Is it possible to study in Germany for free? What are the top universities in Germany? How can I apply for a student visa? How can I get a scholarship to study in Germany? Can I study in English instead of German? And which requirements do I have to meet to apply successfully to a German university? You will find the answers to all these questions - and many more at the EDUBAO Portal.

Germany is known worldwide as an excellent study abroad destination. In a world comparison, Germany occupies the fourth place among the most popular countries for international students. Approximately 13 percent of all students at German universities were from abroad in 2018. There are so many reasons why international students come to study in Germany:

• Gain access to high-quality education from renowned universities
• Benefit from the almost non-existent tuition fees
• Enjoy a low cost of living throughout Germany
• Take advantage of the economic power package for your future career
• Do not miss the opportunity to travel in Europe

There are hundreds of universities in Germany that offer free or very low-fee study programs for international students. No matter whether you want to study engineering, medicine, architecture, or economics, you are in the right place in Germany. The combination of high-quality education and unique cultural experience is the very reason why young people from all over the world come to Germany.

Germany is not so expensive compared to other European countries. But if you want to study successfully abroad, you have to estimate the costs correctly and make sure that you can cover them.

On average, around 10,236 EUR per year is enough to pay not only the semester fees (150 EUR - 350 EUR) but also all the necessary living expenses such as rent and food. Germany would like to provide financial security for every international student studying in Germany, also called Proof of financial resources.

In order to obtain a study visa for Germany, you must provide proof of financial means. This serves as a guarantee that you can afford the costs of studying in Germany; you must provide proof of funds amounting to EUR 10,236. Recognized proofs include, for example, proof of parental income, an assigned amount in a blocked account or Sperrkonto in German , or proof of receipt of a recognized scholarship.

Germany will soon climb as one of the top 5 most popular study destinations with the same healthy growth of international enrollment likely to continue in the coming years. In terms of their global higher education standards, many German universities rank among the best in the world for international students studying in Germany.

These are the top 10 German universities that appear in both lists:

• Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich (LMU)
• Technical University of Munich (TUM)
• Ruprecht Karls University of Heidelberg
• Humboldt University of Berlin
• Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg
• RWTH Aachen University
• Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen
• Free University of Berlin
• Rheinische Friedrich Wilhelm University of Bonn
• University of Göttingen

Naturally, choosing the best university is critical to reaching your full potential. Going to the right university that helps you develop both professionally and personally gives you an advantage over other candidates, both when it comes to studying and launching a career in the long run.

University entrance qualification, language skills, visa - all admission requirements for studying in Germany at a glance!

Test Requirements

You can realistically assess your chances of completing your studies with the Test for Foreign Students (TestAS. The TestAS consists of three sections: the "onScreen" language test, the core test, and "subject-specific test modules".

German language skills and preparation

For most degree programs, German proficiency is a prerequisite for admission to German universities. Nevertheless, you do not have to know German if you are planning to enroll in an international degree program.

Visa application and necessary documents

As an incoming international student, you may need an entry visa for Germany, depending on where you are from and how long you expect to stay in Germany.

Proof of financial means for studying in Germany

Before starting your studies, you will need to prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself. In most cases, applicants have to prove that they have about 10,236 EUR available for one year. The easiest way is to open a German Blocked Account.

Health insurance for international students

You must have health insurance to study in Germany. The proof of your insurance is also one of the required documents when you enroll at the university and apply for a residence permit.

Applying for a German student visa isn't always an easy process. In the following section, we will give you a quick overview of the process for better preparation.

Typically, you must visit the German Embassy/Consulate in your country to apply for a student visa. Whether your application is accepted or not heavily depends on your provided information and supporting documents with the original version and two photocopies of each paper, including:

• Two completed national visa application forms
• Valid national passport
• Previous passport
• Two biometric portrait photographs taken recently
• Proof of admission into a study program, either university admission letter (Zulassungsbescheinigung) or letter of acceptance in the foundation course/propaedeutic course/preparatory German language course
• Authenticated certificates of earlier education a.k.a. the German university entrance qualification (Abitur) if you have completed a course offered by a German education provider abroad. Otherwise, recognized foreign academic qualification and academic records or transcript would make an ideal alternative
• Curriculum vitae with proofs of internship and work experiences enclosed
• Means of subsistence (Finanzierungsnachweis) to show your financial ability to cover accommodation and study expenses. There are 5 ways to prove your your financial capabilities.

Germany continues to be the driving power behind the economy of the European Union. As a world-leading economic force, Germany has a lot of career opportunities open to everyone.

If companies like BMW, Siemens, Adidas, or Bosch sound familiar to you, then you have already met the excellence of German-born global companies.

Although Germany has very specific policies for international students who work during their studies, many universities offer attractive internships and work experience which helps students acquire hands-on skills and knowledge. Moreover, Germany also offers international students with an 18-month visa extension after completion of their program if they are interested in finding work and staying in Germany permanently.

To obtain a residence permit with a validity of 18 months, you must fulfill the following requirements:

• Proof of completed studies (e.g. university degree)
• Proof of your health insurance
• Proof of sufficient financial means to cover your living costs.

We recommend that you check with your local immigration office to see what documents you need for your application. Some local aliens' registration offices also provide information about this on their official websites.