Universities in Germany. Higher education in Germany for Russian and foreign students

Universities in Germany are institutions of higher education that truly provide excellent education. In this country you can study to become almost any specialist - from an Egyptologist to an engineer. In addition, many provide education for free, you only need to pay a small amount as tax (it is only about 600 euros per semester). And in general, a diploma of higher European education for many students is the path to future life.

Rating

Speaking about education in Germany, we should pay attention to the most popular universities in this country. Every year they compile a list of universities that have proven themselves better than others during the previous year. And, I must say, it is difficult to decide which universities will lead it. After all, the best universities in Germany number in the hundreds. The ranking is headed by the Rhine-Westphalian Technical University (Aachen). It also takes a leading position. In general, it must be said that educational institutions in the capital are quite popular. Take, for example, the Humboldt University of Berlin, famous throughout the world. In general, there are a lot of prestigious higher schools in Germany - students go to study in Munich, Cologne, Heidelberg, Bremen, Dortmund and other cities where they can get an excellent education in any field.

Classical education

The oldest universities in Germany inspire not only trust, but also undoubted respect. One of these is Heidelberg, located in the city of the same name. Perhaps one of the oldest universities in the whole world - its history begins in the distant 14th century, in 1386! It was from the walls of this university that the world-famous student anthem Gaudeamus came out. Not much later, the University of Cologne opened - only two years after Heidelberg. This university has quite an interesting history. In 1798 it was closed because the local professors did not recognize the French Revolution. More than a century passed before it began to work again. Speaking about ancient universities in Germany, one cannot help but mention the University of Freiburg. It has been operating since 1457 and over such a significant period of time it has released from its walls the most famous people, including Max Nonne (a famous neurologist), Paul Elrich (chemist and immunologist), Erasmus of Rotterdam (humanist) and many others. And this is not all the old universities in Germany. There is also the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, which has 20 faculties, the University of Tübingen (medical and social sciences are taught there), and also the University of Mainz (considered a campus).

Technical education

There is a fairly broad classification of educational institutions according to their field, but the most popular are those that are humanitarian and technical. Technical universities in Germany exist in almost all cities of this country. In addition to the above-mentioned university, located in the city of Aachen, there are several more popular and elite educational institutions. For example, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. In 1969, it became the educational institution that introduced a five-year training program in the specialty “Informatics”, and another 5 years later a faculty of this specialization was opened. Ten years ago it was awarded the honorary title of a research university, and most recently, in 2009, it became one of the components of the nuclear research center in the city of Karlsruhe. This university has several other specialties - electrical engineering, industrial engineering, natural science and mechanical engineering. Of course, one cannot fail to note the Technical University of Munich, the second German capital. Several years ago it became one of the three best universities in the country. At this institution you can study for such specialties as computer science, biology, physics, chemistry, mechanical engineering, as well as management and economics.

Humanitarian sciences

Perhaps, if we talk about humanitarian education, then attention should be paid to the University of Constanta. It was founded not so long ago, in comparison with the universities described above, only in 1966, but it has become quite popular. The university has several faculties related to the humanities - history and sociology (combined with sports), the study of art, mass media and literature, linguistics and philosophy. The Free University of Berlin also has several faculties where there is definitely a place for students with a humanitarian mindset. There is a department for the study of classical languages, cultural studies, philosophy, archeology and Egyptology. By the way, this is an ideal training place for polyglots. At this university you can get a diploma in translation, as they teach Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Korean, Chinese, Japanese and, of course, German.

Mass media and communication

Journalism is one of the most modern specialties. Many people are interested in this field of activity; a large number of potential students want to receive an appropriate education in Germany. It must be said that here more than 23 universities teach journalism within their walls. These educational institutions are located in Bamberg, Munich, Essen, Dresden, Berlin and some other German cities. Universities use two approaches to training publicists - scientific (that is, a combination of theory and practice) and practical (there are special schools of a narrow profile for this). In different universities, this specialty belongs to different departments. For example, the Institute of Journalism at the University of Dortmund has a cultural studies unit where such specialists are trained. In Mainz, this specialty belongs to the Faculty of Social Sciences. And at the Institute of Journalism in Münster - even to the philosophical. By the way, the Free University of Berlin also has such a department. Those wishing to study for this specialty are given greater freedom of choice, since German universities also offer various fields - from sports journalism to media economics.

