Studying in Germany is nothing less than a dream come true for many international students. When you talk about premium education, you cannot miss Germany. It is one of the top countries regarding education.
It is not just books and computers, but schools in Germany focus on overall personality development. They give their undivided attention to all students and help them shine better with each passing day. Sounds impressive, doesn’t it?
Before you go ahead and start planning an educational future in Germany, you must have substantial information regarding essential and non-essential expenses in Germany.
Lifestyle and Education in Germany are comparatively affordable when you compare it to other European countries. Yet you must have sufficient funds to pursue an education in Germany.
From applying for a Visa to School or University Fees, you have to analyze your budget and make a foolproof plan carefully. According to new laws, most universities have exempted tuition fees, but private institutions follow a different set of rules.
Read More: Germany or France- Which Is the Best Country to Study Abroad?
Here is a list of a few basic requirements to apply for Schools and Universities in Germany:
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The most basic requirement is to pay for the application forms. An application form for a degree college may cost up to 75 Euros. Applying to one school or one university alone may not score you an admission.
You may have to apply to multiple schools or colleges to improve your chances. If you have some contacts, it may help you secure a seat. Who knows, it may work out for the best! But if you don’t, then obtaining an admission may require some extra time and effort from your end.
For undergraduate students or below, a high school diploma or university entrance exam results are usually enough. But to qualify for admission for a post-graduation degree, the student may be required to appear for an entrance test.
This determines the student’s general academic understanding and aptitude. You may also have to give multiple entrance exams, depending on the course you choose. Each Entrance exam has its requirements and fees.
Make sure you check and note the kinds of reviews you will have to attend and its charges. For example, the GRE Exam is a standard entrance test that is widely recognized by universities for post-graduation courses.
Read More: Why is Germany Ranking as Top Study Abroad Destination?
Other than the entrance exams, you will have to take a language proficiency test to get an admission. This is to understand if the student speaks the country’s languages fluently enough to attend classes.
Be it an English course or German. The student is required to prove their knowledge in their chosen language by clearing tests like IELTS or TOEFL. The tests cost about 190$ to 240$, respectively. International students are selected based on the scores of this test.
The semester fees are based on the school, course, or university the student selects. Make sure the facts and figures about a few institutes are gathered and compared. The fee of the chosen route has to be paid according to the dates and demands of the institution.
It is always good to analyze your finances and set a budget. This will help to shortlist the right schools/universities for admission.
Visa charges have to be kept in mind as well to study in a foreign country. It may cost about 40 Euros for students below 18. And for students over 18 years of age, the visa fee would be 75 Euros.
Other than this, you may need to show proof that you earn at least 8,700 Euros per year to fulfil student Visa requirements. This is to ensure that the funder can cover the student’s cost of living in Germany.
Some other expenses are also to be kept in mind to live abroad for education:
Read More: Top Universities in Germany
Living in Germany is relatively affordable. The monthly rent constitutes the most significant chunk of living expenses. Living expenses, even for an average-sized apartment, will cost more than 500 Euros. If you choose to live downtown, they might charge you a little higher.
If you are from a middle-class family, it won’t be a wise move. It may be apt to rent a flat and share it with a few students. The monthly rent for a shared flat maybe about 300-350 Euros or even less. In addition to this, students can pool and reduce transportation expenses.
An average student spends at least about 200 Euros every month on food and lifestyle. It includes meals and drinks. Students can reduce this cost if they cook at home and split expenses.
A weekend away with friends to a party is a common thing but can cost you a lot. A part-time job can help students make some additional money.
Read More: Some Important Facts to Study in Germany
Using Public transport or carpooling with friends may reduce the student’s commute costs. Travel costs, on average, come up to 100 Euros per month.
Working and learning expenses have also to be considered when a student is studying abroad. Monthly payments in this area sum up to 20 Euros.
This is another significant expense to take into account for student life in Germany. An average student spends 40-60 Euros on their clothing and shopping every month.
Lifestyle may vary from person to person, but an average student spends around 700 Euros per month for all the above-listed expenses. Medical and travel charges may cost an additional 200 Euros.
These are the essential requirements to study in any right school or college in Germany. Funding these needs may be difficult at times for students from a middle-class background, but it is not impossible.
Here are a few ways you can support your education in a foreign country without over-burdening your finances.
Personal savings of the family is usually the most common source of funding for higher education. Parents struggle hard to fulfil the financial requirements and security for their child’s future, but sometimes it isn’t enough.
