Under German law, education in Germany is free for everyone, including foreigners. The only exceptions are a few private universities. There are more than 300 universities in Germany offering 9,000 subjects (more than 200 specialties). There are old universities with a wide selection of classical subjects. There are also new ones that focus on interdisciplinary learning and a close connection between theory and practice.
In most universities there are no entrance exams, but graduates of Ukrainian secondary schools, colleges, and vocational schools cannot enroll directly not only in a university, but even in preparatory courses. This is because in Germany secondary school lasts 13 years, while in Ukrainian schools only 11. Therefore, to enter a German university, you need to complete at least two years of university study, while to enter Studienkolleg, it is enough to complete one year.
Studienkolleg is an educational institution that prepares German and foreign students for university admission. That is, after completing studies at Studienkolleg, provided they pass exams successfully, the student is automatically enrolled in the university. When choosing a Studienkolleg, you need to know that they do not exist at every university and that not every Studienkolleg is part of a specific university's structure. Moreover, Studienkollegs are divided by profile. This means students will study not only general education subjects, but also 3-4 specialized subjects related to their future specialty.
An applicant is placed on one of the following courses depending on what specialty they will study in the future: T-course (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences); W-course (economics, general sciences); M-course (medicine, biology); G-course (humanities); S-course (foreign languages).
Admission to both Studienkolleg and universities occurs twice a year: for the winter semester and for the summer semester. Documents must be submitted by July 15 or January 15, respectively. You need to prepare documents in advance, taking into account that you will need time for proper processing (accurate translation and filling out required forms), as well as time for correspondence with the university.
The main obstacle for our students entering German universities is passing the German language exam (DSH). Even if you have excellent grades, you still need to take a language test. Each university also sets its own DSH exam dates, so it is recommended to find out in advance from the International Academic Department the time of the language exam at the chosen institution.
The DSH test is quite difficult. The greatest attention is paid to vocabulary, grammar, listening comprehension, and your ability to fully study in German. Many foreign applicants, even though they studied German at home, cannot pass the DSH test immediately upon arrival. Therefore, most often they first study at language courses at the university, learning their specialty. These courses are also free, like the education itself. However, it should be said that they do not exist at every university.
The main principle of higher education in Germany is academic freedom. Students choose their own specialty and independently organize their curriculum according to the general requirements of the faculty. They decide which lectures and seminars to sign up for and in what order. In addition, students choose the time for internships and practical training and allocate hours for part-time jobs at their own discretion. It should be noted that studying at a German university requires a high degree of organization, independence, and self-discipline. The entire way of life of German students and the teaching methods at the university are very different from what happens in our universities. In addition, students find themselves far from the cozy parental home and from their usual circle of friends. To make adaptation easier, it is very important to learn as much as possible in advance about the city and the university where you will study and live.
The academic year in Germany consists of two semesters: the summer semester lasts from April to September, and the winter semester from October to March. In some higher education institutions, the semester begins and ends a month earlier. The academic year consists almost one-third of student vacation. However, vacations should not be confused with time off. Time free from study is intended for doing written homework, preparing for tests, and taking exams.
During their studies, every student has the right to work. Full-time work is allowed for students during vacations, that is, three months a year. For graduate students, this period is six months. With a special permit, you can work the rest of the time. In Bavaria, for example, it is very difficult to get one, while in Hamburg they give it to almost everyone who asks. Average earnings range from 5 to 13 euros per hour. This depends on the type of activity, as well as the city and state. Here I would also like to note that finding a job is a complicated process; again, everything depends on your independence and organization. And remember, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Tatyana POMINCHUK,
association "Golfstream".