We at Newton Education Services have recently introduced a “German University Track.” It combines our well-established admission advising services with new classes in the German language. We began this track because language knowledge will greatly expand your ability to access Germany’s opportunities: its many high-quality, low-cost academic options; work-study possibilities; and rich culture.
Any time is a good time to learn a new language. That said, we also believe that a number of ongoing trends will in the relatively near future make entrance to German study more challenging. Build your qualifications now and strengthen your ability to squeeze through what may be a narrowing window of opportunity to enter German university places.
Moving Up
Study in Germany has long been popular. At present the country is the third most common destination for international study, having moved past France and Australia in recent years. Only the United States and the United Kingdom enroll more students from beyond their borders.
Further changes in enrollment balances seem likely especially considering the effects of Brexit in the United Kingdom. While Brexit does not alter the position of Egyptian citizens, it will soon hit citizens of the European Union hard. Starting in August 2021, EU citizens entering studies in Britain or Scotland will for the first time need to pay full international tuition. This will mean costs around 75 to 125 percent higher than the “home rate” they could previously use.
A survey conducted by Study.eu, as detailed in the PIE News, found that 84 percent of respondent students who had been considering U.K. education would “definitely not” pursue it given such a cost change. Where would they go? A large percentage chose Germany, along with the Netherlands and France.
“Various factors make Germany a particularly attractive destination for students: high-quality education and research; the fact that tuition is free at almost all public universities; high standards of living at moderate cost; and the promising career perspectives and welcoming post-study work visa conditions,” commented Gerrit Blöss, CEO of Study.eu.
So more applications can be expected to be received by German universities in 2021. That places will expand to meet demand is unlikely.
A Rare Bargain
Highly subsidized public education for all has existed in many places over the years, especially in Europe. (Here’s one recent list from QS Top Universities.) Today subsidies are being reduced. Germany stands as the most generous of those locations seeing substantial educational exchange. However, the country’s noble plan is not long-standing, nor is it uncontroversial.
Tuition only became entirely free in 2014, and in 2017 the large southern state of Baden-Württemberg reintroduced tuition charges for non-EU students in their public universities, albeit at a relatively low rate, now €1,500 per semester (equal to approximately 26,335 Egyptian pounds). Fifteen of Germany’s sixteen states still offer free public university tuition, but North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany’s western population center where the city of Cologne is located, is now also seriously considering a change, with proposals from others as well.
Tuition fee changes may not prove burdensome at first but over time they could reduce choices. And a particular target may prove to be Germany’s growing collection of English-language “international” master’s degrees. When Finland and Sweden recently shrunk their higher education subsidies, it was the programs offered in English that added tuition charges. The relatively small number of international students prepared to study in Finnish/Swedish can continue to enter free programs offered in those languages. Perhaps at least some German states may take a similar approach.
The Current Crisis
What about the focus of the moment, the coronavirus? How has that affected enrollments? Will decreases be long-term?
Definitely the coronavirus has caused havoc in German higher education as elsewhere, from cancellation of spring classes and summer scholarships to consular shutdowns (no German visas are being issued in Egypt as of August 2020).
A poll conducted by Studying-in-Germany.org found that the financial situation of 90 percent of international students was negatively impacted by the crisis. Largely as a result, around 20 percent of Germany’s international students left the country, according to an in-depth survey of COVID-19 university effects from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
Ironically, to some extent Germany was a victim of its generous work-study policies. International, non-EU students in German degree programs are allowed to work 240 half-days or 120 full days during the academic year (work by those only in language or preparatory programs is much more restricted). Unlike in some other countries, the allowed level of work is enough to contribute substantially to student support. But as the country locked down to prevent coronavirus spread, the jobs and income evaporated.
Yet, long-term, students seem undiscouraged. A survey by financial/insurance firm Fintiba found almost 70 percent of prospective German international students, including many who had left the country, were eager to go to Germany “as soon as possible.” A separate DAAD survey of students worldwide ranked Germany as one of the countries that had done best at handling coronavirus crisis fallout for its students, along with New Zealand and China. So right now it looks as though the coronavirus may not have lasting effects on enrollments.
What’s Next?
Certainly Germany wants to bring back and build its international student population, at least once universities are ready for in-person instruction. (The situation is more clouded for the minority whose institutions have opted for entirely online classes, with the German government now requiring universities to provide a “certificate of presence” for visa issuance verifying that some on campus study is necessary.)
“”Education and research survive because of exchange, especially international exchanges,” commented German Education Minister Anja Karliczek in June. “That is also true in times of a pandemic.”
Also in June, international students became eligible to apply for new interest-free government loans of between 100 and 650 euros per month (approximately 1900 to 12,300 EGP) to help with living expenses. DAAD has released a new five-year plan with one goal being to improve international student academic success, adding to its past focus on recruitment and scholarship administration. The German government sees successful and happy international students as an important element in its long-term goal of attracting successful and happy immigrants to ease the country’s skilled labor shortages.
So, you can look forward with confidence to continuing opportunities to study in Germany. You just need to be ready to compete for them.
Get Ready to Go
Final deadlines for German universities are usually July 15 for entrance to the winter term (starting in September or October) and January 15 for entrance to the summer term (starting in March or April). Submitting your application at least eight weeks ahead of these dates can significantly improve your admission chances.
However, it’s wise to consider your language skills first of all. It often takes at least six months to go from no knowledge to a B1 or B2 level on the CEFR scale. This is the level typically required for a German foundation program, which most international students take part in before entering a standard degree curriculum. (Direct German-language degree entry may require B2, C1, or even C2 language skills along with specific secondary/undergraduate credentials; English-language degrees still typically require a foundation program and are rare at the undergraduate level.)
For information on our current language classes and other German University Track support, please fill out our registration form, comment below, or contact us. To learn more about study in Germany, you may also want to check out our previously published FAQ.