Germany is one of the most attractive study destinations for international students. Despite this, there is always a concern due to the language barrier. Even though the official language of Germany is German, there is still a good number of English-taught universities for students looking to benefit from free education in the country.
It is common every year for students to seek out countries that offer tuition-free education, and there is no shortage of that. There are even some countries that charge almost next to nothing which gives every student, especially from developing countries, a chance to acquire quality education.
In this article, we will provide you with all answers to your most salient questions about Studying in Germany for free.
What to consider before applying to any Germany University
1. Language
Language barriers can be an issue since over 90% of the population in Germany speak German. People are more confident in the official language which implies that you might need to learn the language. Of course, many schools do teach in English but outside the classroom, things might be different.
However, the majority of Germans can still understand and speak English. On the brighter side, this presents you with a chance to acquire another language aside from your country’s official language. This can be easily achievable as the more you bond with the locals, the more you understand.
2. Documentation & Requirements
The requirements needed to apply for admission can be different from one another. Before you begin, you will want to go to the school website and go through the requirements for your chosen programme. Making sure they are ready before applying will make the process seamless.
Instead of photocopies, it is recommended that you use the original copies. By that, we imply that you scan the copies which you can attach or upload to whatever medium you are to use. You should only photocopy if you are sending through a carrier like a post office.
The documents normally requested are your educational history, previously obtained certificate, Higher school entrance examination, and TOEFL or IELTS certificate when necessary.
3. Choosing the right university
The purpose of this article is to provide a list of schools where you can have your higher education taught in English. Fortunately, there are many but the main point will be to find a school that offers your programme and is also situated in a location you love to reside.
4. Travel document
All international students will need to complete the necessary paperwork. Getting admitted to any of your chosen Germany tuition-free schools is one thing, the other is procuring the necessary travel document including a Passport, Visa, and other Valid IDs. Additionally, your travel ticket to make your journey.
5. The Procedure
When applying for admission, you are to take almost the same measure as when preparing a scholarship application. Since instructions may differ, you will need to make a small investigation on the procedures you are to take. This is usually made available on the university website.
On the website, the requirements, deadline, accommodations, and other information you can peruse are there. It is important to carefully follow the instructions to avoid missing out. Thousands of students do apply every year, you will not want even the smallest thing to sieve your application out.
6. Day-to-day expenses
Another thing to keep in mind is how to take care of your living expenses. After you may have sorted out the school administrative fees, the day-to-day expenses are also very important. The cost of living in Germany can be a bit high, you will need at least 700 euro to see out a month which may also rise depending on your spending habits. If you are living very far from the school, this may also increase.
To curtail this financial load, you are allowed to work 20 hours a week during your studies and full-time during breaks.
Steps to apply to the Free Tuition Germany University
The correct steps to take when applying for admission are as important as knowing the school you want to study and graduate from. Before we provide you with the list, below contains the steps to take when applying for a program in Germany Schools that offers free education to both domestic and international students:
1. Decide on the course to study
Choosing the right programme is the most important decision to make. This is where most students always get it so wrong. You will need to go for a programme suited to your strength and also consider the volume of opportunities open for the course.
This is not a decision that needs to be taken quickly. You may need days or even weeks if you have not thought about it before. For instance, if you are good with problem-solving and calculation, a career in the social science field is one of the programs that you can consider.
Students need to go for courses that they are going to be passionate about. In other words, play by your skill and things will fall into place.
2. Filter and research
As an international student, Germany is probably an unfamiliar place to you. What do you know about the University, the location where the school is situated, the residents of that area, the cost of living there, transportation, and accommodation?
The research is all down to you. Fortunately, you can easily do your mini research on the internet. There are Quora, forums, and several other sources to provide you with the knowledge gap. But first, you will need to highlight 5 or more universities and their respective locations. These will give you the data to work on.
3. The school requirements
Determining if you have met the requirements is another. No school will downgrade their standard just to accommodate you. Remember, there are thousands of students applying every year. Meeting the requirements will further aid your cause.
Checking the school requirements early will also afford you the chance to know what you might need for the programme. And if it is not ready, how to get everything in place before the application is opened for potential students?
4. Know a bit of German if possible
Even if you will be studying in an English-taught university, you can’t completely avoid the language that the majority of the population is used to.
