Essential guide to Germany for International Students

General Information

Currency: Euro (EUR) – this is approximately 1.17EUR to every 1GBP

National language: German

Geography: Germany is located in the western region of Central Europe, and is made up of 16 constituent states.

Time in Capital City: GMT +1

Climate: Germany has a temperate climate. It tends to be cool, cloudy and wet, with occasional warm winds.

Population: 84.1 million people

Annual Costs (approximate):

University Cost (EUR): Tuition is free at most public universities with semester fees of around €100 to €350. Private universities can be anywhere from €5,000 to €20,000.

Living Costs (EUR): €11,200

Total Cost (EUR): €11,425 at public university / €16,200 - €31,200 at private university.

Top Universities in Germany:

1. Technical University of Munich
2. LMU Munich
3. Universität Heidelberg
4. Humboldt University of Berlin
5. RWTH Aachen University

Things You HAVE To Do:

• Take a trip up the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain, where you can challenge your physical prowess with activities including mountaineering, skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing, or just enjoy the view from the cable car before getting a meal at one of the summit restaurants.
• If relaxing is more your thing, head to the spa town of Baden-Baden, located in Germany’s famous Black Forest region, to luxuriate at the Roman baths in the Friedrichsbad spa. Don’t forget to get yourself a slice of Black Forest gateau at a nearby café while you’re there.
• Berlin is a hub of artistic endeavour in Germany. From to the East Side Gallery along the remains of the Berlin wall to the towering 42-metre high murals at Artpark Tegel, from the Filmpark Babelsberg to the endless exhibitions, performances and concerts at Haus der Kulturen der Welt (House of World Cultures), there’s creativity around every corner.

Quick tips:

• Germany has two emergency numbers. For fire and ambulance, call 112. For police, call 110.
• While Germany is known for enjoyable driving experiences on its well-maintained, it is perfectly easy to get by without a car as the public transport system is very robust. There are fantastic public transport options including buses and trains.
• Many Germans will speak English, particularly in the larger cities, and a significant amount of courses targeting international students will be taught in English. However, it is still worth making the effort to learn some conversational German, especially if you plan to visit more rural areas.
• Germany is a great country in which to begin a career, with a stable economy and high employment rates for graduates. After graduating, most international students will be able to obtain a residency permit for up to 18 months in order to look for a job. You may be eligible to apply for permanent residence after two years in employment.
• Punctuality is a must, especially for formal meetings. For the most part, “on time” in Germany actually means “ten minutes early”.