In 2019, Germany snatched the top place of having the most degree-seeking international students in the world. A place that was for a long time, held by France. Aside from that, the country has maybe the most accessible higher education in Europe due to its universities’ low or free tuition fees.
However, despite its modest tuition fees, Germany has a high cost of living. Thus, many students who study in Germany choose to look for other ways to fund their whole stay in the country, plus other school-related activities.
There are various ways to fund your education in Germany. Read below to know them.
Getting a Part-time Job in Germany
International students in Germany can take part-time jobs in the country while studying. Thus, for most foreign students, this is their main way of funding for their daily needs while staying in the country. Working while studying is also a good way to build your experience as a student, increasing your chances of getting a better job in the future, especially in Germany.
International students are allowed to work 20 hours per week and up to 120 days per year. Some of the most common work students do include the following:
- Administrative work at school
- Tutoring
- Academic assistant
- Waiting tables
- Bartending
Students can usually ask the help of their institution’s international office when looking for job openings.
Your Own Personal Savings Plus Your Parents’ Assistance
Many foreign students usually save money while in Germany or ask their parents for financial assistance so they can study abroad.
In most cases, students save enough money to fund their study visa application, application to enter the university, and the amount needed for their “proof of funding.”
Many students usually save on their own and ask for financial assistance from their parents. Not only is it a more efficient way to fund your studies, but it also makes saving quicker—saving on your own may usually take a long time.
Scholarships and Other Financial Aid
Scholarships are probably the most popular way of funding your studies, and luckily, Germany has a lot that foreign students can access, from state-funded scholarships to education and private sector scholarships. For some students, some funding is not enough and they supplement it with their savings, or salary from work. Here are some of the prominent scholarship programs.
- DAAD Scholarships
- For full-time courses of study for students, researchers, academics, and so on (EUR 850 to EUR 1,200 per month)
- Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarships, Germany
- More than a thousand scholarships for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students (EUR 850 for non-EU students, and EUR 949 a month for EU students)
- DeutschlandStipendium National Scholarship
- Scholarship awarded by universities to students who have met their requirements (EUR 150 to EUR 300 a month)
- Erasmus Scholarship, Germany
- An EU-wide funding program for students, covering students’ basic cost of living in Germany, traveling expenses, and enrollment
- Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarship Program
- Financial assistance for students studying at state-recognized universities of applied sciences. Applicants of this program are also required to demonstrate exceptional skills in German (EUR 830 a month for undergraduates, and EUR 850 per month for postgraduate students).
Now that you have read the different ways to fund your education in Germany, the next question is, have you decided where to study and what degree you are taking? If not yet, then let MSM Unify help you by checking out our following articles: Top Universities in Germany for International Students and Highest-Paid Degrees in Germany.
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