Study in Germany for Free for Indian Students – Expert Guide

Germany is turning out to be the perfect destination for Indian students looking for quality education without breaking the bank. With its famed public universities, inexpensive living arrangements, and high emphasis on research, Germany presents a sure bet for gaining world-class education-often without paying a rupee. With the access to tuition-free education, it’s easier than ever to study in Germany for free for Indian students looking to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Not so surprising, really. Germany has a strong education system; top-class universities around the world; and has always been oriented toward innovation. Start from course selection to scholarship application, and you shall receive everything you need in this exhaustive guide to studying free of cost in Germany. Successcribe, the most trusted Study Abroad Consultancy in India will go through how Indian students can take advantage of free tuition education, understand eligibility criteria, and scholarships for studying in Germany.

Why Study in Germany 

The global reputation of education in Germany is really high, especially concerning academic fields such as engineering, IT, medicine, and management. Many Indian students are attracted by the opportunity to study in Germany for free, thanks to the tuition-free education offered by public universities. Here are some major reasons why studying in Germany attracts Indian students immensely: 

• Tuition-Free Public Universities –  Most public universities in Germany do not take any tuition fees for undergraduate or postgraduate studies, and therefore are quite accessible.
• Program Taught in a Foreign Language – The offer of a range of programs taught in English means lower language barriers. 
• Intensively Engaged in Research and Innovation – Germany focuses more on research and provides a facility and support to innovate at the most advanced facilities.
• Good Chances of Employment – It is experienced that students graduating from a German university enjoy high employment chances all over the world. 
• Cultural Life – International students who are coming to Germany would be able to live in Europe, its history and way of life.

How to Study for free in Germany   

Indian students have many choices to carry on higher education in Germany free of cost. Here are the step-by-step guidelines on how to benefit from free education in Germany:

Choose Public Universities    

Since more than 300 public universities exist in Germany, which accounts for about 95% of institutions providing higher education, most of them are highly accessible with little to no tuition fees at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The option to study in Germany for free for Indian students has made the country one of the most popular study destinations for those seeking quality education on a budget. However, an average administrative fee ranging from €100 to €350 is required per semester on average, usually covering public transportation, among other forms of student service. 

Some of the popular universities with zero tuition fees are:   

• Technical University of Munich (TUM) 
• University of Freiburg 
• Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich)
• Humboldt University of Berlin 
• University of Heidelberg

Check Eligibility Criteria   

The eligibility criteria for every university in Germany is differ, but general criteria to pursue higher education in Germany for Indian students are as follows:     

• Academic Qualification – 

Students should have passed 12 years of schooling for undergraduate studies in India. Most students will take an additional foundation course (Studienkolleg) and pass the Feststellungsprüfung test prior to the main course.

For Postgraduate studies, a bachelor’s degree from a reputable university is required.

• Language Proficiency – 

Mostly, courses offered in Germany will be in English, particularly master courses. For the English courses, the results of language proficiency test in English should be submitted to show the necessary level of proficiency in the English language, at least in IELTS (6.5) or in TOEFL (90), whereas for the German courses, TestDaf and DSH proficiency certificate has to be submitted.

• Some programs, such as technical and medical courses, may require entrance exams like the GRE for engineering courses or GMAT for business courses from Indian students. 

Apply for Scholarships    

Although education is free in public universities, living costs can be pretty high. To assist students, Germany offers various scholarships. Indian students can apply for these scholarships too to further alleviate their financial burden. The initiative to study in Germany for free for Indian students ensures that students from India can pursue their academic dreams without financial constraints. 

Some scholarships on offer are: 

• DAAD Scholarships – DAAD is one of the largest scholarship-granting organizations that offer different scholarships to international students, including Indian ones.   
• Deutschlandstipendium – This is a merit based scholarship, and it financially supports highly talented students from any nation.
• Erasmus+ –  European Union funding is also available in the form of scholarships, which help pay for students’ studies when they spend all or part of their education within Germany within the ambit of the Erasmus+ program.
• Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships – It addresses students who will pursue a master’s or Ph.D. program in Germany, targeting students with high academic performance and good social engagement.

