A Complete Guide for Indian Students Applying for a Master’s Degree in Germany
Did you know that 2.87 million international students flock to Germany every year?
Meaning that every tenth university student in the country hails from a different part of the world!
So, why is Germany so popular among international students?
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Germany is known to be a top study destination and has been for many years. The high quality of university education available at affordable prices has added to the country’s renown in academic circles. Students also benefit from the country’s booming economy to secure well-paying jobs in relevant domains.
Indian students are no strangers to the benefits of a German college education. Data unveiled by the Federal Statistical Office of Germany reported that more than 20,000 students from India travel to Germany each year for their under or postgraduate degrees.
If you are from India and want to do your master’s in Germany as well, you’ve come to the right place! Read ahead to get a detailed guide for Indian students to get admission for a master’s degree in Germany.
Choosing the right university
A master’s degree can help you consolidate and build on the knowledge and expertise you gain from your bachelor’s degree. Alternatively, it can also help you switch career paths to your chosen domain and shape your future career.
You should therefore choose a master’s programme only after careful deliberation on many factors such as your interest in the subject, your financial situation and future career prospects. Some other factors for choosing the right programme at a German university include:
- Credibility and accreditations of the university
- Success stories of previous course alumni
- The capability of the faculty
- The language used as the medium of instruction (English/German)
- Placement assistance provided by the university
The German Academic Exchange Service maintains a comprehensive list of all German universities offering postgraduate degrees and their website would be the perfect place to start your research.
Checking the eligibility criteria
Once you’ve shortlisted a few course options and universities, you will need to check if you fit those programmes’ admission criteria. In most cases, German universities recognise an undergraduate degree in the relevant subject as being eligible for a master’s programme.
You should also look into the language the programme is taught in. If the course is taught in German, you might have to submit a proof of your proficiency in the language such as an appropriate TestDaF score.
Alternatively, you will need to submit a proof of English proficiency like an IELTS score if the programme is in English.
There may be other admission criteria depending on the study subject and university. You can check the university website or with their admissions offices for further information regarding the eligibility criteria and the admission process for masters in Germany.
Arranging the tuition fee
In most public universities in Germany, postgraduate degrees are tuition-free if you are directly pursuing the course after your bachelor’s degree in the country. Even if you haven’t pursued undergraduate studies in the country, the fees will tend to be more affordable than other countries.
According to the DAAD, tuition fees for master’s programmes in Germany are around €20,000 per year at public universities and around €30,000 per year at private universities. However, the fees for master’s programmes at GISMA Business School start at €15,000 per for international students.
In addition to tuition fees, you will also incur other expenses such as the cost of living in Germany like food, accommodation and recreation. The DAAD reports that the average living expenses for international students in the country are around €12,000 every year.
You can reduce your expenditure by looking for part-time jobs or relevant scholarships to cover your education cost.
Applying for a student visa for Germany
All Indian students must apply for a German student visa before entering into the country legally. Most German universities include a valid German student visa as admission criteria for Indian students.
You can contact the German embassy in India for information on how to apply for a German student visa.
Germany is known internationally for its engineering excellence, scientific research and artistic creativity. It’s therefore easy to find exciting employment opportunities in these fields after your master’s degree in Germany.
Want to know how it would feel like to study with a reputed German university? Invest in a good master’s programme today to fulfil your dream of studying and working in Germany.
GISMA has three full-fledged campuses in Berlin, Hannover and Hamburg, offering a wide range of business and technical disciplines. These programmes are specifically customised to enable you to take the next step in your career and become a thought leader or able manager in your industry.
To know more on the programmes on offer by GISMA Business School, click here. To know more about the Berlin-Potsdam area, click here.
– This article was written by Sweha Hazari.