• Facts about Germany
• The German Academic Exchange Service
• The German university system
• Studying in Germany
• Doctoral programmes in Germany
• More information

Facts about Germany
• 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

Facts about Germany
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

Facts about Germany
• Mercedes , BMW , VW
• Puma , Adidas
• Bayer
• Siemens , SAP

Facts about Germany
Sweden
• Population: 80.5 million,
Denmark about 7 million foreign citizens
North Sea
Baltic Sea
Great Britain
• Geographic location:
In the heart of Europe,
Netherlands
Hamburg
Austria
Poland diverse landscapes,
Berlin
Cologne
Frankfurt a.M
.
mountains, coastal regions,
Belgium
North and Baltic Seas
Luxembourg
Munich
• Climate: Temperate ranging from
Mediterranean to Continental
France
Switzerland climates
Italy
Czech Republic

Facts about Germany
• More than 2.6 million students in
Germany , nearly 12 % foreigners .
• Most foreign students come from
China and Russia .
Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, 2014

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

Facts about 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.

Facts about 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.
Source: Bundeszentrale für politische
Bildung, 2014

The German Academic Exchange Service
• 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

Der Deutsche Akademische Austauschdienst
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.

Federal Ministry for Economic
Cooperation and Development (BMZ):
€ 40 million = 9 %
Federal Ministry of Education and
Research (BMBF):
€ 100 million = 24 %
BMBF
Federal Foreign Office (AA):
€ 181 million = 43 %
Total:
420 Mio.
EUR
BMZ
EU
European Union (EU):
€ 58 million = 14 %
Other Other funding bodies:
€ 41 million = 10 %
AA
*Figures: 2013

The German Academic Exchange Service

The German university system
• 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
Source: Wissenschaft weltoffen, 2013
Statistisches Bundesamt, 2014

The German university system
• Universities
• Technical universities
• Universities of applied sciences
• Colleges of music, art and film
• Private colleges and academies

The German university system
• 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

The German university system
• 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

The German university system
• 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

Das deutsche Hochschulsystem
• 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

The German university system
• Bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral degrees
• Traditional German degrees:
Diplom, Magister

The German university system
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

The German university system
• 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 www.testdaf.de
• 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: www.daad.de/aaa
Candidates must pay an examination fee before taking these tests.
Fees may vary depending on the administering institution.

The German university system
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: www.daad.de/international-programmes
Source: DAAD, 2014

Studying in Germany
• 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)

Studying in Germany
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 www.uni-assist.de
• For subjects with a central numerus clausus (NC) (= a centrally regulated admissions policy that applies to the whole of Germany) application via www.hochschulstart.de

Studying in Germany
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

Studying in Germany
• 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

Studying in Germany
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:
• Politically-affiliated foundations
• Business-affiliated foundations
• German federal states
• Social institutions and churches
• Research institutes
• Student organisations
Look for a scholarship suited to your major, country of origin and academic level: www.funding-guide.de

Studying in Germany
• 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.
• 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.

Studieren in Deutschland
• 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 www.make-it-in-germany.com
informs about job perspectives, working permits, moving and settling in and gives tips if your family is also living in Germany.

Doctoral programmes in Germany
• 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

Doctoral programmes in Germany
• 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.

Doctoral programmes in Germany
• 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. www.mpg.de
• Fraunhofer Society : Organisation for applied research and development services, oversees more than 60 research facilities . www.fraunhofer.de
• German Research Foundation (DFG) : Largest research funding organisation in Europe. www.dfg.de
• Alexander von Humboldt Foundation : Non-profit foundation funded by the German federal government and dedicated to supporting international research cooperation. www.avh.de
Last update: April 2014

More information
• Studying in Germany, study opportunities, scholarships: www.study-in.de/en
• Universities, study opportunities, contact addresses: www.hochschulkompass.de/en
• International Offices at universities throughout Germany: www.daad.de/aaa
• Scholarship database: www.funding-guide.de
• International programmes: www.daad.de/international-programmes
• Summer courses (preparatory language and specialist courses): www.daad.de/sommerkurse
• Social, financial and organisational aspects: www.international-students.de/en

Summary
• 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