Study in Germany | Requirements for International Students

If you want to know study in Germany requirements and are curious about all the essential steps for preparation to study in Germany, we would assist you today. We would delve into intricate details of the process — so this blog can be your guide while you apply to study in Germany. Bookmark this page, grab a coffee and let’s get started.

We can break the essential steps for preparation to study in Germany into 7 parts. It includes:

(please note that these are in chronological order)

1. Choose your course

2. Learn the German Language

3. Fulfill minimum requirement

4. Arrange financial backing

5. Apply to University

6. Apply for a German student visa

7. Find a place to live                                         

1. Choose your course

There are over 400 world-class universities in Germany, either private or public. Interestingly, students of any nationality shouldn’t pay a fee for the majority of courses at most public universities (there might be a few exceptions). You may want to know this before choosing a course.

In Germany, any courses you can imagine are possibly available. We can choose courses from different faculties like medicine, engineering, theology, business, economics, natural sciences, and many more. 

Most Universities have an updated list of courses on their web pages. You can select the course by going through them.

2. Learn the German Language

Universities in Germany teach in both German and English languages where the majority would be in German. Thankfully, many courses that a Nepali student might choose, like engineering, medicine, and business, are available in English.

You might even need to choose a course which is only available in the German language. Still, to interact with the locals, learning the German language is a must.

CEFR has labeled language proficiency in 6 levels (i.e., A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) where A1 is the lowest and C2 is the highest. Based on the university and course you want to choose, you may have to prove a certain level of proficiency by taking a German language test.

Universities there don’t expect international students to be perfect in German. Still, being able to communicate your ideas in the native language would be an immense advantage.

3. Fulfill minimum requirement

You should have a recognized “higher education entrance qualification” called Abitur to study in Germany. If the acknowledgment hasn’t happened for your school-leaving certificate, you need to study a preparatory course called Studienkolleg. 

The Abitur doesn’t give validation to the 10 +2 certificate of Nepal. You can fulfill this gap by completing one year of bachelor’s studies in Nepal. For A-level students, their certificates are equivalent to German Abitur.

4. Arrange Financial Backing

According to German law, students not belonging to countries of the European Union (EU) and European economic area (EEA) must deposit a minimum of  €10,332 into a German block account before arriving in Germany. Students could manage their finances for a year with this fund.

You can pull out as much as 861 euros each month with a minimum deposit of 10332 euros. The sum can go higher if you have kept over 10332 euros on the block account.

The arrangement of funds of this size may need some preparation. Take care of it early.

5. Apply to a University

After gathering all the required documents, you can then apply to one or more universities for the preferred course. Most universities accept the online submission of applications, while some may require you to be present in person.

Apply once the applications are open and stand by till you receive the admission letter. Considering the huge number of applications these universities receive, you may have to wait for a reply.

6. Apply for a German student visa

“One should have a student visa before departure to Germany”

You might be interested in two types of student visas: a German student visa and a German student applicant visa. You need the former to study in Germany and the latter if you need to be present while applying to the university (It doesn’t allow you to study there) 

To get a German student visa — you need to first fill up an online appointment prior to submitting the application form to the German embassy.

They then require you to be present at the embassy as scheduled in the appointment for the submission of the application.

According to the German embassy of Nepal, you need to submit the following documents to apply for a German student visa:

• Valid passport

• Biometric passport photograph

• Application for national website

• signed declaration on true and complete information

• copy of your passport’s data page + last page

• Original citizenship certificate

• letter of motivation

• proof of admission

• school-leaving certificate

• higher secondary education board certificate

• proof of previous studies

• proof of German language knowledge

• Proof of financial means

More information about it is here: Student visa-German Embassy of Nepal

7. Find a place to live

After being admitted into the university and gaining a student visa, now it's time to search for shelter in Germany. The two popular options are student hostels and private apartments.

There are student hostels in each town incorporating the college. These are the less expensive answers for your accommodation needs. The notable point here is the popularity of these halls. One should apply early for any shot at finding a spot. The fee ranges around 350 euros a month here.

If you want to live in a private apartment, the cost can go a lot higher compared to a student hostel. But living in these spaces assures a sound lifestyle and peaceful sanctuary. 

You can pre-book apartments using online portals like Airbnb and Wunderflats. 

8. After Arrival in Germany

As you successfully arrive to study in Germany after fulfilling the above-mentioned steps, you need to enroll in the university where you were granted admission. This way you would move from being a successful applicant to a student of that university. You are to be present there physically to complete the enrollment and study in Germany.

For more questions please feel free to mail us: info@eduzeit.com.np
You can also read about universities with the best study abroad programs.