Israel MikeAlmost all public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees to international students which means you can study in Germany for free, regardless of your nationality. This is a huge advantage that allows you to focus only on living expenses, such as accommodation, food, transportation, etc.
The cost of education in Germany is lower than in other European countries. Focused on the spread of quality education and tuition fees, Germany is one of the most popular destinations for international students. The cost of studying in Germany is very low compared to other countries, and this makes it an ideal choice for international students.
What is higher education like in Germany?
Higher education in Germany is funded mainly by German states. More than 400 institutions offer training to international students. Some of them are public universities and are free. More than 2.5 million students study at these universities. Private institutions account for less than 5% of the total number of students.
Public universities that offer free education to study in Germany for free and have several courses taught in English, and they require proficiency in German at B1 level and a good GRE score. Thus, the University of Applied Sciences mainly prefers foreign students who seek a high quality education without the need to study German.
Why do people want to study in Germany?
Germany is one of the most popular non-English language schools in the world, and with its trendy student cities and low (or no) tuition fees, it’s easy to see why. It is known that a large number of German universities offer internationally recognized programs at a relatively cheaper price than in the United States, Canada, Australia and others. At present, German universities are not known to charge tuition fees in accordance with government policy. However, some private universities in Germany still charge tuition fees.
Is education in Germany qualitative?
We mentioned that you can study in Germany for free in their public universities, but make no mistake about believing that free means low quality. In Germany, the opposite is true; more than 60 universities and universities of applied sciences (UAS) are included in the most important international rankings of universities. German higher education institutions have excellent standards, high expectations and give students the opportunity to become leaders in their academic (and future professional) fields.
What courses are Germans known for?
Engineering and technology in general are highly valued by Germans. Whether we are talking about cars, highways or monumental structures, this is the case in Germany. Even Tesla, one of the most important manufacturers of electric vehicles, decided to open a plant in Germany.
Do German universities offer English language programs?
More than 200 German universities offer English-language programs to give international students the opportunity to pursue postgraduate degrees, even though they do not speak German. All available English language programs have English-speaking teachers and staff. A variety of educational programs are available to you, from film studies to political science and chemistry! German universities are aware that the opportunity to study in a German-language program requires a lot of work and is almost impossible for international students to achieve outside of Europe. So do not be upset by the thought that you need to be fluent in German to study in these wonderful programs. In addition, once you are here, you can take German language courses with you.
How to apply to study in Germany
If you want to enroll in a program at a German university / Fachhochschule, you must arrange this separately for each institution of your choice. This can be done online on the university website. You can start in summer or winter. Please see below the period of time during which you can apply. Please be sure to check when the application deadline is for the University of your Choice, as it also varies depending on the Bundesland (federal state) and the University / Fachhochschule.
- You must study three or four different subjects up to level A. If you have only studied three levels A, you must also submit your grade at one level AS. Qualifications in one subject (including mathematics and further mathematics) will be considered as one subject only.
- The four subjects you offer at A and AS levels should include language and math or science. The language does not have to be German, but it can be (if you are not a native German speaker, it will not be accepted). Keep in mind that almost every bachelor’s degree in Germany is offered in German.
- A ‘levels that are absent in academic subjects such as sports, drama, design and technology will not be recognized.
- You cannot access a German university with professional qualifications such as BTEC unless you have completed at least one year at a university in the UK or elsewhere outside of Germany.
How to apply for undergraduates admission in Germany
Unfortunately, undergraduate English study opportunities in Germany are currently quite limited, although some courses are taught in both English and German (usually starting with English for the first two to four semesters and then switching to German). This allows you to study in English while improving your German language skills, especially since your university can offer German language courses.
Before applying, make sure that your current qualification is recognized by the chosen university. To study in Germany, you need to have a recognized Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB), which means “qualification for higher education”.
Most subjects can be applied for directly at the university’s international office. You can also use the website www.uni-assist.de, a centralized admission portal for international students run by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), although not all universities use it. You can apply for different courses and universities separately to increase your chances of admission.
Free German universities for international students
1. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, also known as the LMU, is the best institution in all of Germany. Its programs are considered one of the best in the world, and courses in the arts and humanities and physical sciences rank 18th and 21st, respectively, in the international rankings.
LMU, which has been a free university in Germany since 2013, only charges a nominal fee for certain professional or postgraduate and certificate courses. As one of Germany’s largest institutions, LMU controls more than 34,000 students, 17% of whom come from abroad.
2. Darmstadt University of Technology
Darmstadt University of Technology is a prestigious research institution located in Darmstadt, central Germany. The university was founded in 1877; known for his engineering knowledge was recommended for Albert Einstein himself! TU Darmstadt is also a member of the well-known TU9 network in Germany and is a powerful education center in the field of informatics and information technology. The school is now one of the leading universities in Germany and even in Europe in general.
3. Technical University of Munich
As a technical university, TUM specializes in research in architecture, aerospace, engineering, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, medicine, physics, sports and health, education, management, management and life sciences.
Like most public universities, this free university in Germany receives public funding to provide services to its more than 32,000 students, a third of whom come from abroad. Although TUM does not charge tuition fees, students will be required to pay a semester fee of € 62 (in Straubing) to € 144.40 (in Munich, Weinstephan and Garching).
4. RWTH Aachen University
Founded in 1870, RWTH Aachen University has become one of the largest universities in Germany. It is a public research institution in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It currently has about 45,000 students, 23% of whom are international students. The university offers courses ranging from natural sciences, engineering, management, arts and humanities and medicine.
5. Humboldt University of Berlin
The Humboldtian University is organized into nine faculties. These are law, mathematics and natural sciences, life sciences, philosophy (I and II), humanities and social sciences, theology and economics and business. As in other free universities in Germany, HU Berlin charges only 300 euros per semester. This includes a season ticket and certain fees for student organizations.
Formerly known as Friedrich Wilhelm University, HU Berlin is one of the six best universities in Germany. Many of its programs rank 20th in the world, with arts and humanities programs ranked 20th and law programs ranked 25. This reputation has helped attract many international students, who make up 18% of the university’s more than 33,000 students.
6. University of Cologne
The University of Cologne is also one of the largest with a total of about 34,500 students and more, of which 18% are of foreign origin. The university was founded as far back as 1798, being the fourth university founded by the then Holy Roman Empire, making it the sixth oldest university in Central Europe. There are currently about 6 faculties, grouped as the faculties of arts and humanities and management and social sciences, mathematics and natural sciences, law, medicine and humanities.
7. University of Bonn
The university has more than 37,000 students, 13% of whom come from outside Germany. They study at 7 faculties of the university, which are organized to study Catholic theology, Protestant theology, law and economics, medicine, art, mathematics and natural sciences and agriculture.
Although the university is subsidized by the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, it charges a small fee. This payment, which costs 300 Euros per month, also covers transportation in Bonn, Cologne and other regions.
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