Top 10 Reasons to Study in Germany

Germany continues to be a leader in providing a world-class education to students across the globe. The number of Indian students flocking to Germany for education continues to rise. As per the latest figures released by the Ministry of External Affairs India, the number of Indian students in Germany has grown over the last year. Over 49,000 Indian students are studying in Germany.

Do you know the best reason to study in Germany? The education system of Germany is highly subsidized. German public universities don't charge any penny as a tuition fee. Isn't it great? With its renowned universities, rich history, and stunning cities, Germany offers a unique and rewarding experience for international students. As of the nowr, Germany has about 2.8 million students in total. Out of these, 469,485 are international students from other countries, according to the latest report by Wissenschaft Weltoffen. The number of international students shows that more and more people are choosing Germany for their education. In this blog, we will help you to know top 10 reasons to study in Germany.

Top Reasons to Study in Germany

Why study in Germany? Listed below are some of the top reasons that are sure to make you consider Germany as your next viable destination for studying abroad.

1. Top Ranked Universities
2. Diverse Range of Courses
3. No Language Barrier, English Taught Programmes
4. Public Universities are Highly Subsidized
5. Affordable Cost of Living and Studying
6. German Student Visa allows international students to work up to 20 hours a week.
7. Safe Country
8. Career Opportunities
9. 18 Months Post Study Work Permit
10. Diverse Culture

World-Class Universities

Germany is home to some of the top universities in the world. By choosing to study in Germany, students are assuring themselves of world-class education coupled with practical training at state-of-the-art universities across the country. A globally recognized degree after graduating from Germany would also lead to higher job prospects across Germany in the international marketplace. 

Wide Course Selection

Germany does not only boast top universities but also a wide range of courses for candidates from all walks of life. Since Germany has such rich history and a strong presence of universities/colleges spread across the country, there is a large number of Bachelors, Masters, PhD, language and certificate courses tailor-made to suit the preference of most students wanting to study in Germany. Read: Top Courses in Germany: Engineering

English Taught Programmes

One of the biggest hurdles of studying in any European country is the language barrier. A lot of times, candidates are under the impression that knowing German is mandatory while seeking admission to universities in Germany. Well, this is not true. While Public Universities do require students to know German as part of their admission process, private universities do not have such a mandate. English is the preferred mode of teaching and communication in most private universities in Germany.

Public Universities in Germany

Students fascinated with the education system in Germany would be aware of the fact that Public Universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees but have an administration fee that needs to be paid at the start of every semester. The amount is minimal. However, this is just half the picture. The admission process in Public Universities is extremely competitive because of the large number of applications they receive every intake. Moreover, candidates would have to undertake a rigorous application process to even be considered for admission to any of the Public Universities in Germany. Note: Knowing certificate level German is compulsory as part of the admission process. Read: Public Universities in Germany with Courses in English

Related Reads on Why Study in Germany

Study MBA in Germany	Cheap and Affordable Universities in Germany
Country Guide to Germany	Study in Germany: Timeline for University Intake

Low Cost of Studying

The cost of studying is primarily made up of two factors, the Cost of studying and the Cost of living in a country. The low cost of studying in Germany when compared to the US and the UK has made it one of the top destinations for international students. 

Cost of Studying in Germany

The cost of studying in Germany is low compared to countries such as the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA). The table below shows us the comparison between popular courses in Germany, the UK and the USA. Kindly note that while the fees shown below is the average first-year tuition fee, however, it does set the tone of how much a student would be required to shell out during his entire tenure.

Average Tuition Fee by Course (First Year)	Cost of studying in Germany	Cost of Studying in the UK	Cost of Studying in the USA
MS	INR 66.37 Lakhs	INR 21.24 Lakhs	INR 21.92 Lakhs
MBA	INR 12.46 Lakhs	INR 20.51 Lakhs	INR 26.71 Lakhs
BE / B.Tech	INR 92.16 Thousand	INR 19.57 Lakhs	INR 24.93 Lakhs

Cost of Living in Germany

Similarly, the cost of living in Germany is low compared to countries such as the USA and the UK. The figures provided below would increase or decrease depending on your location of stay i.e. accommodation/ single stay in the city would be more expensive compared to accommodation in the suburbs and on a sharing basis. Germany does have a mandatory Blocked Account system – Where you need to keep the finances of the entire year secured in a bank in Germany. You would be allowed to withdraw a month’s living costs at a time. 

EUR 992 per month (around USD 1,085) or EUR 11,904 (INR 11,09 Lakhs) per year to cover living expenses in Germany as of 2024. For a student, this is the minimum amount a student would need to cover accommodation, living expenses, and even travel pass costs. The candidate would be required to pay an additional maintenance fee + service charge depending on his preferred bank which is over and above the amount mentioned. 