Language Competence: Study in English 

Many German universities are offering courses entirely in the English language. It is very helpful to Indian students who would not be familiar with the local German language. Thus, they could easily follow the course in Germany without speaking the local language. The most popular fields, where programs are taught exclusively in English include:

• Computer Science 
• Mechanical Engineering
• International Business
• Environment Science 
• Data Science 

Some leading universities teaching through the English medium are as follows: 

• University of Bonn
• Technical University of Berlin 
• RWTH Aachen University 
• University of Stuttgart

Cost for Indian Students in Germany   

Though German Public universities are exempted from paying tuition fees, Indian Sr=tudents still need to cover their living expenses. By choosing to study in Germany for free for Indian students, you not only gain an international degree but also benefit from an affordable cost of living. These come to around an average of €850 to €1,200 per month for any student. These living costs include accommodation, food, transports, health insurance, and everything else. Here below is a rough presentation of typical month expenses:

Student Employment Options   

Indian students can work part time while studying to help control the living costs. The students in Germany are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full time during the time of semester breaks. Most part time jobs are: 

• Students assistant at college
• Retail Work
• Tutoring
• Internship
• Research Assistant 

Earning between €9 to €15 per hour, students can make as much as €450 monthly without the charge of taxes.

Steps to Study in Germany 

The possibility to study in Germany for free for Indian students has significantly increased the number of Indian applicants to German universities. 

Here is step-by-step guide for Indian students who wish to apply for German universities: 

Research and Choose Programs  

First, research with universities and programs are suitable for your academic goals. With German Public Universities so diverse, you can find courses in nearly every field.

Check Admission Requirements 

The entry requirements vary across universities and courses. You may need to examine the education background, language proficiency, and possibly other qualifying criteria required. 

Prepare your Application 

Most courses require the following documents: 

• Academic Transcripts
• Language Proficiency Certificates
• SOP Statement of Purpose
• LOR Letter of Recommendation
• CV/Resume
• Passport Copy 

Send through Uni-Assist or University Websites

Many public universities request applications by using the international application portal- Uni-Assist. Find your university from below and determine if your chosen university requires applying via Uni-Assist or at their websites. 

Admissions Results to Await    

Once submitted, the application will take 4 to 8 weeks for an admission decision. 

Apply for Student Visa   

After admission, Indian students need to submit a German student visa. Generally, the visa application process involves: 

• Application Form for Visa – Fill in the form issued at the German Embassy or Consulate. 
• Admission Proof – An attested copy of your admission letter. 
• Proof of Financial Stability – Blocked account (Sperrkonto) worth about  €11,208 intended as the money for one year’s subsistence.
• Health Insurance – Up-to-date health insurance cover for the time spent in Germany.
• Biometric Photos – Passport-size photographs.

Make an attempt to obtain your visa at least 3 months prior to the commencement date of Semester. 

Job Opportunities in Germany once you Graduate   

Students who wish to continue staying in Germany after their Course completion can also extend the residence permit up to 18 months to seek employment. India graduates are in high demand on the job market, the most the students are employed  in jobs related to IT, engineering, health care and management.  

Indian graduates, after becoming employed, can also apply for an EU Blue Card. This enables the students to acquire long-term residence and working rights in Germany as well as in all of the European Union. 

Scholarships to Indian Students   

As mentioned before, there are particular scholarships provided for students who belong to the Indian nation, Given below are a few of them: 

• DAAD Scholarships – These scholarship awards provide specifically for Indian students studying at a master’s level in public policy, engineering, or other related developmental courses.
• Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship –  The foundation awards scholarship grants particularly to Indian students who want to pursue a master’s or PhD in Europe, which includes Germany too.
• Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships –  These apply to students undertaking joint master’s in more than one European country, including Germany.

Conclusion    

One of the great advantages that Indian students can enjoy about Germany is getting top-notch education at minimal cost. It will provide Indian students with strong foundations in studies and access to world class research facilities, and also job opportunities abroad after passing out. If one plans his/her Studies, takes advantage of scholarships, and manages living expenses, then studying in Germany can be completely free but full of a rich academic and cultural experience. If you’re looking to study in Germany for free for Indian students, there are a wide variety of programs in fields such as engineering, IT and medicine.

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