Study in Germany
•
18 gostaram•7,030 visualizações
1. The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) is an organization that promotes international academic exchange with Germany. It provides scholarships for both foreign students studying in Germany and German students studying abroad. 2. Germany has a long tradition of higher education, dating back to the first universities established in the 13th-14th centuries. Today it has a diverse higher education system including universities, technical universities, and universities of applied sciences. 3. Studying in Germany offers opportunities to gain an internationally recognized degree, learn German, and receive career counseling and other support services for international students. Requirements for admission generally include a secondary school certificate, proof of German language proficiency, and financial support documentation.
![1. What is the DAAD? ,[object Object],[object Object],D eutscher A kademischer A ustausch D ienst The DAAD is...](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Recomendados
Recomendados
Mais conteúdo relacionado
Mais procurados
Mais procurados (20)
Semelhante a Study in Germany
Semelhante a Study in Germany (20)
Mais de UNISTUDY - international education
Mais de UNISTUDY - international education (20)
Último
Último (20)
Study in Germany
- 1. DAAD Deutscher AkademischerAustauschdienst German Academic Exchange Service
- 4. I. The International University The DAAD network worldwide (August 2007)
- 5. The DAAD's goals, roles and expenditure Educational cooperation with developing countries Promoting academic, economic, and democratic development in developing and reform countries 41 mio euros Internationalisation of German universities Increasing the international appeal of German universities (including marketing) and promoting the international dimension in German higher education 57 mio euros Promoting German studies and the German language abroad Promoting German studies, German language and area studies programmes (including Lektors) at foreign universities 36 mio euros Scholarships for foreigners Promoting young foreign elites at German universities and research institutes 59 mio euros Scholarships for Germans Promoting young German leaders of the future in their studies and research abroad (including ERASMUS) 70 mio euros
- 6. Origins and destinations of DAAD scholarship holders (2006) 3,117 2,102 853 2,658 5,381 15,293 4,185 5,991 1,490 3,688 4,558* 2,607 1,052 2,254 North America Latin America Western Europe Central & Eastern Europe/CIS Asia/Australia/Oceania Africa/Sub Sahara North Africa/ Middle East Foreigners: 33,981 Germans: 21,248 * excluding EU programmes
- 7. DAAD funding recipients by subject (2006) 4 % 6 % 5 % 18 % 20 % 22 % 25 % Linguistics and cultural studies Law, economics and social sciences Mathematics, natural sciences Veterinary medicine, agriculture, forestry and nutritional science Human medicine Engineering Art, music and sports science * Excluding EU programmes. Figures rounded
- 8. 2. Germany and its Institutions of Higher Education
- 11. The First Universities in Europe and Germany Vienna (1365) Würzburg (1402) Prague (1347) Erfurt (1379) Heidelberg (1385) Cologne (1388) Paris (end of 12. century) Bologna (1086) London (end of 12. century)
- 12. Industrial Development until 1850 and the First Technical Schools Technical School Braunschweig (1745) Mining Academy Freiberg (1765) Mining Academy Clausthal (1775) Mining Academy Berlin (1770) Academy for Civil Engineering Berlin (1799) School for Artillery and Engineering Berlin (1816) Industrial Institute Berlin (1821) School of Engineering Karlsruhe (1807)
- 14. 3. German Universities today
- 17. Basic structure of German higher education system 1st year „ Abitur“ / Higher Education Entrance Qualification 2nd year 2nd year 1st year 4th year 4th year 3rd year 3rd year 5th year PHD Programme 3-4 years Bachelor`s Degree Programme 3-4 years Master`s Degree Programme 1-2 years University University of Applied Science „ Diplom (FH)“ „ Diplom“ „ Vordiplom“ „ Vordiplom“ Doctoral Degree
- 28. Plan your study step by step November/December Collect information January/February Request admission papers March/April Get identity card/passport Send admission papers Early July Apply for visa September/October Beginning of semester Insurance, registration, accommodation October/November/December Extend your visa Accepted? If so… For example: Wintersemester
- 35. Danke schön! - THANK YOU!
