How to prepare yourself before you land up in Germany is the most common question asked by students while they are planning to study at a German University. This country is considered as one of the most popular study destinations not only in Europe but also across the world. The universities in Germany have The Winter intake and The Summer intake. The majority of students prefer The Winter intake. Although a great number of students apply to universities for the Summer intake because the classes are attributed to smaller class sizes. Here is some information about how to prepare yourself before you land up in Germany for the summer semester 2022.

The Summer Semester in Germany generally begins in March or April. The application period usually starts from early December to 15th January. Classes in the Summer semester are smaller than in the Winter semester. This means that there is less competition among students in the Summer intake. The added advantage of The Summer intake is extremely pleasant weather conditions in Germany. Universities of Germany generally send out letters of acceptance in August/ September or in February/ March. Rejection letters might take a little longer.

Here are some steps everyone needs to know before landing up in Germany for studying.

1. Choose a study program-

   The first thing one should do is to find a study program that suits his interests and then find a university in Germany. This is not supposed to be a major problem for students because there are many universities and countless world-class study programs are available in Germany. If you haven’t given much thought to selecting your study program and finding a university in Germany, this matter would take time. One should always think about the study program for at least 3 months before making a final decision. This time period is enough to scan all German universities and the courses that are offered by them. After finding those German universities, one can focus on a smaller list of universities that are ideal for him.

2. Look into eligibility criteria

Every university is autonomous in Germany. Each university has different admission requirements. The basic eligibility criteria are as follows:

1. Students from IB or Cambridge can apply directly for bachelor’s programs. Students who are from the state or CBSE will have to pass the qualification assessment examination which is called Feststellungsprüfung. It tests students’ proficiency in subjects that are important for their chosen degree program. Students who have cleared the IIT JEE Advanced or completed a one-year bachelor’s degree in India can apply for admission to bachelor’s degree programs in Germany.
2. For Master’s programs, students must hold a four-year Bachelor’s degree. Further, they would need to submit scores of tests like GMAT/GRE/IELTS/TOEF.

3. Learn the German Language

Having knowledge in the German language will help students to understand what is taught in lectures while being able to express their thoughts properly. Most undergraduate courses are taught in the native language of Germany. Many higher academic study programs are taught entirely or partially in the German language.

Learning the German language from scratch can be difficult, but if students start early, they will be able to speak the German language. Students should start at least 6 months ahead of commencing their course.

4. Plan Financial Resources

Students have to submit proof that they would be able to manage around 9,000 Euros every year. The cost of living may vary from one city to another. However, an average foreign student in Germany spends nearly 860 Euros every month. Check out the average cost of living in Germany.

5. Apply for admission

Students should apply to their list of universities at least six weeks before the last date. The perfect time for the applications of the summer intake needs to be made by January 15. Here is the list of documents that you are generally asked to submit while applying to German universities along with an application fee.

6. General documents for application to German Universities

Different universities and programs will ask for different documents from students. Students can find information on the documents and application process on the websites of the universities.

Required documents are :

• Certified copy of higher education entrance qualification (Hochschulreife)
• Overview of subjects and grades (certified and including an official translation)
• certified/notarized copies of previous higher education certificates
• A recent passport photograph
• A notarized copy of the passport
• Notarized copies of language certificate

7. Obtain a German Student Visa

Getting a German student visa is a critical step, but getting to it faster will make the process smoother. The processing time for a German student visa would take around 20-25 days.

For Indian students, there are two visas:

• Visum Zur Studienbewerbung – It is a student applicant visa. It is for those who want to study in Germany, but have not been accepted to a German university.
• Visum Zu Studienzwecken – It is a visa for those who have already received the confirmation letter from the university.

To apply for German visa students have to submit documents such as a valid passport, two photos, proof of admission letter, proof of financial resources, return ticket, proof of accommodation, etc.

8. Find an Accommodation

This is one of the most important things students need to know when moving to a different country. The most student-oriented cities in the country include Heidelberg and Freiburg, which may be slightly more expensive than other cities. Students need to apply early for accommodation in Germany. Accommodation in Germany is not that expensive. Check out the article about accommodation in Germany.

9. Enroll at University

The final step is to enroll in the course at which students have been admitted. This enrollment process takes a student from a successful applicant to a registered student in Germany. The public universities in Germany do not charge any tuition fees. But students still have to pay a registration fee of 150 Euros to 250 Euros per semester which includes a semester ticket that allows students to use public transportation free of charge for 6 months

10. Find a part-time job near the university

Many students find it necessary to do a part-time job while they are studying in Germany. Students are allowed to do a part-time job for 20 hours per week. There are different rules between EU and European Economic Area students and those coming from the rest of the world. Students from outside the EU/EEA can work 120 full days or 240 half days every year in Germany.

Some online job portals for students are as follows:

1. stellenwerk.de
2. appjobs
3. Young Capital

Applying to study abroad can be a long journey that requires patience, care, and determination. Through this process, students are setting themselves up for a great future and an amazing adventure in Germany.