Study in Germany
Germany is currently a favorite among students globally, and for some very good reasons, at that. Germany is internationally renowned as the land of engineering, technology, and philosophy, it has an educational system that is world-renowned for being rigorous academically, research-focused, and, most significantly, cheap.
Germany's higher education sector is diverse and dynamic with more than 400 state-accredited higher institutions providing more than 20,000 degree courses. These range from one category to another, for example:
Universitäten (Traditional Universities): Concentrating on theory studies and research (e.g., LMU Munich, Heidelberg University).
Fachhochschulen (Universities of Applied Sciences - UAS): Dedicated to practice-focused studies with close industry connections.
It provides some of the world's top-ranked German universities that are found in the world's top places, with some of them being ranked among the top 100 of QS and THE global university rankings. The above description makes a graduation certificate from a German university greatly sought after around the world and a sound document for every labor market.
Germany is not only famous for having international-standard levels of education but also for being affordable. The policy of providing free or subsidized fees at most of its public institutions for international students as well as for domestic students ensures that you can gain valuable theoretical and practical knowledge at affordable prices without the enormous financial cost at other popular study locations. The combination of affordability and academic success places you in a position to create an applicable worldwide impact after graduation.
Germany is a talent attractor. Foreign students have been on the rise in recent years, and from far and wide, the majority hail from Asia, Europe, and America. This is confirmed by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), which confirms the rising popularity of the nation as more and more students are applying for Bachelor's and Master's programs, particularly demand-driven courses like Engineering, Computer Science, and Business.
Why choose Germany?
The strongest point of Germany is its tuition fee system. All German public universities in 14 of the 16 German states charge students of any nationality zero tuition fees for Bachelor's or consecutive Master's programs. The students only pay a semester contribution of €100-€400, normally with an inclusive public transport ticket good for the whole semester. Even in several of the fee-charging states (for example, Baden-Württemberg), the charge is a mere €1,500 per semester, much lower than in the US, UK, or Australia.
The German state government provides highly qualified foreign graduates with amicable post-study work arrangements to keep them. On successful completion of their degree, the graduates can apply for an 18-month Job Seeker Residence Permit. It is designed to seek employment that merits their qualification. The graduates can engage in any form of work within the 18 months in an effort to make a living until they gain a qualified job, provided they have ample time to settle in the German labor market.
The education system of Germany, especially for the Fachhochschulen (UAS), focuses heavily on practice. The majority of courses have compulsory internships and company projects, most of which are in association with international industry leaders such as Mercedes-Benz, Siemens, and Bosch. This provides opportunities for students to connect theoretical study with practical application, establish a good professional network, and increase employability straight away within the biggest European Union economy.
Germany's strong economy and steady need for highly skilled employees, particularly in the STEM disciplines, provide great career prospects. Those graduates who manage to find a qualified job are able to go directly from there to an employment residence permit or the highly sought-after EU Blue Card, a priority settlement route for highly skilled migrants. Following two years of qualified professional work in Germany, German university graduates may even submit an application for a Settlement Permit ,resulting in permanent residence.
Nepal & Germany
Nepalese students have increasingly identified Germany as a quality, low-cost place to study. The process of applying, however, needs certain precision in attention to detail, especially in academic requirements and the visa procedure.
Academic & Visa Requirements: The German Embassy in Kathmandu has a well-structured process. For Nepalese students, obtaining the APS Certificate (Academic Evaluation Centre) is a required step for the majority of them. This certificate is a crucial security feature that validates academic documents and your academic history, ensuring an efficient application and visa processing process. Arrangements for the required funds for the visa application should be made, typically through a Blocked Account (Sperrkonto).
How to Apply to Germany?
First comes the selection of a program and university that align with your academic goals, budget, and language proficiency. There are over 1,500 English-taught programs in Germany. After acceptance, your Letter of Acceptance will be sent by the university and is a critical document for the visa application.
The majority of non-EU students need to apply for an APS certificate initially. This involves submitting and verifying all your academic certificates (School Leaving Certificates, Transcripts, etc.) to a German-approved authority. The APS must be obtained before you can successfully apply for a student visa.
You need to provide conclusive proof of having sufficient financial resources to provide for your living. You can most easily do this by opening a Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) in Germany, where you need to put the required minimum amount (which is currently €11,208 per year or €934 per month as of 2024/2025) to cover your first year of living.
You will only be allowed to withdraw a certain monthly amount after you are in Germany.
With your Letter of Acceptance, APS Certificate, and proof of blocked funds, you can book an appointment and apply for the German National Visa (Visum zu Studienzwecken) at the German Embassy in Kathmandu. The application is usually initiated through the VIDEX online portal.
You will attend an in-person interview to submit your complete documentation, provide biometric data (fingerprints and photos), and pay the visa fee (currently €75). The application requires a comprehensive list of documents, including a detailed Letter of Motivation explaining your choice of Germany, the course, and your future career plans.
Turn Your Study Abroad Dreams into Reality with Alfa Beta
Alfa Beta has been a dedicated international education partner for the past 33 years. We pride ourselves on our deep understanding of the German system, its diverse institutions, and the specific Nepalese student needs like APS and Blocked Account formalities.
We make your journey to study in Germany easy for you at Alfa Beta, making it reliable, effective, and rewarding.
Reasons why students prefer us:
Better Chance of Visa Approval: Our meticulous guidance on the APS process and Blocked Account opening ensures your documents are sufficiently compliant with Germany's stringent standards.
Success of Students Shown: We are deeply proud of our students' success stories enjoying their studies at Germany's elite Universitäten and Fachhochschulen.
Comfort and Hassle-Free Procedure: From course choice to interview preparation and post-arrival support, we make every process simple.
Leading the Way to Nepal: We have expertise in taking care of the special requirements for Nepalese applicants to this most coveted, free-to-study country.
Start your journey with Alfa Beta today and step confident into your future in the Land of Ideas!
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