Notas do Editor
- The DAAD as a selfadministrative Organisation of the German Institutions of Higher Education The Higher Education Exchange Service (Austauschdienst der Hochschulen) was first established in 1925 in response to an initiative in academic circles. It was dissolved in 1945 and newly established in 1950 as a registered association under private law. The DAAD’s full members are – on application – the institutions represented in the German Rectors’ Conference (Hochschulrektorenkonferenz – HRK) and their student bodies. At the end of 2003, DAAD membership was made up of a total of 231 institutions and 126 student bodies from all the various types of higher education institutions. However, membership is not a necessary requirement for participation in DAAD programmes, but it does open up significant opportunities for institutions to contribute to influencing and steering the management and constitution of the DAAD (election of decision-making bodies, statute resolutions), as well as the basic principles and policies underlying the structure of programmes. At the same time, membership is an expression of the DAAD’s character as a self-governing organisation of the academic community. This philosophy is reflected in the association’s internal constitution, and especially the academic composition of its decision-making bodies. This self-administrative nature of the DAAD includes the fact that funding award decisions are made by independent academic Selection Committees.primary selection criterion is the applicant’s academic qualification and the quality of the project. The 600 and more university teachers working on the Selection Committees in an honorary capacity are appointed by the DAAD Executive Committee, without influence from state or government bodies. They serve on these committees for a four-year term of office and may be reappointed once only. The DAAD as an intermediary Organisation for the Implementation of Foreign Cultural Policy, German Higher Education Policy and Developement Cooperation measures. In its capacity as the largest German funding organisation in the field of international academic cooperation, the DAAD, with considerable public funds at its disposal, simultaneously fulfils responsibilities in the fields of foreign cultural and education policy, development policy and national higher education policy, which, for its part, sees the internationalisation of research, teaching and studies as a priority goal. In addition, the DAAD performs a number of intermediary roles within the scope of Europe’s education policy – especially with regard to the European Union’s exchange and mobility programmes. This intermediary role is reflected in the DAAD budget and in its sources of funding. However, its activities extend far beyond purely financial issues and in fact work in two directions. They offer higher education institutions the opportunity to become actively involved in Germany’s foreign cultural, education and research, and development cooperation policies. While they provide the federal political bodies with access to human and infrastructural resources within the universities which would not be available to them in this form without the DAAD. In addition, the self-governing character of the DAAD opens up room for international action, even where official government relations are subject to particular political difficulties. The state’s and universities’ understanding for these mutual interdependencies, interests and benefits generally allows them to communicate as equal partners, even in cases where academic and political aims and interests do not initially coincide.
- The DAAD, goals, roles and expenditure To promote young foreign elites as a means of gaining future leadersin education, science, research and culture, in business and industry, inpolitics and in the media as partners and friends of Germany. (Goal 1) The DAAD funds the academic and personal qualification of young foreign elites at Germany’s universities and research institutes by awarding scholarships and grants largely funded from budget resources provided by the Federal ForeignOffice (Auswärtiges Amt – AA) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development (Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeitund Entwicklung – BMZ). Target groups for this funding are students, student trainees and interns, doctoral students, and academics and researchers. Successful candidates are chosen from among the many applicants by the independent academic Selection Committees. The DAAD provides its former scholarship holders (alumni) with follow-up offerings which extend beyond the funding term in Germany and so creates a worldwide network of leading figures with a positive attitude towards Germany. To promote young German elites in order to qualify them asopen-minded future leading figures in education, science and research,in culture, in business and industry, in politics and in the media in thespirit of international and intercultural experience. (Goal 2) The DAAD funds the further academic and personal qualification of outstanding German students, interns and student trainees, (post)graduates and young academics and researchers. Successful candidates are chosen from among the many applicants by the independent academic Selection Committees. The DAAD enables them to complete study or research stays at the best universities around the worldby awarding scholarships and grants which are largely funded from the resources of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium fürBildung und Forschung – BMBF). As far as possible and necessary, the DAAD supports these scholarship holders at their place of study or assignment and maintains contacts with DAAD alumni once the funding has come to an end. To promote the internationality and appeal of Germany’s universitiesto ensure that Germany remains a leading address for young academicsand researchers from all around the world. (Goal 3) The DAAD funds the development and introduction of high-quality, internationally competitivestudy and research programmes for appropriately-qualified foreign