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Germany, a European country with affluent people and versatility in its soil, has a plethora of options in its roster for students of all academic backgrounds. In fact, it is one of the most popular hubs for innovative courses of all realms. Its official language is Dutch and universities there are both non-anglophone and also have German or Dutch as the medium of instruction in academic courses.
Germany has become a popular destination that offers internationally recognized programs at relatively cheaper costs compared to other countries with the availability of significant scholarships that allow foreign students to study in Germany for free.
Types of scholarships in Germany:
DeutschlandStipendium National Scholarship Programme:
The DeutschlandStipendium or The German Scholarship program provides financial assistance and non-material support to high achieving and committed students from all over the world. The German Scholarship supports highly talented students at all participating universities in Germany. The scholarship is awarded without consideration of personal or parent income and one’s nationality is not material to award either. The scholarship amounts to 300EUR per month and is granted for at least two semesters but may be provided for a maximum time which covers the standard period of study.
DAAD Scholarship programs:
DAAD is a joint organization of Germany’s higher education institutions and is responsible for promoting international academic relations, primarily through the exchange of students, academics, and researchers. The DAAD scholarship database contains scholarship and funding opportunities for foreign students and scientists who are seeking financial support for their studies, research work, or teaching assignments in Germany. The database not only lists all the scholarships offered by the DAAD but also diverse programs offered by a variety of institutions.
The most popular DAAD scholarship program for developing country students is the DAAD Scholarships for Development-related Post Graduate Courses. Another popular example is DAAD Scholarships in Public Policy and Good Governance.
Germany Foundation’s Scholarship Programs:
A number of political and religious foundations in Germany offer scholarships to international students from various backgrounds, interests, and qualifications. Some of the examples are Heinrich Boll Foundation and Friedrich Naumann Foundation Scholarship for international students are examples of scholarships offered by German political foundations while Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships and KAAD Scholarships are examples of scholarships offered by religious foundations in Germany.
Erasmus Scholarship Programs in Germany:
German Universities participate in quite a number of study programs that are funded by Erasmus Mundus and Erasmus+ scholarships. These scholarships can finance international students to pursue a participating study program in Germany.
Tuition-Free Colleges and Universities in Germany:
In 2014 October a bill was passed that all the Universities in Germany will not charge any tuition fees for undergraduate studies. In some Federal states, Universities will charge a semester contribution of about 50euros and or administration fees about 50 euros. This tuition fee structure can change in the future depending on the extenuating circumstances. Unlike undergraduate studies, most masters or PhD studies in Germany are fee-based. The costs for postgraduate studies are in addition to enrollment and confirmation fees. Fortunately, there are a good number of scholarships for Masters and PhD studies in Germany.
Work placements:
Many students take advantage of work placements to gain initial professional experience while they’re still studying. This experience helps them choose new areas of specialization in their studies and makes their entry into the world of work easier.
We all have queries about the kind of placements and how worthy they are. Work placements are considered an excellent opportunity for German and international students alike: they familiarise students with everyday working practices in Germany and help them build contacts with potential employers. Work placements are mandatory in many degree programs. In these cases, they are supervised by university teachers.
Courses of study such as medicine even require a work placement for admission. Work placements are available almost everywhere with companies and organizations at research centers and public institutions. Sometimes they last just a few weeks, sometimes several months. Whether to complete a voluntary work placement is up to each individual student; many subjects, however, include mandatory work placements. Work placements are also open to people who are not attending university.
These are the 5 factors that define a good work placement:
- Standards.
- Independence.
- Duration.
- Contact.
- Payment.
How does one apply?
It is important to contact the company directly before applying. A quick phone call to the specialist or the HR department can answer important questions: in what areas are work placements available such as the application process, how one should apply, what can students expect from placements.
How much will I be paid?
Germany has a minimum wage of currently 9.19 euros per hour. It is redefined every two years and even students may not be paid less than the minimum wage. The minimum wage does not always for work placements, however: it does not have to be paid for voluntary work if the work placement lasts longer than three months. Otherwise, students on work placement are usually paid very little or nothing at all. In some cases, a scholarship may be an option.
Accommodation and student lifestyle:
There are a few options available to students in Germany when it comes to accommodation, however, the main choice you will have to make is between student accommodation or renting a private residence. German universities don’t automatically assign students accommodation, so you will need to do the relevant research to find a place yourself.
Student accommodation:
Student halls of residence owned and maintained by Studentenwerk( Student Services Organization) are present in every university town. This is the most affordable type of accommodation, averaging around 240 EUR per month. The 181,000 placements are in high demand and it is therefore advisable that you apply for this housing as early as possible. This is done through a website of the Studentenwerk administration local to your chosen university.
Types of student accommodation:
Self-contained apartments – cheapest
Private accommodation or Wohngemeinschaft – pricey and depends on urban areas.
Housing portals – online portals partnered with universities across 65 countries to help their students find accommodation abroad.
Conclusion
Germany has a lot of potential opportunities for students and provides funding based on the requirements which are like cherries on top of the cake. It is an innovative hub that is perfect for skills development and implementation of those skills in practical areas of life and helps you add immense value to your field and contribute wisely.
