Germany Education
Higher education in Germany
Student visa
Student residence permit
Germany is known for its high-quality higher education system and offers numerous study programs for both German and international students.
Bachelor's degree
Duration: Usually 3 to 4 years.
Programs: Germany offers a wide range of bachelor's degree programs in various disciplines, including engineering, natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, business administration, etc.
Language: Many bachelor's programs are offered in German, although there is a growing number of programs taught in English, especially in STEM fields.
Master's degree
Duration: Usually 1 to 2 years.
Programs: Germany offers a wide range of master's programs covering a variety of subjects. These programs are known for their academic rigor and practical focus.
Language: Although German-teaching master's programs predominate, there is a growing number of English-teaching programs, especially in STEM and business-related disciplines.
Doctoral degrees
Duration: Usually 3 to 5 years.
Programs: Germany has a good reputation for doctoral research and offers excellent opportunities to obtain a PhD or a doctorate. Doctoral students work on independent research projects under the guidance of a supervisor.
Language: Doctoral programs are often conducted in English, but knowledge of German may be required for some fields or depending on the institution.
Cost of training
Most public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees for bachelor's and master's programs, even for international students. However, there may be semester fees, administrative costs, and living expenses that should be considered. Some private universities may have tuition fees.
Scholarships
Germany offers numerous scholarships for international students, such as DAAD scholarships, which support both undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
International programs
There are several international study programs in Germany, for example, English-language courses offered by the Technical University of Munich, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, and the Free University of Berlin.
Opportunities for research
Germany is known for its strong emphasis on research and development. There are ample opportunities for research collaboration, access to state-of-the-art equipment, and participation in innovative projects in various fields:
- Germany provides various funding opportunities to support research projects. The most well-known funding organization is the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft or DFG), which provides grants to individual researchers, joint projects, and research centers.
- Germany has established various research networks and clusters to promote cooperation and specialization in specific fields. These networks bring together researchers, industrial partners and academic institutions to work on cutting-edge research projects. Examples include the Fraunhofer Society, the Leibniz Society, the Max Planck Society, and the Helmholtz Society.
- Germany is particularly strong in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). It has a long tradition of excellence in fields such as engineering, physics, chemistry, computer science and biotechnology.
Do you need a visa to study in Germany?
Citizens of Ukraine must apply for a German student visa.
Documents required for a German student visa
You must submit the following documents to apply for any visa to study German:
- Duly completed application form for a student visa to Germany.
- Your valid passport. It must be valid for an additional six months before the date of your departure from Germany and have at least one blank page.
- Certificate of civil status.
- Marriage certificate.
- Birth certificate.
- Birth certificates of children.
- Death certificate of the spouse.
- A ration card, if available.
- Two photos. The photos must be of high quality and identical.
- Copies of previous visas.
- Proof of residence in Germany. You must provide proof that you have a place to live during your studies in Germany.
- Proof of student health insurance for the entire period of stay in Germany.
- When applying for a visa for language courses: a motivation letter for attending language courses.
- Resume. Include evidence of any previous and current internships and jobs with your resume.
- The minimum amount of financial resources is at least EUR 10,332 per year or EUR 861 per month. Accepted as evidence:
- Personal financial statements for the last three months.
- Certificate of scholarship award.
- Written confirmation from your parents or sponsor that he/she will cover your expenses.
- A "blocked" bank account. Also known as Sperrkonto.
- School-leaving certificates are recognized.
- Application confirmation. This is usually an email from the university confirming that you have successfully submitted your application.
- A certificate of admission to a preparatory course. In German, this is called "Propedeutische Kurs" or a letter of confirmation of enrollment in a German language course (which includes at least 18 hours of lessons per week).
- A recognized Abitur school leaving certificate. Or its equivalent.
- Proof of knowledge of German or English (depending on the language of the lessons).
- Proof of previous education. Certificate of previous degrees.
- If accepted to the university:
- Letter of acceptance from the university. A document, a letter of admission to a university, confirming your application for study and the offered place to study in the program to which you have applied.
- Certificates of previous education. Provide all certificates of previous formal and non-formal education.
- Cover letter. Use it to explain your reasons for choosing the university, the program, your study plan, and your plans for how these studies will improve your career in the future.
- For programs in German, international students must provide TestDaf or DSH results. Whereas for courses in English, students will have to provide TOEFL or IELTS results.
When can you apply for a German student visa?
The application for a student visa for Germany together with the required documents should be submitted at least 8 weeks before the date of travel to Germany to avoid any possible delays.
Where can you apply for a student visa in Germany?
