A German University degree is considered reputable worldwide. German Universities offers excellent teaching and research, and are ranked among the best universities in the World. The best thing about these universities is that majority of them are offering education with no tuition fee. Further, there are many employment opportunities after the completion of your degree in Germany. Following is the step by step guide for the process of applying for Masters in Germany.
Initial Steps:
- (OPTIONAL) If you have time, take German language classes. Although you will be applying for the masters which are completely taught in English but knowing the German language will be very helpful.
- Register yourself for IELTS or TOEFL and take its test.
- Start looking for the universities at www.daad.de with the courses of your interest. Make a list of the universities with their details respectively.
- Go to the website of each selected university and thoroughly see their courses and content. Also, note down the eligibility criteria and admission procedure. Sign up for an account on their respective portals.
- Book your appointment for the VISA interview online on the website of the German Embassy of Pakistan. Make sure you book it for at least 4-5 weeks before your enrolment deadline. This increases your chances for your VISA. However, if you don’t get that much early, still just book it. But make sure, you cancel your appointment if you are unable to get admission to avoid inconvenience for the other aspirants.
- Get your Degree and Transcript attested by HEC. For that, you will be making an online account on the HEC website and book an appointment.
- When you get your IELTS/TOEFL result, now check which universities are you eligible for.
- Get the copies of your documents (Matrics Marksheet & Certificate, Intermediate Marksheet & Certificate, Bachelors Transcript & Degree, IELTS/TOEFL) notarized by a lawyer. The Lawyer will sign with a notary stamp and paste a golden sticker. Make sure your all details on your documents are visible.
Application Procedures
- There are 3 ways of applying for admission in the universities of Germany. Either the University asks for an online application or it asks you to send your documents by post or it may ask you to apply through uni-assist.
- If it is online, you will be required fill an online form and upload your documents.
- If it asks you to submit your documents by post, send it through DHL or TCS. Make sure you submit all the required documents.
- If it asks you to apply through uni-assist, sign up for an account. You can directly apply from the uni-assist while choosing your universities from the uni-assist portal. Afterward, you will be required to send your documents to uni-assist by post. You can send more than one applications in a single envelope.
- While you are waiting for admission notification, fill the Deutsche Bank account form and keep it ready.
After Admission
- After you receive your admission letter, submit your Deutsche Bank account opening form to the consulate. You will get it after 2 days.
- Send your documents by post to Deutsche Bank.
- Also, start applying for accommodation. Every city in Germany has different online platforms to apply for accommodation.
- Once your DB account is opened, you will be required to submit the blocked amount which is 8640 Euros. You can send the amount via any Currency Exchanger or from a Foreign Currency Bank account.
- After one week, you will receive the letter from DB about the confirmation of your amount being deposited.
- On the appointment day at the embassy/consulate, take all the documents (list available on the website) with a passport size photo and a valid passport to the embassy/consulate.
- Within one month, you will receive an email to collect your passport. You will be asked to bring a travel health insurance certificate and a flight ticket booking.
Make Sure:
- Your all educational documents and passport must have the same First name and Last name.
- Check the expiry of your Passport.
- Double check your documents while sending it by post.
- Keep an eye on application deadlines.
After Reaching Germany
- If you have the accommodation, that is excellent. But if you don’t have one, make sure to book one from Airbnb or you can also search for cheap hostels in the particular city that you arrive in. You should be prepared for it before your arrival.
- Traveling within Germany can be done via Flixbus or DB Bahn (train). If you have to travel to another city after landing in Germany, you can use either of these. But make sure you book it earlier and not on the eleventh hour.
- Trying to bring 1000-1500 Euros in hand along with you when you are coming.
- Buy a weekly ticket to travel within the city.
- When you have the accommodation, you will be required to activate your Deutsche Bank account that you opened from Pakistan. You will be required to submit an address to the bank where they can send your debit cards and other posts in future.
- After your bank account, you need to apply for a health insurance. You can search for TK or AOK health insurance offices in your city.
- Once you are done with your health insurance, go to your University for your enrolment.
- Next step is to go to Rathaus office for city registration. You can check the office hours from the website of the Rathaus office of your city.
- Finally, take an appointment at the Rathaus II office of your city via phone call or email, for your visa extension. Download and fill the form from its website.
Living Expense in Germany
Living expense in Germany is around 450 – 700 Euros (varies from city to city). The blocked amount (8640 Euros) that you will submit to the Deutsche bank earlier can be utilized as your one year expense. Out of that amount, 720 Euros will be unblocked every month from which you will pay your monthly apartment rent, health insurance, food and other expenses.
Working as a Student
On Student visa, you are allowed to work 20 hours per work. Working opportunities depend on city to city. Usually, one gets a part-time job but I will recommend you to not rely on it. Moreover, knowing German increases your chances to get a job more sooner.
All the very best!
