The IGCHE universities will help you with lodging. In most cases, they will provide a room in a student hostel or a flat run by a Studentenwerk (a state-run non-profit organization for student affairs in Germany). You will usually get a room for yourself and a kitchen, shower and toilets to share with 3 to 5 other students. If there is no room in a hostel avaliable, for example due to short notice of arrival, the universites will will assist you in finding a place to stay.
Please note: You will have to clean up your residence by yourself. There is no segregation between girls hostels and boys hostels.
During the day, you can eat lunch or get a snack at the university's canteen or cafeteria. They serve vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals. You will have to prepare breakfast and dinner by yourself, since there is no service at the hostels. There are plenty of grocery stores to buy food. You will also find that there is an Indian community in Germany, so you can get Indian spices and other Indian items in shops all over Germany.
Different from India. During summer temperatures often get as high as 30 °C, but in winter it can get as cold as about 15 °C below zero. In spring and autumn you can expect everything in between. So you will most probably see a lot of snow in winter and you have to be prepared with appropriate clothing. Of course, all student hostels have heating.
By international standards, Germany is a very safe country:
There is no reason to be excessively worried about crime. People move about freely through German country villages or large cities, day or night, without taking special safety precautions. German police are regarded as being helpful and reliable. You can call the police free of charge from any telephone in Germany by dialling 110.
According to a recent British Council survey, German higher education institutions are the most internationalised ones (see Times of India article).
At any given time there are more than 240,000 young people from different parts of the world studying and conducting research at German universities, contributing to a rich and multicultural academic environment. So you will find lots of other students from all over the world.
German degrees are internationally recognized, making the country one of the most popular destinations for international students. This diversity enhances the learning experience, as students bring various perspectives, engage with different cultures, and help one another broaden their horizons.
This depends on the university where you will stay. Universities from very different areas of Germany take part in the IGCHE programme, so please look at the universities' presentations at this site.
According to the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), you can expect having to spend about 842 € (74,600 INR) per month for rent, food, clothing, insurance etc.
In addition you will have to pay for the study fee to the universities (about 270 € per semester) PLUS an administrative fee to IGCHE of 1900 Euros in total.
In most cases you can expect a payment for your internship. The salary depends on the size of the company and other variables, so it is not possible to give exact figures. According to experience, it will be around 800 € per month.
Traditionally, German towns with a university have a rich cultural life. You can expect all kind of cultural offerings like concerts, theatre, movies and other events. Most universities offer sport facilities for their students and the student body regularly organizes sport or cultural events. In winter you can go skiing.
No, you don't need a car. As a student you will get a public transport ticket for traveling in a large area around your university (usually the whole state) without additional costs. Germany has a very dense and good public transport system.
In order to study in Germany, you will need a student visa. Since Germany is a Schengen country, this visa allows you to travel to all the other Schengen countries, that is, most European countries (Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland etc.). Please look at this Wikipedia article on the Schengen Agreement.
All lectures in Germany will be held in German language which means you will have to take all exams in German language which is the reason why you start to learn German in you first semester in India.
Each course/lecture exam can usually be taken three times, so be prepared to get it right as soon as possible. If you don't make it after three times, the universites have various regulations to help you.
Depending on the subject, lecturer and industry requirments the thesis can be written in English or German.
You can usually attend lectures by other departments. Electives do not incur additional costs.
We occasionally have openings for both Research Assistant (RA) and Teaching Assistant (TA) positions, and we strongly encourage all students to apply and become part of our academic teams. We believe these roles offer a valuable opportunity to gain experience and enhance academic development, particularly with an eye toward future career opportunities.
For more information about current job vacancies and the application process, please check your university's announcements regulary.
The International Office at your host university will assist you with the registration process at the Ausländerbehörde and Einwohnermeldeamt upon your arrival in Germany. They are also available to address any other questions or issues you may have during your stay.
As part of our program, the bachelor’s thesis is scheduled to be written during the practical semester in collaboration with the industry where the internship is completed.
While it is technically possible to write the thesis in-house, we do not recommend this approach, as the program is designed to integrate academic knowledge with firsthand experience in the German working world. This integration is less effectively achieved through an in-house thesis and does not align with the overall goals of our program.
Students are expected to independently find suitable internship placements at prospective companies that align with their aspirations and goals. In this process, the university will advise students on their approach and provide valuable tips, resources, and suggestions to facilitate their search for internships.
The student body at German universities is diverse, international, and vibrant, organizing a variety of cultural and sports events that reflect different backgrounds and allow all groups to participate. These events foster a sense of community and promote inclusivity, providing opportunities for students to connect and share their experiences. Through these activities, students can enrich their university experience while building lasting friendships and expanding their networks.
As a student, your semester contribution includes a public transport ticket that allows you to travel on all public buses and regional railway (fast speed trains are not inclued) within a large area surrounding your university, typically covering the entire federal state, at no additional cost. Germany has a very dense and efficient public transport system, making it easy to access not only your university but also nearby towns and cities.
Most students also use bicycles to move around locally.
Alternativly, of course, it is also possible to use a private car. However, this requires an international driving license and is significantly more expensive than using public transport.
Part-time employment (maximum €520, not exceeding 43.35 hours per month) is permitted under the student visa, allowing students to work while studying. The university encourages students who choose to work on campus and provides support to help them gain a deeper insight into the German university landscape.
Full-time employment is only allowed as part of a compulsory internship, in accordance with visa regulations, which is also compensated. However, the university does not provide guidance for employment outside the campus or in areas unrelated to the student's field of study and does not recommend such endeavors, as they may lead to delays in the academic trajectory.
Traditionally, German university towns offer a vibrant cultural life. You can expect a wide range of cultural offerings, including concerts, theater, films, and various events. Most universities provide extensive sports facilities and courses that cover everything from fitness and swimming to a variety of ball sports.
Additionally, the student body often organizes sports and cultural events. Depending on the region and season, activities such as hiking or skiing may also be carried out.
In general, the number of classes per day appears to be lower than at Indian universities. However, in addition to attending classes, students are also expected to engage in self-study outside of class as part of their self-responsibility. Therefore, in terms of time commitment, it can generally be said that it remains more or less the same.
Research is almost always done with the help of students who can get part-time jobs as student assistants.
Professors are available to assist you with technical content, address difficulties, and answer any open questions. They also provide guidance when needed. However, it’s important to note that, in line with German cultural norms, students are encouraged to take on more responsibility for their learning. Therefore, students are expected to demonstrate a high degree of self-organization and autonomy, including developing their own technical understanding and approach to various subjects.
Probably the best source of information on being a student in Germany is the DAAD website.
Disclaimer: The information in this FAQ has been thoroughly put together and checked for errors. However, we cannot guarantee that information is accurate or up to date. You are advised to contact IGCHE by phone or email before acting upon information given in this FAQ. Anyone using this FAQ and acting on information published on it does so at their own risk.