Study & Research

Germany

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Presentation topics
We will talk about...
 Introducing Germany and its
importance in the European Union
 Features of the German higher
education system
 International degrees
 Research opportunities
 Your way to Germany
 Service and counselling

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Germany – A fascinating country
 Largest member of the EU with a population of more than 82
million people – nearly 10 % are foreigners
 Located right in the heart of Europe
 Cities: Berlin – capital with 4 million inhabitants, Hamburg, Munich,
Cologne, Heidelberg....
 Various landscapes and pleasant climate: Up to 100 sunny days
 Cultural diversity: museums, theatres, opera houses…

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Germany – A fascinating country

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Study and research in Germany
You have surely benefited from Germany's
innovative strength...
perhaps without even knowing it
– The MP3 format – a German innovation
– Mercedes-Benz, BMW & Volkswagen
– Sportswear from Puma and Adidas
– Pharmaceuticals from Bayer are
“Made in Germany”
And much more.....
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Germany – Your gateway to Europe

Germany lies in the heart of Europe

and has nine direct neighbours.

Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg,

France, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic and
Poland

27 countries – including Germany –

form a Common Market: The European Union

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The European Union
Enlargement 2004/07
Members

New Members since 2004

New Members since 2007

Membership under discussion

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The European Union – Enlargement
 Creating an even larger and more dynamic zone
of peace, stability and prosperity in Europe
 Easy travelling within Europe without any further
visa and passport controls
 Comfortable - paying with one currency unit in
most of the EU-countries
 No duties for products bought within the
European Union

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Economic and Political Figures
Germany
 Parliamentary Democracy / Social market / Economy
 GDP: 29 455 € / person
 Exports: 1 139 billion €, imports: 970 billion €
 trade surplus of 169 billion €
 export nation no.1
 exported goods: cars, machines, chemicals, electronics
 Increasing budget for education & research
 9,3% of GDP

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Wide variety of study opportunities
 Universities
 Technical Universities
 Universities of Applied Sciences
 Colleges of Art and Music
 Private universities and colleges
 Universities of Co-operative
 Education

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Features of the German
higher education system
 A large variety of institutions and programmes at a high academic level

 Universities: theoretical and scientific-oriented programmes

 Universities of Applied Sciences: shorter and practice- oriented

programmes

 Academic freedom and quality: The Humboldt model of studies and

research helps to educate well-qualified and responsible students!

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International students world-wide
Where do they go?

Germany – third popular country

among 2,65 million students studying outside their home country in 2010
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Structure of the German higher
education system
 Traditionally, the first degree offered at German universities is a Magister or Diploma,
which begins after high school and takes 4-5 years to complete, depending on the type
of institution.

 After graduation qualified students may decide to complete their doctoral degree which
usually lasts 3 to 4 years. Such a degree requires the preparation of a research project
and a scientific thesis.

 Recently introduced International Degree Programmes (IDPs) offer a more flexible

approach to study – especially for international students. International degrees such
as Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees exist along with the traditional structure.

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Basic structure of German
higher education system
University of Applied Science University Doctoral Degree
PHD
Programme
3-4 years „Diplom“

„Diplom (FH)“ Master`s Degree 5th year

Programme
4th year 1-2 years 4th year

„Vordiplom“ 3rd year 3rd year „Vordiplom“

Bachelor`s Degree
2nd year Programme 2nd year
3-4 years
1st year 1st year

„Abitur“ / Higher Education Entrance Qualification

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International Degree Programmes
in Germany

In addition to the traditional degree courses, Bachelor’s and Master’s degree courses have been
established by the German universities, many of them with support of federal and state governments:

 Currently 9,500 Bachelor’s and Master’s courses (73%) are being offered and the number is
increasing steadily…

 The majority of courses begin in winter semester and are in the fields of engineering, natural
sciences, computer science and economics.