Medicine

Everyone knows how highly developed it is. And, I must say, here you can get an excellent medical education. Take, for example, the University of Ulm. This university works with students from all over the world and prepares excellent specialists. The university has four faculties - natural sciences, mathematics and economics, medicine (main, specialized), as well as computer science and engineering. If a student wants to study in the specialty of epidemiology, molecular medicine or bioinformatics, then his path lies in the same Free University of Berlin. There is also a faculty of veterinary medicine. By the way, I must say that in Germany you can get it faster than in Russia. The duration of training ranges from two to four years - it all depends on the profile and level of training of the student.

Jurisprudence and law

Universities in Germany of this profile also provide a good education. Although in this country this profile is less popular than technical specialties. And it takes longer to study to become a lawyer - initially study for about eight years at a higher educational institution, then work for about two years in court or in a relevant law firm. After this, the almost ready-made specialist passes the second state exam. Only then can he be considered a true professional. Many universities in Germany offer a fairly extensive list of legal specialties. For example, at the University of Mannheim, the well-known department is the one that provides a law degree in enterprises. Many potential students want to enroll at the University of Munich. Ludwig Maximilian, since this university was recognized as the best in Germany in terms of quality

What is needed for admission

After a potential student has studied the list of universities in Germany and found the university of his dreams, questions follow regarding how to enter it and what is needed for this. There are no barriers here if a person has a small capital, some documents (which is necessary for admission to any university in Russia) and knowledge of the language. Almost any German university is ready to accept a foreign student almost free of charge (about 600 euros per semester). So studying in Germany for Russians is a reality. By the way, there are quite a lot of students in this country who came from Russia.

Language knowledge

What is necessary for admission is fluency in German. It is very important to confirm your knowledge of the language. This is necessary in order to assure the Germans that the student is fully prepared to master the material in class. To do this you need to pass the DAF test. You must register in advance to take it. The test consists of four parts - comprehension of text, oral speech, personal written speech, and conversation. Upon completion of the exam, the person is awarded a certificate indicating his level of language proficiency. TDN 5 is considered the highest. With this indicator, all the best universities in Germany will accept the student. In order to fully receive this certificate, you must first take courses in German. TDN level 4 is also possible, but is not accepted everywhere.

Duration of training and its features

The duration of study in Germany varies; it all depends on what specialty the student chooses to study. In addition, the university also plays a significant role. On average, the term ranges from three to six years. Russian students can enter universities in Germany either immediately after completing 11 grades of school, or after completing two courses of study at their university. However, then you will have to go to the first year. If a student completed four years in Russia and received a bachelor's degree, then he can receive higher education in Germany, that is, a master's degree.

The best universities in Germany (according to the WirtschaftsWoche magazine)

The rankings of the best universities in Germany, compiled by the German publication Wirtschafts Woche, are among the most objective. Universities that have received recognition and high praise from the editors of this magazine are among the elite universities and deserve the support of German government agencies.

1. RWTH Aachen (Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen) / RWTH Aachen University of Technology

In the field of advanced technology and scientific and technical education, the city of Aachen is unrivaled. The same applies to the Technical University of Aachen (RWTH), which is included in the small list of elite German universities. The RWTH 2020 project, supported by the German Federal Government, aims to become the best university in the field of integrated application of various scientific disciplines in the development of new technologies by the end of this decade.

WirtschaftsWoche awards 1st place to the Aachen University of Technology for the teaching of electrical engineering (Elektrotechnik), mechanical engineering (Maschinenbau), industrial engineering (Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen) and natural sciences (Naturwissenshaften). In computer science (Informatik), RWTH loses only to the Karlsruhe University of Technology.

