How to Get Admission to Universities in Germany for Free
Do you want to study in Germany? Are you looking for information to achieve this academic goal? You are in the right place. In this article, I will show you how to get admission into a universities in Germany to study for free. These steps will help guide you on the requirements and methods that will assist you in making your dream of studying in Germany come true.
Table of Contents
#1. Find the right program at a German university.
The first step on how to get admission into a universities in Germany is to find a university and a study program that interest you. You should not find this hard, as there are universities in Germany that offer a lot of study programs in different fields.
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I will recommend that you take out about three months or more of research, which should be enough for you to look through all German institutions and choose which ones provide the best courses relevant to your line of work.
After deciding on a few colleges, you can apply to one or more of them in order to gain admission by shortlisting the ones that are best for you. This is the most important phase in the German study process.
#2. Meet the course requirements
The second step how to get admission into a universities in Germany is to look at the requirements and criteria for application and admission. This information is usually available on the university website under the admission requirements section. If you have any questions, though, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the institution.
Note that the terms for admission depend on the university and the course you are applying for. Things like poor timing or missing documents are the major reasons that a lot of students have been denied admission. As a result, it is advised that you go over the prerequisites section several times and prepare your documents in advance.
For instance, in order to sit for a German language proficiency standardized test, you should take a course on the language for at least 3 months, since learning German from scratch may take even longer than these 3 months.
Furthermore, before you apply to the university, you must prepare your records well in advance since legalization processes and the issuance of documents take time. I recommend at least 4 months of preparation.
Read Also: Want to Study and Live in Germany as an International Student? You Need to know these Tips
#3. Learn the German language 6 months before the application.
Even if your program is in English, your ability to write in German will help you succeed in universities in Germany. With this ability, it is easy for you to understand lectures, comprehend study materials, and effectively communicate your ideas. Since most undergraduate courses and graduate programs are taught in German, having a solid command of the language will help you have conversations with locals.
I recommend that you begin your learning process six months before the start of your course, or even earlier if needed.
#4. Search for Financial Resources two weeks before you apply for a German student visa
If you want to enjoy your stay in Germany, you must have dependable financial means for living and studying in the country. This is because the law in Germany states that; “all foreign non-EU or non-EEA students must have a definite means of money to finance their stay until and unless they have been granted a scholarship that proves their monetary resources.”
Therefore, you should have a minimum of €10,236 deposited in a German bank account. This will cover living and educational costs during your first year of study there.
I recommend that you start getting the money together at least six months before starting the application process and deposit the money at least two weeks before you submit your application for a German student visa.
Read Also: Proven ways for students to make money while in school
#5. Find a German Scholarship (DAAD Scholarship) three months before you apply for a German student visa
You must begin your search for the best scholarships in advance if you want to have your education entirely or partially funded by the German government or university scholarships. Therefore, you must examine the requirements for such scholarships, make the appropriate applications, and hope to get a fully-funded German scholarship to pursue free education in Germany.
#6. Apply for Admission to a German University
After double-checking your application materials, you can submit them online, in person, or by mail, depending on the university’s specifications. To understand this, it is best to reach out to the university you are applying to.
While some German institutions have their own online admissions platforms, others are also part of UniAssist, a nationwide platform for online university applications.
Read Also: 15+ Free-Tuition Universities in Germany that Teach in English?
#7. Get your German Student Visa immediately you receive the admission letter.
International students from non-EU and non-EEA countries need a German student visa in order to study at a university in Germany. It is better to start gathering documentation before applying for a student visa.
However, you should have a solid source of funding for your stay as a student before getting in touch with the German Embassy in person and scheduling a visa appointment. In your scenario, opening a blocked bank account is the best method to get the favor of the authorities. In this case, one of the best accounts to open is Fintiba, a German corporation that is approved by the German Federal Foreign Office.
Additionally, the German embassy in your country will require health insurance coverage in addition to a number of certificates before granting a German student visa.
#8. Find accommodation around the university two weeks before you come to Germany.
You should find good accommodation for yourself online before landing in Germany. Even though it is not expensive to get accommodation in Germany, getting the best option may take much of your time.
Therefore, you should seek accommodation two weeks before your landing, which will give you an advantage the moment you step into the country.
You could read about what it’s like to be a student living in Aachen, Bremen, Bonn, Augsburg, or Berlin Cities.
#9. Enroll at the university in the first week after arriving in Germany.
The final step on how to get admission into a universities in Germany is to enroll. After your application has been accepted, you should enroll in the course in order to become a registered student. Even though public higher education is free in Germany, there is a registration fee that ranges from €150 to €250. You will also have to pay for a semester pass, which entitles you to six months of free public transit use.
Note that you must visit your university’s administration office to provide the following documents:
- Your valid passport
- A passport photo
- Your Visa or Residence Permit
- Completed and signed Application Form
- Degree qualifications (original documents or certified copies)
- The Letter of Admission
- Proof of health insurance in Germany
- The payment fee receipt
After completing the above, you will receive a registration certificate, which is an ID card for residential permits and class attendance. But bear in mind that you will need re-registration and payment of the same fees for each semester.