Read More: Why Study in Germany?
A student’s role in saving for their education is equally important. A small number of the student’s earnings or pocket money can be set aside to meet the funds required to study abroad.
There are many scholarships you can apply online or offline to fund higher education. The funds received according to the student’s skills and achievements may help make up for the cost of education in Germany.
Read More: Study in Germany with International Scholarships
Some scholarships are directly affiliated to many German educational institutes and reserve admissions for international students. It will lessen some of your financial burdens.
If the student has extraordinary skills, some organizations offer to sponsor for the entire cost of their education in Germany. Check your contacts and see if any organization would be interested in sponsoring the student’s school considering their intellect or talent. Sponsors may fund for the student’s education fees partially or fully.
The cost of higher education abroad is reaching the skies. Hence, nowadays, taking an education loan is very common. Banks easily sanction educational loans for bright students.
You can apply for a loan at low-interest rates and funds for foreign education. Make sure you check the payment terms and refund policies beforehand. If not, you may be dragged into a bottomless pit of bad finances.
Other ways to manage funds can be either by the following. These solutions may not be able to pay the course fees but can spare some extra money to spend on monthly necessities. It may also add to the student’s experience and be of use while looking for permanent jobs after study.
The academic system in Germany is pretty flexible and administered in an orderly manner. They encourage discipline, especially punctuality. The country also has many international students studying in its big cities so that the transition may be smooth. But being prepared and organized is essential to get along and fit in well.
Overall, the country has significant opportunities waiting to knock at the door if students wish to study here. Rest assured your investment for education in Germany will not go to waste. The academics here include teaching valuable life lessons to help students from a healthy lifestyle.
Outstanding aspirants from different countries can study in Germany with fully-funded or partially-funded scholarship.
To support young scientists and academics in Aceh, the German Academic Exchange Service is offering DAAD-ACEH International Scholarship of Excellence. The scholarships offer young scientists and academics the opportunity to carry out a research or continuing education project at a state or state-recognised German university.
Provider: DAAD
Course: Master’s or doctoral degree
Award: Fully Funded
Deadline: Open
Apply Now
For providing financial support to the deserving candidate, the European University Viadrina is offering scholarships for the academic year 2020-2021. The studentship is open for studying the undergraduate degree coursework at the university. Each winning candidate will get the educational fund for their studies.
Provider: European University Viadrina
Course: Undergraduate
Award: Educational fund
Application Deadline: Open
Apply Now
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is offering Fully-Funded international awards to supports foreign students in Germany. The program is open to provide financial assistance to international students for a postgraduate or master’s program and doctoral candidates at any German universities and colleges. Each winning candidate will get varies benefits for their study.
Provider: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
Course: Postgraduate
Award: Varies
Deadline: July 15, 2020
Apply Now
The RWTH Aachen University is giving an opportunity to participate in the International Advanced Research Opportunities Program. The sponsorship will be awarded in any Doctoral, Post-Docs degree subjects offered by the university. The grant will provide a travel grant of 1,000 euros (lump sum), German language classes and intercultural training and a monthly stipend of 1,800 euros for a period of up to 6 months.
Provider: RWTH Aachen University
Course: Doctoral, Post-Docs degree
Award: Varies
Deadline: September 30, 2020
Apply Now
Konrad Adenauer Foundation is awarding full scholarships for outstanding aspirants from all around the world. The scholarships are open for studying the masters or doctorate program at any German university. The program is aimed at international students and doctoral students who have already completed their studies and would like to start a further study, a doctorate or a research stay of at least three semesters at a German university.
Provider: Konrad Adenauer Foundation
Course: Postgraduate
Award: Varies
Deadline: July 15, 2020
Apply now
Here, you can also check the top universities in Germany.
| Ranking | University Name | Tuition fee |
| 1 | Technical University of Munich | 67.40 Euros |
| 2 | Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich | No tuition fee |
| 3 | Heidelberg University | 169.25 Euros |
| 4 | Humboldt University of Berlin | No tuition fee |
| 5 | Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | 1,500 Euros |
| 6 | Free University of Berlin | No tuition fee |
| 7 | RWTH Aachen University | 240 Euros |
| 8 | Technical University of Berlin | No tuition fee |
| 9 | University of Tübingen | 3,000 EUR |
| 10 | University of Freiburg | No tuition fee |
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