2. Uni Mannheim / University of Mannheim

The young University of Mannheim is located in the beautiful old city castle, built in the Baroque style. This economics university is recognized as the best in its field: the leading subjects are business economics (BWL) and national economics (VWL), for the quality of teaching of which WirtschaftsWoche ranks the university first. Also in the top ten are economic informatics (Wirtschaftsinformatik) (3), computer science and information technology (Informatik) (8) and law (Jura) (8).

3.

This university has no equal in the field of information technology. Since 1969, the institute became the first university to introduce a Diplom program (5 years of study) in the specialization “Informatics” (Informatik), and five years later the first computer science faculty in the country was opened here. In 2005, KIT received the status of a research university, and later, in 2009, it merged with the Karlsruhe Nuclear Research Center (Kernforschungszentrum der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft). Thus, according to WirtschaftsWoche, Karlsruhe University of Technology deserves 1st place in computer science, 2nd place in electrical engineering (Elektrotechnik), mechanical engineering (Maschinenbau) and industrial engineering (Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen). Natural science (Naturwissenschaften) is also taught at a very high level - third place in Germany.

4. Technische Universität München (TUM) / Technical University of Munich

The German Federal Government awarded the Technical University of Munich twice in 2007: it was ranked among the top three elite German research institutes and also earned recognition as a university of applied sciences. This means that TUM not only conducts research, but also teaches how to make money from it. For this purpose, a special organization UnternehmerTUM GmbH was established, which advises students on entrepreneurship issues. Among all higher education institutions in Germany, TUM is distinguished by its quality teaching of economic informatics (Wirtschaftsinformatik) (1st place). 2nd place is occupied by natural sciences (Naturwissenschaften): physics, chemistry, biology, etc. Electrical engineering (Elektrotechnik) and mechanical engineering (Maschinenbau) are in 3rd place, and economics and business management (BWL) completes the top ten.

5. Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) / Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

Founded in 1472, LMU is one of the oldest and most prestigious German universities. According to international studies in 2011, Ludwig Maximilian University is recognized as the best higher education institution in Germany, and according to the Shanghai Jiao Tong University ranking, LMU is second only to the Technical University of Munich. Considering the most in-demand specialties, WirstchaftsWoche ranks the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich first in Germany in terms of the level of teaching law (Jura). In economic specialties (BWL und VWL) and natural sciences (Naturwissenschaften), the university is in third and fourth place, respectively.

6.

In terms of the level of teaching economic sciences, the University of Cologne is second only to Mannheim (2nd place) and is one of the best higher economic schools in the world. Law (Jura) is in 3rd place, and economic informatics (Wirtschaftsinformatik) is in 5th. The University of Cologne is also included in the list of elite universities in Germany.

7. Technische Universität Darmstadt / Technical University of Darmstadt

Darmstadt Technical University is famous for its independence. Its main building is located next to the ancient castle - the former residence of the king. The magazine WirtschaftsWoche distributed specialties according to the quality of teaching as follows: industrial construction (Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen) in 3rd place in Germany; computer science (Informatik), electrical engineering (Elektrotechnik) and mechanical engineering (Maschinenbau) are in 4th place, and natural sciences (Naturwissenschaften) occupy 5th place in the ranking.

8. Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität in Münster / Kaiser Wilhelm II Westphalian University in Münster

Founded in 1780, the University of Münster is famous for its many research centers and the successful combination of several disciplines in scientific research. In terms of the level of technological teaching, the university does not fall into the top ten, but in the field of law (Jura) and economics (Wirtschaftswissenschaften) it confidently holds second and fourth place, respectively.

9. Technische Universität Dresden / Technical University of Dresden

The Technical University of Dresden has earned the title of an elite institution of higher education and is supported by the German Federal Government. All of its technical specializations are among the top ten among all German universities: TU Dresden is in 5th place in electrical engineering (Elektrotechnik) and mechanical engineering (Maschinenbau), in 6th place in industrial engineering (Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen) and computer science (Informatik), and mathematics , physics and other natural sciences (Naturwissenschaften) are ranked 8th in terms of quality of teaching in Germany.

