EU citizens are increasingly venturing into another
country to study there. More and more German students
are moving to Austria to study to avoid the numerus
clausus. But more and more Austrians are coming to
Germany to complete their desired degree there. The
numerus clausus represents the greatest hurdle that has
to be overcome as a prospective student at a German
university.

ADMISSION AND ENROLLMENT FOR STUDYING IN GERMANY
You have to meet various requirements for successful
admission and enrollment at a German university. For
studying in Germany, a general distinction is made
between three types of admission restrictions: none,
local and nationwide admission restrictions.
No admission restrictions
In order to study in Germany, you will definitely
need a high school diploma or a valid general technical
college entrance qualification (the Austrian Matura is
sufficient here) enroll the desired subject. You only
have to consider the registration deadlines of the
universities.
Local admission restrictions
At some universities in Germany, you may not be able
to register for a course of study directly. If, for
example, there are more prospective students than free
places, the free places are distributed to the interests
based on the NC. In addition, universities of applied
sciences and universities can define selection criteria
such as professional experience, individual subject
grades, motivation letters, tests, etc. The best way to
clarify this is with the student advisory centers of the
corresponding universities.
Nationwide admission restriction
There are a few degree programs in Germany with a
nationwide admission restriction. These are courses in
medicine, pharmacy, veterinary medicine and
dentistry. If you are interested in such a study place,
students must apply to the Foundation for
University Admission. The application and allocation of
study places are regulated centrally. It is important
here that you adhere to the application deadlines for
the winter semester (July 15) and for the summer
semester (January 15).
As soon as you are admitted to a German university, you
can register there and start your studies at the next
possible date.
REASONS FOR STUDYING IN GERMANY
Germany is a large and very diverse country with many
beautiful corners. Due to the geographical expanse,
there is a lot to discover, especially the differences
between north and south or also east and west. For
example, you can choose between studying by the sea
(e.g. in Hamburg or Rostock) or studying in the
mountainous south (e.g. Munich or Stuttgart) or between
large cities such as Berlin in the east or Essen in the
west. In addition, you can study almost any field of
study in Germany, so you have a huge selection for the
right start in your academic future! Another argument
for studying in Germany: there are no tuition fees,
which makes studying in one of the 16 federal states
financially very attractive.
FINANCING STUDIES IN GERMANY
In Germany, the so-called semester fee is due once
per semester. This amount varies from university to
university and covers various expenses such as
enrollment fees, the social contribution for the
Studentenwerk and, if applicable, a semester ticket for
local public transport. The amount of the semester fee
is calculated according to the services offered. If you
don't get a semester ticket from your university, for
example, the amount will be significantly lower.
You can finance your studies in Germany in various
ways. On the one hand there is the so-called mobility
grant. This is the Austrian study allowance for
permanent study in Switzerland or other EU
countries. The maximum amount of this allowance is EUR
679 per month. In rare exceptional cases, the study can
also be funded by the German BAföG. However, we
recommend that you contact the Office for
Training Funding to find out about your funding options.
STUDIED IN THE NETHERLANDS
Studying in the Netherlands opens up many great
opportunities and Bachelor and Master degrees recognized
throughout Europe. In the Netherlands, for example, you
have the choice between attractive study locations such
as Amsterdam or Utrecht and no specific NCs (Numerus
Clausus) are required to be admitted to selected
courses, such as psychology. Student life in the
Netherlands has a lot more to offer.
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES IN THE NETHERLANDS
In the Netherlands, just like in Austria, you can
study at “Universiteiten” (universities) and at
“Hogescholen” (universities of applied sciences). The
Dutch universities of applied sciences offer you a very
practical and application-oriented education on a
scientific level. As a rule, a university of applied
sciences in the Netherlands takes four years. At the
universities, however, the duration of the course
depends on the course. The standard period of study is
usually three years. However, it can also be four or
five years. At Dutch universities, it is common for the
specialist literature to be written in English. As a
result, the learning content is often up to date, as no
time-consuming translation is necessary and new
knowledge from international science quickly finds its
way into the lectures.
There is a college and / or university in almost
every major city in the Netherlands. The decision on
where you would like to study can therefore not only
depend on your choice of study, but (depending on the
courses offered) also on your desired study location.
FURTHER ADVANTAGES OF STUDYING IN HOLLAND
By studying in the Netherlands, you can quickly and
easily collect semesters abroad and, nowadays, popular
international experience. The environment at the
universities in Holland is very international, many
lecturers come from abroad and your foreign language
skills are encouraged. When you are finished with your
studies, you have an internationally recognized academic
degree, ideally you can speak three languages and you
have the option of getting started on the Dutch or
German-speaking job market. Not bad, right?
DUTCH STUDENT LIFE
In the Netherlands, student life and the so-called
“gezelligheid” are very important. There are several
student bars and student associations in every student
city. At the student associations you can either do
sports with like-minded students, pursue common hobbies
or organize trips, events or parties within your
association and have a great time.
FUNDING FROM STUDYING ABROAD IN THE NETHERLANDS
In contrast to Austria, tuition fees are payable
annually in the Netherlands. For the academic year
2016-2017, these are 1,984 euros. At many universities,
however, the fees can also be paid in incremental
amounts to make payment easier.
You can finance your studies in the Netherlands in
various ways. On the one hand, there is the so-called
mobility grant, which is the Austrian study grant for
permanent studies in Switzerland or in other EU
countries. The maximum amount of this aid is EUR 679.
Another option is the so-called "study financing",
which students can get from any EU country if they work
at least 56 hours per month in a company in the
Netherlands. The study financing is on loan from the
Dutch state, which has to be paid back a few years after
completing your studies for a low interest rate (up to
01/2021 with 0.01%). The amount of this loan amount in
the academic year 2016-2017 is a maximum of EUR
862.50. If you have a right to study funding, you also
have a right to the “student rice product”. This is a
bus and train card with which you can use all local and
long-distance transport in the Netherlands without
paying anything. |