With 80 Nobel laureates including such as Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, Robert Koch, Max Planck, Albert Einstein, Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard and Harald zur Hausen in natural sciences and medicine alone, Germany basks in glory as a land of possibilities and excellence. Moreover, it is also a “land of poets and thinkers” thanks to Kant, Hegel, Adorno, Goethe, Heine, Brecht, Bach, Beethoven and Brahms.
In recent times, Germany is fast emerging as sought after destination for students from all corners of the globe. In addition to being an amazing country, Germany is called the Mecca of higher education as the country boasts of an array of world ranked universities, myriad courses to opt from, internationally acknowledged degrees that raise employability index and reasonably priced cost of living that is replete with a vibrant and dynamic mix of modern and the classics, the urban and the rural. If recently published data is anything to go by, Germany has more than 357,000 foreign nationals as students among which around 37% take up engineering as their course of study. It is pertinent to note here that Indian students make up 13% of the international student population in Germany.
Let us now see what makes Germany the top Higher-Studies destination for STEM Students –
Low or no tuition fees
Today higher education is an extremely expensive affair in most countries of the world which is a direct result of increased need to hire highly qualified professors and other faculty members. Against this backdrop, Germany is the only premier study destination where the institutes of higher education charge no tuition fees as most of the German Universities are state-funded.
In October 2014, Germany decided that all foreign students attending a public university in Germany would be free from paying normal tuition fees. However, international students need to bear some administrative costs including student contribution, student union fee and a public transport ticket which goes up to nearly €250 per semester. A 2018 survey shows 35.3% of prospective foreign students in Germany shared low or no tuition fee for studying in universities as the key factor for pursuing higher education in Germany.
Top-Ranked Universities
Reports and data till 2018 say Germany has 429 public higher education institutions of which 106 are universities, some of which are also the oldest in Europe and have been consistently ranked among the world’s best universities. Three of these universities rank among the top 100 QS World University Rankings (2020), and 12 ranks among the top 200.
The institutes offer high-quality education, recognized teaching, and research excellence, hands-on experiences, opportunities to excel academically, and a safe and student-friendly milieu. Other than the Ivy League ones, there are many other universities in German that make their place in global rankings every passing year.
Countless Courses
Armed with a host of universities, the country offers a plethora of degree courses in STEM designed to suit individual interests. Being a country that thrives on industry Germany has invested profusely in engineering universities and the country’s engineering programs are immensely valued all over the world. According to Times Ranking of 2020, Technical University of Munich ranks 25th under the engineering and technology rankings and 18th in Computer Science.
That said, an array of several other study programs are offered at the universities, and in some including medicine and pharmacy, they are global leaders. Moreover, conventional STEM courses in German universities are ever-increasing in numbers which are complete with cutting-edge scientific advancements. Be it study atom or mysterious galaxies in the universe, in Germany, such a course is readily available and will be taught by the renowned professionals of the field. The study programs are also very modern in structure and teaching modules are highly advanced and tailor-made meeting the latest scientific developments and educating in ways students get prepared to confidently face global challenges.
Theory and Practice go Hand-in-Hand
German universities provide outstanding degree programs along with practical training in the forms of company internships, work placements, traineeships, and research projects.
Land of Ideas
Germany has got a great tradition of science, research, creativity, and innovation. Revolutionary inventions, such as the automobile, the airbag, X-ray technology, Aspirin, the computer, the chip card, and the MP3 data compression format – makes Germany a great place for intellectual pursuit.
Affordable costs of living
Just a little amount of money management skills and some manipulations in your lifestyle will be enough to have an easy life as an international student in Germany. However, expect higher prices in urban areas than conurbations.
Rent is the only financial issue you will face when studying in Germany, but there are numerous options. Remember the cost of rent varies according to the location of the apartment, so choose smartly. Sharing a room with fellow student/s will take care of this concern easily. Price of other essential goods and services like food, amenities, and public transport are not very high. Moreover, student loans are available in India from government banks that are ready to help you complete your Masters in Germany.
Work opportunities for international students
According to the German laws, international students are allowed to work part-time for up to 20 hours a week or 120 full days of a year. And records show that nearly 60% of existing international students work part-time while studying in this country, more so because an array of job roles are available and you will likely find something anyway. Common job roles for students are tutors, bartenders, administrative staff, babysitters, et al. If not financially important, the working experience will raise your employability skills, make you more discipline and help you live independently.
Future Prospects
German university degrees are highly acknowledged and valued all over the world and German graduates typically enjoy a high employability in the global job market.
Keep faith in your professional credits gained through an outstanding education in Germany and be confident that you will be placed in best of the global organisations that have the highest paid employees.
MS in Germany
Germany is particularly for MS (masters) aspirants and in the year 2019-20 MS in Germany has attracted more 150,000 students. In Germany, MS is usually a one to two-year degree (2-4 semesters) with zero tuition fees. You have to pay a one-time enrolment fee of nearly 8,313 EUR to 16,626 EUR depending on the choice of program. If a student takes more time to complete the program, then an extra amount of fees is required to be submitted per semester. This ranges from 400 EUR – 500 EUR. MS in Germany can be considered fruitful as according to QS Employability Rankings, Germany has four universities in the top 100.
Most sought after courses of Masters in Germany universities include Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Automotive Engineering, and Chemical Engineering. You can apply with a variety of higher education institutions offering a master’s degree, such as Research universities, technical universities, universities of applied sciences, as well as college of arts, film and music. You will be required to have 60 credits a year for completion of a master’s degree with 30 credits dedicated to the dissertation.
