Where to Study
160 Destinations – Where to Study?
Very few countries offer such a diverse higher education landscape as Germany. Students can choose among 160 locations and 383 institutions of higher education – and from over 12,000 different courses! Afraid of getting lost in an academic labyrinth? Don’t worry, some 250,000 students from around the world have made it and are currently enrolled at a German university, making Germany one of the most attractive destinations for international students worldwide. And we’ll provide you with a compass!
From applied computer and environmental sciences to cell biology – German higher educational institutions offer a broad and diverse range of subjects. One German specialty is the Fachhochschulsystem, the practice-oriented universities of applied sciences. Structured courses with a strong focus on practical training enable students to enter the work world with ease. At other universities, there is a tradition of “unity of research and teaching,” meaning professors and lecturers at both general and technical universities have a duty to conduct research alongside their teaching commitments. This enables students to benefit very directly from new findings and developments in their fields. Changes are also afoot at private institutions. Alongside the established private colleges and universities, such as Witten/Herdecke and the European Business School of Oestrich-Winkel, a host of new institutions have been founded in recent years, such as the Bucerius Law School in Hamburg and Zeppelin University on the shores of Lake Constance.´
This rich and diverse academic landscape has made Germany into one of the most attractive destinations for international students worldwide. Approx. 250,000 students from all over the world are currently enrolled at German universities – nearly 100,000 more than 10 years ago!
If you want to find your ideal university or college, you should begin browsing the German higher education landscape on the Internet roughly one year before you plan to study. Otherwise, you might find yourself without enough time to obtain the documentation necessary for application. There are various ways to apply to a German university. In general, international students apply for all subjects directly to the relevant institution or to “uni-assist.” Uni-assist is a certification office created to make the application process easier for international students and, at the same time, to support German universities in the selection of their international students. All applicants wishing to study at one of the member universities of uni-assist must send their applications to uni-assist rather than the university.
Don’t forget to use the higher education compass! With it, you can browse almost the entire range of programs offered by all state-recognized institutions of higher learning in Germany.
Good luck with your search!
