Study in Germany : Often referred to as the ‘land of poets and thinkers’, Germany is home to many renowned musicians, writers, scientists and philosophers. There’s plenty to see and do during your stay, with a whole range of landmarks, museums and libraries to explore, including the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, the Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig, the Germanic National Museum in Nuremberg and Cologne Cathedral.
The country is famous for its hospitality so you’ll be able to enjoy a beer and bratwurst (grilled sausage) as you take part in the annual Bavarian folk festival Oktoberfest.
Alternatively, you can marvel at the light projections and video art of the Festival of Lights in Berlin or be enchanted by a performance at the Black Table Magic Theatre in Aachen. And if you’re around for the festive period, you must sample the delights of the Christmas markets in cities such as Cologne, Frankfurt and Hamburg.
By choosing to study in Germany, you’ll benefit from a generous fee system and have the perfect opportunity to learn one of the world’s most spoken languages.
German universities
Germany is home to more than 380 higher education institutions, which collectively offer around 20,000 study programmes. Of the impressive 46 featured in the QS World University Rankings 2022, three appear in the top 100:
- Technical University of Munich (50th)
- Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg (63rd)
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (64th)
Almost 95% of students in Germany are based within the public university system.
Regardless of whether the institution is public or private, it will be one of the following:
- Universities – university courses are academically focused and offered in a range of subjects, at Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate level. Within this group are some specialist institutions, such as technical universities, dedicated to engineering and the natural sciences, and colleges of education.
- Universities of Applied Science (UAS) – UAS institutions offer more practical courses in fields such as technology, economics, medicine and social work up to Masters level. These courses are designed to prepare students for entering the workplace.
- Colleges of Art, Film and Music – these specialist colleges are for students of creative disciplines and have varying entry requirements. While you’ll need genuine talent to be considered, you may also need to sit an entrance exam and/or present a portfolio.
Some universities and UAS institutions also offer dual qualifications, where you’ll sign a contract with a company and split your time between studying and working. However, you’ll need a good grasp of German to pursue this type of programme.
Degree courses in Germany
The German academic year is typically split between the summer and winter semesters. The former runs from October to March, and the latter from April to September. Lectures will usually finish by late July and there’s also the Christmas break and other holidays to take into account.
Study programmes in Germany are similar to those in the UK. Undergraduate degrees are offered as Bachelors of Arts (BA), Bachelors of Science (BSc) and Bachelors of Engineering (BEng), and typically take a minimum of three years to complete. You can study full or part-time and many universities offer online or distance learning.
While it’s more common for undergraduate courses to be taught in German, there are plenty of English-speaking options.
To pursue higher education in Germany, you’ll typically need A-levels or equivalent qualifications, proof of language proficiency where required, proof of your ability to support yourself financially throughout your studies and health insurance.
For exact entry requirements, visit the international student office (akademischen auslandsamt) at the university you’re planning on applying to, or check yourself through DAAD’s (German Academic Exchange Service) database of admissions requirements.
You can search for a Bachelors course in Germany by using DAAD’s international programme database.
Masters degrees
German Masters degrees are similar to those in the UK as they use titles such as Master of Arts (MA), Master of Laws (LLM) and Master of Science (MSc). Masters courses are typically one to two years in length and are delivered through taught modules, including lectures, seminars and independent research, followed by a final project or dissertation.
You’ll then be assessed based on an oral presentation of your thesis. Unlike in the UK, Germany uses a five-point grading system for awarding Masters degrees. These range from 1.0 at best to 4.0 for those who narrowly pass the course. A grade of 5.0 constitutes a fail.
However, universities now also provide European Credits Transfer System (ECTS) grades alongside the German grade, with a Masters usually worth 120 ECTS.
There are two pathways to Masters study:
- Consecutive Masters degrees follow on from a closely related undergraduate degree, such as studying for an MSc in biochemistry after completing a BSc in biology.
- Non-consecutive Masters degrees involve taking your qualification in another direction, which may require professional work experience, as well as your undergraduate degree, to be accepted.
Explore Masters courses in Germany by searching DAAD’s international programme database.
PhDs
Around 30,000 students a year study for their PhD in Germany, in one of two formats:
- Individual PhDs – This traditional path is taken by three-quarters of all PhD students, as you can tailor your research to suit your needs. You can choose to study at a university, research organisation or in industry, and are responsible for identifying and securing a supervisor. Individual PhDs usually take between three and five years to complete, but they have no set deadlines or attendance requirements.
- Structured PhDs – This type of PhD is modelled around a curriculum, involves intense supervision and includes learning and development to help you improve your soft skills and research methods. Again, structured PhDs typically last from three to five years.
To apply for an individual PhD, you’ll need to get in touch with potential supervisors directly with a research proposal. Structured PhD applicants should contact their institution’s registration office and begin the standard application process. As in the UK, it’s likely you’ll require a Masters degree.
To find out more, see the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research’s Research in Germany site – info for PhD students.
You can also visit the DAAD higher education database to search for PhD courses in Germany.
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