students, (post)graduates, academics and researchers who, for their part, contributeto the outstanding teaching and research offered in Germany. The DAAD also encourages the creation of hospitable frameworks for foreigners (status and workpermit legislation, guidance-counselling, and much more) and helps higher education institutions position themselves in the international "education market" by carrying out information and advertising campaigns. Germany can only maintainand develop the quality of its academic, science and research institutions by working together with the best foreign students, (post)graduates, academics and researchers. To promote German studies, the German language, literature andarea studies at selected universities around the world in order tostrengthen German as a major international cultural language andlingua franca and to advance interest in, knowledge of and understandingfor Germany. (Goal 4) Using funds provided by the Federal Foreign Office, the DAAD promotes Germanstudies, German language and area studies and corresponding teacher trainingmeasures at foreign universities with its Lektors , scholarships and grants, special events and publications. In addition, the DAAD is establishing German Studies Centres at selected leading universities abroad to qualify young students and (post)graduates as future specialists on Germany. In Germany itself, the DAAD also sees the field of German as a foreign language (DaF) as an important topic due to the significance which German language skills have for the admission offoreign students to Germany’s higher education institutions. This includes, not least, the development and worldwide use of a standardised German as a foreign language test (TestDaF) as well as funding for study-integrated German language courses for foreigners matriculated at German universities. To promote academic and scientific advancement in developingcountries and in the transformation countries of Central and EasternEurope as a means of supporting the economic and democraticreform process there. (Goal 5) Using funds largely provided by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the DAAD promotes the creation of high-quality and permanently self-sufficient higher education structures in developing and transformation countries. Core areas include support for the initial and continuing education andtraining of young university teachers and other experts and specialists in the formof grants and scholarships for stays in Germany and sur-place scholarships for studies in the respective home countries, plus the development of partnerships with German higher education institutions. Here, too, the creation of sustainable networks involving DAAD funding recipients constitutes an integral part of the programme. Funding for stays at German higher education institutions by these students, academics and researchers additionally serves to advance an understanding for the developing countries and the need for development-policy cooperation.
- The DAAD has more than 55,000 scholarship and grant holders each year (Germans and foreigners), thereof appromimately 400 from the Ukraine.
- You have surely benefited from Germany`s innovative strength... perhaps without even knowing it. For example: The MP3 format – a German innovation. The innovative strength, the economic success and the cultural diversity is deeply rooted and connected with the Institutions of Higher Education in Germany
- The German tradition of Institutions of Higher Education are deeply rooted in history since the middle ages. In the course of the 12th century, academic teachers and their scholars founded academic cooperatives which step by step turned into independent schools. This was the case for example in Paris and Bologna, the first European universities at all. Somewhat later the first universities in the “Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation“ were founded in 1348 in Prague (Bohemia belonging to the empire at the time) and in 1365 in Vienna (now the capital of Austria), followed by Heidelberg (1386), Cologne, Erfurt, and the University of Würzburg, in 1402.
- Whereas the universities in the middle ages served the causes of theology, philosophy, medicine and jurisprodence, the 18th century marks the era of the Industrial Revolution. In contrast to the Middle Ages, trained technical staff was needed to construct machines, conduct the exploitation of coal and ore mines and construct new buildings in the rapidly growing cities. Especially in the field of Engineering the german universities became leading in the world. As such, beginning in the middle of the 18th century technical schools were established all over the country. Some examples are: Technical School Braunschweig (founded 1745) Mining Academie Freiberg (1765) (Still one of the leading school for mining technology) Mining Academie Berlin (1770) (A forerunner of today’s renowned TU Berlin) Mining Academie Clausthal (1775) (Nowadays also known for petroleum engineering) Academie for Civil Engineering in Berlin School of Engineering Karlsruhe (Karlsruhe has still an outstanding position in technical subjects today) School of Artillery and Engineering Berlin Industrial Institute Berlin (also a forerunner of TU Berlin and then very strong in locomotive construction) Many of these specialized technical schools later were merged with larger polytechniki , technical universities and universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen) and still have a very good reputation.
- Within Germany, Humboldt's reforms finally led to a "Golden Age" within the period from the "Second Empire" (of 1871-1918) to the end of the democratic Weimar Republic (1933). It is associated with names like Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, Rudolf Virchow, Albert Einstein, Carl Bosch, Robert Koch or Fritz Haber, most of them Nobel laureates. Between 1900 and 1933 thirty-one nobel prizes went to German scientists in chemistry, physics and medicine. In the humanities and social sciences names like Adolf von Harnack, Theodor Mommsen, Edmund Husserl, Max Weber or Karl Jaspers became world-famous.
