Masters In Germany For Indian Students

Germany is one of the famous countries for doing a Master's (MS) program for international students. STEM courses and research universities are more prevalent in Germany, primarily because the country was home to famous figures like Karl Marx, Einstein, Beethoven etc. The facilities and superior curriculum make Germany one of the best European countries. A Master's degree in Germany is a dream for many international students, and the increasing number of international students proves it right too. If you are interested to study Master's in Germany and want to know more about it, you can read further.  

Why Pursue Master's in Germany?

The number of Indian students going to Germany is five times that of the global average, thus making Indians the second largest group of international students in Germany. Having said this, let us look at why you should choose Germany as your Master's study destination.

1. Lower entry requirements: The entry requirements needed to study in a German university are considerably lower than universities in the USA and the UK. German universities accept students with a lower GPA as many universities check the overall profile of a student rather than their academic profile alone.
2. English-taught programs: Most Bachelor's courses in Germany will be dealt with in German. However, almost all of the Master's courses in Germany are dealt with in English. This makes it easier for international students. Also, the number of people who speak English in Germany is higher than in most European countries.
3. Paid internships: The German education system stresses the need for internships as they simultaneously give the student experience and an additional income. More often than not, they are compulsorily a part of the curriculum. In Germany, it is common for students to complete one or two internships during their course.
4. Lower education cost: The overall cost to study in Germany is lower, especially compared to countries like the UK or the USA. This is another reason Germany is a good choice for international students.
5. Scholarships: You will receive Germany's fully and partially funded scholarships. They will be hosted by universities, private institutions and the government. These can cover your tuition fees, health insurance, and living and transportation expenses and provide you with a monthly allowance. 

Masters in Germany: Highlights

Most of the Master's programs in Germany are taught in English, which benefits international students. This is one of the biggest highlights of studying in Germany. The table below shows the highlights of studying for a Master's in Germany.

MS in Germany: Types of Programs

Master's courses in Germany are available in two forms: Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MSc). There are other alternative programs as well, which are named after the subject. On a surface level, a Master's degree in Germany is divided into two major sections. They are explained in the following table.

MS in Germany: Types of Universities

It is essential to know how the Master's program in Germany is designed. The German universities are divided into four categories, which are explained below.

Popular MS Courses in Germany

Germany has an assorted list of popular MS courses, and it is good to know the most popular ones in detail. This will help you to make a course decision as well.

• MS in Biology
• MS in Geology
• MS in Computer Science and Engineering
• MS in Physics
• MS in Engineering
• MS in IT and Networking
• MS in Mathematics
• MS in Mechanical Engineering

Top Universities in Germany for Masters

You will find several famous universities in Germany for Master's. They have attracted a vast number of students, both domestic and international. If you are interested in studying MS in Germany, the following table will help you get a list of some of the best universities.

Master's in Germany: Eligibility Requirements

The eligibility requirement for admission to each university can considerably vary depending on the university. At the same time, a few documents may be required for all universities. A few such criteria are as follows.

1. GRE/GMAT score.
2. Bachelor's degree.
3. Academic documents of the recent qualifying examination.
4. English and German Proficiency test scores.
   1. English Test scores: TOEFL - 90, IELTS - 6.5.
   2. German Test scores: DSH Level II or I, Goethe - C1 or C2 level, TestDaf - Level 2-4.
5. CV/Resume.
6. Letter of Recommendation (LOR).
7. Statement of Purpose (SOP).
8. Copy of passport.
9. Work experience.
10. Health insurance.

Also Read: Requirements to Study in Germany

MS in Germany: Application Deadlines

Admissions to colleges in Germany generally occur twice a year; Winter and Summer. The application deadline will likely be mid-July (Winter session) and mid-January (Summer session). At the same time, the deadline for private universities can vary considerably from college to college. The application deadlines of a few universities are given in the table below.

Admission procedure to Study Master's in Germany

It is not a difficult task to apply to universities in Germany. The exact process exists for almost all universities. Nonetheless, you should know about the process before applying. Remember, once you make a mistake, your application will be rejected. The procedure that you have to follow is listed below.

• Do your research and shortlist your desired courses and universities.
• Register on the respective university website.
• Log in and fill in all the credentials.
• Submit all the necessary documents like academic transcripts, language proficiency test scores etc.
• Pay the fees and submit your application.
• After getting your admission letter, get health insurance, arrange for funds, and fly to your university.

Documents Required to Study in Germany

The documents you will be asked to submit will vary considerably depending on the university. However, there are a few documents that most universities ask for. They are as follows.

• Academic documents
• Copy of passport.
• Passport-size photograph.
• Proof of language proficiency.
• Subject-specific test scores (if applicable).
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
• CV/Essay

Master's in Germany: Cost of Tuition Fees

Studying in a foreign will obviously be expensive. However, Germany is a bit affordable as compared to several other countries. You must know about the tuition fees a few top universities charge. The following table lists the tuition fees and cost of living.

