Study in Germany

This is the first & foremost question any student would have. To answer this Question various aspects need to be considered. Undeniably the following factors play a key & influencing role in deciding the destination of study.
• Quality of Education
• Cost
• Financing Studies
• Paid Internship
• Paid Project Work / Master Thesis
• Job Prospects
• Social Life

Quality Of Education:
Germany is Synonymous with Quality. This holds true even in the field of education. Most of the Universities or colleges are state funded. So there is no concept of buying a degree as practised in other favoured education destinations. Merit is the only criteria for admission & there is no doubt about it. According to German law, universities are not permitted to discriminate against or grant preferential treatment to persons on basis of race, ethnic group, gender, or social class.

Germany is the land of ideas. Education, Science & Research has been playing a central role in the German society. To name a few inventions – Aspirin, Phenol, MP3, Diesel Engine, Tachometer, Electromagnetic radiation, Gauss, Hertz, Ohm, Roentgen, X-ray Crystallography, Automobile, Zeppelin all come from Germany. Time is testimony of the fact that Germany has produced 103 Noble laureates.

What is the worth of Education which lacks application of knowledge to solve real world problems? German Education guarantees practical knowledge in addition to solid theoretical foundation. Above all it provides a platform to launch a career by making internships compulsory & Bachelor/Master Thesis in an industrial environment.

Costs:
Don’t be afraid! German Education won’t cost you a fortune. Neither you have to be born with a silver spoon in the mouth nor do you have to live the rest of your life repaying study financing debts.
So how much does it cost to study in Germany ?

Tuition fees (if applicable):
Historically, German Federal Government has been funding primary to University Education at public institution. In 2010, 5 of the 16 states of Germany charged tuition fees at state funded institutions while 11 out of the 16 states still provide tuition free of charge.
– No tuition fees in some states
– € 500 for second degree or prolonged study duration
– € 500 even for the first university degree in some states
Look at the university portal for exact details of the tuition fee for the relevant course. This may vary even from course to course in the same University

Semester contribution:
Semester contribution is to be paid by all University students depending on the services it includes. Again, this is university specific ranging from €200 to €350. Refer the respective University portal for exact information.
For an overview, semester contribution may include
– Social fees
Towards social services such as Student dining halls, Student residences, athletic facilities & administrative fees
– Liability insurance
Covers & compensates unintentional damages to 3rd party
– Student Union contribution
Membership fee to the Student Union
– Semester ticket
This ticket permits unlimited usage of public transportation, in & around the university town.
Depending on the city & range of ticket the price of this ticket may vary from € 25 to € 150

Basic living expenses:
Though Germany enjoys one of the highest standards of living, still the expenses are comparable to countries in Western Europe. Living expenditure depends largely on the lifestyle, city and type of accommodation. Statistically Germans spend 1/3rd of their income towards accommodation rentals. In summary, a very conservative estimate of €450 is what a student would need for an economical & modest living.

Living expenses include (Conservative estimate)
– Rent & Utilities : €200
Private accommodation > €300
Shared flat or Student residence around €200
– Internet & Mobile phone – €30
Mobile flat rate – €15
Internet DSL flat rate – €15
A separate section is dedicated for a detailed analysis of mobile & DSL contracts
– Health insurance – €60
A separate section is dedicated for a detailed analysis of popular health insurance options
– Food & Drinks – €125
– Miscellaneous expenditure – €50
The above estimate does not include tuition fee, semester ticket, social contributions, travelling, allowances for dining, sports and anything except anything listed above.

Germany Offers free education for pupils between 6 to 18 years:
Age 3 to 6 – Children may attend Kindergarten
Grade 1 to 4 – Elementary school/ Grundschule is mandatory
Based on the recommendation of Elementary school teachers, academic ability of the pupil & parents choices, students attend one of the 3 different kinds of secondary schools
Hauptschule:
Grades Covered: 5 to 9 (some schools offer 10th grade)
Duration: 5 to 6 years
Age level: 10 to 15 years
Degree: Hauptschul abschluss
Direction: Leads to part-time enrollment in a vocational school combined with apprenticeship training until the age of 18
Realschule:
Grades Covered: 5 to 10
Duration: 6 years
Age level: 10 to 15 years
Degree: Mittlere Reife
Direction: Leads to part-time and higher vocational schools
Students with high academic achievement may switch to Gymnasium
Gymnasium:
Grades Covered: 5 to 13
Duration: 9 years
Age level: 10 to 18 years
Degree: Abitur
Direction: Prepare students for university study or for a dual academic and vocational credential
Gesamtschule:
Grades Covered: 5 to 10
Duration: 6 years
Age level: 10 to 15 years
Degree: Hauptschulabschluss in the 9th grade/Mittlere Reife in the 10th grade
Direction: May follow one of the directions from either Realschule or Gymnasium