- Study and research in Germany Germany’s higher education landscape is very diverse and varied. It offers thousands of degree programmes, more than 300 institutions and lots of different degrees. You can take a research-oriented programme at a University or technical University (with a strong focus on technical subjects) or a more practice focused course at a University of applied sciences or an artistic programme at one of the colleges of art, film or music. Let me shortly explain, what a Fachhochschule is: Fachhochschulen / Universities of Applied Sciences There are 167 Fachhochschulen (FHs) in Germany. Their official English translation is "University of Applied Sciences". This name mirrors exactly what Fachhochschulen are actually all about: they stand for great practical relevance and focus with strong ties to applications in the working world. Those who study at a Fachhochschule have a better preparation than traditional university students for positions and assignments in specific industries and work fields. So the FHs above all offer degree programmes in the field of technology, business and management, social studies, media and design. On the other hand, those interested in studying for a degree in medicine, in education (school teachers) or law will not be able to study these fields at a Fachhochschule. The strong applied or practical focus of the Fachhochschulen is also reflected in the profile of their lecturers and professors. Many of them have already gained career experience in industry, business or social work. This know-how qualifies and enables them to provide students with insights into the processes, working methods and expectations of companies or social and cultural institutions. Compulsory study internships (as a rule students are required to complete one or two practical semesters) round off the transfer of this knowledge and practice to students.
- Presumably, almost everybody has heard of the Bologna Declaration of 1999. At the conference, the representatives of 29 European countries decided to make academic degrees more comparable and transparent Europe-wide, to create common quality standards, and to promote student and staff mobility. Germany‘s universities have almost completed the goal of introducing a two-cycle, internationally-recognised academic degrees (Bachelor's in the first cycle and Master's in the second) - 75% of all degree programms. These will soon replace the traditional German academic degrees of Diplom and Magister by 2010. However, discussions are currently being held on how to govern the Staatsexamen degree. The Staatsexamen is awarded in disciplines that are subject to state supervision (for example, law, teaching and medicine). Most of the German universities already only allow student applicants to enrol for the two-cycle programmes (Bachelor's/Master's). Modularisation: Many of the programmes offered by Germany's universities today are modularised – above all the newly-introduced Bachelor's and Master's programmes. This means that a programme consists of various modules of defined content and number. Each module is then made up of various elements, such as written exams, seminars or internships. Modules are continuously assessed. Students receive credit points and grades for their work. The credits you earn in the course of modularised programmes count towards your final degree. Your advantage is that the examination material is clearer and more straightforward since it is examined in shorter sections. That helps reduce examination fears. In addition, you can plan your studies more specifically and proceed step by step. The modules you have to complete and by when are specifically-defined in the Study and Examination Regulations for the individual subjects. Credit Points: Credit points are awarded for the successful completion of a module. These are based on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) . This system facilitates the Europe-wide recognition of academic achievements. Credit points describe the student workload. They are awarded for completed modules, for example, on the basis of seminar papers, written exams or oral exams. They do not replace the grade, but they are important for your successful progress along the study pathway. For example, students must prove that they have collected a prescribed number of credit points before they can be admitted to intermediate and final exams. One credit point is roughly equal to between 25 and 30 hours of study. This equates to a workload of 60 credit points per academic year (two semesters). Basic and Main Study Stages: All first degree or undergraduate programmes (grundständige Studiengänge) at German universities are divided into a basic study stage (Grundstudium) and a main study stage (Hauptstudium). The basic study stage teaches the academic tools of the trade, including the methodology of research work and the fundamentals of relevant subjects. The basic study stage normally ends with an intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung) in programmes leading to a Magister degree or Staatsexamen) or (Vordiplom) in programmes teaching natural sciences, engineering or social sciences subjects. Those who pass the relevant exam can advance to the main study stage. This is where students extend and deepen their knowledge and specialise in specific subject areas. This specialisation often forms the foundation for a future career. At the end of the main study stage, students take their final exam and graduate. First Degree or Undergraduate Programmes: These programmes deliver basic and specialist knowledge in one (or several) subjects. So these programmes have titles such as Bachelor of Chemistry, Magister (in History), or Diplom Ingenieur (in Engineering), for example. At the end of their programme, students gain a degree that is not only an academic qualification but also a professional one. These graduates are qualified to start work directly in their chosen profession. Or they can choose to continue their studies in a graduate or postgraduate programme (for example, a Master's programme). Another option is to enter a doctoral programme, although this is only possible at a research university (Universität). Consecutive Programmes (Two-Cycle Programmes): Consecutive or two-cycle programmes involve two levels of training that relate to each other. For example, the content of a Master's programme builds on the knowledge previously acquired in the Bachelor's programme. The two cycles together form a single unit. The Master's programme that follows on to the Bachelor's enables students to specialise in a specific subject area. Non-consecutive (single cycle) Master's programmes are quite different, since they are stand-alone programmes. They teach participants knowledge from outside fields, such as business management for engineers or computer science for physicians (medical doctors).
