Studying abroad in Germany is one of the most popular and cheapest ways to further your education and explore new cultures. Apart from fairy tale like sceneries, soccer, currywurst, and Hefeweizen, Germany is also profiting from a flourishing economy, is home to some of the most prestigious universities in the world, and is also known as the “Land of Ideas”, where some of the brightest minds have made incredible breakthroughs. 

Germany has everything a student can wish for: world class education, multi-cultural environments, amazing nightlife, affordable lifestyle, picturesque landscapes...and great food, of course. Apply for one of the many Germany study abroad programs and you can be on your way to your next big adventure. You will not be disappointed!

Why study in Germany ?

Recently Germany is becoming a magnet for international students from all over the world. Let’s explore some of the reasons why students prefer to study in this amazing country.

Germany is a higher education paradise. Unlike in any other country, in Germany you will find many worldwide ranked universities, countless courses to choose among, globally valued degrees that promise a high employability to you and affordable living costs.

Moreover, Germany has a long and rich history, a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle mixing the modern and the classics, the urban and the rural which will immerse and make you love every second spent here.

Not surprisingly, Germany is ranked among the world’s top destinations for international students. According to the latest official statistics, there are over 357,000 foreign students seeking a university degree in Germany whereas the number is steadily increasing.

Every year, thousands of scholars coming from all around the world trust their education to German universities and reasons for this are obvious.

1. Low Or No Tuition Fees

At the time when higher education is becoming a necessity due to the increased need for highly qualified professionals and cost of attending university are increasing faster, Germany is the only top study destination whose universities charge no tuition fees.

A decision which came into power in October 2014, stated that all international students attending a public university in Germany would be free from paying normal tuition fees. Foreign students will only have to pay few administrative costs like student contribution, student union fee and a public transport ticket which account to around €250 per semester altogether.

According to a survey, 35.3% of prospective foreign students in Germany highlighted low or no tuition fee universities as the top reason why they would attend higher education in Germany.

2. Top-Ranked Universities

Based on official recordings in 2018, there are 429 public higher education institution functioning in Germany among which 106 are universities. German universities are above global higher education standards.

Some of them have been consistently ranked among the world’s best universities. Students value these universities for the quality of education, hands-on experiences during their studies, opportunities to improve academically during and after studies and most importantly the safe and friendly environment.

They enjoy this worldwide reputation thanks to their recognized teaching and research excellence, build upon a long and rich tradition of higher education. In addition to the traditional top globally ranked universities, there are several other German universities introduced in global rankings every year. Besides being among the best some German universities are also the oldest in Europe.

3. Travel Europe on a student visa

If you are a European student and want to study and live in Germany, you will cherish the same rights as a German citizen and EU\EFTA citizen regarding free entry, the opportunity to study and work without any additional permits.

If you are not however a European citizen and you want to study in Germany, you will have to apply for a visa. Unless you are enrolled on a summer school language program, you will need to apply for a student visa that allows you to reside in Germany for more than 90 days and also get a residency permit to become able to live and move around the country. The residency permit will also allow you to travel visa-free in the whole Schengen Area, which makes for a wonderful opportunity to visit the countries you are interested in within the time-frame.

Once you receive the letter of acceptance from the designated German University, it is recommendable to apply for a student visa at least 3 months prior to your intended departure (the time you are expected to be in Germany).

As for the residency permit, all your documentation will be sent to the Immigration Office of the German region where your University is stationed, and after every bureaucratic procedure is done you will be issued the residency permit.

In order to obtain the student visa, however, there are certain criteria that need to be met. If you are traveling to Europe on such a permit, you will have to inform the designated authorities prior to your departure.

4. Countless Degree Courses

In relation to having a large number of universities, Germany offers countless degree courses designed to suit everyone’s interests. As an industrialized country Germany has invested a lot in Engineering universities and today Engineering programs are particularly valued at German universities. However, there are a lot more study programs offered at these universities and in some of them, they are global leaders like medicine and pharmacy.

Furthermore, the list of traditional courses in German universities is expanding fast as new study fields are emerging accordingly with cutting-edge scientific improvement.  Whether you’re willing to study atom or mysterious galaxies in the universe, in Germany it is likely you’ll find a program about it taught by the most regarded professionals in that particular field.

5. Globally Recognized Study Programs

Study programs at German universities are modern in terms of their structure and the way they’re delivered to students. They’re designed to meet up the most up-to-date scientific developments running out in the world and educate individuals who can confidently face global challenges.

Their curriculum is subject to constant provision and change aiming to find or create comprehensive approaches to teaching and research. At the end of your course, you will be certified with a degree which is globally recognized and valued.