10. Technische Universität Ilmenau / Technical University of Ilmenau

Ilmenau, a small town in Thuringia, is famous for its university, which in turn has become famous for its significant achievements in the field of information technology. Here, for the first time in Germany, the specialty “Media Technology” (Medientechnologie) appeared, as well as a professorship in computer and video games (Computer- und Videospiele).

Thus, WirtschaftsWoche places TU Ilmenau in 4th place in the level of teaching economic informatics (Wirtschaftsinformatik), in 5th place in information technology (Informatik) and industrial engineering (Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen), and electrical engineering (Elektrotechnik) and mechanical engineering (Maschinenbau) are ranked in 7th place in the ranking.

11. Goethe-Universität Fankfurt am Main / Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt

The city of bankers - Frankfurt am Main - fully lives up to its unofficial name: economic specialties are very popular and prestigious here. National Economy (VWL) is rated quite highly by the WirtschaftsWoche magazine and is in 4th position compared to other German universities, and Business Economics (BWL) is in 8th position. Most Nobel laureates who have graduated from the University of Frankfurt earned their awards for their discoveries in the fields of chemistry (Chemie) and physics (Physik).

12. Technische Universität Berlin / Technical University of Berlin

In the top ten technical specialties among German universities you will find all the areas that the Technical University of Berlin offers. In 4th place is industrial construction (Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen), in 6th place are natural sciences (Naturwissenschaften) and computer science (Informatik), 7th place is occupied by mechanical engineering (Maschinenbau), and 10th place is electrical engineering (Elektrotechnik).

13.

The official name of this university lacks the word “technical”. However, all Swabians know their strengths: the University of Stuttgart ranks 6th in Germany in electrical engineering (Elektrotechnik) and mechanical engineering (Maschinenbau), and natural sciences (Naturwissenschaften) round out the top ten for the quality of teaching specialties.

14. Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn / Rhine Friedrich Wilhelm University Bonn

The University of Bonn has twice entered the top ten best universities in Germany according to WirtschaftsWoche: jurisprudence (Jura) in 5th place and economics in 6th.

15. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin / Humboldt University of Berlin

More prestigious than the capital's technical university, however, according to the editors of WirtschaftsWoche, the less successful university named after. Humboldt is the symbol and pride of Berlin. In this ranking it appears only once: in sixth place in jurisprudence (Jura). Business economics (BWL) ranks only 13th.

The most prestigious higher education institutions in Germany according to the American magazine US News & World Report, included in the ranking of the best universities in the world - Best Global Universities (BGU).

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU)

By A.Savin (Wikimedia Commons) - Own work,

Founded in the Bavarian capital in 1472, the university offers master's programs in German and partly in English. Its international student population is approximately 5,000 out of a total enrollment of over 36,000.

LMU's faculty and alumni include many famous people, including theoretical physicist Werner Heisenberg, playwright Bertolt Brecht, and Pope Benedict XVI. The university is also ranked among the Top 50 educational institutions in the world as one of the leaders in the fields of arts, humanities, biology, immunology, physics, neuroscience, psychiatry/psychology and space research. The ranking ranks 57th in the world and 11th in Europe.

Heidelberg University

The University named after Ruprecht and Charles was founded in 1386. It is the oldest academic institution in Germany, and one of the oldest universities in the world still standing. The share of international students among more than 29,000 students is approximately 17%.

Five German chancellors studied in Heidelberg, including Helmut Kohl, who played a vital role in the unification of Germany, as well as outstanding thinkers such as Hannah Arendt.

Specializing in subjects such as medicine, neuroscience, biology, physics, pharmacology and astronomy, the University of Baden-Württemberg is ranked 68th in the world and 16th in Europe.

Technical University of Munich (TUM)

The founding date of one of the largest German universities is 1868. Some specialties are taught in both German and English, which ensures a large influx of foreign students - about 8,000 out of a total of 37,000.

Thanks to the development of agricultural sciences and educational programs in computer science, TUM is included in the world Top 40. On the US News list it ranks 86th in the world and 24th in Europe.

Humboldt University of Berlin (HU)

The oldest university in Berlin was founded in 1809 on the initiative of the philosopher and linguist Wilhelm von Humboldt. He entered the international Top 50 thanks to such disciplines as neurobiology and immunology. He is also famous for his achievements in the humanities and arts. Berlin HU, whose graduates included Ludwig Feuerbach, Karl Marx, Erich Neumann, took 93rd place in the world ranking and 30th in the European ranking.

University of Bonn

The Rhine Friedrich Wilhelm University Bonn, founded in 1784 in the hometown of Ludwig van Beethoven, is distinguished by its high-quality programs in German and English. The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and the poet Heinrich Heine once studied here. The world's top includes subjects such as mathematics, immunology and neurobiology. The place in the world is 110th, in Europe – 39th.

Free University of Berlin (FU)

The youngest, but largest in terms of number of students, German university was founded in 1948. The reasons for its emergence in West Berlin were the Soviet occupation, in the sector of which Humboldt University fell.

Nobel laureates such as chemist Gerhard Ertl, writer Kenzaburo Oe, and economist Reinhard Selten taught here. The Free University of Berlin, according to US News, ranks 113th in the world and 41st in Europe

University of Hamburg

By - photo by ,

Despite its relative youth (founded in 1919), the largest university in Northern Germany managed to make a significant contribution to the history of the development of science and technology. Professors and graduates glorified the university with their discoveries and achievements, five of whom are Nobel Prize laureates: biochemist Hans Krebs, physicists Johannes Jensen, Wolfgang Paul, Otto Stern and Wolfgang Ernst Pauli, as well as physician Harald zur Hausen. Included in the Top 50 due to special achievements in neurobiology and immunology, he ranks 121st in the world list.

University of Freiburg

By Peitho84 - ​​Own work,

A university with a long academic tradition, founded in 1457 by the representative of the Habsburg dynasty, Archduke Albrecht VI of Austria.

Among the famous people associated with the university are the “prince of humanists” Erasmus of Rotterdam, philosopher Martin Heidegger, sociologist Max Weber, director Wim Wender, and the first chancellor of post-war Germany, Konrad Adenauer. BGU is listed at number 144.

University of Gottingen

By Daniel Schwen - Own work,

This university in Lower Saxony was founded in 1734 by the Hanoverian Elector George Augustus.

The famous university, thanks to whose authority Göttingen became known as the “city of science,” is associated with the activities of at least forty-five Nobel laureates who studied, taught and conducted research here. The educational institution maintains close ties with the Max Planck Society for Scientific Research and the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Association. The university has one of the largest libraries in Germany. He is 155th in the ranking.

University of Tübingen

Public Domain,

The Karl Eberhard State University in Tübingen was founded in 1477. Located in the southwestern part of Baden-Württemberg, the university campus trains specialists in the fields of medicine, natural sciences and social sciences. He is especially famous for his enormous contributions to liberal Christian theology. Among the most famous graduates are the astronomer Johannes Kepler, the neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer, and the philosopher Georg Hegel. In the BGU list, the University of Tübingen is in 158th place.

Top 10 best universities in Germany updated: April 18, 2019 by: Marko Bayanov

– one of the most popular offers on the foreign market of educational services. A developed, modern state with a rich history and culture is one of the most student countries: about 150 thousand foreigners study here, which puts Germany in third place in the world in this regard.

The secret of the success and popularity of higher education at German universities lies in the structure of university education: universities combine ancient traditions and practices with an innovative approach and the active introduction of modern methods and approaches, and actively use the latest technology and equipment. Traditionally, in higher education in Germany, areas of technical and philological profile, faculties of medicine are strong: the diploma obtained is highly valued both in the country and around the world, giving the graduate a chance for a successful career. Throughout Europe, the level of equipment and the latest equipment of German institutions is noted, and the qualifications, experience and professionalism of teachers have become a kind of quality standard.

