How to apply to study in Germany

Throughout the world German universities are ranked and praised for their high quality. Their state-of-the-art facilities, endless funding choices, research-based courses, award-winning curricula, diverse and vibrant group of students, plus a unique lifestyle means you get the best study experience ever.

These characteristics have made them a center for talented international students. If you have decided to study abroad in Germany these are the steps you must follow in your application process.

 Step 1

Choose your university

Germany has many universities offering a wide variety of courses. You must take the time to choose the right course and university. You can take the help of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) which has a database of almost 2,000 programs available in Germany.

Step 2

Check if you meet the admission requirements

Check that your current qualifications are accepted by your selected university before applying.

A high school diploma, school-leaving certificate or the outcome of the university entrance exam is sufficient for undergraduate students.

You will need to also review the language specifications. Most courses are taught in German, requiring foreign applicants to show proof of their skills at the German language.

If your course is taught in English, unless you are a native speaker or have previously studied in English, you will need to prove your knowledge of the language with a test such as IELTS or TOEFL. Universities will usually state the score/s they require on their websites.

Step 3

Provide evidence of having enough financial requirements

You may need to provide evidence that you have or have access to about  8,700 Euros a year to cover your living expenses, but you will need more depending on your lifestyle and spending habits. The cost of living often varies according to region.

Step 4

Apply to the selected universities

For most courses, you should apply directly to the university's Foreign Office. Alternatively, you can use the website www.uni-assist.de, a centralized international student admissions portal run by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), but not all universities use this. You may need to apply separately for various courses and universities to improve your chances of being accepted by the university.

Many German universities may apply for admission twice a year-either in the winter semester or in the summer semester. As a general rule, applications for winter registration must be made by 15 July, and applications for summer registration by 15 January.

It is recommended that applications be submitted at least six weeks before the deadline, so that changes or improvements can be made if  required.

Around one or two months after the deadline has passed, you can hope to obtain a formal acceptance or rejection.

 Step 5

Submit the required documents

Every university will have its own requirements for documents, but the general documents required by universities are:

• Copy of your high-school diploma or previous degrees, and any other relevant qualifications I
• Passport photo
• Copy of your passport
• Proof of language proficiency
• Receipt of payment of application fee

Step 6

Get your health insurance

Health care insurance is mandatory in Germany for international students. Thus, you need to get health insurance to cover your medical needs in case of emergency in Germany. You will have to pursue your student health insurance coverage before enrollment at your university.

Step 7

Get the appropriate student visa

There are different visa requirements for different study programs- graduate, post-graduate, exchange or doctorate studies. You may even need a visa for participation in a pre-academic course or in a non-academic German language course.

There are three types of German student visas you can apply for:

German Student Visa: This is a visa for international students who have gained admission in a German University to a full-time study program.

German Student Applicant Visa: You will need this visa if you must apply in person for admission to a university course. You can use this visa to apply for your course but will not be allowed to study in Germany with this visa.

German Language Course Visa:  You will need this visa if you want to study for a German language course in Germany.

Step 8

Find accommodation and enroll in the university

If you have obtained a place in the course and your student visa, it is advisable to start searching for accommodation because most German universities do not provide student accommodation. Rent will probably be your main monthly cost, which will vary depending on what part of the world you live in.

You must enroll in the university before you can begin your course and use faculty at university.

Step 9

Leave for Germany

You can now make arrangements to leave for Germany to pursue your studies.