Student in Germany?/ Here's what you need to know

2023-05-25 08:35:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Free study even for foreign students has made Germany one of the most preferred countries in the world to pursue university studies.

A young woman walks into the enrollment office of Humboldt University in Berlin and talks to the clerk.

Good afternoon, I have come to register at the university. How much does it cost?

It costs nothing. Registration is free, says the employee.

Free studies?

Yes. Don't be surprised. Because higher education in public schools and universities costs almost nothing in Germany. It's almost free.

The young girl is Hannah Hummel, a reporter for Deutsche Welle. She is the author of this article for Deutsche Wellen about studying in Germany.

To study in Germany, only one semester fee worth between 200 and 400 euros is paid. This money is for the administration of studies, public transport and student organizations. The only exception is the state of Baden Württemberg.

Student in Germany?/ Here's what you need to know

Germany has 400 colleges and universities. Universities focus mainly on academic education, while high schools are more practically oriented. However, the diplomas obtained both at the high school and at the university are the same.

A bachelor's study usually lasts six semesters, i.e. three years. A semester is six months, the winter semester usually starts in September, the summer semester in March. Many students take longer, up to eight semesters, to complete their bachelor's degree. This is not a problem. Free also for foreign students

The same applies to students coming from other countries to study in Germany. Because even foreign students do not pay to study at German universities and colleges. This has made Germany one of the most preferred countries in the world to pursue university studies.

Half a million foreign students currently study in Germany, most of whom study in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. "Foreign students are helped with scholarships, consultations and support until they learn," says Hannah Hummel, who herself studied in Germany.

Just as there are foreign students who study in Germany, there are also young Germans who go to study in other countries.

The European Union has organized programs such as Erasmus to enable young people to study for a semester or a year in another European Union country. The program offers financial support to students who want to go to other countries.

"I did my Erasmus year here in Berlin," says Hannah Hummel of Deutsche Welles.

Studies are free, but living costs can go up to 1,000 euros per month, depending on where you live. This money is needed for rent, food, school books and living in free time. So most students work to cover living expenses.

What about student life?

Hannah Hummel now tells us about the Studierendenwerk, an organization that deals with all other student matters besides studying. She meets Jana Judisch. "Education is considered a public value in Germany, so taking care of students is seen as a public value. We take care of students by dealing with everything else that is not related to lectures and the research field.

We take care of housing, mental health, consultations," says Jana Judisch. But what many international students don't know is that school enrollment is not about accommodation. Obtaining a study place is not automatically linked to a place to sleep in the dormitory.

Many foreign students only learn this when they arrive in Germany to begin their studies. "Often I get E-mails saying "I'm coming next week, please show me the room. I reply by saying that we don't have any rooms here waiting for you to come. You are a year and a half late. Go find a room on the free market, we can't help you," says Jana Judisch from the Studierendenwerk Berlin.

So those who do not receive help to find a room from the Studierendenwerk have to take care of housing themselves. Most of the students live in apartments that are shared between several people, to share expenses. But housing is becoming more expensive in Germany. Munich and Stuttgart are the most expensive cities to study, followed by Berlin. Cities that used to be East Germany have the cheapest living conditions.

Language helps you

To study in Germany you do not necessarily need to speak German fluently. Because colleges and universities offer special classes in English and students can submit assignments in English.

However, most universities have German as their main language. Hannah Hummel gives us some words that are good to know when you want to study in Germany.

Hörsaal: Translated literally, it means listening hall, but it is actually a lecture hall.

Canteen: It is the canteen where students eat lunch

Ersti: beginners! First semester students.

A bit of history

The oldest university in Germany is that of Heidelberg, opened in 1389. The universities of Cologne and Erfurt were opened soon after it.

The first university in Europe was opened in Bologna, Italy, a thousand years ago.

Higher education has been a male issue. The first woman to attend a university class was in the 19th century in Switzerland. Johanna Kappes was the first German student in 1900. Today, the number of women attending higher education in Germany is slightly higher than the number of men./ DW