First steps towards studying in Germany

Obtaining higher education in Germany is an exciting and promising adventure that opens up new horizons and provides unique opportunities. German degrees are recognised and valued in most countries around the world. The first steps towards studying in Germany are the key to a successful start to your educational journey.

Let's go through the main stages and recommendations together to help you successfully start your studies and avoid common mistakes in order to achieve your educational goals.

Choosing a specialisation

Studying in Germany requires a lot of effort, so you shouldn't take risks by choosing a programme at random. It is important to study not only the subjects you enjoy, but also those that are in demand on the labour market. Most students dream of staying in Germany after their studies, but few are aware of the necessary conditions for obtaining a residence permit.

As a graduate of a German university, you will receive 18-month residence permit following successful completion of your studies to find work. During this period you will have full access to the labour market. To extend your residence permit, it is necessary to provide an official job offer matching your qualifications. Therefore, the intended activity must have a connection with your education.

To assess whether you will face difficulties in finding a job after completing your studies, it is enough to visit a job search website in Germany (Stepstone, Federal Employment Agency) and evaluate your prospects, as well as analyse the salary levels in the fields that interest you (for example, on the website Gehalt.de)

We explained where to look for work in Germany in this article:

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How to properly choose a university and faculty

Let's sort out the land

There are no bad universities in Germany. There are well-known educational institutions, universities with a respected reputation, as well as small colleges. It is worth bearing in mind that in major cities such as Munich, Hamburg and Cologne, difficulties arise with housing: the cost of living here is usually higher, and finding accommodation can be difficult. It is best not to pin your hopes on student halls of residence in large cities. The chance of employment does not differ greatly whether you graduated from a large or a small university. Also note that education in the state of Baden-Württemberg for citizens no European Union Paid! Refugees from Ukraine are exempt from fees.

Choosing a university

Compare all the universities offering a degree programme in your chosen field. Choose an institution and read the reviews about it. Carefully examine each university’s programme, noting the differences, similarities, the availability of practical sessions and opportunities to study abroad (Auslandssemester). Assess what makes each university’s educational programme unique.

Compare here.

Key features of the software that you should pay attention to:

Mandatory practical term lasting at least 3 months during the studies.
The presence of practical subjects throughout the course of study, with a slight advantage given to Hochschulen over universities.
A focus on topical subjects, for example, in the field of IT — innovative projects; and in the field of economics — an in-depth study of online learning and contemporary issues (see the Module Handbook).
Schwerpunkte are areas of in-depth study within a specialisation. Most students decide on their specialisation after the third semester. It is therefore useful to find out in advance whether the faculty offers any areas of study that interest you, or whether it offers traditional Bachelor’s or Master’s programmes.

Faculties with guaranteed admission and Numerus Clausus

There are certain faculties where you have a 100% chance of being admitted. Their descriptions usually include the phrase NO ENTRY QUOTA or exempt from admission, which means there are no restrictions. If your average mark is not particularly high, consider choosing at least one of these fields of study for your application. These are usually faculties with low demand (German Studies, Sociology, philology), those in high demand from the labour market and the economy (electrical engineering, agriculture), as well as departments at well-funded universities. This does not imply that the university is of a low standard.

But in most cases you will see the phrase on the faculty page NUMERUS CLAUSUS (NS) or subject to restricted admission, which means that demand for the degree course is too high and selection is based on the best grade point averages. In addition, all universities in Germany have a separate quota for international students, which means that the grade point average of international applicants will be compared only with the grades of other international applicants.

Difference between Universität and Hochschule

The main thing to understand is that no type of higher education institution is superior to any other.

What is the difference between a Hochschule and a Universität — both are considered higher education institutions and award degrees of equal quality. The only difference lies in the curriculum:

University of Applied Sciences

aims to ensure that each degree programme includes a significant proportion of practical modules and work placements.

Professors and senior lecturers at universities of applied sciences are required to have practical experience in their field.

University

prefers a theoretical approach. The only form of practical training is the practical semester.

For professors and associate professors at the Universität, teaching may be the only practical experience in their field.

Tip: If you are in Germany, make use of the student advisory service at your chosen institution or attend an open day.

Can I enrol at a German university?

