WHY GERMANY?

Germany has been one of the frontrunners in setting benchmarks for technological advancements for the better part of the last century. Germany lays a key focus on research and education. The speed with which Germany has set itself up as a superpower on the world stage after the destruction of World War 2, is a testament to their unwavering resolve and technical prowess.

Germany has been able to build its knowledge base through the educational values it imparts to its people. Historically, Germany ranks 3rd on the list of countries with the most Nobel laureates, out of which, 56 are from the University of Heidelberg alone. Germany boasts of several renowned universities, many of which regularly feature in the Top 100 of world university ranking. Take for instance the Technical University of Munich (world university ranking – 25th in Technology and 20th in Natural Sciences) or the RWTH Aachen University (world university ranking – 31st in Technology and 36th in Natural Sciences), both of which come under the fold of the prestigious TU-9.

These universities have been able to reach such lofty heights, primarily through a wonderfully structured and publicly funded education program. The latter means that students, both domestic and international, can pursue their MS at public universities in Germany, for 0 or extremely nominal tuition fees. Also, most of the courses in high demand at top universities in Germany are taught in English, making Germany one of the most promising destinations for non-German speaking students both from the European Union as well as overseas students. After the completion of the Master’s program, students are allowed to stay back in the country for up to 18 months and search for jobs. It is quite easy for graduates to find employment, as the demand for skilled individuals is quite high in fields related to engineering, medicine, and Information Technology.

TOP GERMAN UNIVERSITIES FOR PURSUING MASTERS IN GERMANY

1) TU Munich

TU Munich is ranked 1st in Germany and 61st in the World. TU Munich is one of the most research-focused universities in Germany and Europe. In terms of research output, Germany ranks 4th in all of Europe as the most innovative university.

TU Munich

TU Munich – Courses & Admissions Details

Check out the Definitive Guide for IELTS Here

2) LMU Munich

LMU Munich is the largest university in Germany. There are approximately 44,000 students engaged in various courses. Historically, LMU is one of the most successful universities in the world with 42 Nobel laureates affiliated to it, which includes stalwarts like Max Planck, William Rontgen and Werner Heisenberg. LMU ranks 2nd in Germany and 62nd in the world.

LMU Munich – Universities in Germany

LMU Munich – Courses & Admissions Details

3) Heidelberg University

Located in Baden-Württemberg, Heidelberg University is the oldest surviving university in the world. It is also Germany’s second largest university by size, with 32,000 students enrolled here. It is home to a rich academic background and boasts 56 Nobel laureates affiliation, the most of any German educational institution. Heidelberg university ranks 3rd and 64th in Germany and the world, respectively.

Heidelberg University – Universities in Germany

Heidelberg University – Courses & Admissions Details

4) Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

KIT is one of the largest universities in Germany formed from the merger of Karlsruhe University and Karlsruhe Research Center in 2009. It is ranked 6th in Europe in terms of citation impact of published research. It ranks at 116 in the world university ranking. It is home to many well-known inventors and entrepreneurs such as Heinrich Hertz and Karl Friedrich Benz.

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology – Universities in Germany

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology – Courses & Admissions Details

5) RWTH Aachen

RWTH Aachen University is ranked 6th overall within Germany and 144th overall in the World. It ranks 31st among the best engineering colleges in the world (12th in Mechanical engineering). Apart from Mechanical, RWTH has one of the best faculties in Germany in chemical and electrical engineering. RWTH Aachen maintains very close links to industry, setting itself apart from other German universities through its strong alumni network. One in five board members of German companies such as Volkswagen, Daimler, Allianz, BMW, etc., are from RWTH Aachen.

RWTH Aachen – Universities in Germany

RWTH Aachen – Courses & Admissions Details

Other notable institutions

The SRH University Heidelberg, located in the evergreen forests of Baden Württemberg, is another top university in Germany. A 91Èȱ¬ score of around 300, an IELTS score of 7 and GPA above 8 (or 2.5 out of 4) would be enough to secure a seat here.

A similar score would be enough for other universities in Baden Württemberg like Deggendorf Institute of Technology, Technical University Ilmenau, University of Siegen. For the more management inclined students, an admit in MS in Technical Management in University of Applied Sciences Emden / Leer would require the candidate to have a GPA of 7 and IELTS score of 7. However, students should still strive to get a better score than the minimum mentioned here as the rejection rates are higher in Germany than in the USA.

WORKING WHILE STUDYING IN GERMANY

International, non-EU students, can work during their studies for 120 days or 240 days as half days as a way of supporting themselves. However, this does not include the work done as a teaching or research assistant. In such a case, the Alien Registration Office must be notified of such an arrangement. Students can earn as much as 450 euro per month, which is not tax deductible. Any amount over the limit will result in automatic tax deduction from the salary.

