Study in a German university?

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Mimarspre

Unless you choose an international course held in English, you will need a certain amount of fluency in German to study at a German university. The Goethe Institute, for example, offers language courses and exams in German as a Foreign Language at 142 institutes in 81 countries worldwide ( http://www.goethe-institut.de ). The international summer language courses at German universities are also popular. The DAAD provides a database with the full programme of summer courses on its website ( http://www.sommerkurse-in-deutschland.de ). If you want to register for a full-time course of study, you must have passed either the Deutsche SprachprÃ¼fung fÃ¼r den Hochschulzugang (DSH, German Language Examination for Higher Education Admission), or what is known as the TestDaF in your home country. The TestDaF examinations are conducted five times a year at one or more examination centres ( http://www.testdaf.de ). Both exams test reading and listening comprehension as well as writing and oral skills.

Many different roads lead to a course of study in Germany. The usual way is to make direct contact with the university of your choice. The office to contact there is the respective Akademisches Auslandsamt (International Studentsâ€™ Office), which will offer you individual advice. The general rule is that applicants for a university place have to prove their eligibility for admission. This requires a secondary-school-leaving qualification equivalent to the Abitur, the German higher education entrance qualification. An office called the Arbeits- und Servicestelle fÃ¼r internationale Studienbewerber ( http://www.uni-assist.de ), an association of 85 German institutions of higher education that helps foreign students with application procedures, will check whether you meet the formal minimum requirements. The advantage is that you can then apply to several universities at the same time. But there are also numerous exceptions: some courses are subject to admission restrictions, and some universities have their own selection procedures.

Previously the first higher education programme leading to a professional qualification was free of charge in Germany. That is changing this year â€“ at least, some LÃ¤nder. Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia have been charging a tuition fee of 500 euros per semester for new students since the winter semester of 2006/07; from the summer semester this amount will be payable by all students. Tuition fees will then also be introduced in Baden-WÃ¼rttemberg, Bavaria and Hamburg. Other LÃ¤nder will follow.

Non-EU citizens need a visa to enter the country. This can be obtained from your local German diplomatic mission ( http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de ). As a rule you will be asked to submit the following documents: admission certificate to a German university or college, proof of health insurance, evidence of any previous academic attainment, a German language certificate or a planned language course in Germany, and documents providing proof of how you intend to finance your time in higher education. Applicants who have not yet been accepted can apply for a study applicantâ€™s visa. It is valid for three months and can later be converted into a residence permit for study purposes after official admission. Another possibility is a language-course visa. However, this is only valid for the duration of the course.

Studying in Germany costs an average 700 euros a month (not counting university fees) . The individual figures vary considerably, though. About a quarter of the students manage on less than 600 euros a month, while another quarter spend over 890 euros a month. How high the cost of living turns out to be in practice will depend on your expectations and which institution and city you choose. The cost of living is lower in smaller towns. On the other hand, you are more likely to find a well-paid student job in a big city. The rule of thumb is as follows: 250 euros a month for rent, 86 for travel, 37 for books and materials, 50 for telephone, Internet, radio and television, 60 for health insurance, 160 for food and drink and 57 for clothes.

Students benefit from numerous price reductions â€“ for example, on rail transport, in museums, swimming pools and, last but not least, the Mensa, or dining hall ( http://www.studieren.de ). There is a website that provides information on reduced prices for students ( http://www.allstudents.de ). By the way, international students have to prove they have an income of at least 585 euros per month.

40% of all international students in Germany live in student hostels. There are good reasons for this. First, it is cheapest solution. Second, the hostels are usually very close to the university or college. And third, you can get to know other students there quickly. Rooms are assigned by the universityâ€™s Studentenwerk (student services: http://www.studentenwerk.de ). Many offer a package of all sorts of services ranging from accommodation and meals to health insurance, all of which are difficult to organize from abroad ( http://www.internationale-studierende.de ). Another cheap alternative is to share an apartment and all the costs with several other students. Of course, everyone has their own room. Such accommodation is usually advertised on the universityâ€™s Schwarzes Brett (notice board), in the local newspaper, or on the Web ( http://www.wg-gesucht.de ). Private apartments are also on offer.

In principle, foreign students can work in Germany without a work permit. However, restrictions apply to non-EU citizens and students from some of the new EU member states. Students can work for 90 full days or 180 half days a year without a work permit. Information is available from the Studentenwerk ( http://www.studentenwerk.de ) and the Arbeitsagentur (Employment Agency: http://www.arbeitsagentur.de ).

t_maia2000

US-Highschool degree is generally acceptable for getting into German university. (Highschool is something German bureaucrats understand.) However there are more conditions, you can look it up on anabin.de (If you have trouble understanding the site, email me. I've some expierence with this kind of stuff.) You can also contact the DAAD http://www.daad.de for more info.