- There‘s an ongoing internationalisation of the german universities (goal of the the DAAD). At present almost 10% of all students are from foreign countries.
- The Internet can be very useful when it comes to choosing the right university.
- International Programmes in Germany 2009/2010 Hello and welcome! You're interested in the new International Bachelor, Master or Doctoral Programmes in Germany? This website offers you the opportunity to take a closer look at the many advantages provided by a Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral programme at a German university. All the listed programmes have been screened and selected by us and, as a rule, share the following characteristics: They offer internationally recognised degrees They are accredited, or have an accreditation pending They are taught solely or primarily in English (or another major foreign language) They have an internationalised curriculum with study periods abroad and/or have ties with international guest lecturers and universities They include professional coaching and counselling for international students inside and outside your specific area of study International postgraduate/doctoral programmes of the DAAD and DFG Since 2001: joint responsibility for the funding programme called " Doctorates at Universities in Germany (PHD)" / "International Postgraduate Programmes (IPP) ", run and managed by the DAAD Goals: To implement the relevant recommendations made by the German Science Council (WR) and the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) on reforming doctoral training To increase the international appeal and competitiveness of doctorates taken in Germany by highly qualified postgraduate students from home and abroad (target share of foreigners: 30%) by clearly structuring and intensifying the doctoral studies positioning international doctoral programmes at centres of excellent research limiting the time to doctorate and providing optimal supervision (by firmly defining the university's institutional responsibility for the doctoral student) ensuring the compatibility of international degrees offering programmes and courses instructed in English promoting interdisciplinary dialogue After four selection rounds a total of 50 International Postgraduate Programmes were receiving funding. NB: Doctorates at Universities in Germany (PHD) is an institutional funding programme which is not intended for individuals, but rather is open for universities to apply
- TestAS - a self assessment test TestAS is a central standardised scholastic aptitude test which measures intellectual abilities particularly important for university studies. TestAS is intended for study applicants from non-EU countries planning to do undergraduate studies at German universities. What are the benefits of TestAS? · The university can select the candidates who best fulfil the requirements for a subject. · Test takers get to know the typical requirements of the subject they want to study. · The TestAS result enables applicants to realistically assess their chances of successfully completing their studies at a German university. Please inquire at the website or the International Office of the university you are applying to as to whether TestAS is one of the admission requirements for your chosen field of study.
- This is where you can find important information information on the Service Centre for International Student Applications (Arbeits- und Servicestelle für internationale Studienbewerbungen – uni-assist). What is uni-assist? uni-assist is an association of more than 85 German higher education institutions. It helps international student applicants apply for a study place in Germany. At the same time, it works on behalf of its member universities to check whether foreign student applicants meet the defined formal minimum requirements. A great advantage of this is that you can simultaneously apply to several universities via uni-assist. This saves you time and money, because all the papers and documents only need to be translated and certified once. The pre-check service provided by uni-assist also accelerates the application process. This means that you will hear sooner whether your meet all the necessary admissions requirements. When is uni-assist responsible for my application? You have to send your application to uni-assist if you have only studied abroad (outside Germany) so far and the university of your choice is a member of uni-assist. You can find a list of all the member universities at: www.uni-assist.de Exception: Sometimes, universities exclude certain degree programmes (especially in the case of doctoral programmes and Master's programmes) from pre-checking by uni-assist. Please first ask your chosen university. uni-assist is application made easy What does uni-assist do for me? uni-assist checks whether your application papers are complete and whether you meet the defined requirements for admission to studies. uni-assist informs you quickly if important documents are missing from your application or are faulty or incorrect (for example, the official authentication of certificates). uni-assist is always available by hotline and service email to help you with any questions or problems you may have regarding your application. If the pre-check is positive, uni-assist will forward your application electronically for processing by your chosen university and will advise you of the decision. What does applying through uni-assist cost? The fee is 55 euros. Each application to an additional university costs 15 euros. Please remember that uni-assist can only start processing your application once you have paid the fee.
