Germany vs Australia

Germany is renowned for its free and quality higher education (with distinguished students) and educational facilities, while Australia is known for its leading universities in the world, with the added advantage being the striking student life atmosphere and scenic attractions. These vital factors and contrasts between the two countries with top facilities and standard education include eligibility, student expenses, college administration, the process and ease of acquiring a post-graduate visa or a PR visa. This blog brings you an exclusive country comparison between Germany vs Australia to find out which is better for Indian and international students.

Cost of Studying in Germany vs Australia

The cost of tuition and accommodation is the biggest deciding factor when it comes to picking a country to pursue higher studies. A majority of tuition fees depend on the level of the course, the city and the chosen institution. Let’s take a look at the cost of studying in Germany vs Australia for Indian students:

Particulars	Germany (DEU)	Australia (AUS)
Undergraduate Programs	22,375 Euros which is 20,10,000 INR for Undergraduate Programs	AUD$21,000 – AUD$60,000 per year (INR 11,66,550 – 33,21,850)
Postgraduate Programs	34,398 Euros which is approximately 30,90,000 INR for Postgraduate Courses	AUD$38,000 – $67,000 per year (INR 21,10,900 – 38,33,000)

In Germany, almost 16 state colleges and universities have withdrawn students from any university education, there is only one obligation to pay nominal and miscellaneous fees to study in Germany. The nation still requires students to obtain insurance care as they apply for an educational institution in the country. 

To know more, check out Cost of Studying in Germany!

Living Costs in Germany

In addition, housing and other costs are very curable. According to Numbeo’s figures, the cost of living in Germany is around EUR 730.28 [564,500 INR] (in the city center) and EUR 541.52 [41,884 INR] (outside the Centre of the city), and the cost of travel is around INR 5,420 per month (taking monthly pass). Munich is estimated to be the city with the highest living standard expenditures, while Aachen has the lowest estimate provided by Numbeo for rent, food and other basic utilities. The nation also requires applicants to obtain health benefits to enroll in the country with an academic institution. You will need to pay 80€ (6200 INR) on a regular basis in the case of healthcare coverage.

On the other hand, higher education in Australia can be done at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels. In addition, the country’s universities give the chance to take up a double bachelor’s degree in a number of fields. Australian universities are commonly known for engineering, technology, medicine, environmental science, accounting, and finance.

Living Costs in Australia 

Accommodation costs in Australia depend upon the type of accommodation that you choose to stay in. Here is an overview of the cost of living in Australia:

• Cost for Hostels/Guest House is $90-$150 which is approximately Rs 4,000 – Rs 7,000
• Shared Apartments Expenses is $95-$220 which is approximately Rs 4,600 – Rs 11,000
• On-campus Costs is $110-$300 which adds up to Rs 5,000 – Rs 14,000
• Other Expenses can add up to Gas, Electricity, Entertainment, Transportation, Internet, etc. which can add up to $270-$540 which is Rs 13,000 – Rs 26,000. 

To know more, check out Cost of Studying in Australia!

Eligibility Requirements

When it comes to the eligibility requirements of Germany vs Australia, the admission requirements for international students are almost the same though Australian universities mainly offer English-taught programs while you can also explore German-taught courses in the former.

Requirements to Study in Germany

• Academic transcripts of your previous degrees as well as senior secondary marksheets
• Proof of language proficiency (German- DSH, TestDaf or English-IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)
• Passport-size photographs
• Copies of your passport (personal details and photo ID page)
• GRE/GMAT Scores
• Proof of Financial Resources
• Motivation Letter (optional)
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Letters of Recommendation (LORs)

More or less, the eligibility requirements are almost the same for the two countries.

Requirements to Study in Australia

• For an undergraduate course, universities will require 12 years of education from a recognised institute. 
• Furthermore, some universities might require TOEFL or IELTS to prove English proficiency.
• For post-graduate degrees, all universities need a 3-year undergraduate program. 
• However, for engineering, you will have to produce a certificate for a 4-year undergraduate degree.
• TOEFL or IELTS may not be compulsory for some universities, but you will need to sit for them for a Visa.

Must Read: Australian Education System

Student Visa in Germany vs Australia 

Although the contrast between Germany vs Australia is complicated, it is also necessary to understand both countries through their immigration and visa process for international students. 

Here is a detailed comparison between the student visa process for Germany vs Australia:

German Student Visa

• Three Types of student visas in Germany: 
  • German Student Visa
  • German Student Application Visa
  • German Language Course Visa 
• Validity: 3 Months (can be extended to 6 months given that you get accepted into an academic institution or else get admission into a foundation course or any preparatory German language program within the six-month period.)
• The application process here is that you can commence your student visa application either with your letter of acceptance or entrance exam scores (specified by your chosen institution) or else if you do not have any of these two, then you can opt for a prospective student visa instead.
• Processing Time: Up to 25 days. 

