Studying in Germany: Pros and Cons for International Students
If you’ve already moved to Germany, or you’re planning on it, pursuing or continuing your education here is a great option. I studied mechanical engineering here and I’ve learned some valuable insights. There are benefits of studying at a public or private university in Germany. Below are some of the pros and cons of studying in Germany, based on my personal experience.
Pros of Studying in Germany
University is Free
Here in Germany, university is free. Yes, you read that right, university if free. It doesn’t matter if you’re doing a bachelors, masters or apprenticeship (Ausbildng), school is free at PUBLIC universities. It is also free for those who are not German/EU citizens. There are few administrative costs of about 300 euros a semester, but this also covers your train ticket so that you can travel on all trains and busses (except ICE trains). If you do desire to study at a private university here, you will have to pay. Prices will range depending on the school and the program of study.
Two Semesters Per Year
As stated, each year consists of two semesters that are 6 months each. The winter semester usually starts at the beginning of October and the summer semester usually starts at the beginning of April. There are pros and cons of long semesters in German universities. The reason that I believe it’s a positive is because of the time you get to really learn the topics. The differences between German and North American university schedules are stark. My experience of university in North America was completely different. The semesters felt like 3 months long. School would start at the beginning of September and by 3 weeks in, you are already writing midterm exams. Final exams would start at the beginning of December. The amount you can learn in that time, that’s retainable, isn’t that much. The stress students are under is also a lot. Having 6 month semesters makes it easier on the learning. You can afford to take more time to truly learn the content and retain it.
Bachelor Degrees Are Normally 3 - 3.5 Years
As opposed to 4 years, there is usually one year less of regular study time. This means you can finish your program one year earlier. The 3 year bachelor programs are 180 ETCS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) points and the 3.5 year bachelor programs are 210 ETCS points. Here are the differences between the two:
Duration: 180 ECTS programs are shorter (3 years), while 210 ECTS programs are typically 3.5 years.
Practical Experience: 210 ECTS programs often include a longer internship or practical semester, which is not always the case with 180 ECTS programs.
Depth of Study: A 210 ECTS program provides a more in-depth, specialized education compared to a 180 ECTS program, which is more general.
Master’s Program: While 180 ECTS degrees are widely accepted for master’s programs, some specific master's programs may prefer or require 210 ECTS, depending on the field and institution.
High Quality Education
Among the public universities in Germany, the quality of public university education in Germany is uniformly very good. There aren’t huge discrepancies in education quality like there are in other countries. If you go to a public university and perform well, you shouldn’t have trouble finding work in your field.
Self-Guided Learning
In Germany, they don’t baby you in your education, they emphasize independent learning. You have your lectures, tutorials, exercises, etc… but there are no requirements to attend. The only requirements I had were labs and exams. This meant that during the semester, I could plan out my time how I wished, dependent on my schedule. Because I was working at the same time I was studying, I was only in the same city as my university for about 5 months in total. I had to travel in for my exams and labs. Although this was far from ideal, it gave me the opportunity to do my full time job and study. All the lecture materials were online and I had to learn it all in my own time, and at my own pace.
Your Final Exam = Your Final Grade
This is a blessing and a… let’s just say not a blessing. This is not the case in every university but for many, you final exam is typically your final grade. On the positive side, you don’t have to worry about assignments and multiple projects for every class but on the flip side, if you fail you fail. If you pass, you can’t boost your mark with assignments and projects. This also means you have to be on top of learning yourself. No assignments will force/help you to learn.
Cons of Studying in Germany
You Must Learn German (for Bachelor's Programs)
As I said, studying at private universities are free. The only problem is that most of the bachelor programs offered are in German. Although there are different language requirements for bachelor’s programs in Germany, most schools require at least B1 (but often higher) certificate before entry for many German programs. That being said, some universities offer you admission and allow you to take the courses on campus. Luckily for me, I was able to find a program that was half English, half German. The majority of the first three semesters were English but the majority of the last 3 were fully in German. Throughout this time, we had to take German classes to become proficient enough to take our courses in German. Although I was already proficient in German before I started studying, taking courses in a different language is NOT easy. I spoke German more than I spoke English because my workplace was German and most of my community was German. The only time I spoke in English was when communicating with friends and family. Even despite speaking German very well, I still struggled because the language used in technical German is completely different from the language used in the daily life. It’s not impossible, but it’s definitely not easy. If this is a major concern for you, you can look for a public university that offers your program in English or study at a private university. If you’re planning to do a masters program, you can find many masters programs in English.
