German universities are among the most popular in the world. One reason for this is the low costs for students, but also the many opportunities Germany offers. Our reporter Hannah Hummel came here herself on a study program – so she decided to take a deeper look at what studying in Germany is like. How's life as a student here? How much money do you actually need? What are the highs and lows? And what on Earth is an 'Ersti'???
00:00 Intro
00:22 Uni 101
01:54 Deep Dive: Tips for international students
03:03 Ein bisschen Deutsch
03:44 Very Brief History
04:22 Inside Stories: What is student life in Germany like?
05:27 Outro
#Studying #Germany #University
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CREDITS
Report: Hannah Hummel, Shaheen Welling
Camera & Edit: Neven Hillebrands
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Excuse me? Yes? Hi, I am enrolling today. Can you
let me know how much I owe you? Nothing, it's free. Mind blown?
Me too! In Germany, university education
is almost completely free! So it's no wonder that it’s one of the
popular countries in the world to study in. Here are a few things that I bet you
didn't know about studying in Germany. The most important thing you need to
know about studying in Germany is that there are no education fees at public
unis, even for international students.
There are some small semester fees
that are around 200-400 Euros, but these go towards things like your
public transport and the student unions. Germany is home to over 400
colleges and universities. Universities emphasize the
academic, while colleges or polytechnics focus on practical skills.
But the degrees have equal standing. A bachelor's program in Germany usually
takes six semesters or three years. But many students take eight semesters to finish. It's generally no problem
if it take
s a bit longer. There are almost half a million foreign
students in Germany, most of which study in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia
which has the most students in general. International students receive a lot of
support here for things like scholarships, counseling, initial steps and settling in. Germans also like to study abroad.
The number of students doing Erasmus is on the rise – that's an EU
program that enables students to study abroad for a year or a semester.
And there is even a
financial incentive as you get paid to do it. I also did
an Erasmus, right here in Berlin! Studying itself might be free, but the
average cost of living is around 1000 euros a month – depending on where you live.
This covers things like rent, groceries, textbooks and socialising.
So most students have a part-time job to help cover these costs.
What’s it like in your country? Now, I'm heading to the Student Service
Organization - like the student union. It's important for students in Germany.
There, I'm meeting Jana Judisch. She's the contact person for everyone's
questions about the university. As education is considered a public good, caring
for students also is considered a public good. So that's why we exist here in Germany. And we are basically responsible for
all that isn’t research or education. We do the housing, the meals,
the canteens, the consultation. Do you have any tips for international students? When you get your enrollment, it
doesn't mean you have accommodation
. Most do not know that and they come here. I get often emails like 'Next week I'm
coming and please show me my room.' And then we have to tell them:
'No, there is no room for you. You are one and a half years too late.
Please look on the free market.' Most students live in shared flats. However, these are getting
more and more expensive. Munich and Stuttgart are the most
expensive cities so study in, followed by Berlin whereas cities in what used
to be East Germany are considerably cheaper.
Okay, schools and session.
Time for some German vocab. Being fluent in German isn’t
necessarily a requirement, as there are specialized English courses or
you can often write your papers in English. However, most universities’
first language is German, so here are three essential
words to help you get started. Hörsaal: this directly translates to listening
room, but it is basically a lecture hall. Mensa: this is the school canteen
where students get their lunch. And Ersti: freshers! Stude
nts
in their first semester. Looking back: Germany's oldest
university is in Heidelberg. Students have been attending
class there since 1386. Students in Cologne and Erfurt
started studying soon after. The first university in Europe wasn't
founded in Germany but in Bologna, Italy, where classes have been
held for nearly a thousand years. Higher education was once a male domain.
Whilst the first woman to attend class was in mid-19th century Switzerland, Johanna Kappes
was the first German
woman student in 1900. Currently, slightly more women are
enrolled at German universities than men. I'd like to hear a little about
what university life is like from two students in Berlin - members of
the AStA General Students' Committee. What does student life in
general look like for you? Do you have a part-time job,
do you go out partying a lot? Most of the students have
part-time jobs, just like me. It’s like a balance, it’s not always
easy, especially during exams. I have a lot of f
un with the thing I study
so I don’t feel a lot of pressure from that. We do drink a lot of beer.
You do not have to do it and you shouldn’t feel pressured to do it
but it is a good way to meet new people. And the Späti, you have to get to know the Späti. Späti in Berlin, yeah. It is a kiosk.
Some Spätis have like DJs and music. And how do you meet people? The stereotype that Germans can be quite cold, maybe rings true to some international students.
