Apply for Master’s Degree in German University: Admission Process for international Students to Study Postgraduate Course in Germany

Master’s Degree course in Germany is known for many reasons. Such as Programs diversity, German Scholarship, English taught courses, very affordable study, practical training for students, excellent curriculums, best academic staff and much more.

It is easy to make up your mind about studying a master’s degree in Germany. But it is somewhat difficult for a lot of international students to apply for a master’s degree as they do not have knowledge of the application process and education system in Germany. For the ease of our readers, we have written this article to guide them about the application process of a Master’s degree in Germany.

The following are the eight steps for applying for a Master’s course in Germany.

#1. Choosing a course and University in Germany for Master’s Study.

When you think of pursuing a master’s degree at a German University, then you must find a course in which you are interested. During the initial stages, you will be having so many options. But always make sure that you decide to opt for the course you like and want to study.

Once you have selected the course of your interest, start finding the universities in Germany which are offering that course. There are so many universities in Germany that offer the masters course in English and German language. Once you select the universities offering your desired course of study then start narrowing down the universities based on some criteria. This criterion should include the university’s location, tuition fees, training sessions, quality of the study, etc.

Depending upon the criteria you will be able to come up with the shortlist of universities meeting all your demands. From this list now you can more narrow down and check the universities which best suit you and then you decide to apply to the university.

#2. Requirements Check For the Universities in Germany

So, when you decide to take a course and have also selected the university, now look for requirements of entry. You can have all the information from the university’s website.

However, be careful as there is a bulk of information on websites about entry requirements. Make sure you search for information with great care by reading genuine sections. Keep in mind that, misinformation can cause application failure. Additionally, if you are confused about some information then please email the university so that you have accurate information.

#3. Prove of Language Proficiency for Master’s Study in Germany

Universities in Germany give admissions to those international students who have a good command of English or German language. This is because the students must understand what is being taught in lectures and should be able to communicate with people on day to day basis. However, in Germany, there are many English taught masters courses that make it easy for international students to apply for a degree course. Moreover, in order to give proof of your language skills, you must have a language proficiency certificate.

However, different universities accept various levels of proficiency in language depending upon the test given and your desired course of study. For example, if you are opting for a social sciences course then you must possess the skills in the language it is being taught. Apart from this, if you are opting for a natural science course then you don’t need advanced skills in language as you will be doing more lab work and mathematical tasks.

• If your master’s course is taught in the English language and you are not from the country where the native language is not English then you have to provide a language test. Such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE. However, if you have completed your previous degree in the English language then there is no need to provide the English language certificates.
• German taught programs require you to provide the test for the German language. This test includes Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber (DSH), Test für Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaf).

However, the low scores in the tests are accepted under two conditions

• If you are learning German language courses the day you arrive in Germany.
• If you have continued taking the course of the German language during the early days of your MS degree.

On the other hand, if you want to find other opportunities in the English language then you must visit the DAAD website which is a database providing you all the information.

#4. How can i Process Application for German University Master’s Degree?

Once you have checked all the requirements of a course and have collected the documents, then it’s the time to give your application for the desired course in Germany. However, you can always submit an application online through the website account.

Universities in Germany usually use UniAssist.de. podium to accept admission applications. On this platform, you can build an account and can upload the documents in pdf format for the desired master’s course. However, keep in mind that some universities also have their personal platform on which they take online applications. Make sure you get all the information from the website about submitting the application.

#5. Do i Need to Wait for Admission letter from University in Germany?

After you submit your application wait patiently as it takes time to overview all the applications submitted by the students to the university. Usually, the universities take many weeks to respond to the application. However, sometime it may take more time than normal because it may happen that your application does not have all the information or you have some missing documents. Fortunately, universities do not give information about the processing of applications which saves many students from stress.

#6. Is Health Insurance Needed for Non-European citizens?

International people must also have German health insurance while residing in Germany. However, if you belong to some European country then you may not need health insurance in the state of Germany as you will always be having insurance under the European health insurance system. But it is not necessary, you can get also get health insurance in Germany.

