FAQS about higher education in Germany
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1) Why Germany as a destination for higher education?
Best Quality of Education, NO fees for education, internationally respected
education, could get jobs easily world wide, concessions for students, funding
cost cheaper when compared to the united states, australia, u.k and other countries.
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2) Why people apply more to the united states than to Germany?
Trend so far has been that United states have been receptive to people who work for
them irrespective of their nationalities. moreover a trend has been set that lot of
Indians go in for the united states coz of cosmopolitan nature. The dollar value was
cheap when compared to a pound or currencies ofmany other European nations.
One could find jobs easily.
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3) What is the trend now?
After September 11 attack, U.S has been cautious in letting asians into their country.
In Chennai, the rejection percentage of visa was 69% in late December. Information
has been persisting that the new counselate general is no good either. One commonly
neglected or not much talked about aspect is the recognition of degree. United States
degree are recognised only by iits and iiscs. No other institutions recognise your
united states degree. This is the reason why people tend to stay in the united states
after their degree. Nowadays, job are also hectic to find. Asians are neglected and
they find hard to get a job after funding a lot.
Situation for the future atleast for two yrs. seems bleak. with gulf issue you have
to prepare for the worst.
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4) How about living in Germany?
Living in Germany do require a basic knowledge of German even if your study programs
are in English. out of foreign nationals Indians do stand third just behind to persians
and russians. There are lot of Indians particularly Andras and Tamilians out there.
But living in Germany require you to be self sufficient in looking after yourselves. There
are very little Indian hotels when compared to states. Living in Germany as a student is
excellent. You cannot expect a better facility in any other country for student. As a
professor from a German University says "Germans respect students first". There are lot
of concessions in the offing.One could get concessions in a bus and rail as long as hes
a student. Believe travelling around in a public transport costs euro 10 at the most for
one month. this includes both rail and bus. This is only available for students. Most famed
German universities have lot of Indians so living should not be quite strenous there.
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5) How is the future of German higher education?
With the u.s crisis more people have started looking Germany as a destination. Believe!about
4000 applications has been recieved in the hamburg university for a paltry 528 seats.
Long queues have been found outside the german counsulate with students waiting for
visa clearance. So it is better to apply earlier to be on the safer side. Moreover, if
germany is looked as a destination it would be better to get into them within next two three
years or you could end up with you being among large competitors.
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6) Do I need to know German language?
Your course may be in English but you have know atleast a basic german language so as to
ensure a smooth sailing in the society. If you have to work in Germany you need to have basic
german proficiency. If you enroll yourself in any German course in MMB and produce a
certificate that you are learning German then that might slightly boost up your chance
of securing an admit.
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7) What are the requirements of applying to Germany?
As of now TOEFL is very important in applying to the university. TOEFL score of 260 would
confirm your admit into the university, even though they specify that minimum qualification
required is 213.
Academics is important criteria for considering your admission prospects. 80% and above
aggregate and 260 TOEFL score should confirm your admit in any university for that matter.
Your papers in any journals or in inter collegiate event should brighten your prospects.
Your leadership qualities and other activities may also be looked into while considering
your application.
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8) How important is GRE in case of Germany?
As of now Universities has started asking for GRE scores. In future you could expect GRE
and TOEFL to play a crucial role in securing an admit. High GRE scores and average GRE scores
could make a lot of difference in future. That depends upon the discretion of the university.
But it is better to have a good GRE score for bolstering your prospects.
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9) What are the other requirements needed?
Most universities ask for any practical or vocational training. So it is better to do an
Inplant training and secure a certificate for the same. It is advisable to do your project
in a company and convert half the period into practical training apart from your other
trainings also.
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10) What are the courses offered in Germany?
Germans are highly proficient in electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. They are
the world leaders in these fields. Electrical engg. doesnt mean pure electrical. It has a
strong electronics background. Another noted field of advancementis sensor design and tech.
communication engg.. Computer science has quality but not the hype that is generated by the
above groups. It doesnt mean computer science is not that advanced in Germany. It is
comparable with other groups as well, but not much of the computer engg. doesnt go there.
