According to a 2021 Report – Wissenschaft weltoffen kompakt Facts and Figures on the International Nature of Studies and Research in Germany and Worldwide – “The number of international students at German universities continued to rise in the winter semester 2019/20, to 319,902 (+6%).”
The data was released by the German Academic Exchange Service and the German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies [DZHW].
International students in Germany accounted for 11.1% of all students in Germany. At universities, the proportion was 12.7%. At universities of applied sciences, on the other hand, 8.4% of students were overseas students.
With a share of 31%, Asia Pacific represented the key region of origin for international students.
China, with around 41,400 students or 13%, was the key country of origin of international students in Germany. With a share of 8% or 24,900 of all international students in Germany, India took the second place.
As per the Report, nearly 92% of international students in Germany were aiming at acquiring a degree in Germany.
Engineering, with 41%, dominated among international students.
Germany is one of the most popular non-Anglophone study abroad destinations worldwide .
According to the German Academic Exchange Service, or DAAD [Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst], despite the COVID-19 pandemic, there “has been almost no reduction in levels of student interest in studying abroad”.
Based on their findings, the DAAD predicts that “the fulfilment of postponed mobility intentions will not only help the swift return to the previous mobility levels, but will also mean that they are significantly exceeded. This is due in part to the extremely dynamic development of international mobility in recent years.”
The DAAD is an association of German institutions of higher education along with their student bodies.
While Germany remains a popular destination for study overseas, certain requirements will have to be met before an individual can study in Germany as an international student.
The first and foremost step towards studying in Germany is that of ascertaining whether the foreign qualification possessed by the individual is eligible for enrolment.
In Germany, admission requirements [Zulassungsvoraussetzungen] lay down that an applicant for a course of study be able to prove that they were indeed qualified for attending university.
A preparatory course or a Studienkolleg will have to be completed in situations wherein the educational qualification from the country of origin did not meet the German university entrance requirements.
The Studienkolleg acts as a ‘bridge’ that enables an individual to transition from the academic culture of their home country onto the German academic culture.
Usually lasting 1 year in duration, the preparatory course will be followed by an assessment test, after passing which the individual can apply to all universities or universities of applied sciences throughout Germany.
The specific admission requirements vary across the different German universities.
Generally, sufficient skills in the German language are another pre-requisite for study overseas in Germany.
Exceptions are certain prost-graduate programs and international degree programs.
The requirement for proving language skills might also be waived where the international student is only looking at studying in Germany for 1-2 semesters.
From January 2021, an international student in Germany will be required to be able to demonstrate funds of EUR 10,332 in a year, or EUR 861 in a month.
Whether or not you need a visa for entering Germany will be based on your country of origin. Generally, Indian nationals will be required to procure a German study visa before they can travel to Germany for study purposes.
Once you take up accommodation in Germany, you will be expected to get your Registration Certificate from the Einwohnermeldeamt [residents' registration office].
A Residence Permit, tied to a specific intended course of study in Germany, will also be required. Those already accepted into a higher education institution must apply for a “residence permit for the purpose of studying”.
Else, they will have to apply for a “residence permit for the purpose of applying for a study place” which can be converted at a later date.
Adequate health insurance – covering the cost of check-ups and certain medications, hospital stays, treatment following an illness or after an accident – will also be required.
