof that international students have enough financial resources to maintain their living expenses in the country. It is recommended that you check out the city you are planning to live in while planning your finances as the living expenses vary from city to city.

Cities like Munich, Hamburg, and Bonn are quite expensive cities. So, according to your pocket limit, find a city that is close to your college and matches your budget. However, you can apply for various scholarships to pursue your education. 

1. Apply to the Universities:

The final step is to apply to the universities of your choice. For most of the programs, you can apply directly at the International Office of the university. Also, you can use the website "uni-assist".

It is a centralized admission portal for international students to apply to various universities, but not all universities allow students to apply through it. For universities that do not accept uni-assist, contact them directly.

It's crucial to keep in mind the application deadline for the universities. It is recommended to apply for the application 6 weeks before the deadline.

The documents required vary from university to university, but in general, the following are the most common documents needed during verification: 

• A valid copy of a high school or undergraduate degree. 
• A brief description of grades
• A valid copy of the passport
• Proof of language proficiency examination (only if required by the university) 

Note: You will have to pay an application fee.

We are now one more step closer to achieving our dream of pursuing free education in Germany. It's time to understand the most crucial part of this blog.

Cost of Studying in Germany

As explained above, studying in Germany is not completely free. Let's understand the various expenditures that a student incurs.

Costs of living in Germany

The cost of living greatly varies from city to city. On average, your monthly expenditure will be somewhere around 800-900 Euros a month. In this range, you can manage the following things:

• A semester fee
• Living costs (rent, food, clothing, books, traveling, etc.)
• Health insurance

So, hope now you understand how exactly education is free in Germany. Now, let’s discuss the eligibility criteria in brief for undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria vary from university to university. However, some basic requirements remain the same. Every university in Germany may have its own set of eligibility guidelines. Although, there are certain general requisites that everyone must be aware of before applying for free education in Germany :- 

For Undergraduate Courses:

The eligibility criteria for UG courses are as follows:

1. Education Criteria: Candidates must have passed high school, otherwise their application won't be considered. 
2. Minimum marks required: A minimum of 85%, or 9 CGPA in 12th grade, is recognized as good. 
3. Age Limit: There is no age limit.
4. Accepted entrance examinations: IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
5. Minimum IELTS score required: A minimum 6.5+ score is good for the IELTS examination to get UG admission to any university.
6. Minimum TOEFL score required: To get admission to one of the UG universities, a candidate must get a minimum of 90 or higher in the TOEFL examination.
7. Language Proficiency: One must be well versed in the English language; also, a moderate level in the German language will work.

Read more about:

• Master in Germany: Complete Guide
• Public Universities in Germany
• Germany vs Ireland: Which is better to Study Abroad?
• Education Loan for Studying in Germany
• Germany vs Canada:  Which is better to Study Abroad?
• Germany Student Visa Process
• Germany Blocked Account

For Postgraduate Courses:

The eligibility criteria for PG courses are as follows:

1. Education Criteria: To be eligible for a master's, it is important to have a valid bachelor’s degree.
2. Minimum marks required: A minimum of 75% or 8 CGPA will be a good score for graduation.
3. Age Limit: There is no age limit.
4. Accepted entrance examinations: GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, etc
5. Minimum IELTS score required: A minimum 6.5+ score is good for the IELTS examination to get PG admission to any university.
6. Minimum TOEFL score required: To get admission to one of the PG universities, a candidate must score a minimum of 90 or more in the TOEFL examination. 
7. Minimum GRE Score: The candidate should aim for more than a 300 score in the GRE examination.
8. Language Proficiency: One must be well versed in the English language; also, a moderate level in the German language will work.

So, these are the eligibility criteria for UG and PG programs.

The Application Process for a German Student Visa

It is recommended to apply for a German student visa at the German embassy or other agencies in your country. The decision on your visa would be based on the information and reliable documents you provide.

Below are the documents needed to apply for German universities:

• Two complete visa application forms
• A valid national passport 
• Two recent biometric photographs
• Birth certificate 
• A valid proof of admission at a German education institute 
• A proof of German language proficiency (if required)
• Proof of English language proficiency (if required) 
• Proof of financial resources ( Blocked Bank amount, scholarship certificate, etc.)
• Proof of visa application fee 
• Curriculum vitae 
• Travel health insurance 
• Original certifications of your previous education 
• Motivational letter  

It's time to unlock the golden key for pursuing higher education, which is scholarships.

List of Scholarships for International Students

• DAAD scholarship Programs
• Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships in Germany
• DeutschlandStipendium National Scholarship Programme
• Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships in Germany for International Students 
• Erasmus scholarship programs in Germany
• The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarship  

Once you graduate from a German university, you have 18 month period to find a job, which is a good point to live in Germany. To conclude this blog; complete your dream to study in Germany, and follow all the steps mentioned in the blog.