Studying MS in Germany
If you are thinking of pursuing your higher education overseas you may not need to look any further than Germany, as it’s one of the best educational hubs out there in the world.
MS in Germany is a popular option among students all over the world. In the 2019–20 session, over 1,50,000 students applied to study MS in Germany.
There are certain eligibility criteria for MS in Germany, that one must meet to take admission in his / her chosen program. Indian students account for around 13% of the total international students in Germany.
The MS program in Germany is a one to two-year course. Several German universities are state-funded, which means tuition is free. Some universities may ask for an application fee at the beginning which ranges from EUR.35 – 75 depending on the individual university.
Apart from this, the only fee they need to pay is a semester contribution of EUR. 250-350 for a membership with the student union. Each student is given a semester ticket for the semester contribution they make, and the semester ticket holders are entitled to travel ticket-free in all the public transports operated within the state concerned.
There is only one state in Germany that charges tuition fees from foreign students to study in its public Universities, Baden-Württemberg, EU.1500/semester. Lol! This is the first state which has introduced tuition fees free education to international students in Germany, and now became the first state to re-introduce charging fees from foreign students!
Why should you prefer Germany for MS programs?
German university tops in employability. For example, the MS in automotive engineering in Germany is globally recognized and popular. The University of Munich, one of Germany’s oldest universities, ranks 18th in the computer science category and 25th in the engineering and technology category of the Times Ranking in 2020.
MS in Germany is accredited by many global rankings and is widely accepted. Those who have completed MS at a recognized university in Germany can easily find a job anywhere in the world, especially in Germany. Graduating with better communication makes it more attractive to a German employer.
There are different institutions where they can learn German as well.
Top German universities for MS programs
There are over 400 recognized universities in Germany, some of which regularly get featured on the QS World University Rankings 2021.
There are various universities where you can pursue an MS degree. The eligibility criteria and admission process vary. KCR CONSULTANTS could be one of the easiest and dependable resources for assistance and guidance.
Popular MS courses in Germany
There are a variety of courses for MS in Germany. But certain courses are globally recognized. These are some top MS programs in Germany:
- Automotive Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Robotics
- Data Science and many more…
Germany is the research hub of the world, and the universities in Germany have world-class educational infrastructure.
Eligibility criteria for MS in Germany
Before applying, the international student must know the eligibility criteria for MS in Germany in detail. Each university has different eligibility criteria, but the primary requirements remain the same.
International students must have a relevant bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
The minimum CGPA required for an MS in Germany is 7.0 (or 70% aggregate). However, some courses and intakes accept those with an aggregate of around 60% as well.
As many students from their home countries compete for limited seats, high CGPA holders – generally those with an 85% or 8.5 CGPA aggregate – are favored.The student must be able to submit proof of English and German proficiency as applicable. However, some universities do not ask for German proficiency.
For English, in some universities and or for some courses, certificates stating the bachelor’s degree studies completed in the medium of instruction of English are accepted.
The level of German proficiency must be advanced if studies start in the medium of German. It should be DSH Level II or I, TestDaf Level 2–4, or Goethe Level C1 or C2. The exact score required depends on the university criteria.
The level of English proficiency should be an IELTS band score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 90. Again, the university criteria will mention the exact score required.
The original certificate and mark sheets of the last educational qualification
A detailed CV
At Statement of Purpose
At least a letter of recommendation
A valid passport
Admission process for MS in Germany
The admission in MS in Germany can be restricted or unrestricted. The number of restricted programs is more than the unrestricted ones. For a restricted MS program, only a fixed number of students are selected. Fulfilling the eligibility criteria does not guarantee admission in a restricted program.
KCR CONSULTANTS can take care of the admission process provided authorisation is given from your side. In that case, we will be communicating with the universities on behalf of you till a decision is taken on your application.
The application deadline for the summer intake in some universities is January 15, but many other universities stop accepting applications from foreign students much before this date. July 15 is the dead end date for the winter intake but only for a few. Most of the other universities close the acceptance date by May / June.
It is always advisable to apply months in advance as the application process takes around 4–6 weeks or more.
Be careful while filling the application form, as any discrepancy in your details and the uploaded documents will lead to rejection.
Fee structure for MS in Germany
Before applying for MS in Germany, the candidate must take care of a few fees. There are the different components of the fees required for applying for MS in Germany:
- Student visa application fee
- Health insurance
- IELTS/TOEFL registration fee
- GMAT registration fee, according to the course the candidate wants to study.
- GRE registration fee, according to the course the candidate wants to study.
Most of the universities in Germany are state-funded, which means there are no tuition fees charged. You must check the fee structure before applying to a private university.
Scholarship programs for MS in Germany
If you have passed the eligibility criteria for MS in Germany, you can look out for these scholarship options. Various scholarships can cover your student expenses if you are eligible:
- DAAD scholarship: German and international students (including those from developing countries) can avail of this scholarship. This provides a little over 730 euros per month.
The Deutschlandstipendium program: Is offered by the federal government of Germany in collaboration with public and private universities. Over 2 lakh students have benefited from this scholarship. There is an option of extension of scholarships beyond the stipulated time if the student is eligible for it. This scholarship is around 300 euros per month
- The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung program: This is offered through a political foundation and is provided to both German and international students. Eligible students should have a keen interest in social or political movements and have more than average grades.
This scholarship provides up to 1000 euros per month or the total of the enrolment fees, insurance, and monthly expenses in books and other stationery. - Heinrich Boll foundation: This is offered to German and international students studying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Management) subjects, environmental science, law, journalism, art, and economics. The scholarship provides around 700 euros per month.
Job opportunities while after pursuing MS in Germany
Germany has an international student friendly law. Foreign students are entitled to work for a limited period per year while on a student resident permit. It is further explained as 120 full days or 240 half days in a year.
Germany has a minimum wages policy and every business follows it genuinely. That helps international students earn well for their work. International students get jobs easily in fast food outlets, supermarkets, and other local restaurants in the beginning.
After completion of an MS in Germany, the new graduates search for jobs related to their subject of studies. Getting a job won’t be difficult for those who are already prepared. Even in the case of more time required to search for a job, recent graduates are entitled to a job seeker visa which is valid for 18 months. This visa allows them to do any odd jobs while looking for a good job according to the guidelines.
The country is a hub for lucrative jobs and globally recognized for its R&D facilities. IT, machinery, machine tools, engineering, chemicals, electronics, shipbuilding, and textiles are the primary sectors constantly looking for talented candidates.
As per the current immigration, a job which matches with the subject of studies completed in the German university is not mandatory which helps candidates to apply for any other suitable jobs.
Some of the popular jobs are:
Engineering
- Electrical engineer
- Civil engineer
- Automobile engineer
- Biomedical engineer
- Mechanical engineer
- Software engineer
Research
- Pharma researcher
- Data analyst
- Data scientist
- Other research posts
Conclusion
Germany is recognized for its state funded universities that provide world-class education. There are various universities where a student can apply for their MS degree. There are over 400 universities and most of them are state-funded, but an international student has to pay some fees for registration and exams. There are also various scholarship programs for students who are eager to pursue an MS in Germany. After the successful completion of their degree, the student can extend the visa for 18 months and search for jobs in Germany. Needless to say, by completing an MS in Germany one also gets prepared for jobs in other countries as well.
