7 reasons why you should study in Germany
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Last updated: Jan 2023
TL;DR: Here are the 7 reasons you should consider studying in Germany:
1. Tuition-free education
2. Great job opportunities after graduation
3. Work part-time to cover living expenses
4. Study in Germany with enthusiastic students worldwide
5. All English Bachelor’s and Master’s degree
6. Travel around Europe
7. Markets and festivals
Ask anyone where they want to further their studies, and we will hear answers like the UK, the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Singapore. If you are reading this article, you are probably debating about which country to further your studies in. While they are popular study destinations, Germany is one country you want to consider.
You might have the following worries:
- German is a tough language
- It takes too long to master German
- German universities have very tough entry requirements
- Germany is too far from home
- Don’t have relatives in Germany
- Afraid of fluctuation in the currency exchange rate
- German universities are not as prestigious
In this article, we will share with you the 7 reasons why you should study in Germany.
Tuition-free education
While tuition fees in other countries can get very expensive, Germany remains one of the few countries which offers courses without charging a tuition fee. This goes the same for international students as well. The graph below compares the total cost to study at top universities in Germany against other popular study destinations.
Source: Compilation by OCBC Bank
There are two semesters yearly in Germany, so it will cost non-EU students €3000 yearly as tuition fee if you choose to study in Baden-Württemberg.
Are you thinking that ‘free’ and ‘high quality’ does not come together? German products are well-known for their high quality and the same goes to German higher education. In fact, Germany is a top study destination in Europe and there are 46 German universities in the QS World Ranking Universities 2023 including 7 in the top 150.
Imagine being able to study in a world-ranked university, gaining the experience of studying overseas with no worry about getting into debt. This makes Germany a really good deal to catch.
Great job opportunities after graduation
After completing your degree in Germany, you can apply for a job-seeking visa which allows you to stay in Germany up to 18 months to search for a job. As a world economic power, it is not difficult for graduates to find work opportunities in multinational German companies such as Daimler, BMW, BASF, Siemens etc.
In fact, German universities are practical-focused, especially if you are studying in a university of applied sciences, not only will you learn the theoretical knowledge, you are trained to put it into practice throughout your time in the university. This practical emphasis ensures you to have the relevant work skills even before graduating and employers love that!
Being fluent in German will further improve your chance of getting a job in Germany after graduating. It will give you an edge in German-speaking countries such as Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg.
Work part-time to cover living expenses
Starting from October 2022, the minimum wage per hour has been increased to €12 per hour. Certain jobs may pay higher, depending on your job scope and the company you’re attached with. On-campus jobs such as being a student assistant or a librarian are one of the best options as you are not subjected to the work-time limit and can work as much as you want. Opting to work as a waiter at a cafe/bar is also a good exposure for you to build up your German-speaking skill, meet new people and simply unwind after a long day at the university. Most of these jobs have flexible time schedules and the tips are good too! With the new €12 per hour, if students work 20 hours a week, they can earn up to €960 per month. but is too much to say that, students will think working part time alone can earn more than the blocked account. Let’s avoid this misconception.
Find out more about working part time as an international student in Germany.
Study in Germany with enthusiastic students worldwide
Germany has a brilliant profile of international students coming from ALL parts of the world, far or near, attracting the best minds to study in Germany.
It’s not easy to leave everything behind and to study in a foreign land. This takes a lot of determination and courage to do so. By studying among these determined individuals, not only will you be motivated but you will have a sense of belonging. An international environment also broadens your perspective and ideas. This enables you to tackle challenges in unique ways.
All English Bachelor's and Master's degree
German is definitely a tough language to master and we totally understand that. The Germans do too! For those who do not know any German, you can take part in English taught courses. Though most of them are for Master’s degree programmes, there are increasingly more Bachelor’s programmes conducted in English.
Some universities also offer students free german lessons and you can always learn the language at your own pace. As you study in Germany, you will also start picking up the German Language as you speak to other students or just going through your everyday life. Before you know it, you’ll already be speaking fluently.
Travel around Europe
Travelling around the world has always been your dream? Why not start with Europe? Germany being at the centre of some of the most amazing places in the world, there is no need for long planning. Pack up your bag and travel to your heart’s content. You’ll be in a different country within just a few hours of travel time. Enjoy the cool fresh air, breathtaking scenery of the Swiss Alps while enjoying the classic Swiss cheese fondue or immerse yourself in the gorgeous villages of the Czech Republic. You will always have a wide selection of travel destinations within your reach. Explore the different land, culture and people easily and cheaply.
If travelling to other countries still seems to be a pricey option, you can always travel within the city of your university. Most universities will issue their students a city-wide travel card which allows you to travel within the region. This means that you can explore nearby quaint villages without paying extra! With the power of a student card, travelling to different cities of Germany can be very affordable as well!
PS: Don’t know how to begin? Here’s a fun and exciting activity to complement your travel. Try out Geocaching and explore the wonderful areas which you’ve never thought existed. You might make new friends along the way too!
Markets & festivals
Germany is definitely a country full of excitement and pure joy. There are celebrations for all taste and age and activities for literally everyone.
Booklover? Check out the Frankfurt Book Fair. A fan of the Arts? Visit the German art festival, Documenta, which is held only once in every 5 years in Kassel. Engineering geek? Check out the Hannover trade fair. Love beer? Join in the fun of Oktoberfest that happens every mid September to early October.
As a student, you can always find some activities to do in your pastime. There are over 600,000 clubs (Vereins) in Germany where members will gather together regularly to engage in their one hobby. This can be playing a certain music instrument, discussing and sharing about extraordinary plants or insects, learning sign language etc. Sports clubs? Oh definitely! Although there are many different sports clubs, football is FOR LIFE!
Source: Twitter
In a nutshell
Choosing a country to further your studies can be a difficult and scary decision. Deciding a place where you will spend the next few years of your life should definitely not be taken lightly. We hope that you make the most out of your university life.
