Germany

Germany has on offer a wide variety of courses in over 350 state and private universities, in the two-tier international structure of bachelor’s and master’s degrees. In addition, academic programs in Germany are not restricted only to the German medium. More than 500 International Degree Programs (IDP) offer courses completely or partially taught in English.

Choosing a course in Germany might actually be quite easy as there are only three broad types to choose from:

• 1. Universities
• 2. Universities of applied sciences
• 3. Art, film and music colleges

Moreover, there are technical and other specialized universities. The duration of higher education in Germany ranges from 6-8 years depending on the subject and level of study. To acquire a Ph.D. (doctoral) degree, students need to pass a final examination.

In Germany, the state controls the entire education system. Another significant component of the German education system is the “Adult Education” system, which is run by government and non-government institutions.

For undergraduate studies in Germany, international students need to complete a one-year 'bridge program'. After completing this program, students from most overseas countries need to pass an assessment test for admission. However, students who have cleared some of the well-known entrance examinations in their country might be exempted from this assessment test.

This, however, depends on the various guidelines that German institutions follow. Students who have successfully completed two years of undergraduate studies are also exempted from the assessment test. However, they need to verify their aptitude in the German language.

For admission in postgraduate courses, students usually require a four-year bachelor's degree but many Institutions also accept a three-year degree. For PhD courses, the admission requirements in Germany are similar to many other countries. For example, international students require a Master's Degree and should identify a professor or academician in Germany as their doctoral guide.

Students have to apply directly to the universities; forms can be collected from the international offices of the concerned universities. The completed applications, along with the required documents, have to be sent back to the university. Students also need to provide authenticated copies of certificates validating their knowledge of German, if required.

Following are the entrance requirements in Germany for international students:

• • Students interested in full time studies in Germany have to apply and get a student visa before the program begins.
• • Previous academic records are usually the basis for admissions in German universities.
• • GMAT score is compulsory for some of the management courses, while some engineering programs require GRE score.
• • For study programs with English as the medium of instruction, the TOEFL is a standard test that is required.

Further details can be obtained from the university websites.

Although tuition fees in Germany were almost unheard of, it has changed in recent times. Few federal states charge around 500 Euros for each semester of undergraduate courses.

Many German universities are state-sponsored in an effort to maintain affordable tuition fees. Besides, the number of scholarships also keeps increasing.

Living Costs

As compared to tuition expenses, living expenditure in Germany can be considerably high, rent being the major expense. Sharing a flat for accommodation might be a reasonable option. Other options for accommodation include university residences. Although the costs vary from city to city, on an average, the living expenses can range from INR 10-12 lakhs per annum.

The ‘Federal Education and Training Assistance Act’ was established by the German government to provide a minimum financial support to trainees. In Germany, scholarships and financial aidare available for all competent international students.

Generally, 2-10 working days are needed to process a visa for a short stay application whereas visas for a longer stay might take several months. Moreover, there may be a waiting period during the peak travel season. Hence, it is better to apply at the earliest possible.

Study visas for Germany are valid for the duration of the study period, and the fee is around 60 Euro.

Working in Germany during your studies

Non-EU/EEA students are also able to work in Germany alongside their studies, for 120 full days or 240 half days per year. If you take a job as a student assistant or research assistant at the university, this is usually not counted in your limit. However, you must notify the Alien Registration Office if you take up this type of work.

If you take an internship during your semester break, this is regarded as normal work, even if it’s unpaid. This means that every day of your internship is subtracted from your 120-day credit balance. However, mandatory internships which are required for your course do not count towards your limit.

If you’re studying a language or a preparatory course (Studienkolleg) the requirements are stricter. You can only work in lecture-free periods and only with the consent of the Federal Employment Agency and the foreigners' authority.

Working in Germany after your studies

If you want to stay in Germany to find work after graduating, it’s a good idea to start planning for this while you’re still a student. It’s highly beneficial to have proficiency in the German language to find work in Germany, as the number of jobs open to you will be very limited without it.

Students from non-EU countries who wish to work in Germany after graduating can extend their residence permit for up to 18 months to find work relating to their studies.

The 18 months commence as soon as you receive your final exam results, so it’s advisable to start looking for employment during your final semester. In these 18 months, you can work as much as you like and take up any kind of employment to support yourself.

As soon as you’ve found a role you’d like to accept, you should apply for a German residence permit or EU Blue Card (similar to the US Green Card). You can remain in Germany while your application is pending. The EU Blue Card may be preferable if you intend to live and work in another EU state. You can ask the foreign residents’ registration office for advice on which permit to apply for and what documents you’ll need. If you decide to apply for the Blue Card, you must have been offered a job that pays at least €49,600 (~US$52,850) a year.

If you’d like to stay in Germany and become a permanent resident, you can apply for a ‘settlement permit’ as early as two years after receiving your permanent residence permit or EU Blue Card.

You’re already living in Germany with a temporary Residence permit and would like to settle here permanently? That's not a problem! After a few years’ residence in Germany, you can apply for an indefinite residence title, called a " settlement permit”. A settlement permit opens numerous prospects: you have the unrestricted right to live in Germany with your family; moreover, you can work as an employee or take up Self-employment.

Graduates of German universities

As a graduate of a German university you can apply for a settlement permit after just two years. This is on condition that after completing your studies you held a residence title for the purposes of employment or Self-employment, or an EU Blue Card, for at least two years. Moreover, you need to have a job commensurate with your qualifications and to have paid the statutory pension insurance for 24 months.

EU Blue Card holders

Anyone holding an EU Blue Card can apply for a settlement permit after just 33 months if they exercised skilled employment during that time.

If you have an EU Blue Card and also have sufficient command of the German language, i.e. at least Level B1, this period is reduced to just 21 months – under two years.

Permanent EU residence permit

The permanent EU Residence permit (section 9ª of the Residence Act) is a permanent Residence permit which is basically comparable with the settlement permit. Holders of the permanent EU Residence permit can migrate to almost every EU country and get a Residence permit on facilitated conditions. You get the permanent EU Residence permit, if you:

• • Have legally lived in Germany for at least five years.
• • Can support yourself and your family members to make a living.
• • Have a sufficient command of German and basic knowledge of the legal and social system and way of life in Germany.
• • Have sufficient living space for yourself and your family.
• • Have paid the compulsory or voluntary contributions to statutory pension insurance for at least 60 months.

Costs

When you apply for a settlement permit a fee is payable, the amount of which varies according to the type of activity you exercise. A settlement permit generally costs 135 euros, but for the self-employed the fee is 200 euros, while highly qualified people have to pay 250 euros when applying for a settlement permit.

Below are the common Job Fields with highest salaries and their Pay scale.

These are the pay scales for the common job fields in Germany but this could be your Salary only when you score pretty well in your Graduation.

The country provides a base for a range of multinational companies, including: