University Studies in Germany Foundation Year Bachelor & Master Programmes Benjamin Effer Director Schiller Language School & Rheinisches Studienkolleg
Overview 1 Public Universities Private Universities Universities of Applied Science German or English Programmes German language courses Foundation year (Studienkolleg) Bachelor Degrees Master Degrees
Overview 2 Other Degrees - Diploma, Magister, Staatsexamen Facharzt Application Criteria and Deadlines Credit Transfer Examination System Work During Studies After Graduation Questions and Answers
Public Universities Funded by state, therefore low or no tuition fees Public universities are saturated, applications may require a long waiting time University admission takes approx. 4-12 weeks Very attractive for international students since German degrees are world-wide recognised No commission for agents, no contracts
Private Universities Students pay tuition fees Strong support for international students Simple application, no waiting times Commission possible State-of-the-Art equipment Private German universities enjoy an equal reputation as publics do
Universities of Applied Science Focus on the practical use of their teachings, therefore very helpful for later career Strong connections to local and international companies Can be public or private - for both types the application is easier than for normal universities The degree obtained from UoAS in Germany is equally recognised with other German Universities In some countries UoAS is not accredited
German or English Programmes Most programmes are available in German only, but not in English Some students require foundation year at studienkolleg German is mandatory Finding a (student)-job without German language skills is tough German programmes require German language level C1 English programmes require German language level B1
German language course and examination Approx. 10 months from A1-C1 Application to university possible after B1 (intermediate) Conditional admission possible before B1 at selected universities After C1 (advanced) official examinations (TestDaF, DSH, etc.) required Student (applicant) visa covers language course, foundation year & university studies
Foundation course at studienkolleg 1 Requirement depends on students' secondary education certificate No need for studienkolleg: EU certificates A-levels (3 specific A-levels + 1 AS level / 2 specific A-levels + 3 AS-levels) American diploma in combination with SAT IB Diploma with 6 specific subjects and at least 4 points in each subject Most diplomas + bachelor transcript of at least 2 semesters at university in same country
Foundation course at studienkolleg 2 Need studienkolleg: American diploma without SAT IB Diploma without 6 specific subjects and without 4 points in each subject Most diplomas without bachelor transcript of at least 2 semesters at university in same country Few diplomas + bachelor transcript of at least 2 semesters at university in same country
Foundation course at studienkolleg 3 Special cases: Chinese diplomas require APS Syrian Diplomas require studienkolleg with GPA of 69% or below no studienkolleg with GPA of 70% or higher Some diplomas require the addition of university entrance examination in same country (e.g. Turkey) Additional documents might be required (e.g. Uzbekistan Silver-/Goldmedal) to enter or skip studienkolleg
Foundation course at studienkolleg 4 Most important courses M-course (examination subjects: German, biology, chemistry, physics) T-course (examination subject: German, chemistry, mathematics, physics) W-course (examination subjects: German, economics, English, mathematics) Duration 10-12 months Public and private studienkollegs Entrance examination at public studienkollegs require C1
Bachelor Degrees Usually 6 Semesters (3 years) Both university and university of applied science (Fachhochschule) offer Bachelor programmes Various requirements for admission Curricula with ECTS-System (30 per term), therefore compatible with universities within the EU Only one major Prepares for a job or Master degree
Master Degrees Admission requires at least three years of undergraduate studies (vocational studies do not count) Both university and university of applied science (Fachhochschule) offer Master programmes Usually 2 to 4 semesters Curricula with ECTS-System (30 per term), therefore compatible with universities within the EU Consecutive (follows respective Bachelor), nonconsecutive (requires postgraduate work experience)
Other Degrees - Diploma, Magister, Staatsexamen Diploma and magister are no longer featured by the German educational system Since 1999, the traditional degrees are gradually being replaced by Bachelor and Master (Bologna process). Staatsexamen is a governmental licensing examination for future doctors, dentists, teachers, lawyers, judges etc. Students usually study at university for 4 6 years before they take the first Staatsexamen
Facharzt Medical specialisation After university and 3 Staatsexamen either general practitioner or further training to Facharzt Student starts as medical assistant in the respective field for several years depending on the speciality After practical experience: examination Alternative route: doctors who graduated from medical university abroad can prepare for Approbation = license to work in medical field in Germany
Application Criteria and Deadlines 1 Generally for bachelor degrees a secondary education certificate & transcript are required For master programmes additionally an accredited bachelor certificate & transcript are required (information also available on www.anabin.de or ask us) The documents must be translated into either English or German A copy must be stamped by German embassy
Application Criteria and Deadlines 2 There are programmes with limitations (NC) and programmes without limitations Limited programmes require very good marks in the relevant educational certificate (secondary school, bachelor, etc.) Non-limited programmes (direct admission) are easy to enter for international students Application deadlines differ from university to university (ask us for specific degrees' deadlines) Many universities open admission only twice a year around January and July
Credit Transfer ECTS = European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System Credits obtained within Europe can be transferred to students' German scores and vice versa Credits and grades from Non-EU universities might be recognised by a German university on individual basis
Work During Studies Students are allowed to work up to 120 days (40 hours per week) a year or 240 half-days (20 hours per week) a year Internships in Germany are not paid well, or not paid at all, but sometimes can replace a whole seminar in terms of credits On earnings above 700 per month students will need to pay taxes
After graduation After the final thesis and all examinations have been completed successfully, international students are allowed to search for a job in Germany within 18 months If they find a study-related job, they are able to prolong their residence permit with full working permit After working with a German company for a couple of years the graduate may apply for permanent residence or German nationality Further studies are possible with the same student visa
Questions and Answers Thank you for your kind attention! All presentation slides will be available on our website after the ICEF Berlin Workshop: www.schiller-language-school.com Should you have any questions, doubts or ideas, now is the right time to forward them! benjamin@schiller-language-school.com