Internships, paid or unpaid, are counted as work and are deducted from the 120 days limit. Courses requiring mandatory internships are not counted as working days. Further, non-EU students are not allowed to work in a freelance capacity.

WORK AFTER STUDY PROGRAM IN GERMANY

The work after study program is unique and accommodating, and helps a student with the German student visa extension process so that students can continue their search for jobs. After graduating, students can seek an extension of 18 months to continue the search for jobs. The extension in the residence permit will be granted provided that the seeker has a passport, degree obtained from a German university, health insurance and proof of financial support. The 18 months period starts as soon as the course is complete. Thus, it is advisable to start searching for jobs from third semester onwards.

If the student has returned home after graduation, he/she can apply for a Jobseeker visa which allows the student to apply for work in the related field of graduation. The student can apply for this visa from the nearest German embassy.

DAAD FELLOWSHIP

The expense associated with completing an MS in Germany involves a lot of additional expenses, even when the tuition fees are waived. In the absence of funding, a student will have to shell out at least Rs. 14,00,000 for the entire duration of his stay in Germany. Financial support in the form of a monthly stipend or a research fellowship over a specified period of stay relieves a lot of stress from prospective students. The DAAD or Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (German Academic Exchange Service) is one of the major contributors supporting research efforts of around 2 million scholars in Germany ever since its conception in 1925. DAAD is at the forefront of Germany’s effort of internationalization of universities in Germany. Just having good grades in academics is often not enough to secure funding from DAAD. Universities in Germany usually look for a well-rounded individual who has been civically engaged. Further, DAAD has certain target groups, e.g., grants may be awarded according to the person’s social and familial background. The fellowship involves covering the cost for a certain period of the applicants’ studies. Funding for the entire duration of the study is only awarded under exceptional circumstances. The rate of approval of scholarship is quite high. About a third of all applicants can secure some other form of funding from DAAD.

GERMANY VS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A cost comparison:

The biggest advantage of pursuing an MS in Germany over other popular destinations such as the USA would be the relatively less financial pressure on the prospective student. Being a publicly funded institution, the tuition fees at top universities in Germany are very low. Consider the case of two universities with similar worldwide rankings – RWTH Aachen in Germany (31st rank) and Cornell University in the USA (28th rank). For graduate research degrees, the average tuition at Cornell University would cost Rs. 42,00,000 ($29,500 [4]) while there are no tuition fees at RWTH Aachen, even for international students! Now, compare the cost of living in either of the two places. In Aachen, the total cost including accommodation, food, health insurance, university fees, books, etc. is Rs. 62,000 per month. In Ithaca, the living cost without accommodation is Rs. 52,000 per month [6]. Thus, over the entire course of a Master’s degree, an average student at Cornell will have to spend a whopping Rs. 40 lakhs more (excluding accommodation) than what a student would have to spend at Aachen while studying at an institution of comparable metrics.

Alone in a foreign land:

The foremost thought that comes to our mind when it comes to education in Germany is the language barrier. However, on a closer look, the barrier seems like a mental block on our parts. A recent report from German government estimates that there are about 1.1 lakh people of Indian descent residing in Germany [1]. Out of which about 70,000 hold the German passport. Since 2008, the number of students pursuing their higher education in German universities has increased almost five folds. Every major city in Germany now has a large diaspora of people of Indian descent. A special mention must be made of the Indian cuisine which is held in adoration almost throughout Europe, and Indian restaurants are quite easily found in most German cities.

The German foreign population has been steadily increasing and is at an all-time high. As a result, there is a huge cultural influence from around the world in major cities like Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, etc. Further, there are many multinational companies in Germany meaning that the majority of work is done in English. Similarly, Universities in Germany have policies for internationalization for attracting bright people from around the world. And that means offering major courses in English. Of course, most of the legal work is done in German, e.g., rental agreements and legal documents. ÌýHowever, there are many experts to help students out with translation. So, knowing German is not a necessity for job applicants, but is still recommended.

MS in the USA vs. Germany – The Final Verdict

Germany offers a lot of social safety nets in the form of little to no tuition fee, relaxed work and academic environment, relatively easy visa procedure, and considerate work after study programs. However, the acceptance rates in Germany are quite low, as are the number of universities on offer. As things stand, the USA remains the better option. This is primarily because significant number of universities in top 100 of the world are from the USA, along with more job opportunities for graduates with it being the world’s largest economy.
Moreover, when it comes to language, even though English is understood widely in Germany, some universities and workplaces require applicants to have at least a working knowledge of German, whereas in the USA, English is all you need.

In any case, it is very important to be fully aware of one’s prospects and long-term aspirations before selecting a university and country for your MS abroad. Germany can indeed be a great place to study abroad on a budget, with high-quality education and post-study work opportunities, but then again, a master’s degree from one of the Top US universities is a lifetime asset, is recognized all over the world, and can really open up opportunities around the globe.