 They are especially devised to meet the needs of international students

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Advantages of International
Degree Programmes
 Tightly organised programmes: modular course structure
 Intensive guidance and counselling: tutoring and mentoring
programmes offered by academic staff
 Many of the IDPs are bilingual or held completely in English
 Examinations and theses can often be written in English even
in courses lectured German
 German courses included – summer courses available
 Different nationalities create an intercultural atmosphere
 Internationally recognised degrees – also in your native
A country
launching pad for an international career
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Research in Germany
 Unity of teaching and research
 Co-operation with industry in
appropriate disciplines
 R&D expenditure in Germany is
among the highest of the world
(2,5% of GDP)
 Research Training Groups (Graduiertenkollegs) and
Collaborative Research Centres (SFB) funded by
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
 Germany has a network of non-university research
facilities
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Options for graduate studies in Germany
Traditional guidance model
individual mentoring by thesis supervisor

Newly established graduate schools offer excellent

prospects for international doctorates
Graduiertenkollegs
International Max Planck Research Schools
Graduate Schools of the Federal States of
Germany
IPP – International Postgraduate Programmes

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Germany – A wise choice for study & research
A high standard of living and excellent conditions
for your study at a moderate level of costs
Average cost of living: 650 € per month for a single person
No (or low) tuition fees for undergraduate students Only
some postgraduate courses charge tuition fees, but they
are less expensive than in most other comparable countries
Outstanding Ph.D. students are often sponsored by
universities
Or other funding institutions Social fee (approx.
110 €) which must be paid by every student includes e.g.
free use of local public transport system

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Germany – A wise choice for study & research
Students have a good and comfortable life on and
off-campus
Well-equipped road and rail network enables pleasant
travelling
The intercultural atmosphere creates an inspiring climate for
study and research – 12% are international students
The Deutsche Student enwerk - an institution for all student’s
social needs
 organises cultural events as well as sports and leisure
activities
 runs cafeterias, lunch canteens and dormitories
 offers meals at low prices
 and provides counselling for international students
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German – No language barrier
 Lots of IDPs use English as the academic language – in
order to manage daily life and to find German friends you
have to acquire a basic knowledge of German
 German has common roots with English
 For students there are many opportunities to learn German:
 Universities provide summer courses as well as
courses alongside with the study www.summerschools-
in-germany.de
 E-learning: www.dw-world.de / www.deutsch-uni.com
 German courses: www.goethe.de / www.did.de /
ww.cdc.de
 Standardised German language test: www.testdaf.de

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The way to Germany
Visa
A student visa is necessary for non EU-citizens. For the
application several documents e.g. passport, university`s
admission letter, proof of sufficient financial resources,
health insurance certificate are required.

Financial resources
7,908 € per year
Studying is a full-time occupation, but students may find a part-
time job on or off-campus in order to gain practical experience
and to improve their financial situation:
Up to 20 hours per week or 180 half days per year are allowed
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Admission and prerequisites
For undergraduate courses:
higher education entrance qualification – if not equivalent to the
German „Abitur“ a 12-months bridging course is necessary
For postgraduate courses:
Bachelor‘s degree in the relevant discipline
Language requirements:
English or/and German according to the course language
 Specific requirements depending on the respective course

High qualifications, scientific spirit, curiosity and thirst for knowledge

and new experiences
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Legal conditions for international
students and scientists - The new
Immigration Act

Foreign Academics will be allowed to stay for at

least 1 year in Germany to work or look for work

Highly qualified people can be granted a settlement

permit immediately

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Planning time line

In advance To Do
1 year Collect information about course content, requirements,
application procedure etc.
9 months Download application papers from internet or contact the
university
6 months Send complete application to the university in consideration of
the application deadline
4 months Visa application, accommodation
Arrival in Germany Enrolment, health insurance, registration

3rd month Extension of visa

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Want to know more?

Online
www.daad.de
 Studying & living in Germany, universities guide
www.higher-education-compass.de /
 Guide to universities and degree programmes
www.bmbf.de
 Science and research in Germany
www.dw-world
 All about Germany - politics, economics,
news, culture, weather

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Information website:
www.daad.de
• Universities guide

• Grants & scholarships

• Living in Germany

• News, Alumni

• FAQs, WWW-Links

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