Why and how to study in Germany

372 Higher Education Institutions - 2.0 million Students

- 102 Universities and Technical Universities

- 167 General Universities of Applied Sciences

- 49 Colleges of Art and Music

Germany – a country rich in Higher Education Institutions

German Higher Education

Two main types of higher education institutions: Research Universities:undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programmes

Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen): practice-oriented Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes

Research in Germany- Unity of teaching and research

- Co-operation with industry in appropriate disciplines of applied sciences

- R&D expenditure in Germany is among the highest of the world (2.3% of GNP): researchers find well-equipped laboratories and libraries.

- Germany has a network of particular non-university based research facilities, working closely together with universities:

- Leibniz Science Association

- Fraunhofer Society (FhG)

- Max Planck Society (MPG)

- Helmholtz Association of National Research Centres

www.research-in-germany.de

Research in Germany

Recent Developments: Bologna Process

• The Bologna Process: Creating a European Higher Education Area(European Credit Transfer System)

• Three-tier degree Structure: Bachelor, Master, PhD(typically 3 + 2 + 3 years)

• > 600 “International Degree Programmes” taught in English

1. First-class service for international students2. Wide choice of degree programmes3. Excellence in research and teaching4. Close links between theory and practice5. Strong international focus

Five good reasons for studying in Germany

► Germany‘s universities offer an all-round-service► Support in:

- finding a place to live or a job- planning your studies- legal advice- …

1. First-class service for international students

► Enormously wide and diverse range of studies and qualification opportunities

►Find your degree programme thatsuits your personal skills, talentsand interests!

www.higher-education-compass.de

2. Wide choice of degree programmes

►Great importance of basic research►Close unity of research and teaching:

leading researchers also teach at their university

3. Excellence in research and teaching

►Basic research and applications work together: close cooperation between universities and industry

►Learn how research findings develop into products►Get an insight into the working world!

4. Close links between theory and practice

►Numerous programmes facilitate cooperationbetween researchers

► Wide range of study opportunities promoteinternational student exchange

► German degrees are recognized all over the world

5. Strong international focus

- In contrast to other countries, tuition fee is very affordable: About 500 Euros a semester*.*variable by institution, not at all universities, not in all programmes

- The monthly cost of living averages out to around 630 €, although strong regional differences do exist

Student life is affordable in Germany

How to get Information on Programmes?

• Searchable database of all programmes taught at German universities

►www.higher-education-compass.de► www.study-in.de (Course search)

Choose between the following options:a) first degree studies?b) graduate studies?c) doctoral studies?d) International Programmes?

You are looking for first degree studies.choose the subject area you wish to study (e.g. Engineering)

choose a specific subject within the subject area (e.g. studies subject: Environmental technology, Energy engineering)

You get a list with the results of your choice:

How to get Information on Programmes - Example

How to select your Programme -Example

Choose your university among the higher educationinstitutions

► www.study-in.de (University University profile) helps you to

a) get information about the university profile (address, number of students...)

b) find information about courses (degree programmes, special graduate studies) offered by each university

How to choose your University

• Look up the university profile of the University of Aachen

• Then, search further information about “Special graduate studies”

Results (detail only):

How to choose your University –Example

• Ranking that can help you find the university that suits you best

► www.university-ranking.de

• Within the ranking you can select a) a subject b) a university c) a city in Germany.

University ranking

“Quick Search”:• Subject: Electrical Engineering and Information

EngineeringYou get a “Ranking Overview” that lists the universities with a broad assessment in five key criteria.

Results (detail only):

University ranking – Example

• First point of contact: International Office (Akademisches Auslandsamt) of your chosenuniversity (addresses at www.study-in.de)

• The staff will be able to tell you about- procedures- dates and deadlines- admission requirements- selection processes- tuition fees

Planning your studies

Important requirements for the admission:►Higher education entrance qualification:

Secondary school leaving certificate (Apolitirion, A-Levels…)

Advice: For certificates of private schools get a confirmation from theMinistry of Education that the diploma is equivalent to the certificate of public schools

►German language proficiency (DSH or TestDaF)exception: International Degree Programmes

►Possibly, proof of particular aptitude (selection procedures)

►Possibly, practical training of several weeks before your studies

Admission

Some subjects have admissions restrictions (NC = numerus clausus) based on the grade point averageof your school leaving certificate

►Nationwide admissions restriction for subjects like: medicine, psychology, dentistry etc. (for all universities that offer this subject)www.zvs.de

►Local admissions restriction (admissions restriction applies only to individual universities, not to all)

Admissions restrictions

• To be admitted to a degree programme: send your application either to the university of yourchoice or to uni-assist

►The International Office can tell you where to send the application

►Check if the university of your choice is a member of uni-assist: www.uni-assist.de

Applying for admission

► Bachelor► Master► Diplom► Staatsexamen► Magister► Doctorate

By 2010 German universities aim to replace thetraditional German degrees with the international degrees (Bachelor‘s and Master‘s)

What academic degrees do German universities offer?

• Many organisations in Germany that awardscholarships and grants to international students

►Scholarship database: www.funding-guide.de

►German Research Foundation: www.dfg.de►Alexander von Humboldt Foundation:

www.avh.de

Can I get a scholarship or grant formy studies in Germany?

• German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD):www.study-in.de

• Information on Germany’s higher education institutions:www.higher-education-compass.de

• Information about International Bachelor, Master and Doctoral Programmes:www.daad.de/international-programmes

• Funding resources:www.funding-guide.de

• Information about Germany’s research landscape:www.research-in-germany.de

• Access to the major science and research organisations in Germany:www.daad.de/research-explorer

For more information…

• 16 federal states with their characteristics• Many interesting cities, variety of culture and

science

“Dear friend, all theory is gray, And green the golden tree of life.” (J.W. Goethe: Faust)

• Discover the variety of Germany. Discover yourGermany!

Variety of Germany

We hope to see you

soon in Germany!

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