But I think if you just approach us openly
, we don't bite and we are actually
quite nice, but we are a bit shy. Enough education for today. Personally, I loved studying in Germany.
So much so that I decided to move here permanently!
The fact that it’s free is obviously a major benefit, but there are also great programs
on offer and a lot of support for students. So now that you've had a flavor of
what it's like to study in Germany, would you study here?
Let us know in the comments!
Comments
Additional info: Non-EU/EEA international students must prove they have €11,208 to cover living expenses when applying for a visa to study in Germany.
As a foreigner who actually studied in Germany, I would say this report is sugar-coated. Expect more chaos and less support than this video suggests. If you have no other financial support than what you earn from jobs, expect your studies to last longer. Information about requirements was inaccurate and contradictory in my time, and as I hear from students today, functional websites and good communication are not the forte of German universities. If you get quality instructors, count yourself lucky. You will have to overcome a language handicap. About the last point: If you have no interest in learning the German language and culture, and are only looking for cheap higher education, you will probably throw in the towel at some point. Don't let me discourage you, but don't rely on the rose-colored lense of this video either.
I think it is important to clarify that those fees students pay at the beginning of the semester could be higher for international students, depending on the program/university. Do check all the requirements and costs associated with every program in every state when applying from abroad. Also, as a foreigner you may or may not be allowed to have an additional job depending on the specifics of your visa/resident permit. This will depend on many things, the type program, whether or not you have a scholarship, the type of scholarship, etc. Reach out to other international students or associations from the place you intend to go to and ask. Or check well in advance with admissions.
Education one of the principal pilars to build a first world country!! I admire Germany!
It's probably also worth mentioning that many programmes have a cap on the number of students able to begin studying in any given year, and as a result there is the Numerus Clausus system which awards points to those who have higher marks, speak German or come from certain backgrounds. That's why there are many German students who study in Austria instead. I plan on applying to unis in both countries for my master's programme - and not just because I absolutely adore Vienna!
Hey guys, the first "German" university is actually in Prague 😉 although it's nowadays in the Czech Republic, culturally it was a German institution 😊
Would really like to see the research on the "lots of support, even for international students." Ive worked in the german uni system for 6 years, and no one has ever said anything remotely similar.
Despite the low cost of education, it's a double-edged sword when you have to show a bank account with 11K euros to get a student visa and renew every year with the same amount even with scholarships. Especially considering conversion rates coming from countries in South East Asia. I come from an upper middle class family despite that it will still be too costly to study in Germany than being enrolled in a top private university in my country with rent and daily expenses. It's easier if you're coming from an EU country or maybe places like Australia and Japan because their wages is at par with Euros. Though, I do love travelling in Germany, we decided to visit again this summer, and I can't wait.
Great video, well done Hanna and DW. I'm Brazilian, have 3 kids, and 2 had their higher education in Germany. They currently live in Germany. One important information for non-German students: you must complete the Studienkollege before applying for University or College. It is a one year program to level basic knowledge of your chosen field (Technical, Arts, Human Sciences or Medical related courses) and command of Germany as a foreign language. It is the equivalent of the Abitur that German students have to do (an extra year after High School) to get into Universities or Colleges. Many Universities offer the Studienkollege, and with you final exam grades you then apply for University or College. Great country, lots of opportunities!
Great intro to study in Germany Hannah!
Thanks for revealing this huge secrets. Germany is not always been sold out to international students like UK, US, Canada etc. But I will work on getting some Profs in Germany for my post graduate.
I feel this separation of "vocations" (research-focused vs trade-focused) in the German higher education is much more transparent and well known than in my country. I see so many people frustrated in my country (Brazil) dealing with university while they would be happier in a polytechnic institution. It's curious because while talking to a lot of people i get the impression most don't know the actual differences between a polytechnic and an university. Historically attending a federal university is a big reason for pride and people give a lot of respect, so many students end up neglecting the other options.
Thanks for sharing a good info. I have deserved to study Chemical Engineering abroad, and looked for where to go for a long time.
I love how all the shots were filmed at the HU - with exception of the Mensa. As a TU Alum I can admit that we've got the less photogenic campus, but our Mensa is top notch :D
Loving this series
nicely made visually too .. Thank u all very much
I've been studying in Japanese uni for nearly four years. I'm actually planning to study in Germany for my graduate degree. As a mixed Japanese, I hope there are Little Tokyos or the like in the country hehe
Great details about studying in Germany. Would be worth to also mention the Hochschulsport.
DW Gracias for sharing! and thanks Germany for sharing the knowledge.
Her Accent really satisfying, professional speaker.