9 steps to study in Germany: Everything you need to know

You’ve come to the right place if you’re wondering what you need to do to study in Germany and are overwhelmed by the quantity of information on the measures you need to follow.

The process for studying in Germany as an international student has been streamlined into 9 steps that you must follow. To keep track of where you are right now and what has to be done to turn your goal of studying in Germany into a reality, go through these 9 stages one at a time.

The application process to study in Germany are:

1. Select a university course

(Begin your search at least 3 months before making a decision)

• • • The first step in preparing to study in Germany is to choose a university and select a course of study that interests you. Although certain courses are taught in both German and English, there are currently very few undergraduate chances to study in Germany in English (typically starting with English for the first two to four semesters and then changing to German). Given that your institution could offer German language lessons, this enables you to study in English while increasing your German language skills.
    • While making your decision, you might also want to take into account the most recent rankings of the best universities in Germany, or you might want to look at the most recent QS World University Rankings by Subject to find the best German universities in your field.

2. Verify the requirements for admission

(Two weeks before the application is opened)

• • • You must review all the requirements after choosing the university and academic program you wish to enroll in. You may do this by looking at the university’s website’s section on admissions requirements. Never be afraid to get in touch with the university directly if there are any concepts you don’t grasp.
    • It is advised to read the prerequisites section several times because entry criteria vary based on the university and the degree type you select. The most frequent problems at this point are bad timing and missing documentation, both of which can result in delayed admission or even application rejection. You must start preparing these documents far in advance to prevent such a scenario.

3. Acquire knowledge of the German language{Not Mandatory}

(Start learning it 6 months before the application or the course commences)

• • • Even though your program is in English, it is not compulsory to be proficient in German to succeed in university. Although it is highly recommended to learn the basic German language to live and communicate with people in Germany.
    • In Germany, the majority of introductory courses are given in the student’s mother tongue, whereas many graduate-level study programs are given wholly or in part in the German language. You will need to speak German with locals quite a bit outside of the institution. Even though learning German from scratch can be challenging, if you get started early, you’ll be a native speaker by the time you visit Germany.

4. Organize your finances

(at least two weeks before you apply for a German student visa)

• • • You must provide evidence that you have, or have access to, about €11,172 per year (9,41,488 INR) to pay your living expenses in order to obtain a student visa, however, you may need more depending on your lifestyle and spending habits (the typical student spends €931/78,457 INR per month).
    • The cost of living varies geographically as well; Munich is now the most costly city in the nation, according to Mercer’s Cost of Living Survey. There are financial aid opportunities for students in Germany at all academic levels if you’re worried about the fees.

5. Apply for an APS certificate

(Apply after receiving the admission letter)

APS is a certificate that will be granted following the verification of the validity of each of your papers. This is now a prerequisite for applying for a visa.  It serves as verification of the validity of academic credentials issued by Indian institutions. This also outlines the requirements that German universities must meet before granting admission to students. Having an APS certificate will speed up your student visa application and make it easier for you to apply to German universities. For the application for a student visa, an original certificate issued by the APS is required.

6. Submit an Application

(Once you’ve met the requirements)

• • • It’s time for you to submit the application after double-checking your supporting papers. Although the application can be submitted online, certain colleges could only accept applications submitted in person or by mail. To find out how to submit your application, get in touch with the institution. The majority of German universities are represented through the UniAssist national online university application system. Additionally, several colleges operate their own online admissions process on their website.
    • Once the call for applications is open, you must submit your application before waiting for the admissions notification. The application processes change a little bit depending on what level of study you’re pursuing in Germany.

7. Get a student visa for Germany

(After receiving the admissions letter)

The criteria for obtaining a student visa to Germany are determined by your country of origin. On the website of the Foreign Federal Office, you may discover a list of the nations for which a student visa is or is not necessary. You can read this post to learn how to obtain a residence permit and a student visa for Germany.

8. Find a place to stay

(Start researching at least 3-6 months before arrival)

Unfortunately, the majority of German institutions do not provide housing to enrolling students, thus it is advised to start looking for housing as soon as you have secured a seat on a program and your student visa (if required). Depending on where you reside in the country, rent is likely to be your largest monthly cost. You might anticipate spending a little bit more in larger, more student-friendly locations in Western Germany (such as Düsseldorf, Cologne, etc.) as well as Heidelberg and Freiburg (i.e. Berlin).

9. Enroll In Your University

(First week after arriving in Germany)

• • • Enrolling in the program to which you have been admitted is the last step to securing a spot at the university of your choosing. In this way, the enrolling procedure converts you from a qualified candidate to a German student.
    • Germany offers free public higher education, however, there is still a registration cost that might be anywhere between €150 to €250. In addition, if you want to utilize public transportation for free for six months, you must pay for your semester ticket.

As you are aware, Germany is one of the world’s most desirable destinations for both EU and non-EU students. Universities come in a wide variety and are all of the highest calibers. I’m hoping that these nine simple steps will make it easier for you to get about campus.

Also, Read

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