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11) Where and how to learn German?
German language courses are offered by Maxmuller Bhavan, Chennai and Central Institute of
Foriegn Language, Hydrebad. The cost of modules in MMB is rs. 4600/- and for Central
Institute of Foriegn Language is rs. 500/- However as of now there is no correspondence
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12) What are the web resources available for informations about Germany?
The following web resources are available for further infos about germany.
The details of queries from German consulate are also given below.
www.daad.de/deutschland/en/2.2.4.html - course search
www.higher-education-compass.de
www.campus-germany.de
www.newdelhi.daad.de
www.student-affairs.de
www.career-germany.com
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is an association of higher
education institutions and student bodies in the Federal Republic of
Germany. The DAAD promotes international academic exchange. It acts as an
intermediatory organization in the field of foreign cultural, science and
educational policy as well as in the field of education cooperation with
other countries. For further information on DAAD you can visit our web-page:
www.daad.de. (see "study and research in Germany").
For general information on University/College education (and scholarship
programs)in Germany relevant to students from India you can visit our
website:
www.daad.de/newdelhi (see "Information for Indians").
Specific information on universities, and on courses and programs that are
available at universities and other institutions of higher education, can be
found on the following websites:
www.hochschulkompass.hrk.de
www.campus-germany.de
For detailed information about admission procedures, requirements etc.,
please contact the universities directly. Their addresses are also listed on
the homepage of the above mentioned websites.
Information about international programs, i.e. academic programs and courses
that are taught in English at German universities can be found on:
www.daad.de/info-f-a/en/fuehrer/idc/index.html
or
www.daad.de
The following website offering information on financial aid information to
international students around the world, may also be of interest to you:
www.iefa.org
This website provides a free searchable database of scholarships and awards
as well as a number of other useful resources.
Foreign students wishing to enter the Federal Republic of Germany require a
residence permit visa for educational purposes issued by a diplomatic
representation of the Federal Republic of Germany (Embassy or Consulate) in
the students country of origins and entered into the passport.
Papers that are required for visa (only after receiving the admission letter
from the university):
-a valid passport
-specified number of passport-size photographs;
-a higher education entrance qualification recognized in Germany (this is
the certificate or an appropriate equivalent qualification);
-proof of your previous academic achievements;
-proof of sufficient financial means (Rs 3,5 lakhs per year) ; and
-the notification of admission from the university of your choice or an
application confirmation notification certifying that the full set of
required application documents and papers has been received by the
university.
-TOEFL(550/213) or equivalent.
Websites and internet addresses of the German Embassy(New Delhi) and the
German Consulate(Chennai).
New Delhi: www.germanembassy-india.org
germany@vsnl.in
Chennai: www.germanconsulate-madras.com
germanychennai@vsnl.in
Other helpful websites are:
www.germany-opportunities.de
www.higher-education-compass.de
For information on scholarships please check the website extensively and
then contact the DAAD-Regional office in New Delhi.
daadnd@bol.net.in
The e-mails of the DAAD offices in India are:
New Delhi : daadnd@bol.net.in (Regional Office for South Asia)
Mumbai : daadmumbai@vsnl.net (Study Counselling Centre for West India)
Chennai : daadch@vsnl.in (Study Counselling Centre for South India)
Pune : hajduk@vsnl.net (DAAD-Teacher)
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13) Where to get personal information?
Contact Address:
Ms. Susanne Romanowski (DAAD-Representative/SCC Coordinator)
Ms. Mrinalini J. Narain (Study Counselor/Administrator)
DAAD-Study Counselling Centre
at Max Mueller Bhavan
13 Khader Nawaz Khan Road
Chennai 600 006/India
Tel. ++91-44-823 3442 / 823 3450
Fax. ++91-44-823 3450
e-mail : daadch@vsnl.in
Opening hours:
Tuesday/Friday 10-1 and 2-5 pm
Only by appointment at least one week ahead.
An Orientation Session on Higher Studies in Germany will be held every
Tuesday at 02:30 p.m.
(No appointment necessary)
Remark: In June we are open only on Tuesdays.
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