You’ve come to the correct site if you’re wondering what you need to do to study in Germany and are overwhelmed by the quantity of information available on the steps you need to follow.
We’ve broken down the process of studying in Germany as an international student into eight simple steps. Follow these eight steps one by one to keep track of where you are today and what you need to do to realize your ambition of studying in Germany.
The application process to study in Germany:
- Find a Study Program.
- Meet All Requirements.
- Learn The German Language.
- Find Financial Resources.
- Apply For Admission.
- Get Your German Student Visa.
- Find Accommodation.
- Enroll At Your University.
1. Find a Study Program
(Start researching at least 3 months before deciding)
Finding a university and choosing a study program that suits your interests is the first step to planning your studies in Germany.
This should not be a huge issue because there are several colleges and study programs to choose from, all of which are of world-class quality. Whatever path you wish to take in life, there will undoubtedly be a study program that matches your academic goals and future objectives.
However, if you haven’t given much attention to this topic before beginning your application process to study in Germany, locating a university and a study program may take some time. One of the reasons you haven’t made a decision is the large amount of options accessible.
Before making a final decision, we recommend that you think about the study program for at least three months.
We suggest you think about the study program at least 3 months before making a final decision. This period of time is enough to allow you to scan all German universities that offer courses related to your professional field.
Once you find those German universities, you can focus on a smaller list of universities that seem ideal for you. You can either decide to focus on just one university or apply to several that you like best to increase your chances of securing admission.
Finding a university and study program is very important because it determines everything.
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2. Meet All Requirements
(Two weeks before the application is opened)
Now that you’ve decided on the institution and study program you’d like to attend, you must review all of the prerequisites. You may do this by going to the university’s website and looking at their entrance criteria section. If you have any questions, please not hesitate to contact the university directly.
Because the prerequisites part varies based on the university and the sort of course you take, it’s a good idea to read it several times.
The most typical concerns at this point are bad timing and missing documentation, both of which can result in delayed admission or even rejection of applications. To avoid this scenario, you should create these documents as soon as possible.
For example, sitting for a German language proficiency standardized test you need to take a language course for at least three months. If you start learning German from scratch it takes way longer than this.
Further legalizations of your documents may have a similar processing time until they’re issued to you. Taken any occasional delay originating from the nature of the process, you must start preparing your documents at least 4 months before applying for your place at the university.
3. Learn The German Language
(Start learning it 6 months before the application or the course commencing)
Even though your program is in English, your ability to communicate in German is critical to your success at university. You will be able to read study materials, grasp what is taught in lectures, and communicate your opinions appropriately if you have a good foundation in the German language.
In Germany, the majority of undergraduate courses are taught in the local language, while many graduate programs are offered wholly or partially in German. Other than at university, you will have to communicate in German with locals on a regular basis.
Learning German from scratch can be difficult, but if you start early, by the time you come to Germany you’ll be speaking German perfectly. We recommend starting at least 6 months ahead of the commencing of your course (or before the application if German language proficiency is a requirement) to gain a basic comprehension of the German language.
4. Find Financial Resources
(at least two weeks before you apply for a German student visa)
The next step is to ensure that you have the financial resources necessary to live and study in Germany. According to current legislation, any non-EU or non-EEA student must have adequate financial resources to support themselves while studying in Germany.
In order to study in Germany, an international student must have a minimum of €10,332 in cash, which is assessed to be enough to cover the cost of living for the first year of study. This sum of money must be placed into a German bank account that has been frozen.
Naturally, for a student, this a large amount of money and takes time to collect. It’s highly recommended you start saving money a long time before you initiate your university application, except when you’ve been granted a scholarship and use it as proof of your financial means.
Normally, 6 months before your application would be early enough to start collecting this money and two weeks before applying for your student visa you must have them deposited. Here are some ways you can finance your studies in Germany.
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5. Apply For Admission
(As soon as you complete requirements)
It’s time to submit your application after double-checking all of your documentation. Although the application can be completed online, certain colleges may only accept applications in person or by mail.
Please check with your university to learn how you may submit your application. UniAssist, the national university online application platform, is used by the majority of German institutions. Furthermore, several colleges have their own online admissions platform on their websites.
Keep in mind that German institutions are a magnet for international students, and admissions committees are swamped with international applications.
Going through all the applications takes time and you need to submit your application as soon as possible to take advantage.
You must submit your application once the call for application is opened and then wait for the admission letter.
Depending on what level of studies you’re pursuing in Germany, the application procedures vary slightly.
6. Get Your German Student Visa
(As soon as you receive the admission letter)
If you’re a student from a nation that isn’t in the EU or the EEA, you’ll need to apply for a German student visa.
Please read our article “German Student Visa Requirements” for more information on how to obtain a student visa in Germany.
We recommend that you call the German embassy/consulate in person to book a visa appointment by the time you acquire the papers.
Make sure you have adequate financial resources to study in Germany. Opening a so-called Blocked bank account is one of the simplest and most effective ways to persuade authorities that you have enough money to meet your studies and living expenses.
We suggest to open a blocked bank account with Fintiba. Fintiba is a German company and is officially approved by the German Federal Foreign Office.
Along with other documents, the German embassy/consulate in your home country will also require you to get a health insurance policy before granting you a student visa.
7. Find Accommodation
(If possible two weeks before your landing in Germany)
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Now that you’ve been accepted as a student in Germany and have your student visa, you’ll need to find a place to reside. Although international student housing in Germany is not prohibitively costly, it is customary for international students to seek for the most cost-effective options.
We urge that you give this matter the attention it deserves because it might cost you a lot of time that you could be studying. With that in mind, you might look for lodging online before arriving in Germany.
Finally, if you don’t discover anything suitable, you now have a list of resources to call in order to arrange your lodging the day you arrive in Germany.
In the end, if you don’t find something that fits for you, at least you have a list of resources to contact to secure your accommodation the day you land in Germany. As with other steps explained above, you must find accommodation as soon as you gain your student visa. Two weeks before your landing in Germany should be fine.
8. Enroll At Your University
(First week after arriving in Germany)
The final step in receiving an official offer to attend the institution of your choosing is to enroll in the programme to which you have been accepted. In this sense, the enrollment procedure transforms you from a qualified candidate to a German student.
Although public higher education in Germany is free, you will be required to pay a registration fee that varies between €150 and €250. You will also need to pay for your Semester ticket, which will allow you to utilize public transportation for free for the next six months.
In order to enroll in a university course in Germany, you must personally appear at your institution’s administration office and produce the required documents:
- Your valid passport
- A passport photo
- Your Visa or Residence Permit
- Completed and signed Application Form
- Degree qualifications (original documents or certified copies)
- The Letter of Admission
- Proof of health insurance in Germany (You can get your health insurance here.)
- The payment fee receipt
Following your enrollment in the university administration will issue you a registration document (ID card) which can later be used for residence permit application and attendance of your classes.
An important note: You need to re-register each semester following the completion of the previous one and again you will have to cover the same registration costs.
Make sure to also read our article about the first things you need to do after you arrive in Germany.
For a more in-depth guide to studying in Germany as an international student and everything, you need to know check out The Complete Guide to Studying in Germany for Free.