DAAD: How and Why Study in Germany!

DAAD stands for German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst)

Ten reasons for Germany: Studying in Germany – the right choice for you!

Germany is the third most popular destination among international students in the world. More than twelve percent of students at German universities come from abroad – just like you. Germany is an attractive place to study and German university degrees are highly respected by employers worldwide.

by the Editors

International students . © Horschig/DAAD

1. You have a top-class degree recognised around the world!

German higher education is one of the best in the world! Whether it’s cars or education, people everywhere recognise “Made in Germany” as a seal of quality. You can benefit from Germany‘s long and famous university tradition especially in the fields of engineering and science. A German university degree is highly respected by employers around the world.

2. You have a diverse range of study opportunities!

Germany’s higher education system has something for everyone! There are almost 450 state-accredited universities with some 17,500 degree programmes in Germany. German universities offer degree programmes in every possible subject and academic level – be it bachelor’s, master’s, state examinations or doctoral degrees. General universities focus strongly on scientifically oriented study in a wide range of disciplines. Universities of applied science, on the other hand, are very practice-oriented. If you’re more interested in artistic subjects, you can enrol at a college of art, film or music.

3. You can study in English!

More and more courses and degree programmes are being offered in English, especially at the master’s degree level. This is good news if you don’t know any German or if your German isn’t good enough yet. You’ll find an overview of international degree programmes in Germany in the large DAAD database.

4. You are not alone!

Around twelve percent of students at German universities come from foreign countries, just like you. You can make friends from around the world, become acquainted with different countries and expand your horizons. The universities offer support to make your start in Germany as easy as possible. There are many mentoring programmes available, such as “Buddy” and “Tandem” programmes.

Students on campus . © DAAD

5. You pay very low tuition fees – and sometimes none at all!

Students normally don’t have to pay tuition fees at German universities, and if so, the fees are very low. Most German universities receive considerable financing from the government. Bachelor’s degree programmes are usually tuition-free at public universities. Some master’s degree programmes, however, come with tuition fees, but they’re not as high as in other countries.

6. You have very affordable living expenses!

Compared with other European countries, the cost of living in Germany is reasonable. The cost of food, rent, clothing and cultural activities are equivalent to the EU average. There are also a number of concessions available to students. You can receive reduced prices at theatres, museums, opera houses, cinemas, swimming pools and other institutions. All you have to do is present your student ID.

7. You can benefit from many scholarship programmes!

As an international student with outstanding academic achievement, you have good chances of receiving a scholarship to finance your studies in Germany. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is one of the largest scholarship organisations in the world and offers countless scholarship programmes. No matter what your country, subject or status, you’ll find a scholarship that matches your profile and needs in the DAAD scholarship database! And not only does the database contain programmes offered by the DAAD, but also many other organisations in Germany.

8. You live in a safe country!

Germany is a safe country – also on an international scale. The police are reliable and help you in every situation. Whether you live in a big city or in the country, you can move freely day or night without having to take any special precautions.

Cochem on the Moselle river . © Klein/DAAD

9. You live in a diverse country in the heart of Europe!

Beaches and mountains, medieval city centres and pulsating metropolises, and above all, lots of nature. Germany is a diverse country with many facets! Living in Germany means living in the middle of Europe surrounded by many other countries. Whether you’d like to visit Paris, Prague, Rome or Copenhagen, you have a wide range of destinations at your doorstep. Within a couple of hours by train or plane, you can experience an entirely different culture and language. Weekend trips are no problem and affordable.

10. You learn a language which can open many doors!

German is one of the ten most spoken languages in the world. Some 185 million people worldwide can speak German. You can still study in Germany even if you don’t know German, but having some knowledge of the language can make everyday life easier and help you make friends faster. Knowing a foreign language also looks great on a résumé! Nobody says that German is an easy language, but there are many ways to learn German – in a course, with a tandem partner or with German flatmates.

 Here's a super new video from DAAD entitled NEW HORIZONS:




HIER IST DAAD IM INTERNET MIT VIELEN ANTWORTEN:  HERE IS WHERE YOU'LL FIND LOTS OF ANSWERS!

HERE IS THE COVER PAGE FORE DAAD!

FINALLY:  Since German universities have nothing comparable to our General Studies, or even Liberal Arts, here is some truly practical advice from one of my main gurus, Dr. Kuhn-Osius, of Hunter College CUNY. --rsb


The DAAD material is very general. The two things to keep in mind for an American high schooler:

1. There is no general education at German universities, so you have to have a very good idea what you want to study.

2. To be admitted to a German university, you will need 4 AP tests in a specific combination. Otherwise you will either need two years of college or you'll have to go to a Studienkolleg.

This is not something you want to do on the spur of the moment. The German educational system can be excellent for those who know what they want (and so can be the US system). If you are in any way uncertain, it may not be worth it.

-- Eckhard Kuhn-Osius