Employers all around the world look upon you with the highest respect because they’re aware of what quality of education you’ve been offered during your studies which makes them ready to hire you and trust you large responsibilities.

6. Affordable Costs of Living

With a bit of smart financial management and little tweaks to your old lifestyle, the cost of living for international students in Germany is quite affordable. Normally, you would expect higher prices in urban areas as compared to peripheral ones.

Rent is the major financial concern you will have to tackle when studying in Germany. However, there are many options available to you and though the cost of rent varies (mainly depending on the location of the apartment), overall it is not that expensive.

To ease your financial burden you can find someone with whom you can share the room and this will cut in half your expenses. The cost of other goods and services like food, amenities, public transport and so on is not high.

7. Work Opportunities For International Students

The German law states that international students are allowed to work part-time for up to 20 hours a week or 120 full days of a year. It is estimated that more than 60% of current international students work part-time while studying in Germany.

In the recent years, Germany has realized the economic and social benefits of immigration, and the need for having the smartest minds study in the country. Ideally, they would like for their students to also stay after finishing their studies and keep working in Germany. Hence there being no tuition fee for international students as well! 

Also, Germany has an amazing dual learning system, where you can combine going to school part time and interning with a company the other half of the time. At the end of your studies, you have the possibility of staying and working within the company you’re interning with, or applying somewhere else. You’ll get your degree in hand and a job as soon as you graduate! As a leading economic power, it’s not hard to find opportunities in companies such as Daimler, BMW, Audi, Adidas, Siemens, or Bosch.You’ve already been introduced to the excellence of the German industry after all, so why not stay?

You don’t need to possess a qualification in the first place because there is a wide range of jobs available and you will likely find something anyway. Commonly, students in Germany work as tutors, bartenders, administrative staff, babysitters, etc.

Working part-time alongside studying is an option you must seriously consider in Germany, although you may not need additional money to cope with living costs or the type of your course doesn’t include a placement year. Your working experience may increase your future employability, can learn you to add discipline to your lifestyle and live independently.

8. Future Prospects

Your degree issued from a German university is a highly respected and valued qualification all over the world. As an indication of this, German graduates enjoy a high employability in the global job market.

Thus, once you take your degree many employers will come at you with a bunch of attractive offers to hire you. They trust your professional credits gained through an outstanding education in Germany and highly believe you can help improve their business. Being this much sought-after job candidates, graduates at German universities are some of the highest paid employees.

That said, regardless of your academic field and the country where you’re willing to find a job, your German degree will help you get a high paid and perfect job.

9. Learn a New Language

Starting from future employability to the emotional joy, there are countless reasons why learning German is very beneficial to you.

Germany is one of the most powerful economies in the world while the German language is the most spoken native language in the European continent. German companies are global leaders and have an extensive network of branches all around the world.

Thus, by speaking the German language you’re setting yourself in a position where they will come at you and will offer you a job. On the other hand, the German language is widely spoken in the world, and this means an opportunity for you to travel the world and going to places you have never been before.

10. Diverse Community

Germany has traditionally been a hub for other nationals. Nowadays, German nationals live in harmony with many foreigners who came here to work and live with their families.

Additionally, German universities attract thousands of international students who look upon Germany as an opportunity to reach their education goals. That said in Germany you will encounter a diverse community, each with its own specifics that will make you see the world from a different angle.

Also, you can make a lot of friends coming from all around the world and learn about their customs and traditions.

11. Cultural and Historical Heritage

Germany has a long, rich and complex history and its remarks are scattered all across the country. Today, you certainly know less about Germany than you can imagine. The country has been a major player through important stages of humankind’s history.

Their natives have given an unmatched contribution to historical, cultural and scientific movements that changed forever the entire course of global history. Studying in Germany is a great opportunity for you to visit most of these cultural and historical gems, hear unbelievable stories related to them and collect unforgettable memories.

12. So many historical sites!

Germany’s rich history and captivating architecture will join your classroom experience with the city outside your window.

Studying and living in Germany is like being at the heart of the European Intellectual history. With a long, rich, complex history and countless standing monuments that can still tell many stories, Germany is a historical gem and a land of poets and thinkers such as Kant, Goethe, and Beethoven. Cities like Berlin and Munich are becoming more culturally diverse, and the number of people expressing their creativity is growing.

Walking through the downtown streets feels like you’re in your own Hollywood musical, and you’re the main character. By the end of your experience your appreciation of arts will have improved greatly, as well as your knowledge on some of the finest artists in the world.