Study Abroad: Checklist to meet the requirements to study in Germany

Many questions would cloud the thoughts of students who are trying to make the right decision for their study abroad destination, making it a stressful time. At such times, students would forget to include essential documents before moving to their universities.

Having a proper plan, from the moment students begin making their decisions to the moment they finalize their decisions, is an essential step before embarking on the study abroad trip.

Among the various study abroad destinations, Germany is one of the popular choices for students for several reasons. Now, with political escalations in Canada, more students are expected to prefer countries like Germany on their path to higher education.

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Here is a checklist for students planning to study in Germany:

University entrance qualification:

Students wishing to study in Germany must ensure that their university entrance qualification is recognized in Germany. This can be verified using the DAAD entrance qualification database which will be available on the official website of the German Government.

In addition to checking the higher education entrance qualification, students can have their higher education qualification that they did not obtain in Germany evaluated, e.g. e.g. in their country of origin.

For this purpose, the Central Foreign Education Office (ZAB) offers the “Declaration of Comparability”. This official certificate classifies the university degree from abroad in the German educational system.

Aptitude test:

International students are encouraged to sit the Test for Overseas Students (TestAS), which will help them assess their chances of successfully completing their enrolled programme.

According to the official website of the German Government, TestAS is intended for international students who wish to apply for admission to an undergraduate program at a German university. Measures the applicant’s general and subject-related aptitude necessary to successfully complete such program. No specific knowledge or experience on the study topic is required when taking the exam.

By taking the test, candidates can get a clearer idea of ​​their strengths and the results can help them make an informed decision about which field of study to pursue.

Recognition of the test varies from university to university, with some making it mandatory for admission while others recommend it.

Preparation courses and foundations:

If the candidate discovers that his school qualification is not recognized in Germany, he must attend a “Studienkolleg” (basic course) in order to enter a German university.

If the candidate wishes to apply for a master’s degree, he or she can take a preparatory course (Propädeutikum). A preparatory course can help students get used to everyday German studies and facilitate their educational journey.

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German language skills:

Students should understand that in most German higher education institutions the language of instruction is German. Therefore, it is important to make sure you understand and understand the language so that you can easily study in Germany.

“If you are enrolled in an international program or special postgraduate courses, German is not a prerequisite. And in some universities you don’t need a fluency certificate if you only want to study one or two semesters. However, this rule does not apply everywhere,” the official website reported.

Students can take two recognized language tests: the TestDaF language exam and the Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang DSH, or German language test for university admission in Germany.

Knowledge of the German language can also help integrate with the community once the candidate settles in the country.

Visa:

There are two types of visas that students who wish to study in Germany can apply for. They are i) Potential student visa and ii) Student visa

Where a student has not received notification of admission to a university or foundation course, the candidate can apply for a prospective student visa which is generally valid for three months. This period can also be extended to six months. During this visa period, if the candidate receives the admission notification, he or she may apply for a student residence permit.

Student visas are applied for after receiving notification of admission and are generally valid for one year.

Proof of Financing:

Students preparing to move abroad for higher education are required to provide proof of finance, which means they must prove that they have enough money to support themselves in a foreign country. This is an important and mandatory checklist for every student who wants to embark on their study abroad journey.

To study in Germany, students must present a document called ‘Finanzierungsnachweis’, or proof of financial resources. According to the official website, in most cases, students applying to universities in Germany must prove that they have around 11,208 euros at their disposal for a year. This amount of money is called “Regelbedarf”.

There are several ways students can submit proof of funding:

• Documents supporting the financial assets and income of the candidate’s parents.
• If the candidate has someone with permanent residence in Germany, they can ensure that the Aliens Registration Office covers the candidate’s expenses.
• Through a security payment that can be deposited into a blocked account
• By presentation of bank guarantee
• By submitting a scholarship award notification from a recognized scholarship offer

Medical insurance:

Health expenses can really burn a hole in your pocket, especially if you are a student in a foreign country. Which makes it imperative to take out health insurance when a student decides to move abroad for higher education purposes.

When taking out health insurance, students should check whether it will also be recognized in Germany.

What happens if your health insurance is not recognized?

If the health insurance policy that the student has taken out in his or her country of origin is not recognized in Germany, he or she must take out coverage in Germany.

According to the official website, a public health insurance policy costs around 110 euros per month until you are 30 years old or have completed the 14th semester related to the subject at the university. After that, the monthly premium rises to 190 euros or more per month.

What happens if your health insurance is recognized?

If the health insurance policy taken out by the student from the home country is recognized, then the candidate will need confirmation that he or she is exempt from public health insurance coverage when enrolling at the university.

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