STUDY IN GERMANY

Germany is a country characterized by variety. Trendy and modern Berlin can seem a world away from the more traditional and conservative Munich; the gleaming skyscrapers of Frankfurt form a stark contrast to quaint Heidelberg; if bustling and fast-paced Hamburg becomes too much, you can always retreat to the peaceful and picturesque Middle Rhine region.
Perhaps this range of variety is not too surprising for a nation that only came into being in the mid-19th century, and spent nearly half of the following century split in two.

Universities in Germany

One area in which Germany’s is more consistent is higher education. It boasts one of Western Europe’s oldest and most prestigious universities in Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg (55 in the 2012/13 QS World University Rankings), while its highest ranking institution,Technische Universität München, ranks 53rd.

Beyond that, every major city you can think of has at least one ranking university – and with 11 universities in the top 200, and a total of 42 making the rankings overall, you won’t struggle to find a quality institution. Many of these are newer establishments, which have climbed to the top in no time at all, demonstrating the strength of the German system.
Top it all off with a famously friendly and tolerant population, and decent prospects on graduation, and it’s easy to see why Deutschland is one of the most popular study abroad destinations in the world.

• Federal republic split into 16 states, known as Länder
• Parliamentary democracy with bicameral legislature headed by chancellor (currently Angela Merkel),
• Head of state is the largely ceremonial president  (currently Joachim Gauck)
• Population of 81.5 million
• 357,022 sq km in area – slightly smaller than Japan
• Borders France, Poland, Czech Republic, Denmark, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium and Austria
• Capital city is Berlin
• Official language is German
• Germany has the world’s fourth biggest GDP
• There are no speed limits on German motorways (autobahn)
• Uses Central European Time (UTC+1), switching to Daylight Saving Time in summer (UTC+2)
• International dialling code is +49
• Member state of the European Union
• Currency is Euro, symbol: €, €1 = US$1.35

Discover some of Germany's top student cities...

Study in Berlin

Cities don’t get much trendier than Berlin, which competes with cities like London and New York in terms of cool. It goes without saying this tolerant, multicultural and creative city is known for being a great place to be as a student – and it helps that it’s famously inexpensive.

And like any capital city worth its salt, it has quality institutions to back this up: three of Berlin’s universities make the QS World University Rankings: Freie Universität Berlin (87), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (130) and Technische Universität Berlin (207).

Study in Munich

Thanks to Oktoberfest, Munich will forever be associated with beer. But there’s more to this southern city, often voted one of the world’s most liveable cities. For one thing, in Technische Universität München (ranked 53) and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (60), it is home to two of the world’s best universities. For another, it is a sleek modern financial hub.

The downside of this is that it can be pricey, but it won’t cost you anything to enjoy the beautiful Bavarian countryside in which the city is built. There’s plenty of history to enjoy too, and no visit to München would be complete without a visit to King Ludwig’s palaces and grottos.

See where Berlin and Munich appear in this year's QS Best Student Cities >

Study in Heidelberg

Despite being part of one of Germany’s most densely populated areas, Heidelberg manages to retain a certain quaint rustic charm. It is popular with tourists, who come to see its dilapidated castle, and red roofed town centre. It is also famous for its university, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, which is Germany’s oldest (55) and most traditionally prestigious university. Need more proof of its reputation? Well, hopefully the eight Nobel Prize winners who have been through it will go some way towards convincing you...

Study in Cologne

Cologne is known for its dramatic cathedral, Kölner Dom, and its liberal and tolerant nature. It is peppered with museums and art galleries, does a good line in independent stores, particularly in its Agnesviertel district, and beer halls.

Direct trains run to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, and Luxembourg isn’t too far away either, so it can be a good choice for those who want to get further acquainted with Western Europe. Universität Köln, ranked 247, is Germany’s largest (and second oldest) university.

Study in Frankfurt am Main

The beating heart of Germany’s financial and business sectors, Frankfurt is also the home of the European Central Bank. Accordingly, its city center is a mass of gleaming skyscrapers, and its airport is the busiest in continental Europe.

However, none of this means that it lacks in other characteristics; for instance it is known for offering some of the best nightlife in Germany and hosts a number of colorful festivals throughout the year. Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main is ranked 201= in the world, and is particularly strong in social science subjects.

Admissions, entry and visa requirements

The fees charged at German universities depend on where you are studying. Universities in most Länder (regions) don’t charge fees, but some do (Bavaria, Lower Saxony and Hamburg – all which are home to popular universities); though at a maximum of €500 (around US$660) a semester, they are hardly the highest.

The application process you have to go through depends on a few factors. If you have a European qualification, such as a baccalaureate or A-levels, then you will only need to prove you can speak German (unless you’re enrolling on a course taught in English) and can apply directly for a university level course.

Students with other qualifications may have to sit the Feststellungsprüfung entrance examination after attending a preparatory Studienkolleg. High-achieving students may be able to bypass this.

Your subject will also play a part. For most, you can apply directly to the international office of the university. Alternatively, you can use uni-assist, a centralized admissions portal for international students.

For some subjects, though, there is a nationwide cap on the number of students who can enrol. For these subjects –mostly life sciences – students from the EU (and Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) need to apply through the Foundation of Higher Education Admission. Students from outside of the EU should apply as normal.

Visa restrictions depend on your country of origin.

Applicants from the EU (and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein):

• Do not need a visa or a residence permit to study in Germany.
• Must get a residence permit from the Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt (registration authority).
• Will need to prove you have or will have enough money for the first year of your stay (€659 – around US$870 – a month) and have purchased statutory health insurance if you’re under 30. Certain countries have bilateral agreements with Germany, which mean that insurance policies in the student’s home country will be applicable in Germany.
• If your course is in German, you will need to prove your proficiency at the application stage, for which a TestDaF or DSH score will be required. If your course is in English, as some are (though mostly at graduate level) then you’ll need to come up with an IELTS or TOEFL score.

Applicants from outside the EU:

• If you are from Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland or the US you will not need a visa to enter the country but you will need to register at the local Residents’ Registration Office and the Aliens’ Registration Office (Ausländeramt) in order to obtain a Residence Permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis).
• If you are from Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco, San Marino or Taiwan you will only need a visa if you want to work before or after your degree. You will need to apply for a residence permit.
• If you are from any other country you will need to obtain a visa from your local German embassy before you enter Germany, as well as a residence permit. Ensure that you apply for a National Visa for the purpose of study rather than a Schengen Visa which will only allow you to stay in Germany for three months.
• In order to get a residence permit you will need to present confirmation that you’ve registered at the Residents’ Registration Office, proof you have health cover (your university will help with this), proof of your financial means (see above), your passport (with visa if you need one) and a tenancy agreement which shows you have found somewhere to live. It will be valid for two years, after which time you must get in renewed.
• To obtain a visa, you will need to present the same list of things as you would for a Residence Permit. You may also have to provide proof that you don’t have a criminal record and are free of certain diseases. The specific list will depend on the embassy.
• The same language requirements apply as specified in the requirements for EU students. You may also need to produce this evidence at the visa stage.