1. Welcome to the Land of Ideas!
Studying in Germany
Welcome to the Land of Ideas!

2. Contents Facts about Germany The German Academic Exchange Service
The German university system
Studying in Germany
Doctoral programmes in Germany
More information
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3. German inventions and discoveries
Facts about Germany
German inventions and discoveries
X-rays – Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, 1895
Aspirin – Bayer, 1897
Toothpaste – Ottomar Heinsius von Mayenburg, 1907
Television – Manfred von Ardenne, 1930
MP3 – Fraunhofer-Institut, Karlheinz Brandenburg, 1995
Automobile – Karl Benz, Gottlieb Daimler, 1886
Airbag – Mercedes Benz, 1971
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4. German Nobel Prize winners
Facts about Germany
German Nobel Prize winners
25 German Nobel laureates in the last 25 years, including:
Literature: Günter Grass, 1999; Herta Müller, 2009
Chemistry: Gerhard Ertl, 2007
Physics: Klaus von Klitzing, 1985; Theodor W. Hänsch, 2005; Peter Grünberg, 2007
Medicine: Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard, 1995; Harald zur Hausen, 2008
Economics: Reinhard Selten, 1994
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5. German corporations Mercedes, BMW, VW Puma, Adidas Bayer Siemens, SAP
Facts about Germany
German corporations
Mercedes, BMW, VW
Puma, Adidas
Bayer
Siemens, SAP
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6. Geography Population: 80.5 million, about 7 million foreign citizens
Facts about Germany
Geography
Poland
Czech Republic
Austria
Italy
Sweden
Denmark
Great Britain
France
Netherlands
Belgium
Switzerland
Luxembourg
Population: 80.5 million, about 7 million foreign citizens
Geographic location: In the heart of Europe, diverse landscapes, mountains, coastal regions, North and Baltic Seas
Climate: Temperate ranging from Mediterranean to Continental climates
Baltic Sea
North Sea
Hamburg
Berlin
Cologne
Frankfurt a.M.
Munich
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7. Foreign students in Germany
Facts about Germany
Foreign students in Germany
More than 2.6 million students in Germany, nearly 12 % foreigners.
Most foreign students come from China and Russia.
Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, 2014

8. Origin of foreign students
Facts about Germany
Origin of foreign students
Origin of foreign-educated students (Bildungsausländer) in Germany
Asia
29.1 %
Europe
56 %
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Africa
8.1 %
The Americas
6.2 %
Other
0.6 %
Source: Wissenschaft weltoffen, 2013

9. Cultural and religious diversity in Germany
Facts about Germany
Cultural and religious diversity in Germany
Multicultural society
Largest immigrant groups from Turkey, Poland, Italy, Serbia, Croatia, Greece, Romania, Russia
Individual nationalities cultivate their own language and culture at nationally-specific cultural institutions.
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10. Cultural and religious diversity in Germany
Facts about Germany
Cultural and religious diversity in Germany
The German constitution guarantees all citizens the freedom of religion: “Freedom of faith and of conscience, and freedom to profess a religious or philosophical creed, shall be inviolable.“
Approximately 60 % of the German population are Christians, comprised almost equally of Protestants and Catholics.
Approximately 5 % of the population are Muslims.
Germany is also home to Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and Orthodox Christians.
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Source: Bundeszentrale für politische
Bildung, 2014