MS in Germany: Pre-Arrival Cost

The pre-arrival cost includes all the expenses that you will incur before going to Germany. They include a few Euros. The table below shows the likely pre-arrival costs.

MS in Germany: Cost of Living

There are several expenses you can expect to come your way when you live abroad. Thus, you must know about the likely costs that come your way. Accommodation constitutes the largest share of your expenses as you can decide where you wish to live. A rough cost of living breakdown is shown in the table below.

Master's Scholarships in Germany

There are several scholarships available for international students in Germany. These scholarships are funded by private organisations, universities and the government. Some will be fully funded, while others will be partially funded, depending on the host institution. A few popular scholarships are given below.

How to Apply for Master's in Germany?

If you wish to study in Germany and are confused about where to start, here is a guide to start with your application process. You can follow the steps mentioned below to apply for a Master's course in Germany.

1. Find a university: The first step is to find a list of universities where you wish to apply. You can shortlist them all.
2. Check the admission requirements: Each university will have different requirements, and you must know about them in detail. You can visit the official website of the respective universities to know better.
3. Take the language proficiency tests: Almost all the universities require English Proficiency Test scores, so it is better to take one. A few universities also ask for German proficiency test scores. You can check the eligibility and finalise whether or not to take it.
4. Submit the application: You can take the official website of all the universities you prefer and provide all the necessary details, upload the documents, pay the fees, and submit your application.
5. Wait for the admission letter: You should follow up with each university regularly and know the dates of each event. The response can take weeks, and you will have to wait.
6. Take health insurance: You will need health insurance to study in Germany. Know about them and get one ready as soon as possible, so you need not wait for it to arrive after your application is approved.
7. Get your finances in order: You will need a particular amount of money in the bank account in your home country if you want to study in Germany. You should arrange it soon.
8. Get the student visa: You need a student visa to study in Germany. You should apply for the same early, considering it will take time to process. After all these, you are ready to fly to Germany.

MS in Germany: When to Apply?

As described above, Germany has two intakes in a year; Winter and Summer. The Winter session can start around May and end in July. As for the Summer session, it begins in December and ends in January. There can be slight differences in this timeline for private universities. However, it is always better to refer to the official websites of the universities to get detailed information on the same.

Germany Work Visa

If you wish to stay back in Germany after your Master's program, you will have to obtain a work visa. Though you can expand your visa for 6-18 months after your studies, applying for a work visa is better if you wish to continue living in Germany. Otherwise, you will be sent back to your country. Once you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for an EU Blue Card to permanently settle in Germany. You can also apply for a two-year German Residence Permit and even renew it after two years, provided you show your employment status in Germany. Some of the requirements for an EU Blue Card/Work Permit/German Residence Permit are given below.

• Proof of health insurance coverage.
• Proof of completion of your Master's.
• Proof of knowledge of German. A Level B1 is required according to the Common European Framework of References of Languages (CEFR).
• Proof of funds to cover your cost of living.
• Proof of German work contract.

Germany Student Visa to Study Master's Degree

You need a student visa to study in Germany. Though it is not difficult to obtain one, it can be a bit confusing for international students to know the entire process. As such, the whole process of applying for a student visa is given below.

1. Locate the closest German Embassy or Consulate: You can search for your nearest German embassy or Consulate on Google and book a visa appointment.
2. Read all the requirements: Once you find the nearest German embassy or consulate, you can go through their official website and know the requirements and rules. You can check the documents you need to submit and carry them with you once you go there.
3. Set up your visa appointment: You should set up a date for your visa appointment. You should consider the date of joining the university when you give the visa appointment date.
4. Have all the documents handy: Once you have gone through the documents checklist, it is better to take all the documents and get them ready so that you need not have a last-minute rush and will not end up forgetting something.
5. Prepare for your interview: You can finally prepare for your visa interview. You should have paid the visa application fee and should carry the payment confirmation with you.

Jobs and Salary After MS in Germany

Germany is filled with opportunities once you finish your Master's. Notably, the unemployment rate is as low as 2.4%. You can choose from several jobs after your graduation. Several students opt for a PhD due to the chances of getting better jobs and top-quality education. A list of jobs and their average salary is given in the table below.

Student Residence Permit in Germany

A student residence permit allows you (as a Non-EU citizen) to stay in Germany during your course duration. It is issued by the Foreigner's Authority and will be valid for one to two years. This student residence permit can be extended as long as your program wants you to. You first need to obtain a student visa from a German embassy or consulate in your home country and apply for a student residence permit after you reach Germany. However, students from countries like the USA, Japan, Canada, Australia etc., are exempted from it.

Top Recruiters

Students pursuing their MS in some leading universities have been selected for good positions by top recruiters in Germany. A few of them are listed below.

If you feel confused anywhere during your application process, you can contact AECC for assistance. Our experts will help you apply to universities, get information about scholarships, get visa assistance etc. It is better to clarify your doubts and move ahead rather than submit the wrong application.

FAQs About Masters In Germany