Moreover, if you are an EU citizen then you should make sure that if EHIC card works for you in Germany while you apply for a master’s degree course. Apart from this, if you belong to a non-European country then you must have health insurance.

Following students and professionals traveling to Germany needs insurance:

• language students, students of Studienkolleg, Foreign exchange students.
• Exchange students from DAAD, SOKRATES, ERASMUS.
• University students
• Trainees
• Foreign students’ family members

You should start getting information about health insurance even before your admission is confirmed. Try to get the information about all the procedures of how to get health insurance and keep your all documents in place. This is because you must save your time and make it count as you have so much time after application submission.

#7. Do you need to Get financial Aid in order to support your Expenses?

According to the current legal legislation you need to have a minimum of 10,236 euros in your account for one year or 853 euros monthly to cover your living expenses in Germany. This amount is needed to be deposited into your blocked account which can later be given as proof of your financial resources. Moreover, you cannot get a student visa for studying in Germany until and unless you prove the financial resources.

However, this is understood that this amount is too much for a student. So, it’s necessary that you start saving up the money in advance, even before the application process in the universities start. According to one estimate, you need at least 4 months to collect this handsome amount of money before the application and visa process. Moreover, you can also look for other options such as student loans or scholarships.

#8. Get your visa on Time for Your Master’s Degree in Germany

Lastly, you apply for a German student visa. If you are a foreign student who belongs to a non-EEA or non-EU state, then you have to apply for a student visa in Germany.

One of the important things you need to consider is that if you have a blocked account and a sufficient amount of money is deposited in it then there are very good chances that you will get a student visa.

So, after you are done with all of the steps required for applying for a master’s degree in Germany, you should go to the German embassy in your country. Gather all the information from there about a student visa and make sure to collect all the documents before applying for a student visa. However, this should be kept in mind that visa application timing is very significant as it takes so much time to get processed. Sometimes it happens that the time may exceed the enrolment date or date of the beginning of your course in Germany.

#9. What type of Universities Offer Masters in Germany?

Germany is considered a land of opportunities and it provides a lot of opportunities for international students to commence their studies in Germany. One of the things which makes Germany an ideal country for studying is because of its low tuition fees which are affordable as compared to a lot of countries. Moreover, while studying in Germany you also get a chance to have the best quality study in the world.

The higher education system in Germany is divided into two of the following

• German Public universities

They are managed by the government. Public universities in Germany set their own:

1. degree programs
2. examinations
3. assessments
4. entry requirements.

The German government controls the following things of public universities

1. fee policy and quality control
2. funding
3. accreditation of courses, because the course should be of high standards.

• German Private universities

They are managed by different independent companies, charities, and organizations. The major difference between the private and public institutions is in the method of their findings. Private universities in Germany charge more money to students as compared to public universities. However, if your desired course is not offered in the public university then you can go to a private university otherwise public universities are the best option.

But still, you can see from stats that most of the national and international students prefer going to public institutions as they offer a wide range of courses and are affordable too. Private universities set free criteria of their own which is usually higher than a public university. Apart from being expensive the universities provide quality information and are well recognized.

#10. Types of Universities that offer Master’s Degrees in Germany

In Germany there are four different types of universities, providing quality education to international students.

• Research universities

These are the type of universities in Germany which provide great research facilities to the masters and Ph.D. students. Mostly these universities in Germany are administrated by state.

• Technical Universities

These universities are the research universities’ sub-group. The main focus of these universities is on technology, science, and different engineering disciplines.

• Applied Sciences Universities

These universities focus on social sciences, business, and engineering. Most of the times these universities have partnered with different commercial or professional companies. However, this should be kept in mind that Applied Science universities do not offer PHDs, except for the situation when a partnered organization has made a deal with the university to offer a Ph.D. to the students. Moreover, the universities of Applied Sciences in Germany are mostly private institutions.

