Known for its tuition-free university education, Germany is the most popular non-anglophone study destination. It boasts 426 world-class universities that attract more than 370,000 international students every year.
Top courses to study in Germany
| Course | Enrolments Per Year |
|---|---|
| Engineering | 71,352 |
| Business Management | 52,168 |
| Humanities | 37,619 |
| Maths and Computer Sciences | 29,748 |
| Fine and Applied Arts | 24,412 |
It is home to some of the world’s most prestigious academic universities. According to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), six of the top 100 universities were German. Let’s look at why you should study in Germany.
No Tuition Fees at Public Universities in Germany
There are 426 universities in Germany. A majority of them are primarily funded by the state and they do not charge both domestic and international students any tuition fee.
Students have to only pay a nominal semester fee of not more than USD 346 that covers administrative costs and travel semester tickets.
More than 2.4 million students are enrolled in public universities. Less than 5 percent enroll in private institutions that enroll less than 5% of the total student body.
Top Universities in Germany
| University | QS World Ranking |
|---|---|
| Technische Universität München | #64 |
| Ludwig-Maximilians - Universität München | #66 |
| Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg | #68 |
| KIT, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie | #107 |
| Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin | #120 |
High Quality of Education, Faculty, and Infrastructure
Germany has the third best education system in the world, after the United States and the United Kingdom, according to US News & World Report. It can be attributed to the country’s research-intensive curricula and world-class infrastructure.
More than 1,300 international Master and Ph.D. degree programs in various disciplines are taught in English. So if you do not have knowledge of German, you can still study in Germany.
Under the Bologna reform, universities in Germany provide all students with a uniform and internationally-recognized degrees. The country also practices a dual education system wherein students can do apprenticeships in a company while pursuing a vocational course at a vocational school.
The three major type of German higher education institutions - Universities, Universities of Applied Sciences Technical, and Art, Film and Music Colleges - cater to specific needs of students. Most importantly, Deutschland is very lawful and hence, there is no question of fake universities.
Highest paying degrees in Germany
| Degree | Average Graduate Salary Per Year |
|---|---|
| Executive MBA | USD 131,000 |
| Masters in Finance | USD 125,000 |
| MBA | USD 124,000 |
| Doctorate | USD 123,000 |
| Masters in Management | USD 118,000 |
| PhD | USD 117,000 |
Great Job Opportunities
Germany is the fourth largest economy in the world and largest in Europe, producing thousands of new jobs every day. It immensely values talent and knowledge, providing numerous international students with decent job opportunities.
They have relaxed the rules for work visa and residence permit which are not at all stringent if you have studied in Germany. 69.2 percent of international students choose to stay in Germany after graduation.
Many universities allow students to even work while studying to support themselves. EU students can easily take up a job. Students from non-EU countries must apply for a work permit. They can work for 190 full days or 240 half days per year. They can earn up to USD 30 per hour.
Universities of Applied Sciences in Germany have contracts with big companies to offer students with apprenticeships. These apprenticeships may not always be paid but could provide students with relevant work experience, essential for immediately entering professional lives.
Top graduate jobs in Germany
| Profession | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineer | USD 56,126 |
| Medical professional (including nurses) | USD 66,900 |
| Hospitality industry professional | USD 45,260 |
| Teacher/Tutor | USD 50,574 |
| researcher | USD 60,336 |
A Plethora of Scholarships and Financial Aids
Universities in Germany charge no to low tuition fees and yet offer a number of ways to fund your studies. Many waive or pay for expenses such as semester ticket, admission fees, examination fees, and even German language courses.
The state-funded BAföG includes zero-interest government loans. You have the option to start repaying this government loan five years after graduating.
DAAD scholarships are highly popular among students too. In 2018, the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) offered nearly 200 scholarships and funded more than 130,000 students across the globe.
Multicultural Environment
With 12% of the student body being international, universities in Germany embrace cultural diversity. The cost of living in Germany is USD 1,000-USD 1,530 per month which is relatively lesser than its European counterparts.
One of the best things about studying in Germany is its transport network, which is well-connected, affordable, and fast. Students can use their semester tickets issued by their universities to travel for free. If a student does not hold a semester ticket, they can avail student discounts to travel at very low prices in railways.
According to the Economics Times, Germany is the best country to live in after Australia and Switzerland. On the safety scale, it scores a total of 64.25 which higher than the US (52.71) and the UK (50.79).
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