- German language proficiency Before you can take up a course of studies at a German university, you normally have to prove that your German language skills are good enough for studying. You can do this by passing one of the following two German language tests: "Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber" (DSH) or "Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache" (TestDaF). You can only sit the DSH at your German university. TestDaF can be taken at many test centres located in Germany and abroad. The following language certificates are also accepted: "Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz Stufe II", or the Goethe Institute's "Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung", "Großes Sprachdiplom" or "Kleines Sprachdiplom". The German language requirement does not apply to applicants who hold an Abitur school leaving certificate awarded by a recognised German school abroad. Detailed information on German language tests and certificates, German language courses, and test centres can be found on the DAAD website: www.daad.de/deutschland/deutsch-lernen/wie-deutsch-lernen/00532.de.html Good source of information: A wide and diverse range of information on learning German (course providers, online learning methods, materials, and a list of all recognised German language certificates) can be found on the "Learn German" service pages of the DAAD at: www.daad.de/deutschland/deutsch-lernen/02940.de.html – including the latest dates for the Summer Schools offered by Germany's universities. Exemptions to the German language requirement for admission to studies: You are exempted from the German language requirement if you want to study an International Degree Programme (Bachelor's, Master's, PhD). The language of instruction in these programmes is mostly English (and sometimes French). You acquire your German language skills by attending courses parallel to your normal studies.
- This is where we tell you what requirements and standards you definitely have to meet to qualify for admission to higher education in Germany. Depending on the degree programme and university in question, additional requirements may also be demanded. So please inform yourself as early as possible – in fact, it's best to do so one year before you plan to start studying – by contacting the university of your choice. The Student Registration Offices and the International Offices will be pleased to help and assist you. Higher education entrance qualification To qualify for admission to studies at a German higher education institution you must be able to prove that you hold a higher education entrance qualification with which you can be admitted to higher education in your home country. Firstly, this would be a secondary school leaving certificate (for example, High School Diploma, Gaokao, Matura, A-Levels, Bachillerato). Secondly – if required in your home country – proof that you have successfully taken a university entrance exam. To be able to study in Germany, your school leaving certificate must be recognised as equivalent to the German higher education entrance qualification called Abitur. You can check whether your higher education entrance qualification is equivalent to the German qualification by going to the DAAD Admissions data base or to the KMK database www.anabin.de. Applicants from non-EU countries (third countries) and stateless persons: In general, the International Office or the student registration office (Studierendensekretariat) at your chosen university or uni-assist will check whether your higher education entrance qualification qualifies you for admission to studies in Germany.* If your certificate is not recognised as equivalent, you must take an assessment test called Feststellungsprüfung. Some universities have a selection process which not only considers the purely formal requirements (higher education entrance qualification, language skills), but also special academic subject-specific qualifications or letters of motivation. A growing number of universities are also using academic or general selection tests . In some cases, these will be taken in your home country. So please make sure that you contact your chosen university as soon as possible to find out whether and on which dates a specific selection procedure is carried out. Assessment test (Feststellungsprüfung) If your school leaving certificate does not qualify you for admission to studies in Germany, you must take the Feststellungsprüfung. Preparatory (or foundation) courses called Studienkollegs enable you to prepare for this test. Preparatory courses (Studienkolleg) Studienkollegs offer various core subject areas, for example, in technology or design. These preparatory courses last two semesters, after which the participants take the Feststellungsprüfung. A pass only entitles the student to study a subject that corresponds to the core subject area taken at the Studienkolleg. Studies in the home country as an admissions qualification As an alternative to Studienkolleg and Feststellungsprüfung in Germany – and depending on your country of origin – one or two years of successful studies at a university in your home country may also be recognised as qualifying your for admission to higher education in Germany. Admissions restrictions Some subjects have admissions restrictions (Numerus clausus = NC) based on the grade point average of your school leaving certificate. Nationwide NC: There are subjects for which there are many more applicants than study places in Germany. In such cases, a nationwide admissions restriction applies for all the universities that offer this subject. Subjects currently subject to nationwide admissions restrictions are: biology, medicine, pharmacy, psychology and dentistry. Some of these study places are awarded by the Central University Admissions Service (Zentralstelle für die Vergabe von Studienplätzen – ZVS), while others are awarded directly by the universities. More detailed information on dates and deadlines, current NC subjects and selection criteria can be found on the homepage of the ZVS at: www.zvs.de Where do I apply?: Non-EU nationals apply direct to the universities or to uni-assist.