• Colleges of Art, Film, and Music

Institutions like these offer degree in specialized subjects such as art, music or film making. These institutions can be part of Applied Sciences universities and the research institutes. However, some institutions operate independently. Moreover, students are always required to have experience and different creative skills.

#11. How Can You Choose Your Desired university For a Master’s Degree in Germany?

Choosing a university for your master’s study in Germany is a difficult task. This is because there are a lot of opportunities in Germany and a wide variety of courses. But in the end, it depends on the course you want to study which makes choosing a university a bit easier.

If you want to do a research-based degree or want to focus on academia then you should defiantly consider a technical or research-based university. However, if you want to gain some professional skills or vocational expertise then you should consider going to an applied sciences university. There you will get all the experience you want to move forward with your career. On the other hand, if you are interested in art and music, and you are very creative and passionate about it then you should definitely consider going to the institutes if art, music or film.

#12. Master’s Course Structure and Program types in German Universities

German higher education follows the study process of Bologna and is divided into the three-degree format as follows

• Bachelor’s Degree which is an undergraduate study
• Master’s Degree which is a postgraduate study
• D. which is advanced postgraduate research.

#13. What is The Duration of a Master’s Degree in Germany?

The duration of the masters depends upon the course you are studying. You masters course varies from

• One year
• One year and six months
• Two years

One year’s master’s program consists of two semesters. Which also includes a dissertation or final year project in which you have to work with a supervisor. However, this should be kept in mind that advance research can only happen at a Ph.D. level.

#14. How many ECTS credits are required for a German Master’s Degree?

In a two-year master’s program, there are 120 ECTS which you gain after studying a two-year course at the university. Among 120 credits, 30 credits are for your final year project or dissertation.

Master’s programs Content

Masters’ degrees in German universities contain different types of content. The courses you study will be divided into sub-units to make you study the advance courses. However, your course may also include attending seminars, practical workshops, lectures, fieldwork, etc.

• Research universities in Germany include seminars, core lectures, independent study, and practical work.
• Applied sciences universities make students do more practical training and attend workshops which will be arranged by the external companies or different experts.
• Arts, music and Film colleges focus on developing the skills of students and also assessing them

Consecutive and non-Consecutive Master’s Degree

• Consecutive master’s degree is the one in which students do a master’s degree in the same or meticulously related subject to the undergraduate degree. However, in these types of degrees students having an associated bachelor’s degree can take admission. Moreover, most of the students pursue a master’s degree without a gap after completion of their bachelor’s degree.
• Non-consecutive master’s degree is the one in which students opt for a different subject as compared to the one they opted for a bachelor’s degree. For doing a non-consecutive degree you also need to show your professional skills apart from a bachelor’s degree. Moreover, these types of degrees are good for students who want to have a continuation between working and training. However, this kind of degree can be done after the gap from undergraduate studies.
• Professional masters degree is the one that focuses on professional subjects such as nursing, teaching, law, etc. These courses pay attention to the regulation of a profession.

However, the fees and requirements vary for a consecutive, non-consecutive and professional degree. Moreover, if students take part in education immediately after completion of a bachelor’s degree then the consecutive degree is free.

Numerus Clausus

Numerus clausus is the number of seats that will be allocated to students in a particular course. Or you can say the limited number of admission of students.

In Germany, courses which are for regulated professions fall under Numerus Clausus. These professions include Dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, Maternity medicine, and many others.

It also helps in finding highly talented and intelligent professionals from all over the world. However, in Germany, Numerus Clausus is of two types described as follows

• Central Numerus Clausus, which is controlled by the state.
• Local Numerus Clausus, which is controlled by the universities themselves.

Moreover, when you apply for a master’s program in a German university, the university informs you about the Numerus Clausus either it is central or local one.

Furthermore, it can be noted that central Numerus Clausus is restricted and very competitive and local numerus clausus has a bit flexibility as a university can admit a number of students.

#15. What are the Master’s Degree Admission Requirements for Germany Universities?

