Overview | Admission Process | Visa Information | FAQs

The German universities have two entry semesters. A student can apply to either of these two semesters.

In general, scholarships for undergraduate or postgraduate studies are not available for international students. Students who already have obtained a master's degree may apply for a scholarship to carry out research at a German institution of higher education. There are a number of scholarships offered each year under various schemes. The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) is an association of German Higher Education Institutions with a branch office in New Delhi, India. DAAD gives information on higher studies in Germany and provides counseling for students and scholars wishing to pursue higher studies in Germany. German Institutions of Higher Education do not usually employ agents, nor do they charge for the counseling services.

However, if a student receives a scholarship he must produce a letter of confirmation to this effect. In all cases it must be certain that he will have a monthly sum available to him directly in Germany.

If the student intends to travel to Germany with his family, please contact the Cultural or Consular section of the local embassy.

This can be of two types: the first being where the student is sponsored by someone who is already in Germany and the other where the sponsor is in India.

(1) If the student is financed by a sponsor from his home country, that person must declare his/her willingness to cover all his costs during the standard period of study. Proof of a minimum monthly income of 4,000 S$ is required to be shown (by means of local documents such as tax receipts, bank statements, certificates of employment, pay slips, Commercial Register excerpts).

(2) If the student is financed by a sponsor in Germany, that person must submit a binding declaration that he/she is willing to cover all your costs during the standard period of study.

Though Germany is a country where the German language is predominantly used in the field of education, successful attempts have been made to induct English into the syllabus, thus making the mode of teaching a combination of English and German. The test that is used to check the English awareness of the students is the TOEFL. Most of the German institutes have as a requirement the clearance of TOEFL.

N.B.: As a student in Germany, one may as a rule work for a maximum of 3 months and, depending on where one studies, only during recess periods (e.g. semester holidays).

There are very strict rules in Germany about employing foreigners in industry. The lack of well-qualified personnel does definitely allow chances of being employed in Germany, but such cases are generally rare. A student is expected is return to his home country after completing his education in Germany.

The college provides hostel accommodation for international students. Alternate arrangement like home stay is also available in some institutions.

A student is required to complete his course in the stipulated period. The student needs to renew his visa every year and showing that a student needs more time to complete his education will need to be certified by his department.

All Indian nationals who wish to travel to the Federal Republic of Germany require a valid visa. Applications for visa should be directed to the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in New Delhi or to the German Consulate General in Mumbai, Kolkata or Chennai according to the applicant's place of residence in India.

The study applicant visa permits the student to enter the country before the admission decision by the university or college, in order to obtain information on the spot. The university applicant visa is particularly important for applicants to the College of Music and Drama. The student can enter the country for the entrance examination. And this type of visa may also be useful to applicants who wish to improve their language skills in Germany before starting their studies. The study applicant visa is limited to three months, but it can be converted to a visa for study purposes if the student receives admission from the university or college during this period. For both types of visas it is necessary to hold a valid passport, to provide proof of financial support and to have either university admission or at least a confirmation of the student’s status as an applicant.

The current application fee for a Student Visa is DM 50 (currently approx. Rs. 1100). The fee is subject to change without notice. An application will not be accepted unless it is made in the prescribed form and with the correct fee. The fee is a visa service charge and is non-refundable, irrespective of the outcome of the visa application. The visa fee is subject to change and has to be paid in advance in cash. A list with valid visa fees & current exchange rates is displayed in the visa section.

To be considered for a Student Visa, the applicant must first complete an application form for a 'longer stay visa' (white form) in duplicate. The application forms are available free of charge from the consular section of the German Embassy in New Delhi and the Consulates General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta. Two passport size photos are needed for the application.

Visa applications must be submitted either personally or through an approved travel agent. As a rule, applications submitted by mail are not accepted.

The following documents need to be submitted when a student applies for a visa :

1. Evidence of Enrolment
The student needs to prove that he has been accepted for enrolment by a registered institution of higher education in Germany. This is proved by producing the admission letter ('Zulassungsbescheid') the student has received from the German institution.

2. Bona Fides
This essentially determines whether an applicant is a genuine student who intends to undertake studies in Germany, abide by visa conditions and depart on completion of the course.

3. Adequate Financial Resources
The students ability to finance all expenses pertaining to his education in Germany including cost of living and a German medical insurance is validated with supporting documents. The approximate cost of living for a single person in Germany is DM 1300 a month. Students should not expect to be able to fund their studies and living costs in Germany through part time employment.

4. Health Certificate
It is essential that the applicant meets the German health requirements. This involves the proof of a recent medical check-up and a chest x-ray. The medical certificate should clearly identify the person examined.

5. Additional requirements
The applicant needs to prove that his German language skills are adequate for the purpose of the proposed course. Added to this is the relevance of the proposed course for the applicant's current academic and employment circumstances and the applicant's intention to comply with visa conditions and leave Germany at the end of the authorized period of stay. Alongwith this applicant's migration history and ties with Germany.

The student should submit his application with all accompanying documents at least eight weeks before his planned trip to Germany. Obtaining the final approval may take up to eight weeks. The Student Visa is issued to the student only after completion of this procedure.

N.B: If the student intends to begin studies in Germany immediately after his language course ends, he must apply for either a student visa or a student applicant visa before arrival in Germany, otherwise he will have to leave Germany at the end of the course and reapply from Singapore.