Guide for International Students to Start your Studies in Germany

In this Guide (to start your studies in Germany), I am including everything that you need to think (if you are an international student), to do to study in Germany, from Do Research to open a bank account in Germany

Let’s start our journey for Germany to start your studies in Germany

Step by Step Guide for International Students to Start your Studies in Germany

Step 1. Do Research

First thing you need to do find Why you want to Study in Germany?

For the above question, let me help you to pick the best reason to start your studies in Germany

Why you want to Study in Germany?

These are the Top Reasons

• Tuition-free education at all public universities in Germany
• World-class staff members and Ultra-modern infrastructure
• Globally recognized degrees
• Numerous courses taught in English
• Great job opportunities
• Remaining in Germany after completing your studies

From the above-mentioned reasons, if you find the best reason to study in Germany, then go to the next step

Step 2: Find the Course

If you are willing to study in Germany, then the next step is to find the course in which you are eligible.

To find the course, you need to follow the website https://daad.de/en/

DAAD is the German Academic Exchange Service or is the largest German support organisation in the field of international academic co-operation. Here you can refine your search to find the desired course according to your interest. DAAD provides details like

1. Overview of the course
   • Degree
   • Teaching language
   • Programme duration
   • Beginning
   • Application deadline
   • Tuition fees per semester in EUR
   • Description/content
2. Course Details
3. Costs/ Funding
   • Tuition fees per semester in EUR
   • Semester contribution
   • Costs of living
   • Funding opportunities within the university
4. Requirements / Registration
   • Academic Admission Requirements
   • Language Requirements
   • Application Deadline
   • How to apply
5. Services
   • Possibility of finding part-time employment
   • Accommodation
   • Specific specialist or non-specialist support for international students and doctoral candidates

Step 3: Apply for a Course

If you find the course, in which you are eligible, then it is the time to apply for that course. DAAD website provides every single detail, like How you can apply for a Course to study in Germany?

Hey before start, you need the following documents ready

1. Your passport
2. IELTS Score Card (if necessary)
3. German Language Test (if necessary)
4. GRE Score Card (if necessary)
5. Your Educational Certificates
6. Your Bachelor’s transcripts (English or German Language Translation) from your university
7. Your Curriculum Vitae (CV)
8. SOP (Statement of Purpose)
9. LORs (Letter of Recommendation)

For CV, it’s highly recommended to get your CV from Europass

How you can apply for a Course to study in Germany?

There are two ways to apply:

• Applying via their website and using the portal. Most German Universities do not charge any application fees. Just create an account on the portal, upload your documents and then your application is printed and finally post it to their Admissions Office. Some universities ask for the transcripts to be sent directly to their Office, which some are not fussy about this and do not differentiate between Official/Unofficial transcripts. This is the most widely adopted procedure for German universities.
• UNI-ASSIST: Some universities prefer that the students apply via Uni-Assist for MS. The application fees for one application is €75 and €30 for every subsequent application.

These are some post related to Uni-Assist

1. How to Apply to German Universities via Uni-Assist?
2. Uni-Assist – Procedure to send and track your application
3. Uni-Assist – Procedure to make a payment for the Application

There are two types of Universities in Germany:

• Technische Universitat: Technical universities which are more Academia oriented. There are 105 of them.
• Fachhochschule (FH): Universities of Applied sciences which are more Industry oriented. There are 205 of them.

Make sure that you submit the application package before the deadline. For details, do follow the below two links

1. Steps to get Admission in Germany for MS
2. How to submit an application for admission?

Step 4: Apply for education loan (if necessary)

You may be required to apply for education/student loan to support yourself during your stay in Germany i.e. for your tuition fee, travel and living expenses. Applying for a student loan could be a tedious process.

Step 5: Transfer money to Deutsche Bank Blocked Account

You will be asked to transfer the money equivalent to 8700 euros to a German bank blocked account prior to your Visa Interview. This is again a mandatory step. Although the process is simple, there are few things which need your attention like currency exchange rates.

Click here to Open a Blocked Account with Fintiba >>>

If you have any doubt, How Fintiba works, follow the link below to know more about Fintiba

How to Open a Blocked Account with Fintiba

Read Also:Xendpay International Money Transfer Service

Step 6: Take the travel insurance

This is a trivial yet mandatory step in this process. Your travel insurance covers you during your travel and initial few days in Germany. You will be asked to produce this document during you Visa Interview or during Visa collection.

You can cover this too with Fintiba Plus Account

Click here to Open a Blocked Account with Fintiba >>>

Step 7: Book an Appointment for Visa Interview

Yes, book an Appointment for your Visa Interview well in advance. You can follow this step along with Step 4. Things that you keep in your mind before picking the date/ slot for your interview are:

At the time of your Visa-Interview you should have

• a letter showing you’ve been accepted by a German university
• proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself while living in Germany
• a certificate showing you’ve purchased health insurance and travel insurance

To book an appointment click here

For details follow the link

How to Book an Appointment and Application Process for Germany Visa

Step 8: Be ready for your Visa Interview

This is the main step to achieving your goal. Also, since you have come so far through the exhausting application process, this could step could get on your nerves.

The documents you typically need are:

• Completed application form
• Valid passport
• Two photographs
• Letter showing you’ve been accepted by a German university
• Transcript of academic record
• Certificate of German language proficiency or proof that you intend on attending a language course in Germany (if studying in German)
• Proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself while living in Germany
• Certificate showing you’ve purchased health insurance and travel Insurance
• Declaration of authenticity of documents submitted

Follow the link below, if you are facing trouble in filling the German student visa application form

How to fill the German National Visa Application Form

Step 9: Book your flight

When you get your Visa, it’s time to book your flight to Germany. Before leaving, it’s time to shop for the things that an Indian student should carry while moving to Germany for studies. I have prepared a list for same, follow the link below to get the complete information about, What to buy and what to not

Things that an Indian student should carry while moving to Germany for studies

If you believe to buy items online, follow the link below for the things all together in a single page.

Click here to get the list of items on Amazon

Follow the form below to search a flight to Germany

Read Also: Flights for travelling to Germany from India

Step 10: Register in Germany

Registering your address is the first thing you should do after moving to Germany. It’s the law. This process is called Anmeldung. Anmeldung is one of the most important administrative pre-requisites for anybody moving anywhere in Germany. It is simply the fact of registering residence, living at a specific address in Germany.

This piece of paper will be necessary for many aspects of your life in this country. You will be asked that paper if you want to open a bank account, set up an internet connection or simply obtain a tax number.

Anmeldung – How to get register in Germany

Step 11: Open a Bank Account

Before moving to Germany, you have blocked some money. Well, it’s the time to transfer funds to your German Bank Account. For same you need to open a Bank Account

Let me know for anything. Thanks for reading. Don’t forget to share this with your friends, and family members. All the best 🙂