Germany is becoming a popular option for international students. With the high-quality education, cultural diversity, and primarily free education, it’s no wonder that so many internationals want to pursue their master’s degree in Germany. Germany has more top-ranked universities than any other country outside the UK or USA. And one of the significant factors is that most universities that provide a master’s degree don’t charge any tuition fees. Here, we discuss a Masters Guide For Germany.
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This guide provides detailed information on Masters study in Germany.
Reasons to consider Germany for your Masters in Germany:
Firstly, choosing Germany for further education is that it is the only country that doesn’t charge tuition fees. Around 13% of the students at German universities come from abroad. The government also offers excellent post-study work opportunities.
Secondly, Germany has more top-ranked universities than any European country besides the UK – and its degrees rank on the global level.
Thirdly it is the most affordable country. Living costs in Germany are also modest in comparison to other European countries.
Lastly, Germany ranks high for its research institutes. These institutes carry out necessary research projects and often work in partnerships with universities, businesses and industry.
Public vs private universities
Germany divides into 16 stages, each of which is responsible for administering its public universities — most public universities funded by the government. Around 120 other institutions are private universities. They don’t receive state funding and are free to set their tuition fees. This can mean that they charge more than public universities.
Both categories of the university offer properly accredited courses and are free to develop their degree programmes. The main difference between them is the fees they charge.
German Masters Degrees
The education programme in Germany divides into three cycles: a Bachelors degree (first cycle), Masters Degree ( second cycle ) and a PhD (third cycle).
Most Masters Degrees in Germany are taught courses (postgraduate research is undertaken at the PhD level). You will complete a series of academic modules or other course components, followed by an independent dissertation or project.
Degree types
German Masters programmes usually last for two years (or two to four semesters). Most German Masters degrees award MA (Master of Arts) or MSc (Master of Science) qualifications. As postgraduate courses, German Masters degrees happen as either consecutive or non-consecutive ones.
Consecutive Masters Degrees follow directly from a closely related undergraduate degree (for example, you might study an MSc in Biochemistry after a BSc in Chemistry or Biology. These courses do not usually charge fees.
Non-consecutive Masters Degrees focuses on a different or more highly specialised subject area. Such a course may require practical or professional experience as well as an undergraduate degree. These courses are more likely to charge fees ( for example, An MBA degree). Most German Masters degrees are consecutive programmes and will require an appropriate Bachelors degree.
Most German Masters degrees are organised into separate units of study. Depending on your course, you might learn through lectures, small-group seminars, practical workshops, fieldwork or directed independent study. For example, an academic programme at a Research University will probably involve many core lectures and seminars, supported by practical work in a laboratory or independent study and reading.
Fees and funding
Public universities charge no tuition fees to students, regardless of nationality. This means you can study for a Masters in Germany for free, whether you are a German or non – German student. However, if you go to a private university, then they will charge fees.
Germany also offers generous financial support to help cover student living costs, with need-based and merit-based aid available from the German government.
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Application process
Germany is known for its high quality of education system and the research-based knowledge provided by its universities. However, the German admissions process is fair and welcomes genuine international students.
There is no centralised portal for postgraduate applications. Instead, students usually find a course they are interested in and then apply directly to that university. Universities set their deadlines. Ensure you keep on checking the universities portal and using it at least two months before the deadline. However, Some universities in Germany will charge a fee for processing your postgraduate application. This is not likely to be high – expect to pay less than €50.
Admissions requirements – Masters Guide For Germany
The main requirement for admission to a Masters in Germany is a Bachelors degree. If it’s not from a German university, it will need to be recognised by the German university you apply to.
In some cases, universities may set additional entry requirements depending on the degree you apply for. These could require:
- Details of your secondary education – Some very competitive programmes wish to detail an international student’s educational history further. This usually takes the form of a ‘school-leaving certificate’.
- An interview – German universities may want to discuss your application and experience.
- Entry tests – Competitive (or specialised) programmes may ask you to take an additional entrance exam or postgraduate admissions test. This can be used in professional subjects to check your existing training. Business schools and MBA programmes are also likely to require a score from recognised tests such as the GMAT or GRE.
Language requirements
Most German Masters degrees are taught in English, making them more accessible to international students. However, you may need to provide a language test score to study in Germany if neither English nor German is your first language, but this will depend on your course:
Programmes in English will not require proficiency in German. However, non-native English speakers may still be required to take an English language test either the scores of TOEFL / IELTS will be considered (exceptions will usually be made if you have completed an undergraduate degree or another course in English).
Programmes in German will usually require international applicants to sit a recognised German language test. Furthermore, some courses may allow applicants to take further German language training before they commence their degree (or do so during the early stages of their Masters).
However, it’s still worth learning basic German. Most universities offer language courses in parallel to their degree programmes. We hope this Masters Guide For Germany helped you.
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Important FAQs
1. Which is the most required profession after Masters in Germany?
Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Automotive Engineering, and Chemical Engineering are required after courses of Masters in German universities.
2. Is there a Masters degree in Germany?
Germany is one of the popular study destinations for MS (masters) aspirants. MS in Germany is usually a one to a two-year degree (2-4 semesters). There is no tuition fee for pursuing masters in Germany, as most German Universities are state-funded.