Germany vs Australia: Which is Better Study Abroad Destination for Indian Students?

Germany and Australia have emerged as popular study-abroad destinations for Indian students seeking quality education abroad. Both countries offer unique advantages, attracting a significant number of international students annually. Germany, renowned for its strong emphasis on research and engineering, has prestigious institutions like the Technical University of Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, and Humboldt University of Berlin. While tuition fees at public universities are generally low, students should budget around EUR 10,000 – EUR 15,000 annually for living expenses. Australia, on the other hand, is known for its world-class universities such as the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney, and the University of Queensland, offering a diverse range of programs. However, the cost of living and tuition fees are relatively higher, with annual expenses ranging from AUD 30,000 – AUD 40,000. 

In this blog, we will explore the various aspects of studying in Germany and Australia, comparing their education systems, cost of living, career opportunities, and cultural experiences to help you make an informed decision.

Top Universities in Germany vs Australia for Indian Students

Both Germany and Australia offer an array of world-class universities with diverse programs catering to Indian students. Here’s a glimpse into some of the top universities in Germany and Australia, their popular courses, and average fees:

Feature	Germany	Australia
Top Universities	Technical University of Munich (TUM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Humboldt University of Berlin	University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, University of Queensland
Popular Courses	Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Computer Science), Natural Sciences, Management, Business, Economics, Law, Medicine, Humanities, Social Sciences, Life Sciences	Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Law, Medicine, Arts, Social Sciences, Science, Health Sciences
Average Tuition Fees	Public universities: Very low or no tuition fees (only semester fees of ~EUR 150 – EUR 300)	AUD 30,000 – AUD 45,000 per year
Average Living Expenses	EUR 10,000 – EUR 15,000 per year	AUD 20,000 – AUD 25,000 per year (can vary significantly by city)
Cost of Studying	Relatively affordable due to low tuition fees at public universities	Higher compared to Germany
Language of Instruction	Primarily German, some programs in English	English
Visa Requirements	Student Visa	Student Visa (Subclass 500)
Post-Study Work Opportunities	18-month job-seeking visa	Post-Study Work Visa (varying duration based on degree)
Cultural Environment	Diverse and multicultural, strong emphasis on research and academics	Multicultural, relaxed lifestyle, focus on work-life balance

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

Popular Courses to Study in Germany vs. Australia for Indian Students (UG & PG)

Here’s a breakdown of popular courses for Indian students at both the undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) levels:

In Germany

Course Category	Popular UG Programs	Popular PG Programs
Engineering	Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Mechatronics	Master’s in the specializations listed for UG, plus Data Science, Software Engineering, Embedded Systems, Renewable Energy Engineering
Computer Science & IT	Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Data Science	Master’s in the specializations listed for UG, plus Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Big Data
Natural Sciences	Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Biochemistry, Geology	Master’s in the specializations listed for UG, plus Bioinformatics, Environmental Science, Nanotechnology
Business & Economics	Business Administration, Economics, International Business	MBA, Master’s in Finance, Economics, International Management, Business Analytics
Humanities & Social Sciences	German Studies, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology	Master’s in the specializations listed for UG, plus Psychology, Media Studies, International Relations
Medicine & Healthcare	(Typically requires German language proficiency for UG)	Master’s in Public Health, Biomedical Engineering, specialized medical degrees (often requiring prior medical degree)

In Australia

Course Category	Popular UG Programs	Popular PG Programs
Engineering	Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Chemical Engineering	Master’s in the specializations listed for UG, plus Project Management, Telecommunications Engineering
Computer Science & IT	Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, Data Science	Master’s in the specializations listed for UG, plus Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, IT Management
Business & Management	Business Administration, Commerce, Management, Finance, Accounting, Marketing	MBA, Master’s in Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Human Resources Management, Project Management
Health & Medicine	Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Biomedical Science	Master’s in Public Health, specialized medical degrees (often requiring prior medical degree), Health Management
Arts & Humanities	Psychology, Media Studies, Communications, History, English Literature	Master’s in the specializations listed for UG, plus Creative Writing, Journalism, International Relations
Sciences	Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Sciences	Master’s in the specializations listed for UG, plus Biotechnology, Marine Biology, Nanotechnology

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

Eligibility Criteria for Indian Students: Germany vs Australia

The eligibility criteria for Indian students wanting to study in Germany and Australia vary depending on the level of study (undergraduate or postgraduate), the specific program, and the institution. Here’s a general overview:

Feature	Germany	Australia
Undergraduate Entry	Higher Secondary School Certificate (often requires Studienkolleg), German language proficiency (TestDaF, Goethe-Zertifikat), some programs may have entrance exams	Higher Secondary School Certificate (equivalent to Australian Year 12), English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic), some courses have prerequisites
Postgraduate Entry	Bachelor’s degree, German or English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL for English programs), some programs require GRE/GMAT, some require work experience	Bachelor’s degree, English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic), some programs require GRE/GMAT, some require work experience
Language of Instruction	Primarily German, many PG programs in English	English
Language Requirements	German proficiency usually needed for UG, often for PG; English scores (IELTS, TOEFL) accepted for English-taught programs	English proficiency required (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic)
Visa Requirements	Germany Student Visa (proof of funds, health insurance, university acceptance)	Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500) (proof of funds, OSHC, COE)
Financial Requirements	Proof of sufficient funds for tuition and living expenses	Proof of sufficient funds for tuition and living expenses, OSHC
Health Insurance	Required (recognized in Germany)	Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

