Time spent at a German university will in any case become a valuable line on your resume
Short-term programs – an opportunity to look around
As for academic exchange, first of all, it is worth noting programs operating within the framework of agreements between domestic universities and their partner universities in Germany. Another opportunity is programs offered by various organizations, such as the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the Pedagogical Exchange Service (PAD), the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and others.
Participation in exchange programs can be partially financed by the student themselves (as is often the case, for example, with inter-university programs) or from the budgets of sponsoring organizations, such as DAAD. Applications for such programs should be submitted in advance, usually in October-December. It is necessary to write a convincing motivation letter and ask one or two professors for recommendation letters.
Short-term programs are good because they allow the student to immerse themselves in the linguistic and cultural environment of Germany, improve their language skills, and understand how the German education system works. And based on that, decide whether they really want to pursue higher education in Germany.
Language proficiency is not a mere formality
For those who are determined to obtain a German diploma, there are at least three options: start from the beginning, enroll in the second or third year, or – if they have a corresponding bachelor's or master's degree – apply for a master's or doctoral program.
Most German universities do not have entrance exams, but foreign applicants are required to provide proof of German language proficiency. On the website of any German university, information is posted about the required language level and which language certificates the student must submit.
Confirming language proficiency is not a mere formality. After all, if an applicant is admitted to a university, they will have to attend lectures in German, participate in seminars, do homework, write papers, give presentations, and simply communicate with classmates and professors. There is also the possibility of enrolling in an English-language program. In that case, German is introduced gradually, and from the second year onwards, some subjects are taught in German.
Two years of study at a university in your home country
The German education system differs from that in your home country, so it is not possible to enroll in the first year of a German university immediately after finishing school at home. Schoolchildren in Germany study for one to two years longer. According to university requirements, the missing years of schooling for our applicants must be compensated by two successfully completed years at a domestic university. Alternatively, you can study one year at home and then apply to a pre-university college (Studienkolleg) in Germany.
Studying at the college resembles the system of preparatory courses at domestic universities. Over the course of a year, the applicant is prepared in a specific specialty (e.g., economics, sociology, or technical subjects) and, as a rule, for a specific university. After completing the course, applicants take a final exam and receive the right to apply for admission to a higher education institution. It is also possible to take the final exam at the Studienkolleg as an external student, but in that case, the application for admission to the college should be submitted through the chosen university.
In principle, it is not forbidden to finish college at one university and then apply to another. However, one cannot change the specialty or type of institution. That is, if an applicant was prepared for admission to a university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule), they cannot apply to a traditional university.
Bachelor's diploma should have no C grades
If you have a bachelor's degree, you can try to apply for a master's program or apply for the second or third year of study. However, it should be noted that such matters are decided on a case-by-case basis, and six months to a year before applying, it is advisable to contact the international office of the chosen university and inform them of your intentions and wishes.
It should be taken into account that the subject the student intends to study in the master's program should typically correspond at least 80% to the specialty obtained in the bachelor's program. It is desirable that the bachelor's diploma have as few C grades as possible, as many universities have a diploma competition. And the more prestigious the university, the higher the average grade should be.
In about half of the cases, the student will be asked to take an entrance exam in the relevant subject. Typically, this consists of a half-hour interview with a professor or a written test.
As a doctoral student
The position of a doctoral student at a German university has many advantages. Doctoral students often receive a salary: from 800 to 1200 euros per month. In addition, there are many scholarships for young scientists. The rules for admission to the dissertation defense vary not only between different states but sometimes even from university to university. It is necessary to contact your future supervisor in advance and discuss all issues with them.
As Deutsche Welle notes, a graduate student receives a special visa for several years, a salary, and the honorary title of young researcher. The only drawback of graduate school in Germany is its long duration: up to five years, and sometimes even more. For quick and ambitious young scientists, it would probably be faster and easier to obtain an academic title at home and then try to settle in Germany as an assistant professor or associate professor at a university.