You must apply for a German student visa at the German consulate or embassy in your home country. Your passport will remain at the embassy/consulate where you applied for the duration of the visa process. If you need to withdraw your passport for any reason, be it travel or otherwise, you will have to reapply from the beginning.
How to apply for a student visa to Germany?
To apply for a German student visa, you need to go through the following steps:
- Fill out the application form for a student visa to Germany.
- Gather the necessary documents.
- Schedule an appointment.
- Apply to the visa center for an interview.
- Pay the German student visa fee.
- Submit your biometric data.
- Wait for processing.
Upon arrival in Germany with a student visa
With a German student visa, you can travel freely in the country. Once you arrive in Germany, you need to follow a few steps to make your stay in Germany legal.
Register your address in Germany. You must register your address at the registration office that is closest to your home in Germany. You will need an identity document, your visa, and a rental agreement or other proof of your address.
Apply for a student residence permit in Germany. Once you have registered your address, you must apply for a student residence permit in Germany. Please note that you have 90 days from the day you enter Germany to do this. First, you need to make an appointment at the immigration office closest to your place of residence in Germany. You can also get an application form there. On the day of the interview, you will need to submit this form and the required documents.
The student residence permit is a German residence permit for those who wish to study in Germany. It is a German residence permit that can be obtained for the following purposes:
- For admission to a university/college.
- Participate in an educational exchange program.
- Sign up for preparatory courses for studying.
- Sign up for preparatory language courses.
- Sign up for professional training and internships.
Who needs a residence permit in Germany?
Anyone (except EU, EEA and Swiss citizens) who wants to study in Germany for more than three months must obtain a residence permit from the German Federal Office for Foreigners (Ausländerbehörde).
Requirements for obtaining a student residence permit in Germany
To apply for a student residence permit in Germany, you need to submit several documents to the BAMF. If you came to Germany on a national student visa, you need to submit the documents listed below when applying for a residence permit:
- Standard documents required to obtain a residence permit in Germany.
- Proof of admission/enrollment in an educational institution. Depending on what you will be studying in Germany during your stay, you must submit proof of admission or enrollment in that school/university/college.
- Certified certificates of previous education. School diplomas/certificates, report cards, etc.
- Registered address. When you register your address in Germany, you will receive a confirmation document. Present this document at the immigration office as proof of your address registration.
- Health insurance for international students in Germany. Health insurance in Germany is compulsory for everyone applying for a residence permit. Make sure that your insurance is acceptable in Germany and covers accidents, illness, and repatriation in case of death.
- Proof of financial solvency. You have to prove that you have the means to support yourself financially during your stay in Germany, which can be done by
- Blocked bank account.
- Letter of commitment. A letter written by a person living in Germany who undertakes to cover all your expenses during your stay in Germany, including living and study expenses.
- Proof of scholarship award. If you have received a scholarship that covers your expenses, you only need to provide a confirmation letter issued, signed and stamped by the organization/institution that provided you with the scholarship.
- Proof of German/English language proficiency. Depending on which language you will be studying in Germany, you will need to provide proof that you have the required level of German or English.
How to apply for a student residence permit in Germany?
To apply for a residence permit in Germany, you must follow certain steps. The application process may differ depending on your nationality and the specific reason you are applying.
1. Get the right German national visa
In order to be able to travel to Germany, you first need to obtain one of the following German long-term visas:
- German student visa.
- Visa for language courses in Germany.
- German student visa for internships.
The process of obtaining a visa to study in Germany is almost the same as for all German long-term visas. The only difference is the required documents. Without a visa, you will not be able to travel to Germany and obtain a residence permit.
PLEASE NOTE that you cannot apply for a student residence permit in Germany on a short-term visa.
2. Register your address in Germany
After receiving your German visa, you are free to travel to Germany. Upon arrival, you must register your address in Germany within two weeks. Register your address at the registration office nearest to your place of residence.
3. Apply for a student residence permit in Germany.
After that, you can apply for a student residence permit in Germany.
PLEASE NOTE that you have 90 days from the date of entry into Germany to do so.
The application process is simple and quick. First, you need to make an appointment at the immigration office closest to your place of residence in Germany. You can also get an application form there.
On the day of the interview, you will need to submit this application form and the required documents;
How much does it cost to get a residence permit in Germany?
A residence permit in Germany can cost between 56 and 100 euros, depending on your situation. You will have to pay this fee when you submit your application to the immigration office.
Procedure for applying for a student residence permit in Germany
The procedure for obtaining a student residence permit in Germany takes two to three weeks. You will receive a notification from the immigration office about the decision on your application.
Validity of a student residence permit in Germany
The German Immigration Service issues students a residence permit for the duration of their studies. If you do not complete your studies within the validity period of your residence permit, you can apply for an extension.