Germany’s higher education institutions enjoy an excellent reputation; especially for the STEM fields. Teaching and research provide key impulses for innovation and progress. 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 Master’s 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 2021 deadlines for Masters (MS) in Germany.
Germany as a Study Abroad Destination
Indian Students in Germany
The number of Indian students enrolled at German Universities in the academic year of 2019-2020 has reached another record high, marking an increase of over 20%. Overall, the total number of international students in Germany increased by 4.3% reaching 411,601. Read why Germany is a great destination for STEM students.
Winter 2021 Application Deadlines for Masters in Germany
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Related Articles:
Top Universities for Masters (MS) in Computer Science in Germany
Best Universities for Masters in Data Science & Analytics in Germany
Top Universities for Masters in Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering/Science in Germany
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Admissions Process for Masters in Germany
Variety of programs, many masters courses taught in English, affordable cost of studying, award-winning curriculums, greater emphasis on students’ hands-on experience and surely excellent future prospects are what best describe master’s degree courses 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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Need Assistance with Applications?
We will be happy to help you with University Shortlisting, SoP/Essay Writing (Review & Editing), and overall application.
**Discounted Packages (Valid till March 31, 2021)**
University Shortlisting: Rs. 3,900
Essay/SoP Review & Edit (One Application): Rs. 5,000
End-to-End Guidance: Rs. 18,000 for 3 University-Applications
If you have got quick queries, and want to discuss your profile, university options, or post-Masters job prospects, feel free to sign up for a 1:1 counselling session
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