UK vs Germany for International Students

UK vs Germany: The United Kingdom (UK) and Germany are powerhouses in European education, attracting Indian students seeking a world-class degree and a global perspective. But with distinct strengths and considerations, choosing between them can be a challenge. This comprehensive guide will delve into the key factors Indian students should consider when deciding to study in the UK or Germany.

Both the UK and Germany are excellent study-abroad destinations for international students. Both these countries are home to the top universities with remarkable infrastructure, state-of-the-art libraries and cutting-edge research facilities. This is why both these countries pose a challenge in front of international students as to which one to choose for their higher studies. However, if students compare both these countries against some certain parameters, it would be easier for them to make a decision as per their preferences. In this article, we have drawn comparisons between the UK and Germany as study-abroad destinations for students.  

UK vs Germany - Best Country for Study

The United Kingdom (UK) and Germany are popular destinations for international students who are looking to study abroad. Every year, many students plan to study abroad and the one thing they always find difficult is the best country to study in. Many times, candidates cannot decide between two destinations, universities, or courses because they appear similar to one another. Germany and the UK have created educational hubs that attract international students, but which country is good for you, considering your budget, course preferences, and university choices?

Through this article, we have tried to address this very confusion. In this article, we have provided a very unbiased outlook of the United Kingdom and Germany to help candidates make the right choice.

UK Vs. Germany: Eligibility/Requirements

Chcek out the different eligibility requirements for studying in the UK and Germany below. 

UK

For UG courses in the UK, premier universities used to require 13 years of pre-university education. This rule was recently changed and now UK universities recognize CBSE plus-two certificates for admission to UG courses.

In PG courses, you can get admission after finishing a three-year UG degree. To get admission to management courses you will have to appear for the GMAT. For science courses, you may not need to take the GRE so check with the university first.

Similar to the US, you might be required to have a few years of work experience in the case of management courses in the UK. TOEFL or IELTS may be waivered by the university but are important for getting a visa.

Germany

Universities in Germany are often funded by the state but not necessarily regulated by it. So every university decides its 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 the 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.

Cost of Studying Comparison Between UK and Germany

Check out the differences between the cost of studies in UK and Germany for different levels of courses below. 

Costs for Undergraduate Courses

Costs for Postgraduate Courses

UK Vs Germany: Visa Process

Check out the differences between the allowed period of stay, names, and fees of student visas in the UK and Germany. 

UK

A full-time student visa is called a Tier 4 (General) student visa. Due to the tightening of visa rules over the last few years, getting a British student visa is more difficult than before. For this visa, these rules apply -

• It is granted only for a full-time study program
• If you are applying for a diploma course, the length of the visa would be three years (maximum)
• If you are applying for a degree from a university then the length of the visa would be four years (maximum)
• It costs £490 to apply for this visa. You will be required to pay an additional health surcharge. Note that the amount of health surcharge to be paid now varies depending on the course, university, and location you choose to study at.  
• You may or may not be called to the consulate to appear for a personal interview
• You may or may not be allowed to work part-time during your studies, it depends on individual cases. The two types of work that International Students are allowed to do are 1. Part-time – Up to 20 hours a week during term, full-time during vacations (only on-campus), and 2. Full-time work placements which are part of a 'sandwich course'.

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 €11,904 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.

Germany Vs. UK: Post Study Work Permit

UK

In 2012 Tier 1 (Post-study work) was closed to new applicants. So technically you don't get UK Post Work Visa with a Student Visa. If you want to work there after your studies, then you need to apply for Tier 2 visa which is meant for Highly Skilled Workers.

To be eligible to apply for Tier 2, your annual lowest wage for the new job should be £38,700 or above.

You can stay and work in the UK with a Tier 2 visa for a maximum of 5 years.

Germany

International students are required to apply for a Germany post-study work permit after completion of their education at 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.

Germany Vs UK: Permanent Residency Opportunities

UK

Due to changes in government and legal policies recently, immigrating to the UK is deemed difficult. The UK govt. has taken a lot of measures to delist "bogus" colleges and limit non-EU migration. If you are staying back in the UK on a Student or Work visa, then in most cases you will be required to leave the country.

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.

Uk Vs. Germany: Scholarships

Check out the different scholarships available in UK and Germany for international students. 

UK Vs. Germany: Climatic Conditions

Check out the climatic variations between the UK and Germany to make a more informed decision as per your ability to adjust to a new environment.

UK

The UK has a variable climate changing from day to day. It is difficult to predict the weather. In general, the summers are warm and winters see snowfall. Summers are cooler than those in India. Also, the rains are unpredictable and it could rain at any time during the year. The average temperature in summers is around 25°C to 15°C; in winters it is around 7°C to 0°C.

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 summer 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.

The ideal study abroad destination depends on your priorities. Consider factors like your desired program, budget, career goals, and preferred lifestyle. Indian students looking for assistance with university admissions can get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad counsellors for assistance on the same.