Education in Germany is free, and compulsory until the age of 16. However, high school and college students are required to pay for their own tuition. In most cases, higher education is tuition-free, but students must pay for their books, uniforms, and other materials.

Scholarships and financial aid are available to help students with their financial burdens. Scholarships can be granted for various reasons, including the purpose of studying abroad.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to your application process in Germany.

German Education System

Education system in Germany, including universities, is organized into three main levels: Elementary, Secondary, and Higher Education. The German educational system has four cycles of learning. These are primary, lower secondary, upper secondary, and tertiary.

Chiefly, there are two types of schools in Germany; public schools and private schools.

Public schools operate under local governments and are free of charge. Private schools, on the other hand, are tuition-based and are usually considered prestigious. In both public and private schools, classes are usually conducted in German, and in most cases, classes are mixed. Most students also have to take a German language test before they are allowed to enroll in a school.

Read More: IDP Study Abroad Education Expo for Students

Scholarship Programs Eligible in German Universities

1. The Scholarship of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

Scholarships from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) are available to international students in Germany. Basically, the purpose of this scholarship program is to strengthen the internationalization of the universities and to strengthen the image of Germany as an attractive study destination for students worldwide.

The program includes the following steps:

  1. Application for a DAAD scholarship.
  2. Admission to a university of the DAAD program.
  3. Start of the academic year and stay in Germany until the end of the program.
  4. Assessment of the course of study at the end of the program.

The scholarship is valid for 2 years. Students who are interested in applying for a DAAD scholarship must first apply for admission to a DAAD university of their choice.

For further information about the scholarship, please visit https://www.daad.de/en/scholarships/international-studies-scholarships.

2. The Federal Scholarship Programme for Foreigners (FSF) also Eligible for German Universities

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The Federal Scholarship Program for Foreigners (FSF) is offered by the German government. It is available to citizens of countries other than Germany, who are in the European Economic Area (EEA).

The FSF provides grants to foreign students who have secured admission in a bachelor’s degree program at one of the German universities.

The grant can cover tuition fees, accommodation, and living expenses. Applicants must meet certain requirements:

Scholarships are awarded in three categories:

The first category is for applicants with a GPA lower than 3.0. They will receive the lowest amount of money. Applicants in this category must have a minimum of 2.5.

The second category is for applicants with a GPA of between 3.0 and 4.5. They will receive the next highest amount of money. Applicants in this category must have a minimum of 3.5.

The third and final category is for applicants with a GPA of greater than 4.5. Applicants in this category will receive the highest amount of money. Applicants in this category must have a minimum of 4.5.

3. The German Academic Scholarship Foundation (Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes) 

The German Academic Scholarship Foundation (Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes) is a non-profit organization that provides scholarships for German students. It offers more than 5,000 scholarships each year to German universities.

You can learn more about the foundation here: https://www.studienstiftung.de/en

How to Make a Resume While Applying for Higher Education in Foreign University? 

Undeniably, resumes, cover letters, and resumes are documents that allow you to present yourself to potential employers. You need to prepare a strong resume when looking for a new job, as well as a cover letter for a thank-you note.

To enumerate, the most common mistakes that people make in their resumes and cover letters are:

To create a good resume, you need to follow these steps:

Determine the Type of Position You are Applying for

Firstly, do some research on the company and the position. If the job posting is in the newspaper, read the job description thoroughly. If the job posting is on the Internet, look for the company name and type of position in a search engine.

Determine the Skills and Accomplishments You Have That Relate to the Position

Secondly, consider your skills and accomplishments carefully. You may want to list all of your skills and accomplishments. Or you may only want to list the skills and accomplishments that are relevant to the position. For example, if you are applying for an entry-level job, you don’t need to include your experience working with Microsoft Excel. But you may want to mention that you know how to use Google Docs and can create a spreadsheet.

Develop a Career Objective Statement for Applying in German Universities

Afterwards, write a career objective statement. Your career objective statement is one of the most important parts of your resume. The career objective statement should summarize your career history.

For example, you could use the following statements:

“I am looking for a job that requires a high level of interpersonal skills and customer service.”

“I have worked in sales in several industries. Now I want to work in a retail business.”

Or,

“I have experience in sales, and a passion for working with children. Hence, I want to work in a daycare setting.”

Include Your Contact Information

One of the most important things is to include your contact information. This includes your email address, phone number, and mailing address. Include your date of birth and other important information about yourself.

Format Your Resume

By all means, use a uniform style across all sections of your resume. This means using the same font, font size, and line spacing in each section.

Use bullets to identify the headings of the sections on your resume and use bullet points for lists.

The headings should not exceed 2 lines. If the heading is longer than 2 lines, break it into multiple bullet points.

Write a Cover Letter

Additionally, write a cover letter that explains your interest in the job and how you would contribute to the company. Use a professional tone.

This is your opportunity to highlight your strengths and achievements.

Send Your Resume and Cover Letter

Contact the company by email or phone to let the employer know that you are sending them your resume and cover letter, because it gives them a chance to ask questions or confirm that you are the right person for the job.

If they accept you for the position, you will receive a job offer.

4. The International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) in German Universities

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The International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) provides students and families with access to scholarships and international learning opportunities. ISEP offers more than 30 programs that allow students to study, intern, volunteer, travel, and work in more than 170 countries around the world including German universities.

ISEP offers several types of scholarships that cover tuition, room and board, travel, and other expenses. Scholarships are offered for the following:

  1. Studying abroad
  2. Volunteering
  3. Work and internship
  4. International living experience

Students can use the scholarship search engine to find a program that matches their interests and goals.

5. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research in German Universities

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The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is a federal government ministry in Germany that promotes research and provides financial support for students and professors. It is an independent administrative body whose role is to provide support for research and the creation of new knowledge. It also works to create opportunities for young people to participate in scientific projects.

There are two main ways to apply for BMBF scholarships: through German Universities (i.e. university students), or through German Research Institutions (i.e. universities that are part of an institute).

Scholarships for University Students: Students must be enrolled in a German University and must have achieved a degree. They must be in good academic standing and must have a high GPA.

Scholarships for University Institutions: These are open to German universities that are part of an institute.

Scholarships for International Students: Scholarships for International Students are available to students who are studying in Germany. They can be available to any level of study, including undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D.