Strategically located in the heart of Europe, Germany is the seventh most visited country in the world.download It is a beautiful country with mild winters and warm summers. River Danube and the Alps have immense cultural significance in the history of Germany.
Germany is one of the most preferred destinations for international students for the following reasons:
- German qualification is highly renowned and sought after around the world. German qualification helps a graduate to get preferential treatment in recruitment process,since it is well known for its quality of education, just like its cars and electronics.
- Plenty of institutions are increasingly offering wide range of courses in English.
- There are plenty of fields of advanced study in Germany.
- Germany has some of the most reputed and oldest universities in the world.
- Research and practical application is given more emphasis and preference to theoretical learning. This ensures that the graduates are highly employable.
- Education system is highly flexible. Students can switch courses or colleges.
- Students in Germany are encouraged to be creative and innovative and consequently apply for patents more than in any other part of the world.
These advantages make it clear why Germany is the best option by far for students from all over the world.
Consisting of more than 30 countries, Europe is very diverse and it would be a tremendous task to cover all of them individually in this article. So insted of whole europe we are providing the details about German Education System which will give an insight about the standards of European Education System
Germany has a long tradition in education, science and research. The history of many higher education institutions extends back over many centuries. Following the destruction caused by the Second World War, an education and research landscape has evolved in Germany which, particularly since German unification, is as extensive today as has never before been the case. 323 higher education institutions are located throughout Germany (as per 2000). Those interested in studying in Germany can choose between universities and university-status institutions, such as the technical universities, or the Fachhochschule institutions, or the colleges of art, music and film. All state-maintained higher education institutions are open to students of all nations.
More than 400 disciplines are offered which makes it possible to pursue nearly any specialisation or interdisciplinary research you choose. Germany ‘s higher education institutes are committed to the principle of academic freedom . Hence there is no prescribed curriculum in many degree courses and programmes, only a few compulsory lectures and studies are largely determined by the students’ personal interests.
There are more than 300 institutions of higher education spread all over Germany, with no less than 82 universities, 136 Fachhochschulen and 46 colleges of music and fine arts.
Research guarantees institutions the right to self-administration even if they are financed by the state. In the framework of the Higher Education Act of the respective Land they award themselves their own charters. Universities are headed by a Rector or President, several Pro-rectors or Vice-presidents, and a Chancellor. The Academic Senate is responsible for general affairs concerning research, teaching and studying. It is composed of elected representatives of all the members of the institution, ie. students and non-academic staff, too. The students elect their own Student Representation. Its various bodies are self-administrating and safeguard student rights with regard to higher education policy, as well as dealing with students’ social and cultural interests.
Where does teaching and research take place?
The individual disciplines are grouped together into faculties or departments (eg. the “Philosophical Faculty” or the “Department of Economics”). The faculties and departments are empowered to pass regulations governing studies and examinations. An elected Dean is in charge of faculty or departmental business. Each subject has its own institute or “Seminar” (in German this word means : a course and a department building or room). You will find literature on your subject in the “Seminar”-library, while general information on your course of study is available from the Departmental Student Organisation (“Fachschaft”). Queries about organisational matters can be addressed to the secretary’s office.
There are no study fees in Germany . German institutions of higher education welcome students from all nationalities. Students however have to arrange for living expenses on their own which can total to about DM 1300 per month.In addition to the living expenses there can be some other miscellaneous expenses to the extent of DM 1000 per semester.
Admission to Undergraduate Studies
Students applying for an undergraduate course in Germany have to undertake a one – year bridge program. This is to compensate for 13 years of school education in Germany compared to 12 years in India . In order to be eligible for this bridging course, students from India are required to have an excellent academic record up to Senior Secondary Level (10 + 2), and must have basic knowledge of the German language (G III Level of Max Mueller Bhavans).
After completion of the bridge program, Indian students are required to pass an assessment test in order to get admission into a German institution for the equivalent of the Bachelors degree. Students who have cleared the IIT Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) will be exempted from the assessment test.
Students who have successfully completed two years of undergraduate studies are also exempted from the assessment test. However, they have to prove their proficiency in the German language.
Admission to Postgraduate Courses
German universities have recently introduced international courses leading to a Master’s degree. Some courses begin with English as a medium of instruction. Students need an Indian undergraduate degree to qualify. Some universities also accept the three years Indian Bachelors degree.
Admission to PhD Courses
Like in many other countries international students must have a Master’s Degree, and must have identified a professor in Germany who is willing to act as their doctoral guide.
Entrance Requirements
Admission to programmes in Germany are granted on the basis of previous academic record. However, for some management courses a GMAT is required, and some engineering programmes require a GRE score. You will need to check the requirements of the university you are applying to.
The TOEFL is a standard test required for programmes that have English as a medium of instruction.
Applying for admission
You have to apply for admission directly to the universities. Application forms can be requested from the International offices of universities. The filled applications have to be sent back to the university along with documents required to be attached. The attached documents must normally be authenticated copies of your certificates. You will also have to include authenticated copies of certificates confirming your knowledge of German, if required. The Winter semester starts in October and the Summer semester starts in April. The application deadline is 15th July for the Winter semester and 15th January for the Summer semester.