Germany has become an increasingly important player in international education in recent years. High-quality education & training, low costs, flexible curriculum, multicultural society, and post-study work opportunities are among the top reasons why more and more international students are opting for Masters in Germany. There are two intakes in Germany – Winter (starting in Sep/Oct) and Summer (starting in Mar/Apr). In this post, we will look at the winter 2020 deadlines for Masters in Germany. Additionally, we will look at the education system, grading system, application process, fees, living expenses, and visa requirements for Masters in Germany.
Germany as a Study Abroad Destination
One particularity of the way Germany defines international students is that it considers “foreign students” both so-called “Bildungsinländer” and “Bildungsausländer.” Bildungsinländer are non-German nationals “who have obtained their higher education entrance qualification in Germany, while Bildungsausländer are students of other nationalities who have obtained their higher education entrance qualification outside Germany. Bildungsinländer have usually lived in Germany for a long period and attended a German school before going to university … whereas Bildungsausländer usually come to Germany primarily in order to study.”
Germany is the third most popular host country for international students, after the USA and UK. India recently emerged as a top sending country of students to Germany, and there’s a growing inflow of students not only from China but also from places like Iran, Cameroon, Tunisia, Indonesia, and Pakistan. Germany continues to be the driving force behind the European Union’s economy. As a leading economic power, it’s not hard to imagine that opportunities abound to find work. Now, let’s look at the master’s deadlines in Germany for the winter 2020 intake.
Winter 2020 Application Deadlines for Masters (MS) in Germany
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Admissions Process for Masters in Germany
How to Apply for Masters in Germany
Masters’ degrees in Germany are usually categorized as either “consecutive” or “non-consecutive”. Those in the first category are designed to build on the academic knowledge gained during a related bachelor’s degree. Non-consecutive programs tend to have a greater focus on professional development, often requiring applicants to have both an undergraduate degree and some relevant work experience. Most master’s in Germany take four semesters (two years) to complete, though some are shorter or longer.
Admission System: Restricted Admission (Closed or Limited) vs Non-Restricted Admission (Open)
In Germany, the number of students admitted to any given program at a university can be either unrestricted (no restriction admission) or restricted to a fixed number of students.
It basically means – anyone who meets the minimum entry requirements (GPA or language) and apply before the application deadline can get admission to the programs that are not restricted. The unrestricted programs are comparatively less competitive than the restricted ones. However, the entry requirements are not at all too low.
So, what happens if the Faculty/University receives too many applications that meet the minimum admission criteria for an Open (No-Restriction) Program?
Quick Answer is the image below:
Here is an explanation by a Faculty member on Quora:
The most important requirement for Master’s admissions in Germany is a relevant Bachelor’s Degree with high grades from a recognized university. Much emphasis is given on the core subjects (cognate modules), test scores, and practical experience (internships, projects, and full-time employment). To find out whether your university in the home country (where you did your Bachelors) is recognized or not, you can use the Anabin database.
The anabin database of the Central Office for Foreign Education offers detailed information on the individual admission requirements for 180 respective countries. The information is only available in German; however, you can use the Google Translate tool to read it in your preferred language.
The programs that come with restrictions are more selective. They are like the top-tier US universities with very low acceptance rate. Fulfilling the minimum eligibility criteria is not enough. The universities will also look at your letters of recommendation, statements of interest (letter of motivation or personal statement), interviews, etc. Some universities also ask for a GRE subject test on the top of the normal GRE score. Learn more.
So, what is the logic behind this? Some programs have more applicants than available seats. Usually, the scenario of the open/closed system can change every semester based on current supply and demand. This decision is usually taken by the Dept. or University on the basis of calculated grades of the received applications. Certain subjects like Computer Science, Mechatronics Electrical Engineering or Bioinformatics at a particular university might receive way too many applications than Biology or Civil Engineering.
Online Application Process
For Masters Admissions in Germany, either you need to apply to the University, or via uni-assist. Uni-assist is a centralized admissions portal, run by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), and handles international applications for its member universities. In a few cases, even if a University processes the application on its own, it might ask you to submit an evaluation report from uni-assist.
If uni-assist is involved, make sure to apply well before the actual application deadline. Uni-assist takes approximately one month to evaluate the application before passing on to the university that you applied for. If the evaluation report does not reach the university admissions office before the deadline, your application will not be considered, and you will also not get any refund of the application (processing) fees.
Uni-Assist Fees
Most of the German universities do not charge any application fees. But, for applications via uni-assist, you need to pay EUR 75 for the first application and EUR 30 per additional application in the same semester.
Few universities do also ask for certified hard copies. In that case, just scanned copies are not enough. You will need to get your transcripts (and other documents) attested by Public Notary, German Embassy or Goethe Institute.
German Grading System
Cost of Studying (Fees & Living Expenses) Masters in Germany
The public universities are tuition-free. From 2017 on, public universities in a few states started charging tuition fees from non-EU/EEA students. That includes the universities in Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Freiburg, Heidelberg, and some other cities. The tuition fees are set at 200 – 1,500 euros per semester – which is still much more affordable than in many other countries in Europe. Ideally, at a state-funded university, you would be able to complete your Masters within INR 40,000 – 60,000 (total program fees).
Living expenses vary from city to city. On average, you will need 700 – 800 Euros per month. In order to fulfill the visa requirements for proof of finances, you will need to show proof you have, or have access to, around 8,800 euros (starting from 01.01.2020 10,236 euros) at their disposal for one year. You can also apply for DAAD scholarships to cover your living expenses and other costs.
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