11. The German Academic Exchange Service
What is the DAAD?
Independent organisation of German institutions of higher education
Members: 239 universities and research institutes, 122 student bodies
Headquarters in Bonn
15 foreign-based branch offices and 55 information centres
More than 250 different programmes
About 75,000 scholarship recipients each year
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12. Der Deutsche Akademische Austauschdienst
Goals and tasks of the DAAD
Three strategic areas of activity
Grant scholarships for the best
so that the professionals and leaders of tomorrow can gain qualifications at the best locations, prepare for positions of responsibility and cultivate contacts throughout the world.
Structures for internationalisation
so that higher education institutions can improve the quality of research and instruction and address the challenges of the future with strong partners
so that more people can cross borders and achieve success in study and research
so that German remains an important language of culture and scholarship
so that higher education institutions may contribute to development and build bridges to surmount conflicts.
Expertise for academic collaboration
so that academic and political leaders are able to make well-informed policy decisions.
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13. DAAD-Budget 2013
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ):
€ 40 million = 9 %
Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF):  € 100 million = 24 %
European Union (EU): € 58 million = 14 %
BMZ
BMBF EU
Total:
Federal Foreign Office (AA): € 181 million = 43 %
420 Mio.
EUR
Other
Other funding bodies: € 41 million = 10 % AA
*Figures: 2013

14. The German Academic Exchange Service
Network
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15. The German university system
University tradition
Humboldt’s vision of education: “Unity and freedom of research and instruction”
Rich diversity of institutions and programmes at a high academic level
About 430 institutions of higher education in Germany, oldest universities: Heidelberg, Cologne, Erfurt
More than 300,000 instructors and researchers at German universities
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Source: Wissenschaft weltoffen, 2013
Statistisches Bundesamt, 2014

16. The German university system
Institutions of higher education
Universities
Technical universities
Universities of applied sciences
Colleges of music, art and film
Private colleges and academies

17. The German university system
Universities
Total: 106
Focus on methodical and theoretical knowledge
Students may choose courses of interest, not all courses are prescribed
Research-based final thesis
Wide range of subjects
Degrees: bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, post doctoral, as well as traditional German degrees (Diplom, Magister and state examination)
Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, 2014

18. The German university system
Universities of applied sciences
Total: 212
Highly praxis-oriented with close connection to the professional world
Fixed course groups (“classes”)
Praxis-oriented final thesis
Typical subjects: Engineering, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Design
Degrees: bachelor’s, master’s and the traditional German Diplom (FH)
Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, 2014

19. The German university system
Colleges of art, music and film
Total: 53
Highly praxis-oriented
Admission frequently based on the merits of a portfolio and aptitude test
Artistic and design-oriented subjects: Design, Graphic Arts, Music, Voice, Directing, Camera, etc.
Degrees: bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate and traditional German degrees (Diplom and, in some cases, state examination)
Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, 2014

20. Das deutsche Hochschulsystem
Private colleges and academies
Total: 113
Mostly universities of applied sciences
Small study groups
Closely linked to the economy
Strong international orientation
Degrees: bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate
Partly high tuition fees
Important: Make sure the private university is officially recognised!
Quelle: Hochschulkompass 2014

21. The German university system
Degree programmes
Bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral degrees
Traditional German degrees: Diplom, Magister

22. The German university system
German language skills
German is the language of instruction for most degree programmes at German universities. Depending on your university and degree programme, a certificate of German language proficiency may be required for admission:
Abitur from a German-language school
Kleines or Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom from the Goethe-Institut
Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung from the Goethe-Institut
Deutsches Sprachdiplom (Stufe II) from the Kultusministerkonferenz
TestDaF
DSH

23. The German university system
German language skills
The Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF) is offered up to six times a year in Germany and over 90 other countries around the world. For more info, visit
The German Language University Entrance Examination (DSH) is only administered at universities in Germany. For more information, contact the International Office at the university of your choice. Addresses at:
Candidates must pay an examination fee before taking these tests.
Fees may vary depending on the administering institution.