- For graduates and postgraduates: If you have already graduated from a study programme in your home country, you will generally also be able to study in Germany. But please remember that not every foreign academic degree automatically qualifies the holder to take up a course of postgraduate studies . For example, Bachelor's degrees gained abroad are sometimes only recognised as an intermediate qualification in Germany known as Zwischenprüfung or Vorprüfung. Before you apply for admission to a postgraduate programme (for example a Master's or Diplom), please find out how you will be placed in the corresponding programme. Recognition of your previous academic and examination achievements and credits is an important factor in this respect. In most cases, the secretariat of your future faculty at your chosen university will be responsible for this. You have to send the full set of your study documents (credits, transcripts, certificates, etc.) there for these to be checked. Please make sure that you contact the International Office in advance to find out who is responsible for you. For doctoral students and candidates: Finding an academic supervisor for your dissertation: Before you apply for admission to a doctoral or PhD programme, you must find an academic supervisor for your dissertation. Only professors (university teachers) are allowed to supervise dissertations. When looking for a supervisor, you will find that scientific publications, lectures, or the contacts that your former university teachers may have can be very helpful. Another good option is to find out which German universities offer doctoral programmes in your subject area. For example, more and more universities are offering interesting doctoral programmes and Graduate Schools for doctoral candidates. Recognition of previous academic and examination achievements/credits: Once you have found a suitable university, it's best to contact the dean of the faculty that is (or will be) responsible for you. Add a synopsis of your doctoral project to your covering letter, plus a description of your previous experience in the research field and your curriculum vitae. Recognition of your previous academic and examination achievements and credits is decisive for your admission to the doctoral programme. Whether you are admitted to such a programme is decided by the relevant Doctoral Commission at your chosen university. You may possibly be admitted subject to the condition that must subsequently submit certain additional certificates or qualifications (for example, a German language proficiency certificate, certificates for subject-specific courses) parallel to doing your doctorate.
- All about tuition fees Tuition fees used to be unknown in Germany. But the situation has changed over recent years. Initially, fees were introduced for long-term students, visiting students (i.e. from other universities) and for participants of postgraduate and Master's programmes. Now, however, some federal states also want to charge tuition fees for first degree (undergraduate) courses, such as Bachelor's, Diplom, or Magister programmes. As from the winter semester 2006/2007 you will, depending on your federal state and university, have to reckon with fees of around 500 euros per semester. Fees for long-term students: Some universities charge around 500 euros per semester for students whose studies have lasted three to four semesters longer than the standard time to degree. Study accounts/Fees for second degrees: Some federal states have introduced a study account model. Those who take up a second degree course or exceed a certain number of semesters (1.5 times the standard time to degree) have to pay around 500 to 650 euros per semester. Graduate and postgraduate programmes: Most Master's programmes are fee-charging. Tuition can amount to between 650 and several thousand euros per semester. Students also have to pay the semester fee for each semester. Always account for these costs When calculating your budget, you must make sure that you include the fixed costs of studying. These generally include: the semester fee (once per semester) expenses for study materials and excursions (as needed) health insurance contributions (monthly) tuition fees (once per semester: not at all universities and not in all programmes).
- In the international offices, welcome centers and the German Student Services Organisations (Deutsches Studentenwerk) ( organisation providing social , financial and cultural support services to students in Germany ) you find support.