Pupils who have completed Year 9 do not have the right to apply to educational institutions in Germany (Studienkolleg, Uni, Hochschule). You should complete at least 11 grades.
School pupils after Year 13 cannot apply to German universities, but they have the opportunity to complete a preparatory programme at a Studienkolleg or similar institutions (Sonderlehrgänge, Abendgymnasium) in order to gain eligibility for admission to higher education institutions in Germany (Abitur).
University students have several options. If you have completed 1–2 years at a university (the duration depends on the country of study, and only state universities and full-time attendance are recognised), you can apply directly to any university in Germany, but only for the same degree subject that you are studying. If you want to change your subject, you need a suitable Abitur, for example from a Studienkolleg.
People with higher education (Bachelor's, Specialist, Master's degree holders) can apply for a Bachelor's programme in any field in Germany. You can also apply for a Master's programme, but you should first check with the university whether your degree is suitable for admission. Switching from a higher education qualification in one specialism to a Master's in another is not possible, except at private universities, although this tends to make them less trusted.
People with vocational secondary education (after colleges, technical schools, etc.) must successfully complete at least one year of university in their home country in order to be eligible to apply to universities in Germany.

You can check whether your qualifications allow you to apply to German universities on the Uni-Assist website.

Studienkolleg

Studienkolleg are educational institutions where foreign nationals who hold a complete secondary school education (11 grades) that does not meet German requirements undergo preparation for admission to any German university. The need for a Studienkolleg does not depend on you personally, but on the level of your education.

How to choose a course at a Studienkolleg:

M-course – suitable for prospective students in medicine, biology and pharmacy.
T-Course - focused on mathematics, natural sciences and technology.
Foundation course — is intended for those interested in economics and sociology.
Foundation course — is designed for those who intend to study the humanities and Germanic studies.
S-course — is designed for language learning.

Entry requirements:

Requirements may vary depending on the Studienkolleg and the specialisation. Both German language exams and additional exams in subject-specific areas (e.g. mathematics, biology, etc.) are possible. Sample texts can be found on the official Studienkolleg website, for example at FH Kiel, hello University of Heidelberg.

Be sure to check with your future university whether your Abitur from the Studienkolleg is suitable for admission!

Studying at a Studienkolleg is conducted entirely in German. Even if you plan to study in English in the future, you still need to know German to enter a Studienkolleg. Despite there being an entrance exam in German, to submit your documents to a Studienkolleg you are required to have documentary proof of German proficiency at B1 or B2 level. At some Studienkollegs, exemption from the German entrance exam (as well as subsequent classes) is possible upon submission of C1 level language certificates.

Language certificates

To apply to a university in Germany, you will definitely need to pass a language exam. There are several main language exams — these are TELC C1 Hochschule, TestDaF, and DSH. Each of them has its own characteristics, which you can find out about on their websites. Let's look at the key differences:

TestDaF and DSH can be taken at B2 and C1 levels and only as a whole. You can take TELC only at C1 level, and in the event of failing a part of the exam, you can retake one part (written or oral).

You should also check which exact exam your university recognises. In this regard, the DSH has an advantage: it is taken at universities and is recognised by almost all educational institutions.

Starting your studies in Germany is an exciting stage, full of opportunities and challenges. The first steps taken in this direction become the foundation for successful learning and an important stage of your personal and professional growth. Regardless of the chosen field or level of education, proper planning, adaptation to the new environment and the drive to achieve your goals will ensure you have a confident start and an unforgettable experience. Remember that every step brings you closer to your goal, and studying in this country is an opportunity not only to gain knowledge, but also to immerse yourself in a unique cultural experience.

May your educational journey in Germany be full of success!

You can choose a state health insurance for your studies via the link:

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The best institutes in Germany

As already mentioned, you are unlikely to find poor-quality higher education in Germany. Nevertheless, many prefer to look to international rankings. Below you will find a list of the best universities in Germany according to QS World University Rankings 2024. The rating is based on the analysis of 17.5m research papers and on the expert opinions of over 240,000 academics and employers.

Since the analysis focuses largely on academic results, you will not find Hochschulen at the top of such studies, given their practical rather than scientific educational focus.

TUM (TU München)
LMU Munich
University of Heidelberg
Freie Universität Berlin
RWTH Aachen University
KIT Karlsruhe
Humboldt University of Berlin
TU Berlin
University of Freiburg
University of Hamburg
University of Tübingen

Best medical universities in Germany

The international rankings are led by: Heidelberg University, LMU Munich, Charité Berlin and the University of Tübingen.

Top law universities

Top 3 universities for future lawyers: LMU München, Universität Bayreuth, Bucerius Law School in Hamburg (private institution).

Best universities in the field of economics

One of the best universities for business and economics is considered to be the University of Mannheim, followed by LMU in Munich and the University of Cologne.