Long Semesters, Short Breaks
The negative side of this point is the lack of concentrated breaks. In North America, uni starts in September and ends in December. The second semester starts in January and ends in April. This means you have four month summer break. If you choose, you can get ahead or catch up during the summer because they offer two condensed semesters within that four month period. if you choose not to, you can have a long four month break that can be utilized to recharge, spend time with family/friends and so many other things. Here, while others are on summer break, you’re studying.
High Academic Standards
I’m studying mechanical engineering. When I told my Engineering friends from Canada that I was studying in Germany, they said something along the lines of: “I heard engineering in Germany is no joke” and they were 100% right. I’m not trying to act like school here is more superior. If you’re taking a tough degree, it will be tough everywhere you go. That being said, often times, I approached many of my friends for help regarding different topics and they weren’t able to help me. This is partially because they forgot some material but also, the stuff they asked us to do here was not required for them to learn. I think because the semesters are longer, they expect the students to be able to learn more content and go deeper into certain topics which makes it harder. it gives you a better foundation but getting through is tougher.
It Can be Very Cutthroat here
I don’t know if it’s just the difference in culture or what but German universities can be unforgiving when it comes to rules and regulations. German people love rules and following a certain order of things. This isn’t a bad thing, it’s why the country is generally so efficient. That being said, they can be very unaccommodating. Your situation can sometimes not matter, even when it can heavily affect your academic career. I’ll give and example. I started school during covid and I was living and working full time in a city 2.5 hours away from my school. I didn’t properly get to meet my classmates or have any conversation with them. I was an Island, meaning that I naturally didn’t get the help/tips and tricks that are essential to academic success (Just a quick side note. If you’re planning to study, don’t try to do it alone. Surround yourself with a good group of friends in your program… It will make a world of difference). I was studying for a Thermodynamics 1 exam. The day before the exam I was feeling sick so I booked a doctors appointment. I sent the evidence to all the professors from my course. The exam was on a Thursday or Friday and I ended up getting an email saying I need to get and “Attest”. I had no idea what that was. I replied asking for clarification but I didn’t get an answer until many days later. It turns out that an attest is pretty much a note signed by the doctor saying that you’re medically unfit to take the exam. This must be submitted within three working days. By the time I heard the word “Attest” for the first time, It was already too late. I went to the doctor on the day of the exam and was told I need an attest the day after. That means I would’ve somehow have needed to get and rebook at the same doctor, go back there and ask them to give me a postdated attest and submit it within three days. By the time the examinations office replied about the process of getting one, it was well past the three days. I ended up getting a “fail” even though I did not even write the exam. This would end up having HUGE implication on my academics further down the line. It was my fault that I didn’t know how to do the attest properly. That being said, I feel like if the same situation happened in Canada, they would’ve been more accommodating. The rules are the rules but sometimes, I think people need grace.
University Social Life
University social scene in Germany is very different. There’s no NCAA. There’s no collage football, no college towns or anything like that. Social life on German campuses is not centralized like in some other countries with large campuses. That being said, students often organize their own social activities, join student clubs, or meet at university-affiliated bars or cafés. In addition, students are encouraged to get involved in student clubs (Hochschulgruppen), participate in political, cultural, or sports activities on their own, or use student-run platforms to build a social network. Finally, since Germany is one of the most popular study destination in Europe, there’s a large international student community, making a nice multicultural setting.
Final Thoughts
Studying in Germany offers incredible opportunities for international students, especially when it comes to free public university education and the high quality of instruction. However, it also presents challenges, such as the language barrier and the rigid academic system. If you’re considering pursuing higher education in Germany, it’s essential to weigh these pros and cons to determine whether it's the right fit for you. For those looking for specific schools, the next page contains some of the best German universities with English programs.
