According to recent statistics, around 357,000 foreign students seek out higher learning degrees in Germany — and these numbers are only increasing.
More and more students are choosing not just to study abroad but to study abroad in Germany. Why is Germany such a great destination for those looking to study overseas? Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of attending a university in Germany.
Why Study in Germany? Unbeatable Tuition Fees
In 2014, Germany’s sixteen states made the official decision to abolish tuition fees for undergraduate students at all German public universities so that all domestic and international students studying at these universities can study for free — only paying a small fee to cover administrative costs.
Not long after, in 2017, the state of Baden-Württemberg reintroduced tuition fees for all students coming from outside the European Union (EU). These tuition fees are €1,500 per semester, or €3,000 per year, which is the equivalent of around $1,800 per semester, or $3,600 per year.
How does this compare to tuition fees in the U.S.? The average cost of in-state tuition, without room and board, is $9,580, while out-of-state tuition averages $27,437 per year.
These low tuition rates make the choice to study in Germany an appealing option for university students, making Germany one of the most popular destinations for international students who are looking to study abroad.
Why Attend College Abroad in Germany? Travel Europe on a Student Visa
Non-EU students will need to apply for a visa to study in Germany and obtain a residency permit that allows them to travel throughout the country. This same permit gives students the ability to travel without a visa throughout the entire Schengen Area — 26 European countries.
When class is not in session, attending university in Germany is a wonderful opportunity to visit countries across Europe and explore different cultures, languages, and histories.
Live, Work, and Study in Germany
German law dictates that international students may work part-time as many as 20 hours per week, 120 full days per year, or 240 half-days per year. In fact, it’s estimated that over 60% of international students work part-time while they study in Germany.
Many international students in Germany opt for jobs like tutoring, babysitting, bartending, and administrative work. Being able to work while studying internationally can make studying abroad more affordable, can increase employability, and for many students, it is a great opportunity to learn to balance responsibilities and work independently.
A few exceptions?
Students working as academic assistants have no limit on the days or hours they can work.
International students who work more than 20 hours per week, 120 full days, or 240 half days will have to pay into certain insurance contributions.
International students who need to work more will have to apply for special permission that is dependent on the labor market. This permission is more likely to be granted in areas where unemployment is low.
Learn at Top-Ranked Universities
There are over 100 officially-recognized and accredited universities in Germany, with a total of over 17,000 study programs from which to choose. Some of the schools in Germany have been consistently recognized as some of the best in the world. Students choose to study in Germany because of the high-quality education they get — an education that’s filled with hands-on experiences. Fields of study in Germany vary, but programs in engineering, pharmacy, and medicine are especially popular.
When you study in Germany, you’re studying in the most modern of learning structures that meet up-to-date science-backed educational methods.
Employers look to those with degrees from German universities with a high level of respect because they are aware of the caliber of education you’ve received during your studies — which is why a German degree looks great on a resume.
Further Develop Your Language Skills
German-language students relish the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture and hone their command of the German language. Because of the extended time you’ll spend speaking, listening, and writing in German, you’ll reinforce your German language skills and develop much stronger, lifelong language capabilities.
International students coming to Germany to study at the university programs must take a Test for Foreign students — the Test für Ausländische Studierende or TestAS Students are tested on their overall cognitive skills as well as on their language abilities in their chosen field of study.
If you are looking to prepare for the TestAS, reading German-language books is one way to bolster your language skills. With popular new German novels, plus educational books, and reading materials for advanced and adult readers, Kinderbooks has the books you need to increase your comfort level with the language so you can feel prepared for studying abroad.
Check out our wide selection of books today!