Australian Student Visa

• Even though there are many types of Australian Visas, in order to study in Australia, one needs to apply for a SUBCLASS 500 visa. 
• To apply for a visa, visa options and requirements are subject to change and to ensure that you have accurate information, stay up to date on the official website of the Department of Home Affairs.
• There are two intakes for admission in the universities – February and July, with some offering intakes in September and November and it takes 4 to 6 weeks to process an application so you must apply at least 6 months prior to the intake. 
• Once you’ve completed your application, you will receive a “Letter of Offer” confirming the offer for enrollment. In return, you are required to sign and send an acceptance to the concerned institution. 
• Validity: The Australian Student Visa allows you to stay in Australia for upto 5 years and not exceed that time. 
• Processing Time: The average processing time for you to get your Australian Student Visa can take upto 4 weeks. 

Visa Process

The overall process for applying for a visa in Germany and Australia is comparatively similar with a slight variation in the application fee. 

Germany

For international students who are applying for a German visa, the following rules shall apply:

• If you are required to stay in Germany for more than 90 days because of your course, then you are required to apply for a Residence Permit.
• In order to prove that you are financially stable to live in Germany as a student, you are required to show funds worth €8,640 ( INR 7,36,473).
• If the duration of your course is longer than 2 years then you shall renew your residence permit again as it stays valid for only 2 years.
• Presently, Germany is the only country that allows students to work on technical part-time jobs if it’s related to their course. Overall, Germany allows international students to work 180 days in a single academic year while few universities also offer students in campus jobs which are called Hi/wi.

Australia

In order to get an Australian student visa, here are the rules that need to be followed:

• Unlike other visas, Australian Visa does not come in the form of a sticker
• The Australian visa has an application fee of AUD $535 (INR 28,763)
• Only the spouses of those who are studying a Master’s or PhD course are allowed to become dependent and work full-time
• International students are allowed to work for a maximum of 40 hours per fortnight.

Post Study Work Permit

Both Germany and Australia allows International Students to work after the completion of their courses if they get a job opportunity. Here’s how you can stay back in Australia and Germany after graduation.

Germany

After the completion of their course from a German university, international students have an option to apply for a Residence Permit. Those students who have completed their course are allowed by the Immigration Laws permit to apply for a residence permit that is valid for 18 months. In this duration, it is required for the graduate to look for a job that is related to their qualification. Please note that this permit does not come along with the student visa so you have to apply for it separately.

Australia

In Australia, international students are allowed to apply for a post-study work visa that remains valid for 2 years. This option is only for those who have completed a Bachelor’s or a Master’s course from an Australian University. In the case of graduates from other courses, they can apply for a subclass 485 visa through the graduate work stream that allows them to stay for 18 months during which they can find a job fit for them.

Scholarships in Germany vs Scholarships in Australia

Whether you are planning to study in Germany or Australia, international students can avail varied scholarships offered by universities or government organizations in these countries. So, adding to our showdown between Germany vs Australia, we have listed some of the top scholarships for international students aspiring to study in these countries.

Scholarships in Germany

Along with the DAAD Scholarships, you can also choose from various other financial aid schemes offered to international students to accomplish their German dream and some of these are as follows:

• Deutschland Stipendium National Scholarship Programme
• Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships in Germany for International Students
• The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarship
• Erasmus Scholarship Programs in Germany
• Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships in Germany

Scholarships in Australia

• Scholarships by Australian Embassy 
• Australia Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship
• Australia Award Scholarship
• ACU Destination Australia International Scholarship 

Top 5 Universities in Germany vs Australia

Name of the University in Germany	Global Rank
Technical University of Munich	55
Ludwig Maximilian Universityof Munich	63
Heidelberg University	66
Humboldt University of Berlin	120
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology	124

Universities	Global Ranking [QS 2020 Rankings]
Australian National University	29
The University of Melbourne	38
The University of Sydney	42
University of New South Wales	43
The University of Queensland	47

Job Opportunities

Both Australia and Germany are home to some of the largest corporations in the world. Along with that students can choose to work from both the private and public sectors. Amongst many, the sectors which have most of the employment opportunities in Germany and Australia are as follows.

Germany

In terms of Germany, there are lucrative job opportunities in the following sectors:

• Health Sector
• Mechanical and automotive
• Electrical and electronics industry
• Building and construction
• Information technology
• Telecommunication

Australia

Australia has a plethora of job opportunities for international students in the following sectors:

• Education
• Medical Services
• Hospitality Industry
• Computer System Design
• Accounting

To know more, Register here for UniConnect by creating an account and interact one on one with top university representatives, apply with one click and secure on-spot offers and scholarships.

Thus, these are the differences between Germany vs Australia. If you are sure to study in Australia or Germany, get ready to experience cutting-edge academic and research exposure with a world of learning and career opportunities in a safe and welcoming setting. Our Leverage Edu experts are always a click away from helping you select the best course and university in your dream study destination and further guide you through the admissions process. Sign up for a free session with us now!