Top 10 Reasons to Study in Germany

Thinking of studying abroad? Germany offers free education, affordable living, and great job chances. With many courses taught in English, Germany is a top pick for Indian students. Check the top 10 reasons to study in Germany!

Germany is one of the top places for students from India to study abroad. Right now, more than 49,000 Indian students are studying in Germany. Why are so many students choosing Germany? Germany is popular because it offers free education at public German universities, good job chances, and a safe environment. You can find multiple traditional and booming courses in the field of AI, machine learning, and more, offered by public and private universities in Germany. It also has many courses taught in English, so language is not a big problem.

In total, Germany has around 469,500 international students from different countries. This shows how popular Germany has become for students around the world. If you are thinking about studying abroad in 2025, Germany could be the perfect choice for you. In this article, you will find the top 10 reasons to study in Germany and understand why so many students like you prefer this country for their studies.

Top 10 Reasons to Study in Germany

Why study in Germany? Listed below are some of the top reasons that are sure to make you consider Germany as your next viable destination for studying abroad.

1. Top-Ranked Universities
2. Diverse Range of Courses
3. No Language Barrier, English Taught Programmes
4. Public Universities are Highly Subsidized
5. Affordable Cost of Living and Studying
6. Scholarships for Indian Students
7. German Student Visa allows international students to work up to 20 hours a week.
8. Post-Study Work Visa for 18 Months
9. Good Career Opportunities
10. Safe and Diverse Environment

1. World-Class Universities

Germany has some of the best universities in the world, like the Technical University of Munich (TUM), LMU Munich, and Heidelberg University. Getting a degree from these universities will boost your chances of getting a good job anywhere. A globally recognized degree after graduating from Germany would also lead to higher job prospects across Germany in the international marketplace. 

2. Wide Course Selection

Germany not only boast top universities but also a wide range of courses for candidates from all walks of life. Since Germany has such rich history and a strong presence of universities/colleges spread across the country, there is a large number of Bachelors, Masters, PhD, language and certificate courses tailor-made to suit the preference of most students wanting to study in Germany. Read: Top Courses in Germany: Engineering

3. English Taught Programmes

Worried about learning German? No problem! Many courses are taught in English in Germany. While public universities usually require basic German language skills (like A2 or B1), private universities mostly teach in English.

Also Read: List of Universities in Germany that Teach in English

4. Tuition-Free Public Universities

One of the best reasons to study in Germany is the free education at public universities. You only pay a small admin fee each semester (around 200–350 Euros). The amount is minimal. However, this is just half the picture. The admission process in Public Universities is extremely competitive because of the large number of applications they receive every intake. Moreover, candidates would have to undertake a rigorous application process to even be considered for admission to any of the Public Universities in Germany. Note: Knowing certificate-level German is compulsory as part of the admission process. 

Related Reads on Why Study in Germany

5. Low Cost of Living and Studying

The cost of studying is primarily made up of two factors, the Cost of studying and the Cost of living in a country. The low cost of studying in Germany when compared to the US and the UK has made it one of the top destinations for international students. 

Cost of Studying in Germany

The cost of studying in Germany is low compared to countries such as the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA). The table below shows us the comparison between popular courses in Germany, the UK and the USA. Kindly note that while the fees shown below is the average first-year tuition fee, however, it does set the tone of how much a student would be required to shell out during his entire tenure.

Cost of Living in Germany

Similarly, the cost of living in Germany is low compared to countries such as the USA and the UK. The figures provided below would increase or decrease depending on your location of stay i.e. accommodation/ single stay in the city would be more expensive compared to accommodation in the suburbs and on a sharing basis. Germany does have a mandatory Blocked Account system, where you need to keep the finances of the entire year secured in a bank in Germany. You would be allowed to withdraw a month’s living costs at a time. 

EUR 992 per month (around USD 1,085) or EUR 11,904 (INR 11,09 Lakhs) per year to cover living expenses in Germany. For a student, this is the minimum amount a student would need to cover accommodation, living expenses, and even travel pass costs. The candidate would be required to pay an additional maintenance fee + service charge, depending on his preferred ban,k which is over and above the amount mentioned. 

6. Scholarships for Indian Students

Germany might have free universities, but living expenses can add up. The good news is there are scholarships for Indian students:

• DAAD Scholarships: Give about €850–€1,200 every month to Master’s and Ph.D. students.
• BAföG Grant: Gives up to €934 per month (half as a grant, half as a loan that you repay after your studies).