The German government, together with the country's institutions, is actively attracting foreigners, including Russian students. One of the main bonuses of higher education in Germany is the provision of temporary residence rights after graduation, which gives the right to find a job in the specialty, as well as the relatively low cost of training and living (especially in comparison with other Western and European countries). Moreover, students at German universities can work while studying - this is enshrined in law, and many enterprises and companies constantly cooperate with universities, look for future employees and specialists, and organize internships and internships.

For Russian students, Germany is a fairly close country, so traveling to study at German universities does not cause much discomfort, and German is the second most popular foreign language after English. In both Russia and Germany, compulsory secondary education is guaranteed and free - and the number of public universities is much larger than private ones, unlike in other European countries. Moreover, foreigners enter German universities on equal terms with German citizens.

How to enter universities in Germany?

Higher education in Germany has its own characteristics and sets certain requirements for applicants. A prerequisite is good (or better, excellent) knowledge. If you are not sure of the quality of your linguistic training, there are a huge number of language schools and centers.

For many applicants, the problem is the difference in educational programs: in Russia, children spend 11 years in school, while they spend as much as 13, and only this course is the standard of secondary education. That is why a Russian certificate alone is not enough for admission to German universities - you need to add to it 2 years of study at any Russian university. Moreover, if you have not completed higher education, you can submit documents only for those specialties whose areas were studied in their homeland. If you have managed to obtain higher education (bachelor's degree) in Russia, then you can submit documents wherever you want - the disciplines studied will be accepted and recalculated for German credits. Higher education in Germany is characterized by academic freedom - students themselves determine which areas of study and subjects will be included in their own diploma.

Where to go to study?

Higher education in Germany can be obtained in several institutions of various profiles:

• Universitat (or as it is often called, Uni) is designed for students who want to build a career as a scientist and researcher
• Technische Universitaten, or TU (technical universities) will be the best choice for fans of engineering, natural science, applied specialties (and today they also offer humanities courses). You can also choose institutes of applied sciences - Fachhochschulen, abbreviated FH
• Musik and Kunsthochschulen are creative universities for future workers in music, art, painting, etc. They have the highest percentage of foreign students - approximately 30% (for comparison, in other institutions this parameter is approximately 10%)
• Commercial universities (for example, theology)
• Universities that teach programs in English are ideal if you want to build a future career in an English-speaking country.

To assess the quality of work of universities, there is a special rating, which is compiled by the Center for University Development (CHE): government institutions participate in it, and the best of them receive significant funding and subsidies from the state budget.

Structure of higher education in Germany

According to the Bologna system adopted in Europe, there is a two-stage model of higher education:

• Bachelor (3-3.5 years of study, or 6-7 semesters); in the first 1.5-2 years the student receives a licentiate degree (initial stage)
• Master (1-2 additional years of study – 2-4 semesters), also called a master’s degree
• Doctoral studies.

Please note that for some particularly difficult and “voluminous” specialties a bachelor’s degree is not provided; only complete higher education, that is, a master’s degree, is required. Future doctors study for 13 semesters, pharmacists – 8 semesters, educators and teachers – at least 10, and lawyers – 9.

Higher education in Germany provides for a fairly short period of study if you are already receiving a second higher education: due to the most concentrated and structured plan, the duration of study does not exceed 1-2 years (2-4 semesters) in all specialties.

When receiving higher education in Germany, the Student independently chooses the disciplines to study and the subjects that will be included in his diploma. There are no usual academic groups here - each student independently determines their schedule (both classes and exams) and reports at the end of each semester.

Paid or free?

Until recently, the entire system of higher education in Germany in public universities was completely free, but this principle is quickly becoming a thing of the past - and universities are introducing paid education. The cost of tuition is regulated by the authorities of the federal state (district, region of the country) in which the university is located, so the numbers can vary greatly - but in general the price of a semester does not exceed 500 euros. This makes higher education in Germany one of the most affordable in all of Europe!

Be prepared that foreigners incur some additional expenses - for example, paying for guardianship, etc.

Is your language level sufficient?

