Germany vs Australia for International Students

Both Germany and Australia are some of the popular study-abroad destinations among international students. However, it is often confusing to choose which country is better for higher studies. In this article, we will discuss about the programs offered in both the countries, their admission requirements, top universities, the cost of studying, and more, so that you can make an informed decision between two of the top study-abroad destinations.

Germany and Australia are popular study-abroad destinations for international students who are looking to study abroad. A lot of times, candidates are unable to decide between two destinations or universities or courses because they appear similar to one another. Through this article, we have tried to address this very confusion. In this article, we have provided a very unbiased outlook of Germany and Australia to help candidates make the right choice. We have taken into account popular parameters such as popular courses, job availability cost of studies as the deciding factors. 

Germany vs Canada Highlights 2024

Popular Courses in Germany vs Australia

Germany

• Computer Science Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Physics
• Life Sciences

Australia

• Accounting
• MBA
• Health Care
• Information Technology
• Education
• Hotel Management.

Eligibility/Requirements for Germany vs Australia

Germany

Universities in Germany are often funded by the state but not necessarily regulated by it. So every university decides its own eligibility criteria and cut-off. Hence, it is advisable to check the university website for the specific program’s eligibility criteria.

To pursue undergraduate courses in Germany you should have completed your 12th class and either one of the below -

• Cleared JEE Advanced
• Completed one year of bachelor's degree education from a recognized university in India
• Cleared the Feststellungsprüfung – the entrance exam for different universities you would take to signify effective completion of Studienkolleg.

A high level of competition at the application stage results in universities asking for as high as 90% in your secondary school examinations. However, in case you have cleared your JEE Advanced, the cut off is 50%.

For a postgraduate program in Germany, you would need a German equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in the relevant subjects. Apart from this basic requirement, the universities might also require you to have scored well in GMAT or GRE. For international students, IELTS or TOEFL, along with working knowledge of the German language are required. For German taught programs, a high level of proficiency in the language is required and you will be required to take either TestDAF or DSH.

Australia

For UG courses in Australia, almost all universities require 12 years of pre-university education, which makes it easier for Indian students to get admission directly to the course/degree of their choice.

In PG courses, you can get admissions after finishing a three-year UG degree. In the case of engineering, you will need a four-year UG degree in engineering. To get admission in management courses you will have to appear for GMAT, and for science courses you may need to give the GRE exam.

You might not be required to have work experience in the case of management courses at some colleges. In the case of no work experience, you need to enrol in a graduate certificate or graduate diploma program. TOEFL or IELTS may be waivered by the university but are important for the purpose of getting a visa.

The overall cost to study and living in Germany and Australia is dependent on many factors like university, course, and location.

Cost of Studying in Germany vs Australia

Costs for undergraduates 

Costs for postgraduates 

Visa Process for Germany & Australia

Germany

For a German student Visa, these rules apply -

• To stay in Germany for more than 90 days as a student, you are required to get a residence permit.
• You are required to show funds worth €8,640 per year as proof of funds required for the cost of living.
• A residence permit issued to students is valid for a maximum of two years. It needs to be renewed if the duration of the course is longer than the stated two years.
• Students can work 180 days halftime or 90 days full time in an academic year. Presently, Germany is the only country where a student can pursue a part-time technical job in a related industry. Some universities also offer part-time jobs on campus called Hi/wi.

Australia

For the Australian student visa, these rules apply -

• The Australian student visa is not granted in the form of a sticker.
• It costs AUD 1,600 to apply for a Subclass (500) visa for UG or AUD 1,945 for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) to apply for this visa.
• Spouses get dependent only if the student is pursuing Masters's degree or PhD. The spouses of Master's and PhD students can work unlimited hours.
• Student visa holders are allowed to work up to 40 hours per fortnight during their studies in Australia.

Post Study Work Permit: Germany vs Australia

Germany

International students are required to apply for a Residence Permit after completion of their education from a German University. The Immigration Laws permit the students who have completed their degree to apply for a Residence Permit of 18 months duration to look for a job related to their qualifications. This permit is not combined with the Student Visa for Germany and you need to apply for it separately at the foreign nationals’ registration office.

In case you have a job offer that is relevant to your stream of education even before you complete your education, you can directly apply for a Residence Permit or an EU Blue Card.

Australia

Graduates who have completed a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree may be eligible to apply for a two-year post-study work visa. Other graduates may be eligible to apply for an 18-month subclass 485 visas through the graduate workstream.

Employment Opportunities: Germany vs Australia

Germany

Jobs in fields like the health sector, mechanical & automotive, electrical and electronics industry, building & construction, information technology & telecommunications etc. are some of the top jobs in Germany.

Australia

Top jobs in Australia are education, medical services, hospitality industry, computer system design, accounting etc. Note - The Indian concept of campus placements and on-campus recruitment does not apply to foreign universities. Students are expected to look for internships and jobs on their own.

Permanent Residency Opportunities

Germany

If you have been living in Germany for five years on a German residence permit, you can apply for a German permanent visa. There are exemptions for shorter stay time requirements. After eight years of living there, you become eligible to apply for German citizenship. In case you marry a German citizen, you can apply for German citizenship immediately.

Australia

Getting a permanent residency permit to Australia is possible but it is a long process. The immigration officials conduct a thorough background check on the candidate to make sure s/he is not fraudulent. Because of the complicated process, the PR permit may take some time to get approved but it is possible to get Australian citizenship.

Climate in Germany vs Australia

Germany

German summers are hot and the winters are cold and snowy, but rains are unpredictable and common during all seasons. The average winter temperature is 3°C and in summers it is 22°C. Maximum temperatures commonly reach -10°C in winter and 35°C in the summer months. The country is divided into 16 states and has an exceedingly varied landscape, so it is difficult to generalize the weather for the whole country.

Australia

The country is located in the southern hemisphere. This means Australia's summer starts in December and winter begins in June. Nearly a third of Australia is in the tropics where the average temperatures are in the mid 20 degrees Celsius. The southern areas are in a temperate zone.