Germany is witnessing an influx of international students as the country has been figured on the list of the top 10 educational destinations in the world. The reasons are many, but the trend is primarily attributed to the relatively low fee structure prevalent in this country. In comparison to other nations, Germany's public universities have relatively low tuition costs.
Majority of Indian students prefer to pursue their Master’s degree in this country and there is very little demand for undergraduate degree programmes. Private organisations prioritise master's programmes because they are simpler to enter and provide more English-language courses. On the other hand, the majority of the UG courses are taught in German. Students frequently shy away from this option due to the assumption that learning German is difficult as well.
Germany has a 13-year schooling system in place, compared to India's 12-year system. Students who have successfully completed their first year of undergraduate study and who qualified for the JEE advanced round may be admitted directly to UG programs in Germany.
However, persons entering the country merely with a high school diploma (Plus Two) must enroll in Studienkolleg, a one-year preparatory programme. Students must participate in any available programme, depending on their field of study. For example, the T-Kurs Studienkolleg programme includes German, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Informatics.
Students will be required to take Biology in M-Kurs rather than Informatics. German, Mathematics, Economics, Business, and Sociology are taught in W-Kurs, whereas Humanities and German are taught in G-Kurs. Candidates must depart for Germany on a separate visa in order to attend the preparatory courses, which are admitted via the 'Aufnahmeprufung' entrance test.
In addition to providing a strong foundation in fundamental disciplines, these preparatory courses are created to enhance knowledge of the German language, which is essential for success in regular studies in Germany. The programme's coursework is divided into sections for Science, Engineering, and Humanities. Students who complete Studienkolleg successfully must take the FSP evaluation test, and they must provide the certificate when submitting their applications to universities.
For students interested in pursuing study programs in science and technology, there are two sorts of universities- technical universities and universities of applied science. The technical variants prioritise academic research, whereas the other one concentrates on vocational education and training. Additionally, several institutions include study options in the humanities, including music and the arts.
The German language might initially seem a little challenging. Official certification of German language proficiency is provided by the tests administered by the Goethe Institut, Testdaf, DSH, and Telc German cultural institutes. Students must get at least a B2 level on the language test in order to pursue a German undergraduate degree. Gaining employment also requires learning the language. There are a few degree programmes available in English as well.
Although the cost of schooling is relatively lower, living expenses—particularly those related to housing—are significantly higher in Germany. In addition to doing part-time jobs while attending school, there are a few government scholarships available, like the DAAD and Erasmus Mundus. Students are allowed to stay after finishing their education.
The official website of DAAD, the German Academic Exchange Service, serves as the most authentic source of information on education in Germany. To know more about the Studienkolleg and various degree programs on offer, visit the website: https://www.daad.in/en/. Some universities offer a preparatory course for foreign students without an entrance test. The details are available on the website.