As already mentioned, higher education in Germany should be obtained if you are confident in your knowledge of the German language. There are several international tests (including online ones) that allow you to objectively check and evaluate the level of your knowledge. Usually, to obtain a diploma or certificate, you need to score at least 80% of correct answers - if the result is unsatisfactory, you should pay attention to intensive German courses. Of course, it will be much more effective to learn a language in an atmosphere of linguistic and cultural immersion, so Smapse is ready to select courses for you at German schools or universities, summer camps with language learning, etc.

Please note that to study at German universities, good spoken German and the ability to understand your interlocutor in everyday situations are not enough - academic German and knowledge of terminology related to your future specialty are required.

Are you ready to go to university?

Most German universities providing higher education in Germany for foreigners (excluding areas of medicine, creativity and art, law) do not set entrance exams for applicants - it is enough to submit a complete package of documents, provide a certificate of a German gymnasium on completion of a 13-year course and a certificate. Students can be involved in an interview, small profile tests, and a thematic role-playing game.

As already mentioned, a Russian certificate is not enough to immediately enter a German university (an exception is made only for gold medal holders). But there is another way, besides studying for 2 years at a Russian university: it is called Feststellungsprufung. This is a special qualifying exam that allows you to study at a German university after the first course of full-time study (if you studied in the evening or correspondence department, you will need 2 courses). The Feststellungsprufung consists of two parts - written and oral - dedicated to all subjects and areas that the student studied in college. The examination certificate is accepted and highly valued by all universities in Germany. But please note: if you fail the test, you will only have one attempt to retake it and only after six months - carefully distribute your strength and evaluate the possibilities.

A student receives admission to the Feststellungsprufung after studying for 2 semesters at a specialized preparatory college: usually courses at the Studienkolleg are offered directly by the university of your choice. Admission to Studienkolleg is incomparably simpler: you only need to present a certificate of secondary education (including transcripts), a certificate of knowledge of German and pass an internal language test. Most Studienkolleg are free, with only a small semester fee (30-200 euros). Particularly persistent and ambitious students can choose to prepare for the qualifying exam on their own, without attending the Studienkolleg - but we do not recommend this option, because for an unprepared foreign student the chances of success are extremely low.

How to get a student visa to Germany?

On the official website of the German consulate, you can familiarize yourself with the mandatory list of documents that are provided to obtain a German visa - and Smapse will help you collect and translate the required documents and schedule you at the consulate at a convenient time. You need to prepare a questionnaire filled out in the prescribed form, a valid international passport, photographs of the established form, an invitation from the educational institution and a document confirming your financial solvency (minimum 8,000 euros for six months). Financial documents may be as follows:

• Letter of guarantee from a German citizen or from a permanent resident on its territory
• A receipt for depositing the amount into an account in one of the German banks (Sperrkonto) - every month it gives you the right to withdraw only 1/12 of the invested funds, which guarantees your solvency throughout your studies
• A statement from your parents that they are ready to bear all expenses for your studies and maintenance + bank account statement + certificate from your place of work indicating your income.

Additionally, the applicant should write a letter of motivation in which you justify your desire to study in Germany and your choice of university: indicate where and when you studied German, why you chose this specialty and educational institution, what personal and career goals you plan to achieve.

The interview at the consulate usually does not take more than 5-10 minutes, but it is worth preparing for it. Be prepared to answer where your university is located, what they study in your chosen specialty, what is the duration of study - and, of course, prepare for the fact that you will most likely be interviewed in German.

Where do international students live in Germany?

Most universities providing higher education programs in Germany for foreigners provide space on their campus, in general residences - this costs 200-300 euros per month. Sometimes for the same amount it is possible to rent separate housing (apartment, room or hostel); a joint form of renting an apartment or apartment (Wohngemeinscfiaft, or WG) is also popular.

How to choose the best university in Germany?

As already mentioned, the best public universities are determined by the assessment of the University Development Center - you can find the list below:

• University of Wurzburg
• University of Tübingen
• University of Karlsruhe
• University named after Humboldt (Berlin)
• University named after Ludwig Maximilian (Munich)
• University named after Albert Ludwig (Freiburg)
• University named after Friedrich Alexander (Nuremberg and Erlangen, two campuses)
• Technical University (Munich).