7. German Student Visa Advantages

The German Student Visa allows students several benefits. The student visa would allow you to work part-time for 20 hours a week during term and take up full-time employment during vacations. Candidates are allowed to work for a total of 120 full or 240 half days in a year as a student. The German Study Visa is a powerful student visa, as it doubles as a Schengen visa and allows you access to all Schengen Countries. Germany is located in the heart of Europe and has excellent travel links with surrounding countries such as France and the Netherlands.

8. Post-Study Work Visa for 18 Months

Candidates on completed their master's or bachelor or doctorate studies can apply for and get a Residence Permit for 18 months. This is termed the Post Study Work Permit (PSWP). The Immigration Laws in Germany permit International students to apply for and get a Residence Permit of 18 months to look for a job according to their qualifications. Candidates should note that courses of all durations would be eligible for an 18-month stay-back period in Germany and this is over your German Student Visa tenure. 

9. Good Career Opportunities

The Covid 19 has left devastating effects on every country. While economies are still reeling under the aftereffects of the pandemic, the German economy has begun to pick up speed and is expected to grow by around 2% in 2021. While the forecasts do show a limited growth rate, there is a strong rebound predicted by the end of 2022. This should be a positive tick for selecting Germany as a study abroad destination. Germany is also home to top companies such as Volkswagen, Daimler AG, Allianz, BMW, and Siemens, to name a few all looking to hire new graduates.

Hands-on Learning Experience

Universities in Germany believe that the best way to learn is to indulge in practical training. The courses designed at the universities in Germany require candidates to apply their knowledge in practice and have a practical approach to learning. Often, universities are found collaborating with German companies in business projects to provide students with an experience of real-life work situations, preparing them for life after university. Guest lectures and practical training are a way of life at universities in Germany. 

10. Safe and Diverse Environment

Germany is one of the safest countries in the world. The country is politically stable and its population is a diverse potpourri of people from every section of society. International students would feel safe in a country like Germany, where the law and order of the land are held very high. Read: Studying in Germany: All you need to know 

As Germany is a hub of engineering studies and the de facto head of the European countries, there is a lot of international students flocking to the country to study and work. This allows Indian students to expose themselves to the global crowd and prepare themselves for the international jobs market. 

The benefits of studying in Germany are endless. The ones mentioned above are a select few that would nudge to making Germany your next study abroad destination. If you need assistance with your application process, feel free to reach out to our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors.

Also, Read

Why choose Germany for studies? 

Still not convinced about studying in Germany? Candidates looking for more reasons to study in Germany can check out quick facts about Germany that are sure to convince them about making Germany their next study destination.

• Berlin - the capital of Germany is often referred to as the start-up technology capital of Europe. Berlin is the largest city in the European Union and has encouraging business prospects for candidates, both young professionals and graduates, looking for job opportunities in the country. 
• Germany boasts a strong economy and is one of the most popular study destinations for international students wanting to study in Europe. The education system in Germany is renowned for its high quality and seriousness. 
• The country boasts one of the best unemployment rates in the European Union
• Germany also has one of the best Graduate starting salaries at £40,650 in Europe. Do keep in mind that the German economy is a growing economy. 

Indian Students studying in Germany: Demographics

There must be a lot of curiosity to understand the trends that have been set by students studying in Germany. Read on as we give you a peek into the demographics of Indian students in Germany. Home to automobile giants such as Audi AG, BMW and the Volkswagen Group, Germany has always been considered the mecca for engineering studies for Indian students.

Germany has become an increasingly popular destination for international students over the past decade. Here are some key statistics that highlight the growth in this sector:

1. Current International Student Population: As of the 2023/2024 academic year, 469,485 international students are studying in Germany.
2. Decade Growth: The number of international students in Germany has increased by 55.7% from 2013/14 to 2023/2024. This significant rise reflects Germany's appeal as a study destination.
3. Annual Increase: From the previous year (2022 to 2023), international student numbers saw a 2.4% increase, indicating a steady upward trend.
4. Impact of Tuition-Free Education: Since the German government approved tuition-free education in 2014, the number of international students has surged from 301,350 to the current figure of 469,485. This policy has made higher education more accessible to students from around the world.

Over the last ten years, the increase in international student enrollment shows a strong commitment from Germany to attract global talent and promote diversity in its educational institutions.

Also Read: Difference between FH and TU Germany

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