Advisory for Indian Students Going to Germany for Education

Following is the advisory for Indian Students going to Germany for education by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Application & Admission

It is always advisable to secure admission in a reputed University/Institution and arrange for the funds before you seek to come to Germany. There are a large number of Universities and Institutions which offer programmes for Indian students. Applications to Universities could be made through University ASSIST. Currently more than 70 German universities have been asking their international applicants to send their applications for admission first to ASSIST, the ‘Application Services for International Students. The “uni-assist procedure” enables you, as an applicant to a uniassist-University, to have your application pre-processed against payment by uni-assist. You will be able to apply simultaneously at multiple uni-assist universities, by submitting just one set of certified copies. At uni-assist all application are pre-checked for the completeness of all required documents and then forwarded to the respective university.

Funding your stay

It is essential that you organize your funding before you arrive in Germany. Most Universities charge only a nominal fee of around Euro 500/- per term. However, you need to take care of your living expenditure. The approximate MONTHLY cost could be in the range of Euro 700 to Euro 1000 depending upon your choice. Funding could come from Scholarships or Project Assistantships. For Scholarships you could take advantage of presence of DAAD (The German Academic Exchange Service) in India and apply to them. Many Universities have their offices in India, who could also assist.

Language

Universities offer courses in English and hence knowledge of German Language is not a must for all courses. However, knowledge of German would be a clear advantage and students should try to acquire some basic communication skills in the language. Some courses REQUIRE GERMAN as a eligibility criterion.

Courses Available & Pre-requisites

Germany offers many courses which may interest an Indian student. Some possibilities and Eligibility requirements are summarized below. The list is only indicative and not exhaustive. Please consult the Web for further information.

Master in Engineering Sciences

• An above average Bachelor degree (BSc/BE) or equivalent degree in Engg. Sc.
• TOEFL/IELTS or equivalent
• GRE (required by some universities)

Master in Computer Sciences

• An above average Bachelor degree or equivalent degree in a related filed
• TOEFL/IELTS or equivalent
• GRE (required by some universities)

Master in Economics/ Law

• An above average Bachelor degree (BBA, BCom, LLB) or equivalent degree in a related filed
• TOEFL/IELTS or equivalent
• GMAT (required by some universities)

Master in Natural Sciences

• An above average Bachelor degree (BSc, BE) or equivalent degree in a related field
• TOEFL/IELTS or equivalent

Master in Social & Cultural Studies, Psychology

• An above average Bachelor degree (BA) or equivalent degree in a related field
• Good German language skills (required by most of the universities)
• TOEFL/IELTS or equivalent (required by some universities)

Diploma and Masters in Medicine

• The study programes in medicine at the Charite are categorized into basic studies and postgraduate studies.
• Basic studies are completed with a diploma or a state exam.
• Good German language skills (required by most of the universities)
• TOEFL/IELTS or equivalent (required by some universities)
• Postgraduate studies are aimed at those students that have already earned a graduate degree and wish to further specialize.

Applying for Visa

You need to apply for VISA at the German Embassy or Consulate in India following the procedure laid down by them. Generally you would be required to show proof of admission as well as financial ability. You will also need to submit proof of your eligibility (Degree, TOEFL, GRE etc.) The process may take time and application should be submitted well in advance. Please visit the German Embassy, New Delhi website for further details.

General Guidelines

Some General Guidelines :

• Register with the Indian Embassy as soon as you can once you reach Germany.
• Scrupulously follow the law of the county.
• Do not use provocative language while speaking to others
• Keep in mind that you are in a foreign country and that others may understand you differently form what you think.
• Carry your entry permit/ID card always.
• Most citizens world wide are friendly and hospitable. However some – very small minority – citizens of the host country may harbour views that may reflect an unfriendly world view in relation to India and Indians. The best is to avoid confrontational situations from developing and move away. Remember discretion is the better part of valour.
• As a rule avoid moving in lonely and dark streets.

Important Web Pages

Some of the most important and useful webpage links are given below. This list is not an exhaustive list, but could help you at the initial stages to find your way through.

General

• Preparatory courses prepare foreign students for the “Feststellungsprufung”, a test to assess their suitability for university study (www.studienkollegs.de)
• Central University Admissions Service (www.zvs.de)
• Application Services for International Students e.v. (www.uni-assist.de)
• Programs or opportunities that put a special emphasis on supporting foreign students (www.qulifying-in-germany.de)
• HRK website with information on study opportunities in Germany (www.higher-education-compass.de)
• Website published by the Federal Employment Agency and the German Federal States offering extensive information on study opportunities in Germany (www.en.studienwahl.de)

Scholarship-awarding Organisations

• Information on various kinds of DAAD funding for foreign students, graduates and postdocs as well as on funding offered by other selected organizations. (www.funding-guide.de)
• German Research Foundation (DFG) – www.dfg.de
• Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH) – www.avh.de
• Capacity Building International, Germany (In WEnt) – www.inwent.org 

Research Organizations

• Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)- http://www.bmbf.de/en/index.php
• Research in Germany - www.research-in-germany.de
• German Mobility Centre for Researchers – www.eracareers-germany.de
• Service Centre for Electronic Research Support Information (ELFI)- www.elfi.info
• Max Planck Society (MPG) – www.mpg.de
• Fraunhofer Society (FhG) – www.fraunhofer.de
• Leibniz Association – www.leibniz-gemeinschaft.de
• Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres – www.hlmholtz.de

Indian Diplomatic Mission/Posts in Germany

Embassy of India Tiergartenstrasse 17, 10785 Berlin, Germany Tel : 00-49-30-257950 Fax : 00-49-30-25795102 Email : ambassador@indianembassy.de, hoc@indianembassy.de Website : www.indianembassy.de

Consulate General of India Friedrich-Ebert-Anlage 26, 60325 Frankfurt am Main Germany Tel : 00-49-69-15300510 Fax : 00-49-69-554125 Email : hoc@cgifrankfurt.de Website : www.cgifrankfurt.de

Consulate General of India Graumannsweg 57, 22087 Hamburg Germany Tel : 00-49-40-338036 Fax : 00-49-40-323757 Email : cgihh@aol.com

Consulate General of India Widenmayerstrasse 15, D-80538, Munich, Germany Tel : 00-49-89-2102390 Fax : 00-49-89-21023970 Email : cginmun02@t-online.de Website : www.cgimunich.de

German Diplomatic Mission/Posts in India

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany 6/50 G, Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi – 110021 Tel : 011 – 44199199 Fax : 011 – 26873117 Email : info@new-delhi.diplo.de Website : www.new-delhi.diplo.de

Consulate General of Germany 26, Crescent Park 4B, Rest House Crescent, Near M G Road, Bangalore – 560001 Tel : 080-41470254 Telefax : 080 – 41470256 Email : info@germanconulatebangalore.org Website : www.bangalore.diplo.de

Consulate General of Germany 9 Boat Club Road, PO Box No. 3110, Raja Annamalai Puram Chennai -600028 Tel : 044-24301600 Fax : 044-24349293 Email : info@chennai.diplo.de Website : www.chennai.diplo.de

Consulate General of Germany 1, Hastings Park Road, Alipore, Kolkata - 700027 Tel : 033-24791141 Fax : 033-24793028 Email : gerconsu@vsnl.com

Consulate General of Germany Hoechst House, 10th Floor, Nariman Point, Mumbai – 400021 Tel : 022-22832422 Fax : 022-22025493 Email : info@mumbai.diplo.de Website : www.mumbai.diplo.de