Source: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/

Germany Student Visa

The German Student Visa allows students several benefits. The student visa would allow you to work part-time for 20 hours a week during term and take up full-time employment during vacations. Candidates are allowed to work for a total of 120 full or 240 half days in a year as a student. The German Study Visa is a powerful student visa, as it doubles as a Schengen visa and allows you access to all Schengen Countries. Germany is located in the heart of Europe and has excellent travel links with surrounding countries such as France and the Netherlands.

Post Study Work Permit

Candidates on completing their master or bachelor or doctorate studies can apply for and get a Residence Permit for 18 months. This is termed the Post Study Work Permit (PSWP). The Immigration Laws in Germany permit International students to apply for and get a Residence Permit of 18 months to look for a job as per their qualification. Candidates should note that courses of all duration would be eligible for an 18-month stay back period in Germany and this is over your German Student Visa tenure. 

Career Opportunities

The Covid 19 has left devastating effects on every country. While economies are still reeling under the aftereffects of the pandemic, the German economy has begun to pick up speed and is expected to grow by around 2% in 2021. While the forecasts do show a limited growth rate, there is a strong rebound predicted by the end of 2022. This should be a positive tick for selecting Germany as a study abroad destination. Germany is also home to top companies such as Volkswagen, Daimler AG, Allianz, BMW and Siemens to name a few all looking to hire new graduates.

Hands-on Learning Experience

Universities in Germany believe that the best way to learn is to indulge in practical training. The courses designed at the universities in Germany require candidates to apply their knowledge in practice and have a practical approach to learning. Often universities are found collaborating with German companies in business projects to provide students with an experience of real-life work situations preparing them for life after university. Guest lectures and practical training are a way of life at universities in Germany. 

Safe and Diversity

Germany is one of the safest countries in the world. The country is politically stable and its population is a diverse potpourri of people from every section of society. International students would feel safe in a country like Germany where the law and order of the land are held very high. Read: Studying in Germany: All you need to know

International Exposure

As Germany is a hub of engineering studies and the de facto head of the European countries, there is a lot of international students flocking to the country to study and work. This allows Indian students to expose themselves to the global crowd and prepare themselves for the international jobs market. 

The benefits of studying in Germany are endless. The ones mentioned above are a select few that would nudge to making Germany your next study abroad destination. If you need assistance with your application process, feel free to reach out to our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors.

Also, Read

Top 10 Universities for MBA studies in Germany	Education Loan for Studying in Germany
Steps to Study in Germany for Free	Scholarships to study in Germany

Why to choose Germany for studies? 

Still not convinced about studying in Germany? Candidates looking for more reasons to study in Germany can check out quick facts about Germany that are sure to convince them about making Germany their next study destination.

• Berlin - the capital of Germany is often referred to as the start-up technology capital of Europe. Berlin is the largest city in the European Union and has encouraging business prospects for candidates, both young professionals and graduates, looking for job opportunities in the country. 
• Germany boasts a strong economy and is one of the most popular study destinations for international students wanting to study in Europe. The education system in Germany is renowned for its high quality and seriousness. 
• The country boasts one of the best unemployment rates in the European Union that currently dwindles at 4.31% (source: Statista 2020)
• Germany also has one of the best Graduate starting salaries at £40,650 in Europe. Do keep in mind that the German economy is a growing economy. 

Indian Students studying in Germany: Demographics

There must be a lot of curiosity to understand the trends that have been set by students studying in Germany. Read on as we give you a peek into the demographics of Indian students in Germany. Home to automobile giants such as Audi AG, BMW and the Volkswagen Group, Germany has always been considered the mecca for engineering studies for Indian students.

Germany has become an increasingly popular destination for international students over the past decade. Here are some key statistics that highlight the growth in this sector:

1. Current International Student Population: As of the 2023/2024 academic year, there are 469,485 international students studying in Germany.
2. Decade Growth: The number of international students in Germany has increased by 55.7% from 2013/14 to 2023/2024. This significant rise reflects Germany's appeal as a study destination.
3. Annual Increase: From the previous year (2022 to 2023), international student numbers saw a 2.4% increase, indicating a steady upward trend.
4. Impact of Tuition-Free Education: Since the German government approved tuition-free education in 2014, the number of international students has surged from 301,350 to the current figure of 469,485. This policy has made higher education more accessible to students from around the world.

Over the last ten years, the increase in international student enrollment shows a strong commitment from Germany to attract global talent and promote diversity in its educational institutions.

Also Read: Difference between FH and TU Germany

We would love to hear from you. Do get in touch with us, in the comments below.