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.