GERMANY

Germany is one of the few countries where a quality higher education remains affordable for most. There are almost no tuition fees at public universities, and the degrees are valued all over the world. People come here for engineering, IT, the natural sciences and economics. But there are pitfalls too: bureaucracy, the need to know German, and high financial requirements for obtaining a visa.

What kind of education people usually come for

For schoolchildren. People come to Germany for an international secondary education at private boarding schools. There are around 250 such schools, and they are very different from British or Swiss ones. German boarding schools (Internat) are more often attached not to elite private schools but to state ones — you only have to pay for accommodation and meals, which makes them more affordable. The schools are located in picturesque settings: in castles, in forests, on riverbanks. For example, Internat Schloss Bieberstein is housed in a castle 15 km from Fulda, while Internat Solling sits in a parkland area on the river Weser. There are few pupils — 100–200 per school — and the classes are small, up to 10–12 pupils, which allows attention to be given to each one. The proportion of foreigners in German boarding schools is lower than in Switzerland, but there are schools where it reaches 50–80%. 

For students. The main magnet is the German universities. In the 2024/25 winter semester around 402,100 international students were studying here — 6% more than the year before. Foreigners make up 14% of all students in Germany. The number of international first-year students reached an all-time high — 116,600 people. By region: 33% of international students come from the Asia-Pacific region, 19% from North Africa and the Middle East, and 15% from Western Europe. The largest countries of origin are India (around 59,000 students) and China. The most popular fields are engineering (43% of international students), business and economics, computer science, the natural sciences and medicine.

Features of studying

Secondary education. In German boarding schools, life follows a clear routine: lessons, sport, clubs, self-study. The German approach stands out for its democratic spirit — many schools have student self-governance, with pupils taking part in decision-making through a school parliament. There are many boarding schools with an ecological focus, which have their own farm, vegetable garden and forest school. At some schools two foreign languages are compulsory. The academic year begins in August or September and is split into two semesters. 

Vocational education (Ausbildung). A unique feature of Germany is its dual system of vocational training. The student studies at a vocational college and works at a company at the same time, earning a salary. The programs last 2–3.5 years and cover hundreds of occupations: from IT and banking to nursing and car mechanics. On completion you receive a certificate recognised throughout Germany, plus real work experience. The salary during training is 800–1,500 euros a month, depending on the industry. Requirements for foreigners: German at the B1–B2 level, an age of up to 35, and a study visa. Finding a training placement is the student's own task, but there are special support programs.

Higher education. In Germany a Bachelor's degree lasts 3–4 years (usually 6–7 semesters), a Master's — 1–2 years. The academic year is divided into two semesters: winter (October – March) and summer (April – September). You can enter a German university either straight after school or after a Studienkolleg. For citizens of countries whose school certificate is not recognised in Germany (including Russia), preparation at a Studienkolleg is mandatory — these are 6–12-month courses that end with the Feststellungsprüfung exam. International students can earn all the standard academic degrees: Bachelor's (BA, BSc), Master's (MA, MSc) and Doctoral (PhD).

Visa requirements

• Citizens of countries outside the EU need a student visa or a residence permit for study purposes. Main requirements:
• Confirmation of enrolment at a university or Studienkolleg
• Proof of finances — a blocked account of 11,904 euros
• Medical insurance
• Knowledge of German (for German-language programs — usually B2–C1)
• A passport valid for at least the entire period of study

After arrival you need to register with the local foreigners' authority and obtain a residence permit (usually for 1–2 years, with the option to extend). Visa processing takes 8–12 weeks. For Russian citizens, applications are accepted, but heightened attention to the accuracy of the information and the completeness of the document set is required.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Free or very cheap tuition at most universities.
• High-quality education and worldwide recognition of degrees.
• The chance to stay after your studies and obtain permanent residence.
• A wide choice of programs in English, especially at the Master's level.
• A strong economy and good career prospects for graduates in technical fields. 

Cons:

• The need to know German at a high level (for a Bachelor's degree and everyday life).
• Bureaucracy — obtaining a visa and residence permit takes time and effort.
• A high cost of living in the big cities.
• Competition for popular fields (medicine, psychology, business).
• There are few Bachelor's programs in English, especially at public universities.