One of the important documents you need to provide while applying for a master’s degree is your previous bachelor’s degree. Keep in mind that it is not necessary that a degree should be from a german university but it should be known by the universities in Germany.

Recognizing your diploma in Germany

While applying for admission, the university looks into the details of your previous qualifications to check its relevance. The checking may include the courses you have studied and the credit hours you have earned. However, in some cases, you also have to provide a high school certificate (Abitur).

In the situation in which your degree certificate or any diploma is not known to the German higher education, then you should get it recognized so that you can start your education in Germany. Degree recognition also depends upon the country you are from. Meanwhile, in order to see if your diploma certificate is according to a German certificate you have to go to the German International Office also known as Akademisches Auslandsamt. This relevant office will tell you that if your certificate is recognizable in Germany or not.

However, if your diploma certificate is not recognized in Germany then you have to take some examinations. This includes a PROPAEDEUTIC COURSE which helps you to know about the German language and other study requirements before you start your master’s program at a German university.

Preparatory Courses are offered for

• International students who have got admission in the German university.
• International students who have not got the admission, but they satisfy all the admission requirements.
• International students not satisfying the admission requirements.

However, there are exceptions for students of artistic fields in this regard. They can get admission to the university by showing their work or passing some tests. So, be careful to check before you apply. Moreover, the assessment document issuing fee is only 200 euros.

Other admission requirements for master’s degree in Germany:

There are other admission requirements which are as follows

• Transcript and a degree certificate of your bachelor’s degree.
• Secondary education details, as application process which is very competitive, requires knowing more about your education history.
• Interviews which will be conducted by the german university. This is usually done by the university in which the admission is very competitive with limited seats. In the interview, the panel discusses the application and experiences of the student. Moreover, the interview can be conducted via SKYPE or through conferencing platforms.
• Competitive universities may require more test scores to choose the best candidates for the degree. The programs like law or medicine require additional test usually to test the capability of a student. While applying for a business program the university may require you to provide scores of GRE or GMAT.

Moreover, these additional requirements will be informed to you by the university before you apply.

#16. What is the Application Deadline for a Master’s Degree in German Universities?

Different German universities have different deadlines but generally, there are two times

• For the fall semester in September, you must apply before the deadline of 15^th
• For the winter semester, you must apply before the deadline of 15^th

However, make sure you check the deadlines before you make your mind to submit the application as deadlines may vary.

#17. What is the Fee Structure for a Master’s Degree in Germany?

Fees for a master’s degree in Germany depend on whether your degree is consecutive or a non-consecutive degree.

• Consecutive studies are very affordable as they are free and you have to pay only 100-200€ which is a semester fee. This fee covers the administration, enrollment, confirmation, a monthly ticket for the transport.
• For a non-consecutive master’s degree, you have to provide tuition fee.

However, the non-consecutive master’s degree also includes the international students who have earned their degrees outside the state of Germany. Apart from public universities, private universities charge fees for non-consecutive and consecutive studies. Moreover, you may have to pay up to 6000€ for a semester for non-consecutive studies.

#18. Can you apply for MS before getting an Undergraduate Degree in German University?

This is very common among the students that they apply for an MS degree before actually finishing the undergraduate degree. Universities in Germany are well aware of the situation in which students of the final year apply for a master’s course. In this situation, you need to provide a current transcript and a reference letter from your professor.

#19. Enrollment at the German University

Once you have got an admission to the German university the next thing you have to do is to get matriculated or enrolled in the course. This involves you getting registered in the courses and you also may have to take an examination.

#20. Post-graduation opportunities In Germany

Degrees obtained from a German university are recognized all over the world. So, if you do not want to live in Germany, then you can always find opportunities abroad to build up your career.

However, if you want to stay in Germany after your MS degree then you have a lot of opportunities in Germany with many profitable jobs. While living in Germany you always have a chance to learn new scientific techniques, business techniques, etc. So, being in Germany will never disappoint you as you will be having a lot of opportunities to avail.