Hello guys,
For those who are not aware yet currently only one German state charges tuition fees and that's the state of Baden-Württemberg. They began charging tuition fees of around 1500 euros per semester this winter. This is still relatively cheap as compared to other countries like USA and Australia. The rest of the States in Germany do not charge any tuition fees to both their citizens and international students alike.
Even though most German universities do not charge tuition fees, students are subject to a student body and social contribution fee which rarely exceeds 400 euros. The social contribution is used to finance the semester ticket, which is a public transportation pass valid for most bus and train lines running in the State where you will be studying. The semester ticket provides a range of mobility options to students at an otherwise unbeatable price.
Most people are aware that Germany offers a wide range of masters programs in engineering in English. However, only few are aware that they offer bachelors programs in engineering in English as well. Yeah, Germany offers English taught engineering bachelors programs.
Some people will question if it's worth it going to Germany to study in English. First and foremost, most of the younger generation in Germany do speak good English and so you will have no trouble communicating. Also, I believe if you are really determined to learn German you can learn it irrespective of your language of study. The most important thing is to try to surround yourself with German-speaking people and try your best to speak the language even if you are wrong sometimes. Most Germans will appreciate you are making the effort to speak their language. The more you speak it, the more you learn.
Students feel it’s not worth studying in Germany because their universities are not highly ranked like those in the US and UK. However, you can look at it in this light. In the US and UK, there are around 20 universities (most are private and very expensive) which are household names. They have a few thousand others that offer good education but aren’t household names like MIT, Havard and Cambridge. You can also find universities where you can just hang out and party for 4 years and get a certificate for it, to places that absolutely just try to rip you off, or are run by religious zealots and still somehow maintain accreditation. In Germany, if you go to a public university, you'll receive a quality, rigorous, and affordable education, no matter what the national or international rankings may say. Most public universities are funded by the state and thus maintain a high level of standard. German universities also do not rely on tuition fees from students and so they are under no pressure to pass them. Professors don’t care to fail an entire class as long as there is nothing wrong with the questions.
The cost of living really depends on the city where you will be studying. The cost of living can be as little as 600 euros per month to several thousands of euros per month. If you cook your own food and avoid unnecessary spendings, it is highly likely you won't exceed 1000 euros per month. Depending on the city and your level of German, you might be able to find a part-time job to supplements your studies. Most students work full time during the semester breaks. Others use this opportunity to travel around Europe.
Students are expected to prove sufficient financial means in Germany. The most common way is through the opening of a blocked account. Students are expected to fund this account with 8640 euros every year in order to have their student residence permit extended. It is important to note that this money is solely yours. It is also possible to use your work contract and monthly payslips as a proof of financial means if you are successful in securing a part-time job. Depending on the amount of money you earn from your part-time work as a student, you might still have to show a certain amount of money in your blocked account.
To qualify to study at the undergraduate level you need the Abitur. The Abitur in most cases is not equivalent to the high school diploma from most countries. It is usually the equivalence of the high school diploma, plus one or two years of study at an accredited university. Be sure to inquire from the university you wish to apply to, whether the high school certificate from your country is equal to the Abitur. You can also visit anabin, which contains information on foreign institutions and academic qualifications. If you are from a native English speaking countries like USA, Canada or Australia, then there is no need to write IELTS or TOEFL.
Admission to German universities is getting competitive every year. With the decision of Finland and Sweden to introduce tuition fees to international students, that means Germany is one of the few countries left that still offer tuition-free privileges to foreign students. German universities as such receive numerous applications from students from all over the globe who want to gain access to this tuition-free education.
Below are 10 engineering related bachelors degree programmes in English in Germany. They include bioengineering, electrical engineering, mechanical and more. They are all taught completely in English. You can find links that take you straight to application page of each programme. Hope you find it useful.
You can also find indepth answers to the frequently most asked questions about studying in Germany below.
December 25, 2017 at 12:40PM
