Renowned worldwide for its advanced research, Germany is among the favorite destinations for international students. Overview of motivation to go study in the most powerful countries in Europe.
The German university system is not centralized but the responsibility of the Länder.




So far, to study at a public university was free. During registration, the student was paying only a tax known as "social" from 20 to 80 € which was used to fund the activities of the local center of academic works (studenwerk equivalent CNOUS), such as university or restoration maintenance of residences. Recently, a discussion was launched to establish genuine tuition. The states of Bavaria, Hesse, and Hamburg, among others, have begun the process. The maximum fee is set at € 550 per semester. This is a very controversial subject among political parties, students and other positions in society. The question is even more delicate than the Länder have jurisdiction in the matter and make these decisions.

In terms of the system as such, it consists of two major routes:

- Fachhochschulen (vocational institutes, technology colleges) offer courses primarily aimed at future engineers.
Their training in 3 years are oriented professional practice. Students, particularly in the area of ​​technology, make regular work placements integrated into their studies. To access a Fachhochschule, bachelor's not mandatory, but a certificate of vocational courses is required. It thus enables the Realschule graduates to pursue higher studies.
There are about 150, providing a high-level training in fifteen sectors. The majority of Fachhochschule now offer courses leading to the Bachelor's degree or Master compatible internationally.

- To access the university (Universitäten), bachelor (Abitur) is required. Access is free for some disciplines, for others (medicine, pharmacy, psychology ...) a selection system (numerus clausus) is set up. The average mark in the Abitur or equivalent end of high school exam is so important. There are a hundred universities.

Note the existence of colleges of Fine Arts and Music.

Under German egalitarian tradition, it is no great schools (although starting to see major business schools in French called Wissenschftliche Hochschule für Unternehmensführung - WHU) or even ranking of universities; at least not until recently that dropped the first ranking, placing the University of Mannheim in mind for all of its programs!

Since the enactment of the reform of European higher education (Bologna process), operational since 2010 in Germany, old and new regime coexist. Some sectors open gradually over the license (or Bakkalaureus) and the master. However, the Diplom, enabling a second cycle in the scientific and economic sectors, the Magister for humanities courses and Staatexamen for executives of Public Service, lawyers and doctors always short. They also conduct doctoral or Zertifikat.

You can deepen the issue by visiting the Embassy website or by visiting the guides developed by the German Academic Exchange Service.

Housing:

• University residences

The cheapest housing solution is that of a room in a student residence (Studentenwohnheim). It was there in almost all university towns. However, the number of university residences is far from enough to meet the needs of students. This is why it is quite common that the waiting list is long.

• Apartments for Common

Often many students rent an apartment in common: everyone has a room in itself, but the kitchen and the bathroom are used by all. This is what we call "Habitat communities" (WG's).

Medicare:

All students must be members of the scheme of insurance. The health insurance funds support, among others, the costs of medical care, hospitalization or the purchase of medicines. Contributions payable under the statutory regime Medicare currently amounts to about € 280 per semester (six months).

Learn German online:

Deutsch-Uni Online (DUO) is a website for learning German studies, research and profession.
Suitable for all language levels, DUO offers different learning modes: autonomous, with program management, supported by an online tutor, or combined with classroom courses.

Three categories of courses are available:
- The basic-deutsch for beginners and false beginners who want to learn the basics of the language.
- Uni-deutsch for students. This course TestDaF.
- The fach-deutsch, which focuses on learning the specific German: economics, law, medicine, organic, culture, psycholinguistics ...

DUO includes a "eAssistant" for multimedia exercises electronic dictionary and communication via chat, forum, e-mail ...

DUO is particularly aimed at students and professionals who need to stay in Germany.
It provides a learning mode without any time or place, and adapted to the recipients.