Among the individual faculties, the following are considered the most popular and prestigious:

• Jurisprudence (Frankfurt am Main, Münster, Bayreuth, Mannheim)
• Computer Science (Berlin, Karlsruhe, Sarrbrücken)
• Production Economics (Münster, Mannheim, Munich)
• Pharmaceuticals (Heidelberg, Freiburg)
• Economics of the National Economy (Erfurt, Bayreuth)
• Economic Engineering (Cottbus, Clausthal)
• Economic Informatics (Münster, Magdeburg).

What documents are submitted to a German university?

• Certificate or diploma of completion of secondary education (certified copy) + certified translation
• 2 passport photos
• Certificate of knowledge of German language
• Certificate of passing the Feststellungsprufung exam (certified copy; a list of disciplines and grades obtained is required)
• Certificates of education received (list of educational institutions, disciplines studied, exams and points)
• If you are a student at a Russian university, a certificate from your place of study (a list of disciplines completed and points received is required).

Germany is unofficially considered the most student country in the European Union. Thousands of students from all over the world come here. This is due to the fact that obtaining a student visa is relatively easy, many universities in the country offer foreigners to study completely free of charge, and a number of extra-budgetary funds additionally pay scholarships to the best students of private and public higher education institutions.

Top Universities in Germany

The best universities in Germany provide citizens and guests of the country with the opportunity to receive high-quality education in any field. At the same time, a German diploma allows you to get a job in all European companies without any problems. Specialists who have graduated from German universities are not required to transfer and confirm their diploma in any of the countries of the European Union or in the United States.

University of Mannheim

Benefits of receiving a German education

German universities offer foreigners a huge range of favorable conditions and advantages. Thus, most educational institutions, along with the opportunity to study for free, offer visitors a dormitory, attendance at various courses and events, as well as a number of scholarships, the size of which directly depends on the student’s success.

Any European university in Germany guarantees employment after receiving a diploma. Typically, European companies recruit interns from among promising students. And after practice, the best trainees receive jobs with high salaries and opportunities for career growth. The best German universities and institutes supply personnel to the world's major league corporations.

How to proceed?

For a foreigner, there are no entrance exams in the usual sense. The only thing that is important is to confirm your knowledge of the German language, sufficient to obtain a local higher education. Some architectural universities in Germany and art universities in Germany offer knowledge in English, but they are not so common. Institutions such as the University of Münster (Germany) and the University of Karlsruhe (Germany) offer knowledge in English only in a few faculties.

A Russian university in Germany is nonsense; they don’t teach in Russian in this country. But even without this, the conditions for acquiring knowledge in this country are as attractive as possible for Russians. In the worst case, you will have to pay 500 euros for a semester of study, but usually you can save this money. The standard period for obtaining a profession is 14 semesters. But since each European student independently organizes his schedule and forms the sequence and timing of studying subjects, this deadline can be dramatically exceeded. For exceeding the deadline, a fee of up to 800 euros is provided; this was invented to encourage students to pass all exams on time.

For admission, you must collect the following set of documents:

• diplomas of education, translated and certified;
• health certificate;
• application for a student visa to the country;
• certificate confirming your knowledge of the German language.

Opportunities for students of German universities

Several extra-budgetary funds provide assistance to local and visiting students. Anyone can earn extra money; for this purpose, up to 120 full working days are provided annually. The average student salary is 10 euros per hour of work. Thus, public universities in Germany allow students to earn money to cover the cost of accommodation and food in the country. Every year you also have to pay with your own money for health insurance, which costs 80 euros.

As for food costs, numerous student canteens in the country provide the opportunity to have a full meal for up to three euros.

Interestingly, higher education institutions in Germany do not provide for expulsion for academic failure. The student assigns exams to himself as he is ready to confirm his knowledge. One of the most loyal universities in the country of Germany is the University of Konstanz, more than a third of whose students are visitors from European and Asian countries.