A German university would not accept transfers from a small community college, as 1) the system is not compatible and 2) community colleges are similar to German Berufsschulen (professional schools). These are a step below university. (I did my Abitur at a Berufsschule in a 3-year prep-course for uni after 10 years of highschool, similar to attending juniour or community college in the US.) You community college credits are only counted when it comes to admission to uni, they can replace the prep-course in Nordhausen if your Highschool degree and SAT score are not enough.

As a foreign student attempting to gain a degree it is highly adviseable that you do the DSH before you sign into college. Most universities do not allow you to sign in unless you have passed this exam and with good reason. The DSH is proof that your language skills are up to par with what is being taught. Foreign students typically plan on one year study preparation, taking language classes and studying for the DSH or a similar exam like DAF or Goethe-Institute Certificate before signing in. There is also the little problem that foreign students often need to apply at least 7 months in advance for admission (deadline for completed paperwork!!), so that when they arrive they often find that they cannot start immediately, but need a few weeks or even months to complete all their paperwork.

Heike

If you want to complete your studies at a Germean university you definitely need the DSH. There is no way around it.

If your German is not good enough yet I would advice you to come to Germany as an Erasmus student first. Then you can study at a German university for a year or so and take German courses to improve your German in order to pass the DSH. You also have the chance to find out whether you really like it and want to stay for the time of your studies.

The equivalent to the Abitur might be a problem. In Germany Abitur means that you have taken courses and passed exams in a variety of main subjects. This means, if you did your A-Levels in Math, English,Science, and German your chances are good that this will be accepted. A-Levels in cooking and similar subjects wont do.

The grades you need depend on what you want to study. Your marks will be "translated" to the German system. For some subjects, like medicine, you need A-Levels in almost all school subjects, for other courses you don't.

@ Melodram: We do have middle names. The problem ist, that we expect the complete name on an ID-card - that includes the middle name. So if one document states one person is called Jane Smith and another says Jane Susan Smith this does not nessecarily refer to the same person. Unlike in Britain we frequently use ID-cards and don't depend on three diffreet documents to prove one identity. Still I had my problems when I lived in Britain and suddenly everyone wanted to see a gas bill I didn't have so I understand that the German system seems strange if you are not used to it.

But it is really a good idea to check all the documents before applying.

Good luck!

psychopiet

You start anew mostly but can get some credits if you can prove (proof is up to you!) that what you learned is the same as their standards. You need the prepapration course, especially because it is a good test of your German. English is widely spoken in germany but not always at a high level so expect most academic conversations to be in German. I have learned german, so you can too!

Alwin E

You can apply at any German universitiy in writing (no internet) as an "external student". The applicacy usually demanded is:
- an appliance with a passport size photograph of you (unlike in the U.S., Germany demands "picture ID")
- your C.V.
- copies of your latest recommendations, be it work or university

There's a certain quota of how many foreign students are allowed in. If you want to improve your chances, send your application both in English AND in German. If your German isn't that good, get help with the translation. Don't worry however: You'll learn it here.

Not including a picture of you may however mean that this was it; it's an absolute no-go in Germany to not include a photograph.

Ladyhawke

Things can all sound so easy over the Internet or through the mail, but it would be best to get in touch with another students who has been through the process of getting into a German university. Little things to us, can mean a closed door in Germany.

For example, my daughter wouldn't have been allowed to attend German University if the name on her school records didn't match her passport or identity card. The problem was is that they had never heard of a middle name, and her middle name was on her school records. Two pieces of official identification WITH pictures, weren't good enough for the lady in the office. The lady wouldn't be budged. TWO WEEKS later, we presented her with a new identification card including her second name, (we also had to wrangle with another government official because he had never heard of a middle name either), the lady at the University office was satisfied at the identity of my daughter, (big smile at the complete paperwork.) Stamp....you're in.

You've asked some good questions, but please make sure that you get informed answers and have the correct paperwork before you set foot in Germany. Bring EVERY official paper that you own with you when you come.

From what my daughter experienced...

- You German must be very good.
- She had to do a preparation course, but you won't regret it.
- People may disagree with me, but I still think that Germans have the opinion that our school system is not as up to par as theirs....translation....you may have to do everything over again.
- Be flexible and be polite.
- Have access to a fax machine.

WiseOne

You are more than welcome.

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