Features : Postgrad study in Germany

Universities in Germany have a lot to offer students who opt to study a postgraduate course abroad and experience life and culture in a new city. From the sheer diversity of programmes on offer, to a comparatively low cost of living and many international courses taught in English, it’s easy to see why students are packing their bags and saying ‘auf weidersehen UK’.

 

Rob Compton did his bachelor's degree in German and Russian Studies and was keen to live abroad. For him, Germany was the obvious choice and he is currently in Berlin studying a Postgraduate Programme in European Studies.

‘The course is so rich compared to a lot of the offerings in the UK and this partly comes down to the way the course is funded. We have excursions to Brussels, Luxembourg, Weimar and Moscow, we have lecturers who work at the EU and visiting lecturers from universities from all over the world.’

There are more than 300 higher education institutions in Germany with a growing private sector of about 60. Germany’s universities offer all kinds of programmes from traditional streams to innovative interdisciplinary programmes combining theoretical and practical work. Many universities have industry ties with multinational firms and other research institutes in Germany and abroad, helping graduates gain experience and contacts for the job market.

Choosing a programme

Selecting the right university will depend on your skills, experience and career aspirations. The three main types of institutions are; University of Applied Sciences for a more practical focus, a University for a more theory-based course, or a College for studying Art, Film and Music.

Many universities now offer practical experience as part of the programme and it is worth taking this into consideration when selecting a programme. German companies are interested in attracting high-calibre graduates from abroad. Often, former students can continue to work for the company as a foreign spokesperson once they return home.

When choosing a degree programme you might also want to consider the tuition fees check whether the programme is accredited by the Wissenschaftsrat. The Higher Education Compass  has details of accredited courses. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) also has a university ranking search on their website and you can search by subject.

Only six out of sixteen states in Germany are currently (2009) charging tuition fees and there are no fees for PhD or doctoral studies. Fees range from around €600 to several thousand Euros per semester, plus a registration fee of €50-€250, which is payable every semester. Health insurance, which costs around €280 per semester, is compulsory. Check with individual universities for more specific tuition and fee information and scholarships available. The DAAD also offers one-year scholarships for Doctoral research, which can also be used to support Masters courses.

Admission requirements

You won’t need a visa to study in Germany if you are an EU citizen. Depending on your personal circumstances, applicants from the UK should enquire with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, applicants from Ireland with the German Embassy in Dublin. Many postgraduate students prefer to focus their time on their studies, but students from EU and EEA countries have practically the same status as German students and are allowed to work.

You need to apply early, preferable a year in advance, to find out if you fulfil all the necessary criteria of the university. Every student is assessed individually and admission can depend on the institution, the programme and your personal academic record. Contact the International Office (Akademisches Auslandsamt) of the institution to find out their requirements and about any funding or scholarships available.

Some universities may also require a Masters degree to enter postgraduate study. A number of postgraduate programmes operate one or two-year Master's degree courses which can be taken before entry into the full programme. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) website also offers general information on admission.