A good rapport entails being able to communicate and share ideas. For this, understanding a bit won’t be a bad idea. You can take a language lesson to learn the language or download a language learning app and learn on the go. There are also several websites such as Duolingo and Memrise where you can learn German for free.
This will ease your schooling and also help you connect within and outside the class. This may also reflect positively in your studies.
5. Ready your fund
It is tuition that is free, not other expenses including your living expenses and accommodation. You will need to make plans by identifying who will bankroll you or how to get the funds needed to make plans.
If you are coming from a developing country or Non-EU/EEA, it is even important to ensure you have solid backing as the rate of exchange may not be as friendly as others coming to study from European countries.
The cost of a passport, visa, ticket, accommodation, and cost of living are among the things to make plans for. Although you will be able to work part-time or full-time to earn some money, you still need financial means to help you live and study comfortably in the country.
6. Apply for Admission
Admission has been made easy now with the emergence of the Internet. Before now, it used to be done manually but almost every phase can now be completed online. Still, international students will need to find out how it is done to avoid surprises.
The school will normally provide the procedures that students are to follow. If you are in doubt, you can always use the “Contact Us” or “Help” page of the school website to reach out to them on how to apply.
All international students should also check the deadline to avoid missing out. Applications can take a lot of time, so you will want to work on it as quickly as possible while also bearing in mind the deadline. Most importantly, ensure you meet all the requirements.
Tuition-free germany universities taught the English Language
- Leibniz Universitat Hannover.
- Technical University of Munchen.
- University of Applied Sciences Wurzburg Schweinfurt.
- University of Bonn.
- SRH University of Heidelberg.
- University of Hamburg.
- Hamburg University of Technology.
- TU Darmstadt.
- University of Munster.
- FAU Erlangen Nurnberg.
- University of Cologne.
- Ludwig Maximilians University Munich.
- Goethe University Frankfurt.
- University of Würzburg.
- University of Duisburg-Essen.
- Ruhr University Bochum.
- RWTH Aachen University.
- University of Erfurt.
- HTW Berlin.
Note: Under various faculties, some programs or master courses are taught either in German or English. Most universities usually provide a list of departments that offer English language courses. If you are unable to find it, you should get in touch with the school and make your findings.
Are all Universities in Germany tuition-free?
Students from EU and Non-EU can study for free in Germany but not in every school. It is only public universities in Germany that offer free education. Public universities are owned and managed by the state which is why it is made free for all.
Private universities are not free. Students applying to any of them will pay for their education. The fee is usually the same as that of European countries.
Nevertheless, there are still some public universities that charge tuition fees from Students from Non-EU/EEA, they are public universities in the state of Baden-Württemberg in Southwest Germany. The fee is usually very low, €1500 per semester. In total, you pay €3,000 per academic session.
Can I work in Germany on a Student Visa?
Students are free to work alongside their studies with a student visa. International students from other countries are allowed to work 120 full days or 240 half days per year. This means 20 hours a week and 40 hours during holidays without the need to get approval from the German Employment Agency.
Can I stay in Germany after I graduate from university?
International Students are allowed to stay and look for jobs after completing their studies in Germany. This is applicable to all Students from non-EU and non-EEA but they will need to apply for an 18-month residence permit.
To get the residence permit, you must meet the following requirements:
- Proof of being able to earn a living in the Country.
- Evidence of completed studies.
- Evidence of health insurance cover.
With this free education offered, how is the quality of Education in Germany?
It is understandable to be a bit doubtful considering the Free education programme orchestrated by the German Government. Still, just because the Government believes that Everyone has the right to be educated does not mean that education is poor in the Country. In fact, Germany is among the best study destinations to get quality education.
It is well organized and designed to bring up Students up to speed irrespective of their learning patterns and speed. They also have strict standards which students are expected to meet. Most importantly, a degree earned at the end of your program will be treated with respect in any country or establishment.
Do I need an entrance exam to enter University in Germany?
Some universities do not request an entrance examination into universities in Germany. However, there may be an exception at times which will largely depend on the schools and programs you want to study. It is very important to check with the school to confirm if it is needed.
The common exams to test language proficiency are usually TOEFL and IELTS. For any German taught programme, this could be TestDaF or Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH). You will be advised accordingly in the guide provided by the school.
