8 Steps To Study In Germany – Guide For International Students

Germany is one of the most famous non-Anglophone study destinations in the world.

Due to its high educational level and free public universities, it is one of the most popular destinations for students to study abroad in the world.

Hundreds of universities in Germany have free or very low-fee tuition programs available for international students.

This is why many people choose Germany to increase their academic level.

Combining high-quality education with a unique cultural experience, living in Germany is the main reason why young people from all around the world choose to study there.

In this article, we will give you 8 Steps to Study in Germany, a Guide For International Students:

See These 8 Steps To Study In Germany – Guide For International Students

1. Choose A Program

The first step to preparing for your study or trip to Germany is by finding a university or Choosing a study.

This is not supposed to be a major problem because there are many universities and countless study programs available with a good quality

No matter how difficult you think it is, there is always a study program that will match your studying aspirations and future plans.

Avoid procrastination and bear in mind that the earlier you think about the study program, the easier things gets for you

At least 3 months before making a final decision. This period of time is enough to allow you to scan all German universities that offer courses related to your professional field.

2. Try To Sort Your Accommodation In Advance

The cost of living in Germany would depend largely on where the student is residing in Germany.

If the candidate opts for one of the famous cities of Germany, then the accommodation in Germany could vary greatly and can go as high as €400 per month for a single room accommodation in cities like Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, or even the famous university towns of Heidelberg.

Getting at somewhere to live is one of the most anxiety-inducing parts of moving to a new country.

Since you’d much rather be focusing on your studies than flitting from flat-viewing to flat-viewing, you may consider getting your student housing sorted before you arrive in Germany.

Students in Germany have a few options when it comes to accommodation: student halls of residence, private apartments and shared flats.

The good news is Germans often sublet their homes when they go on holiday or longer trips, so this can be a good way to find a temporary home to start with.

Read Must: Paying For Study Abroad: 21 Tried & True Strategies

3. Learn The German Language

Arguably one of the best ways to learn the German language is to engage a 1:1 tutor or to learn in a small group or as part of an intensive course.

Your success at university highly depends on your skills in the German language, even if your program is in the English language.

Having a good knowledge in the German language guarantees you will understand study materials, and what is taught in lectures while being able to communicate your thoughts properly.

Also, at university, you will often have to speak German with locals. So you have no excuse not to learn the language because you must definitely use it.

4. Get Your Finances In Order

In order to fulfill student visa requirements, you might be asked to show proof that you have, or have access to, around €8,700 per year (~US$10,000) to cover your living costs, it could be from your sponsor’s account.

At least 6 months before your application would be early enough to start collecting this money and two weeks before applying for your student visa you must have them deposited and ready.

Living costs also vary depending on the location; Munich is considered to be the most expensive city in the country.

If at any point you think you can’t afford to study in France, then you might have to consider the scholarships available to support students studying in Germany at various study levels.

5. Apply For Admission

Once, you have successfully decided on your university of choice and zeroed in on the course of your liking and sorted your expenses. Your next step would be to apply

It’s now time for you to submit the application. You can apply through the university’s official website, but there may be universities that receive only applications in person or by post.

Depending on what level of studies you’re pursuing in Germany, the application procedures vary slightly.

6. Get Your German Student Visa.

You have to apply for a visa at the local German embassy in your country, and obtain a German Student Visa to be able to enter, stay and study in Germany.

Although, depending on the country you come from, you might be exempt from needing a visa to study in Germany, but you are still required to obtain a residence permit for studies lasting more than 90 days, once you arrive in Germany.

Along with other documents, the German embassy/consulate in your home country will also require you to get a health insurance policy before granting you a student visa.

7. Take Out Health Insurance

In Germany, you must take out health insurance as a student.

Before you leave your home country you should ensure you’ve purchased health insurance to cover you during your stay in Germany.

Also, if you have public health insurance in your home country, you should be covered in Germany as well.

If your health insurance is not valid in Germany, expect to pay between €80 (US$92) and €160 (US$176) per month to cover this.

The cost is higher if you’re over 30, and if you’re over 29 when starting your course you can only obtain private insurance.

8. Enroll

Once you get admitted as a student in a German higher education institution, the next process is getting enrolled or “matriculated” in studies.

You must enroll before you can start your course and use university facilities such as the library.

You’ll also need to re-register before the start of every semester. This usually costs between €150 and €250 (~US$170-290), depending on the university.

There may be an additional charge of around €180 (~US$205) for a “Semesterticket”, which covers public transport expenses for six months.

The usual documents you need for enrollment are:

Your passport with visa or residence permit
Several passport photos
Completed registration form
Proof of higher education entrance qualification, either original certificates or officially certified copies and translations
Notice of admission
Evidence of adequate knowledge of German (or English)
Evidence of statutory health insurance in Germany
Payment receipt for the semester fees

Once you are enrolled, the student receives an account on the university server, e-mail address and password.

You will need this information to take advantage of your university’s intranet services, such as the electronic course prospectus, online registration for courses and exams, and online course material provided by your instructors

You will also receive a registration certificate which acts as a provisional student ID, allowing you to apply for your residence permit .

Conclusion

At this point you must be excited and satisfied with this article because you now understand the Steps To Study In Germany – Guide For International Students

Congratulations, you should now be all set to begin your studies in Germany!

Don’t forget to pack all the essentials, as well as arranging a few more important affairs

Good luck!