24. The German university system
International programmes
There are over 1,600 international degree programmes throughout Germany.
Bachelor’s, master’s, and structured doctoral programmes
Internationally recognized degree
Language of instruction is generally English, frequently supplemented by German language courses
Intensive academic advising for international students
For more info, visit our database:
Source: DAAD, 2014

25. Schedule November gather information
Studying in Germany
Schedule
November gather information
January obtain application of admission
March update passport (if necessary), submit application of admission
June apply for entry visa (if applicable)
September semester begins, take out health insurance policy, find accommodation
November extend visa (if applicable)

26. Studying in Germany
Application
Depending on the institution and your country of origin, there are various ways to apply for admission to a German university:
Direct application to the university
uni-assist enables students to simultaneously apply at several universities
For subjects with a central numerus clausus (NC) (= a centrally regulated admissions policy that applies to the whole of Germany) application via

27. Studying in Germany
Admission and visa
As an international student, you may require a visa depending on where you come from and how long you intend to stay in Germany. Please inquire about visa requirements at the German embassy in your country. What do I need for a visa?
Passport
Notification of admission from the German university (in some cases)
Proof of financial support
Confirmation of health insurance coverage
Visa application
2 passport photos

28. Studying in Germany
Tuition fees
As a rule no general tuition fees are incurred at state universities
Semester contribution of up to € 200 per semester (administrative costs, student union contribution for student dining, sports, cultural events and a semester ticket)
Inquire about the exact cost of tuition fees at the university in question

29. Studying in Germany
Scholarships
Many organisations in Germany offer scholarships. In addition to those awarded by the DAAD, students can apply for a wide range of grants and scholarships from other institutions, such as:
Look for a scholarship suited to your major, country of origin and academic level:
Politically-affiliated foundations
Business-affiliated foundations
German federal states
Social institutions and churches
Research institutes
Student organisations

30. Studying in Germany
Part-time work
Many students in Germany take a part-time job to supplement their parental allowance, financial aid or scholarships.
EU citizens are allowed to work as much as German students and have free access to the job market.
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Students from non-EU countries are allowed to work 120 full days or 240 half days without a work permit. University tutors or research assistants may work longer. The Aliens’ Registration Office must always be informed of such work contracts.

31. Studieren in Deutschland
Job and career after studying
Blue Card Germany makes the German job market especially appealing to international graduates
Students from non-EU countries are allowed to remain in Germany for the purpose of looking for employment for a maximum of 18 months after graduating.
While looking for permanent full-time employment, you are allowed to work as much as you like.
The website about job perspectives, working permits, moving and settling in and gives tips if your family is also living in Germany.
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32. Doctoral programmes in Germany
Individual doctoral programmes
Supervised by a university professor (Doktorvater or Doktormutter)
Find out in advance which professor would be best suited to supervise your research project
Doctoral candidates work independently
Requires good organisational skills and a high degree of self-discipline
Provides candidates the freedom to explore their research interests in more depth

33. Doctoral programmes in Germany
Structured doctoral programmes
Candidates are integrated into a programme with a fixed structure similar to other degree programmes
Candidates participate in a research training group, graduate school or international doctoral programme
Intensive support from a group of academic staff.
Structured doctoral programmes often have a strong international orientation with English as the team language.

34. Doctoral programmes in Germany
Research organisations and research funding
Max Planck Society: Non-profit research organisation, oversees 82 Max Planck Institutes, focuses on research in the natural and social sciences and the humanities, closely cooperates with universities.
Fraunhofer Society: Organisation for applied research and development services, oversees more than 60 research facilities.
German Research Foundation (DFG): Largest research funding organisation in Europe.
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation: Non-profit foundation funded by the German federal government and dedicated to supporting international research cooperation.
Last update: April 2014

35. More information
Links
Studying in Germany, study opportunities, scholarships:
Universities, study opportunities, contact addresses:
International Offices at universities throughout Germany:
Scholarship database:
International programmes:
Summer courses (preparatory language and specialist courses):
Social, financial and organisational aspects:

36. Five good reasons to study in Germany
Summary
Five good reasons to study in Germany
First-class service for international students
Diverse range of study opportunities
Excellence in research and instruction
Close link between theory and practice
Strong international focus

37. Danke und auf Wiedersehen!
Kontaktdaten des Referenten (bitte eintragen)