Top universities for MS –
| University | THE Global Ranking 2020 | Cost of Study (Euro) | Popular MS Program |
| Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich | 32 | 256 | English, CS, Data Science, Management, Economics |
| Technical University of Munich | 43 | 145 | Management, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science |
| Heidelberg University | 44 | 380 | Physics, Data Science, English, Electrical Engineering, Economics |
| Humboldt University Berlin | 74 | 315 | Economics, English, Social Work, Data Science |
| Charite Universitatmedizin Berlin | 80 | 2500 | Neuroscience, epidemiology, medicine, health science |
| University of Freiburg | 86 | 2800 | English, CS, Robotics, Embedded Systems |
| University of Tubingen | 91 | 3000 | Machine learning, CS, Economics, English |
| RWTH Aachen | 99 | 290 | CS, Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Data Science |
| Technical University Berlin | 149 | 1200 | Mechanical Engineering, CS, Energy Engineering |
| Free University of Berlin | 117 | 680 | English, Psychology, CS, Management |
| University of Bonn | 105 | 575 | CS, Biotechnology, English, Economics |
Top MS Degree Courses in Germany
STEM (Science Technology Engineering Management) subjects account for 50% of all students applying in MS in Germany. Some of the most popular MS courses are:
| Program | Top Universities | Cost of Study (Euro) | Find More Colleges |
| MS in Electrical Engineering | KIT, RWTH Aachen, TUM, TU Berlin | up to 3100 | colleges for electrical engineering in Germany |
| MS in Computer Science | TUM, TU Darmstadt, University of Freiburg | up to 3000 | institutes offer MS in Germany in Computer Science |
| MS in Automotive Engineering | TU Berlin, Universitat Stuttgart | up to 6000 | Automotive Engineering colleges in Germany |
| MS in Chemical Engineering | TU Berlin, TU Munich, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, RWTH Aachen | up to 3000 | universities providing MS in Chemical Engineering in Germany |
| MS in Robotics | TUM, TU Dortmund | up to 800 | Robotics Colleges in Germany |
Admission Process
Admissions process can be restricted, that is, fixed number of students getting admitted or it could be unrestricted. Restricted programs are more in number and just fulfilling the admission criteria does not promise admission to these programs. Also the time of application has a vital role to play in deciding whether you will be offered admissions or not.
You can apply to German universities via the uni-assist portal, while there are universities that invite applications through their individual application portal. Fees for applying via uni-assist portal is 6,198 INR for the first application and 2,479 INR per application in the same semester.
Remember universities differ in their application requirements. However, the common eligibility criteria required for Masters in Germany admission include:
- Bachelor’s degree in relevant field
- GRE or GMAT score: May be required
International students need to submit proof of English as well as German language proficiency as most of the German universities offers education in German. Scores required are:
- German Language Proficiency: DSH Level II or I, Goethe: C1 or C2 level, TestDaf: Level 2-4.
- English Language Proficiency: IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
These are the average score and may vary from university to university.
Other documents required include
- Certificate or Mark Sheet of the latest educational qualification
- CV/Resume
- Statement of Purpose
- Letter of Recommendation
- Copy of Passport
Once the above documents and other necessary steps are accepted and completed, you will have to apply for your German student visa.
You will have to pay for certain things at the time of applying to the university. These are:
- Student Visa Application Fee -60-75
- Health Insurance – 80 (Euro)
- IELTS Registration Fee – 166-170 (Euro)
- TOEFL Registration Fee – 136-224 (Euro)
- GMAT Registration Fee – 143 (Euro)
- GRE Registration Fee -192 (Euro)
Tuition Fees for MS in Germany
- On-campus Accommodation- 300 Euro a month
- Off-campus Accommodation- 400-450 Euro a month
- Food & Drink- 165 Euro a month
- Transportation- 80 Euro a month
- Books & Material- 30 Euro a month
- Internet – 35 Euro a month
- Miscellaneous – 70 Euro a month
The DAAD Scholarships:
Known as the largest financial aid organization in the world DAAD supports more than 100,000 national and international students and researchers for their work. The amount is 62,350 INR per month and DAAD also has a program for developing countries.
Also, more than 22500 students benefit from the Deutschlandstipendium Program, launched by the Federal Government of Germany. The program works in participation of both public and private institutions through sponsorships from businesses, foundations, private universities, and other institutions. The talented students are awarded an aid of nearly 300 Euros a month and the standard time of funding is usually two semesters but it can be extended if the university sees the student is eligible for more.
Job Prospects after MS in Germany
Being an industrial hotspot, Germany is full of opportunities for MS students who get hired depending upon their subjects. Besides, you can explore career not only in Germany but anywhere in the world.
Jobs in Germany after MS and respective salaries –
- Electrical Engineer – 136,000 Euro
- Accountant – 90,700 Euro
- Civil Engineer – 121,000 Euro
- Mechanical Engineer – 133,000 Euro
- Automotive Engineer – 111,000 Euro
- Biomedical Engineer – 115,000 Euro
- Pharma Researcher – 150,000 Euro
- Data Scientist – 135,000 Euro
- Architect – 124,000 Euro
- Art Director -126,000 Euro
If you are interested in learning more about admissions in higher education in STEM in Germany or any other country, Book an online 1-on-1 session with our experienced counselors or please send an email at customer.support@stoodnt.com