Also Read: Requirements to Study in Germany

Admission Process for Indian Students: Germany vs Australia

The admission processes for Indian students wanting to study in Germany and Australia differ in several key aspects. Here’s a comparative overview:   

Feature	Germany	Australia
1. Research & Program Selection	Research programs and universities based on interests, career goals, and language proficiency.	Research programs and universities based on interests, career goals, and prerequisites.
2. Check Requirements	Review specific admission requirements for each program (academic, language, prerequisites).	Review specific entry requirements for each program (academic, language, prerequisites).
3. Language Proficiency Test	Take German (TestDaF, Goethe-Zertifikat) or English (IELTS, TOEFL) test as needed.	Take English language test (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic).
4. Document Gathering	Collect academic transcripts, degree certificates, language scores, passport, LORs (if needed), motivation letter.	Collect academic transcripts, degree certificates, language scores, passport, LORs (if needed), SOP.
5. Application Submission	Apply directly to universities or via Uni-Assist. Pay application fees.	Apply directly to universities via online systems.
6. Admission Offer	Receive admission offer from universities.	Receive offer of admission (often conditional).
7. Acceptance & COE (Australia)	N/A	Accept offer, pay deposit, obtain Confirmation of Enrolment (COE).
8. Visa Application	Apply for German student visa (proof of funds, health insurance, enrollment).	Apply for Australian student visa (Subclass 500) (COE, proof of funds, OSHC).
9. Enrollment	Enroll at university, pay semester fees.	N/A
10. Health Insurance	Obtain recognized German health insurance.	Purchase Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Must Read: Australian Education System

Cost of Studying in Germany vs. Australia for Indian Students

The cost of studying in Germany and Australia for Indian students can vary significantly depending on several factors, including the type of institution (public or private), the level of study (undergraduate or postgraduate), the specific program, and the location. Here’s a breakdown of the key cost components and a comparison table:

Feature	Germany	Australia
Tuition Fees	Very low/no tuition fees at public universities (semester fee of ~EUR 150-EUR 300), fees at private universities	AUD 20,000 – AUD 45,000 per year
Living Expenses	EUR 10,000 – EUR 15,000 per year	AUD 20,000 – AUD 25,000 per year
Visa Costs	~EUR 75	~AUD 630
Health Insurance	Required (recognized in Germany)	Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Overall Cost	Relatively affordable, especially at public universities	Higher compared to Germany

Also Read: Australian Student Visa

Cost of Living in Germany vs Australia

The cost of living is an important factor to consider when planning to study abroad. Both Germany and Australia offer excellent education systems, but their living expenses differ significantly. Here’s a breakdown for Indian students:

Expense	Germany (Monthly)	Australia (Monthly)
Cost of Accommodation	EUR 300 – EUR 600	AUD 800 – AUD 1500+
Cost of Food	EUR 200 – EUR 300	AUD 300 – AUD 500
Cost of Transportation	EUR 50 – EUR 100	AUD 100 – AUD 200
Cost of Health Insurance/OSHC	EUR 80 – EUR 120	Covered by OSHC (costs vary)
Cost of Other Expenses	EUR 200 – EUR 300	AUD 300 – AUD 500
Estimated Total (Monthly)	EUR 830 – EUR 1320	AUD 1500 – AUD 2700+
Estimated Total (Annual)	EUR 10,000 – EUR 16,000	AUD 18,000 – AUD 32,000+

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.

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

In Australia

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

Also Read: Scholarships in Australia

Student Visa Process for Indian Students: Germany vs. Australia

The student visa process is an important step for Indian students planning to study in Germany or Australia. Here’s a comparison:

Feature	Germany	Australia
Key Requirement	University Admission	Confirmation of Enrolment (COE)
Financial Proof	Blocked account (Sperrkonto) often required	Demonstrate sufficient funds; no mandatory blocked account
Health Insurance	Recognized German health insurance	Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Visa Application	Apply at German Embassy/Consulate, often with interview	Apply online through Department of Home Affairs
GTE Requirement	Not explicitly required, but intent to return is assessed during interview	Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement important
Visa Subclass	Student Visa (National Visa)	Subclass 500
Processing Time	Can vary	Can vary

Job Opportunities in Germany vs Australia

Both Germany and Australia offer diverse job opportunities for Indian students after graduation, but the landscape and requirements differ.

Feature	Germany	Australia
Job Market	Strong in engineering, IT, manufacturing, research	Diverse, opportunities in IT, engineering, healthcare, finance, education, mining
Language	German proficiency highly advantageous	English
Companies	Siemens, Bosch, Daimler, BMW, SAP, BASF, Mittelstand companies	BHP, Rio Tinto, Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, Telstra, Qantas, multinational companies
Average Salaries (Entry-Level)	EUR 40,000 – EUR 60,000 per year	AUD 50,000 – AUD 80,000 per year
Post-Study Work Visa	18 months job-seeking visa	2-4 years (depending on degree and location)

FAQs

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Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in Germany vs Australia due to the exposure and career growth it offers. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.