Germany has a lot to offer to foreign students, be they first-year students or postgraduates. Germany's universities combine age-old traditions with modern technologies. More than 300 universities exist in Germany: from time-honored institutions offering students the classical repertoire of subjects such as Medicine, Law, English and German to innovative new institutions of higher education with inter-disciplinary study programs. To improve the range of opportunities for international students and to meet their interests, German universities and colleges have begun to introduce courses with international perspectives. At last students can study for a bachelor's or master's degree in Germany. English is the language of instruction for the first few semesters in these international courses and sometimes English is the language of instruction throughout the courses. Thus the international students can conveniently learn German without their studies getting hampered.
Before you can be admitted to a course of study at a German institution of higher education you will as be required to take the Assessment Test . This requirement will apply as a rule. Admission to the assessment test is only possible for applicants who can prove that they hold a secondary school leaving certificate awarded for 12 years of schooling.
Generally, you will need to be proficient in German to be able to study or research effectively in Germany. Before you can embark on your studies at a German institution of higher education you will have to take the DSH - the German language proficiency test. The institutions set and hold these examinations themselves and also arrange the dates. "International degree courses" and some postgraduate courses are an exception to this rule.
You can be exempted from the DSH if you hold a higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) from a recognised school (in Germany or abroad) at which German was the language of instruction, hold the Goethe-Institute's minor or major German Language Certificate or advanced level Central Advanced Language Test hold the German Language Certificate, Level II, of the German Standing Conference of Ministers of Education and Culture only intend to spend one semester studying in Germany (some institutions even allow 2 semesters without requiring the DSH to be taken).
Test DaFA German language proficiency certificate as required for your studies in Germany can also be obtained in your home country in the form of the so-called Test DaF. This language test is held twice a year (in spring and autumn/fall) at certain towns or universities. The Test DaF system offers various proficiency levels. Hence, the language requirements can be adapted to the purpose of the study stay. The respective tests are set and marked in Germany so that all candidates can be sure that they have been treated equally and therefore everybody has the same chance of success. To greatly encourage the influx of international students, a good number of leading German institutions reserve study places for foreign applicants.
Studies leading to a Bachelor's or Master's degree stand out by having course modules, a system of continuous examination and assessment, and a system of credits.
EU citizens and citizens from some other countries (Honduras, Island, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the United States) do not need a visa to enter Germany. Everybody else must apply for a visa for study purposes via the German diplomatic representation in their home country. Students must not under any circumstances travel to Germany on a tourist visa. If students have intention to study in Germany but have Tourist Visa then Tourist visa cannot be transformed into Student or Applicant visa.
What conditions must students meet in order to get a student visa for study purposes?
Scholarships and Financial aid are available for International Students in Germany. State-maintained institutions of higher education in Germany do not charge tuition fees. German institutions of higher education generally do not themselves award any scholarships. There are, however, several scholarship awarding organizations.
Most foreign students study in Germany without a scholarship or grant. Hence, you are strongly advised to assess your own financial means early and realistically. The German foreign missions or aliens’ registration authorities must be convinced that you have sufficient financial means at your disposal to cover your cost of living for your whole study duration in Germany.
You must not plan on financing your studies by working in Germany. The German authorities adhere strictly to the employment legislation applicable to foreign students in Germany. Any violation may lead to immediate expulsion from Germany. Although students from EU countries may work in Germany, jobs are hard to find.
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