Steps to study in Germany
Singapore is home to prestigious colleges and institutions, and its national universities consistently place in the top 20. Singapore's education system is designed with current market trends in mind, ensuring that graduates from its universities have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the global economy. A step-by-step tutorial for applying to study in Singapore is provided here.
5 STEPS TO STUDY IN GERMANY
1
Decide on a university/college & course
2
Check requirements & apply
3
Arrange funding
4
Apply for a student visa
5
Prepare your stay
STEP 1: Decide on a university/college and course
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Finding the right study programme for you is the first step you should take after deciding you want to study at a German university. It’s a really important decision, so make sure to give yourself enough time to decide on what’s right for you so you don’t have to make a last-minute choice.
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It is advisable to learn as much as you can about the variety of courses, colleges, and universities that are available and compare them in order to make sure that you pick the course that is ideal for you and your goals. It's also essential to review the prerequisites for the course. You can achieve this by viewing the course profiles on the websites of the universities or the Edu Experts website. If you have any queries, you can get in touch with us for information about your courses, scholarships that are available, university applications, or you can ask the institution directly.
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STEP 2: Check requirements and apply
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Once you’ve decided on the study programme, it’s time to check that you meet all of the requirements that are needed in the Germany university admission process. The general requirements on how to study in Germany will vary depending on the university you’re applying to, so we recommend checking the entry requirements for every university you plan on applying to.
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#1 School-leaving qualification
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​To study in Germany, you will need a ‘Hochschulzugangsberechtigung’ ‘HZB’ - which is a school-leaving qualification. If your school-leaving qualitifcation is recognized in Germany as equivalent to the Abitur or Fachabitur, you can go ahead and apply directly for a study programme in Germany without having to complete a foundation preparatory course (Studienkolleg).
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According to Anabin, a foreign qualification evaluation database for German education system, the following pre-university courses in Malaysia that can allow students to gain direct entry to a Bachelor’s degree programme in German universities are:
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Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) with Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM)
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A Level
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AUSMAT/WACE, SACE and HSC
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International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB diploma)
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Canadian International Matriculation Programme (CIMP)
#2 English Language Qualification
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To get a place at a German university you will have to show proof that you have a good understanding of the language you’re going to be taught in - which will either be English or German. For English language, consider getting one of these certificates to meet the requirements:
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TOEFL
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IELTS
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Cambridge Assessment English
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#3 Documents Required
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The entry requirements will differ between each university and course but generally, these are the main requirements asked of students applying for a Bachelor's degree in Germany:
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Proof of previous qualifications
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Take an entrance exam
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Proof of English language proficiency
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Motivation letter or references
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Copy of ID/passport
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Note: A motivation letter is a simple essay that very clearly explains your reasoning for studying in Germany
STEP 3: Arrange funding
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It’s important that you have the money to fund your studies and living expenses in Germany, it’s also something that you’ll be asked to prove as part of your visa application. You can prove your finances in a number of different ways, either through personal savings or money from your parents. Most students will do this by setting up a blocked account, where you have to deposit an agreed sum (which is determined by the length of your stay in Germany). You will need to have an account with a balance of at least €10,332.
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As an international student, you can also apply for various scholarships and loans which can help you financially during your study programme.
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STEP 4: Apply for a student visa
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The visa process can be long, but it’s essential for you to be allowed to study in Germany. The process includes meeting with the German consulate in Malaysia, completing various forms, and applying for a bank account. Remember to have all of your documents ready. Once you know the date of your appointment, it’s time to double-check that you have all the documents you need.
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STEP 5: Prepare your stay
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It's time to start packing once you've received your offer and your visa! You can now start thinking about flights, accommodations, and anything else you'll need to make the most of your time in Germany.