All the best!

The post Top universities in Germany – Ultimate Guide for Study in Germany appeared first on 91Èȱ¬ Blog.

Firstly, let us address the ‘apply early’ dictum.

As it is with all things, it is always wise to plan your application process early. It helps to get your documents ready in time and to apply a little before the deadline. This helps gain time to tackle any eventualities and keep your mind tension-free. There are quite a few steps that go into this process, starting from your 91Èȱ¬/TOEFL/IELTS/GMAT preparations to filing your online application. This is why it is recommended to get going early.

Further, a few universities have a scholarship or financial deadline, which usually falls around mid-November or December. Understandably, many of us would want to target that deadline and so we prepare early.

But here are a few revelations that are hidden between these lines.

Did you know?

• ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýOnly a few top universities have their deadlines in the period of November–December
• ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýYou can try for scholarships and financial aid even after you get admitted into the university
• ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýThere are universities that have ‘rolling admissions’
• ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýThere are many known universities in the US with deadlines in the period from January to March
• ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýSome universities in the US have their deadlines in the month of June too
• ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýEarly deadlines do not mean early decisions! ÌýÌý
• ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýThe final deadline for some coveted universities are yet to pass

So, the good news is: You don’t have to wait for Spring’19 or Fall’19 to get going! You can start today. But first, you need to shatter the myth that only the bottom-tier universities have late deadlines in the months ahead.

Have a look at this table to review some options that are still on the table:

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Excited to apply to these universities and more?
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What you see above are just a few popular options that are available. There are many more options still out there that could be suitable for your profile. So let us chalk out a plan to make the most of this admission season.

How Can You Plan to Meet These Late Deadlines?

#1: Ensure you give your 91Èȱ¬/GMAT and language exams soon.

January–February is a good time to do so if you want to target the deadlines from mid-February. As you can report your score free of cost to some universities at the time of such exams. Use those options wisely to save time.

#2: Apply and arrange for your transcripts, mark sheets, and degrees.ÌýÌý

Your transcripts are an official statement of marks issued by your university that have the attestation and stamp of your Controller of Examinations or Registrar. They must be in a signed and sealed envelope and it will be wise to apply and arrange for as many original copies as the number of universities you plan to apply to. These documents are different from the mark sheets you were issued when you graduated or passed each semester. You will need attested copies of your semester-wise mark sheets and degrees too. Often universities can take anywhere from a week to a month or even more to issue the transcripts. So, apply for them soon to have the documents with you in good time.

#3: Work on a master draft of your SOP.

As time is of essence, here is a hack to ensure you are well prepared for all the qualitative questions that the university application forms might ask. Prepare a strong master draft of your Statement of Purpose covering your academics, work experience, projects, achievements, career objectives, and purpose of applying for your masters. This is a time-consuming process. With this document ready, you can borrow from this to trim and form an SOP that will meet the university’s requirements (word limits and some specific essay questions).

#4: Finalize your choice of universities.

If you already have your scores with you, this could be a good starting point for your plans. You can shortlist 6–8 universities that suit your profile and background after studying their courses, deadlines, admission requirements, and past admit trends. This requires extensive research as the options are many. It is not just a question of choosing based on ranks, you also need to look for options where you have a good chance of making a cut.

Apart from self-research, it will help to speak to your seniors, well-wishers, and relatives abroad. There are also dedicated groups and pages on social media that discuss popular universities abroad.

#5: Fill in and submit the online application form.

Once you know your options. You are done with the biggest part of your applications. The final step is to actually fill in and submit your application form. This step requires a lot of care and precision. Be sure of what you enter and review your form at least two or three times before submitting. Do check if you have uploaded the right documents. It is advisable to finish the online application process a few days before the final deadline.

#6: Report your official scores and dispatch the documents packet.Ìý

The final leg of your application process is the official score reporting and couriering your documents, such as transcripts and degree (if the university asks for them). Be sure to use the right university and/or department codes while you are reporting your scores. Another point to note is that it is advisable to mention the reference number generated after the submission of the online application on your documents packet to ensure it is added to your application file quickly. Ìý

Every step is important and needs to be completed with utmost care and precision. But some planning and hard work can surely see you through this multi-step process.

There may have been many reasons that delayed your plans or you might have just recently decided to apply abroad. Whatever be the reason, there is no need to hold back and wait for the next admission season when you have options to do them right now too!

So, it is time to get started and with a positive attitude, some hard work, and the right guidance you can definitely make it to a world-class graduate program this season itself.

Comment below and let us know if you have any questions. We’ll be happy to answer them all!

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The post Fall 2018: 10 Great Universities You Can STILL Apply to! appeared first on 91Èȱ¬ Blog.