Student Life in Germany

Germany is known for its low-cost tuition fees, quality education in public and private universities, post-study work opportunities, and affordability. As one of the most sought-after study-abroad destinations in Europe; Germany hosts over 400,000 international students every year. From enjoying the world’s largest Oktoberfest to pulling an all-nighter to keeping up with the academic excellence at German universities, student life in Germany is sure to be an unforgettable experience!

Also Read: 10 Biggest Culture Shocks for International Students in Germany

 Why Study in Germany? 

• Germany is a haven for higher education. Germany has a large number of internationally renowned universities like the Technical University of Munich, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, RWTH Aachen University etc.
• German universities offer diverse courses such as mechanic engineering, data science, neuroscience, German language, international relations etc 
• German universities offer globally regarded degrees that guarantee excellent employability and low living costs.
• Germany offers a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle that combines urban and rural life. Students get to enjoy rural festivals and travel in fast trains to explore student-friendly travel spots like Amsterdam, Poland and Italy!
• Germany is a historically rich country with world-class museums, cathedrals and the infamous Berlin wall.

Check Out: Free Universities In Germany For International Students

Student Life in Germany 

Studying in German universities is the right balance of hard work and fun. Studying in the country is an opportunity to work on your networking skills and meet students from all over the world. Students from several nationalities such as Turks, Lithuanians, Portuguese, French, etc. study and work in the country. In terms of lectures and teaching style, German universities have been ranked on top for offering quality education and leading the world in the field of technological and scientific research. Teachers and instructors value time and hence, be on time for your classes and work hard on your grades to impress your professors!

Students get plenty of opportunities to travel to neighboring countries during semester breaks and take up internships to learn practical skills. German students are also allowed to work part-time during the academic semester to support themselves in the country. Another unique aspect of studying in the country is the chance to learn German and later gain a permanent residency in the country.

Must Read: Canada vs Germany: The Battle of the Countries for Students

Globally Recognised Programs

If you are looking for the best universities, Germany has a lot to choose from. 58 universities are ranked in QS World University Rankings 2023/24. This means that almost every major city in the country has the world’s leading universities. If you plan to study in Germany, you will find that students have more independence in organizing their own study programs. Programs are not linear, so students have much more control over what they learn and when.

Many even choose to continue their studies for more than three years or combine their work with other departments to become interdisciplinary. Most of the programs in the country are conducted in German and a small but increasing number of programs are conducted in English. In addition to the lectures, you will find that Germans know at least one additional language in addition to the usual English, French, Italian, or Russian, so you too can feel welcome in your daily life!

Also Read: Diploma Courses in Germany

Free Education or Inexpensive Tuition Fees

For students from the EU and EEA, tuition fee at public universities in Germany is free. When it comes to science, it is enough to set aside the budget for textbooks. International students from outside the EU often find their tuition fees free or inexpensive too, with a small ‘semester fee’ of around € 100,350 for each academic semester to pay for the student union and public transport ticket. In addition to the low fees, you will also be able to apply for a scholarship or grant for your program.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides many scholarships for international students with an online database that can be filtered by country of origin and program. For example, the Baden-Württemberg scholarship is offered to around 1,500 students from around the world each year depending on their academic performance. 

Also Read: Free Education in Germany

Part-time Jobs 

A foreign student (who is not a citizen of an EU or EEA member state, except for Bulgaria and Romania, which are limited until 2014) pursuing full-time studies in Germany is allowed to work up to 120 full-time days (or 240 half-days) in a year without the need to obtain permission from the German employment authorities. Student life in Germany entails a great balance of work and study; students get ample opportunity to study and work in the country.

The legally allowed number of working days (half a day) for foreign students also includes voluntary internships, whether the internship is paid or not. In addition, foreign students face an additional restriction while working for the number of days (or half a day) required by law, they cannot be self-employed or freelance. Here are some jobs for international students:

• Academic assistants
• Library supervisor
• Literature researcher
• Tutorial assistant
• Waiter/Waitress
• Courier
• Babysitter
• Bartender
• Dog walker
• Cashier
• Writer
• Tutor

Also Read: German Scholarships for Students

No Language Barrier

Professors and staff will speak English, and they will have advanced competence, whether you apply to a German or English-taught degree. There is no clear answer when it comes to the English proficiency of Germans in general. Most individuals in big cities like Berlin, Munich, or Cologne speak excellent English, so you should have no trouble keeping up with your social activities.

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Low-Cost Transport Facilities 

Germany is well-known for its on-time public transportation, a vast network of freeways, and fast intercity trains. Every academic term, most students receive a semester ticket, which entitles them to free public transportation in their region. 

This not only allows you to save money while traveling, but it also provides you with the opportunity to make the most of your time in Germany without being constrained by your finances. If you have a German student ID, you’ll be able to get cheap or free admission to local museums and galleries when you’re not studying.

Also Read: Cost of Living in Germany: A Guide

Cost of Studying in Germany as a Student

Most German colleges provide student housing though the number of rooms available is always restricted. Due to the low prices – roughly 300 EUR (25,987 INR) per month – around 40% of international students in Germany prefer to live in student apartments.

Students in Germany spend the majority of their monthly spending on housing, thus finding appropriate housing alternatives is critical. As a general rule, finding student housing in places like Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt, and Hamburg is the most challenging. You can make a reservation for a room at the university’s student union as soon as feasible.

The average monthly cost of living in Germany is between 850(73631 INR) and 1300(112612 INR) EUR, which includes housing, food, public transportation, and social activities. Living in Germany’s more expensive cities, such as Munchen, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, or Heidelberg, might lead you to an additional 1000(86625 INR) to 1500EUR(129937 INR) per month.

[Bonus] Top Universities in Germany to Explore!

• Heidelberg University
• Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
• Technical University of Munich
• Humboldt University of Berlin
• Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
• The Free University of Berlin
• RWTH Aachen University
• Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen
• University of Freiburg
• IU International University of Applied Sciences 
•  Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) 
•  RWTH Aachen University 

What aspect of student life in Germany is your favourite? Tell us in the comments below! Wondering what it’s like to study in Germany? Call us on 1800 572 000 and connect with our Leverage Edu expert to find out how you can get into your dream university!