STUDY IN GERMANY

Benefit from a high quality educational system to help you advance in your career, learn a new language by making new friends and socializing with other students, and gain an amazing life experience to remember for years to come by studying and living as a foreign student in Germany. There are hundreds of universities in Germany that have free or very low-fee tuition programs available for international students. Whether you want to study Engineering, Medicine, Architecture, or Business, Germany is the place to be. Combining high quality education with a unique cultural experience living in Germany is the main reason why young people from all around the world come to Germany. 

 Germany offers countless degree courses designed to suit everyone’s interests. As an industrialized country Germany has invested a lot in engineering universities and today engineering programmes are particularly valued at German universities. However, there are numerous other study programmes offered at these universities, including medicine and pharmacy where they are global leaders. 

German universities offer a wide variety of more than 1,500 international programmes available for international students. Students get the opportunity to choose among numerous options, such as studying in German only, English only, or a combination of both. This is especially convenient for students who cannot speak the German language but are particularly interested in pursuing a degree from one of the many renowned German universities. 

Prospects to enter the local labour market for a graduate in Germany are decidedly good. The dual education system, as aforementioned, does not only provide a degree but an immense career perspective, offering the opportunity for students to become active members of the developed German economy. Regardless of your academic field or country of residence, your German degree will help you build your career. 

There are over 400 HEIs in Germany, offering an extensive variety of study programmes, such as Economic Sciences, Law, Agricultural and Forest Sciences, Art, Music, Design, Engineering Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Language and Cultural Studies, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Medicine, Health Science and Education. Programmes are available to local and international students alike. 

Before making the decision to go to Germany and pursue a degree, it is important to get informed about living costs and expenses. The cost of living in Germany is quite reasonable compared to other European countries. One of the largest expenses in Germany is rent. On average, you will need around 853 EUR/month to cover your living expenses in Germany as of 2023 (around $957 US dollars) or 10,236 EUR/year (around $11,484 US dollars). The cost of food, accommodation, bills, clothes, and entertainment are basically in line with the EU average.  

This is the most common funding option chosen by international students and if considering to use this option to fund your living costs, there are several facts and legal limitations you should recognize, including: 

○ International students are eligible to work in Germany while studying, 

○ There is a law limitation in Germany with regards to the allowed hours of work for students, depending on your country of origin, 

○ Students are not allowed to work more than 120 full days or 240 half-days per year, 

○ There is an exception if your job is as a student assistant, or research assistant at the university, where exceeding the limit of allowed hours of work it is not seen as an issue, however, the Alien Registration Office of the town where your university is located must be informed, 

○ It is not preferable for students to start working in the first semester, as there is a certain time needed to get adapted to the study programme and working might have a negative impact on studies.  

Once you have your residence permit, you can apply for a work permit at your local labour office (Arbeitsamt). 

Students who come from the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland practically have the same rights as German students when it comes to the job market. In case these students want to work more than 20 hours per week, they are eligible for certain insurance contributions, just like German students. 

Students who come from countries other than EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, will have to follow specific restrictions. As an international student belonging in this category, you are allowed to work for 120 full days or 240 half days per year. You are also not allowed to undertake self-employment or freelance work. 

If you want to work more than allowed, you should ask for permission from the local employment agency (Agentur für Arbeit) and the foreigners' registration office (Ausländerbehörde). Permission to work more hours is often granted to students who live in areas with a low unemployment rate. 

International students enrolled in a language course or preparatory course are only allowed to work (during lecture-free periods) with permission from the Federal Employment Agency and the Immigration Office. Students working as academic assistants are not typically restricted to a limit of working hours. 

Students can earn up to 450 EUR/month without having to pay taxes. If you earn more than this amount regularly, you will be required to obtain a tax number, meaning a certain amount of money will be deducted from your wage every month. If you are permanently employed in Germany, you will also have to pay social security contributions. 

Creating that study socialize balance is crucial because what’s a university experience if you do not create friendships with people from all over the world? One of the best parts about being an international student in Germany is that you get to meet new people in a diverse environment and this way learn about different cultures and make friends while at it. You will get to meet numerous people at university, during lectures, by attending workshops, study groups, voluntary activities, parties, and numerous other extracurricular activities. It is important to make use of these chances to get to know people, have fun, and create memories.