As a Nigerian students planning to study in Germany, here are What Nigerians need to know about Studying in Germany.
Germany is hot cake for many international students due to low tuition fees compare to other universities in Europe, Asia and the United States. It’s a very good place to study. The standard of living is incomparable that’s why many of their programs offer free tuition fees with living expenses.
What Nigerians need to know about studying in Germany
Germany offers free tuition for postgraduate study both EU and Non-EU students in German public schools.
Hence, very few available scholarships during the study are for brilliant and/or indigent students.
Nonetheless, you can study through external funding such as ERASMUS scholarship, PTDF, Mobil, etc.
Otherwise, you fund personal living expenses (deposit of 8790 Euros in a German blocked account as proof of living expenses for a year), semester fee (less than 200 Euros), and semester ticket (for free transportation through your study city less than 200 Euros).
Peradventure, If you have a relative in Germany that can provide proof that he/she will sponsor your living expenses, the 8790Euros deposit is not required.
Germany’s academic record/ standard is superb with an abundance of facilities and resources.
You can be assured of one of the best education in the world. There are opportunities for various researches, exchange programmes with other foreign Universities, research internships on campus or industry and Thesis on campus or industry.
Moreover, there are job prospects after study depending on your discipline, grade/skills and city.
The very good thing about studying in Germany is that students are officially allowed to work up to 20hrs per week or 120 full days/ 240 half days in a year.
Work pay ranges from 8.5-12 Euros per hour for students. As a student you can’t even work up to 20hrs per week except at the expense of your academics or during breaks.
But working during break time depends on many things and not limited to your ability to speak and understand German language, working close to school premises, study schedule, your talents and skills, and other things not mentioned here as well.
Language
Though it is not necessary you understand German language before you can study in Germany.
First and foremost apply to programmes taught in English. Kindly note that learning German language is as important as your study as well, especially if you intend staying back to work in Germany after study.
Ability to speak the language will also give many more opportunities during study.
Universities offer language classes for enrolled students free of charge and you can also learn German in Nigeria, Goethe Institute in Lagos offers this service. You can learn German language from YouTube before travelling to Germany.
Application process
Nigerians who wanting to studying in Germany need to know about the application process.
It is advisable to always check on the Universities’ websites or start your search from ‘Google’, depending on your preferences.
You can apply through the university websites. sometimes, you need to visit university websites for details.
German Academic calendar
As said earlier, Germany is a nice place to study. The university academic calendar is divided into two semesters (winter and summer). Another thing Nigerians need to know about Studying in Germany is the academic calendar of your prospective school.
For Universities Under Applied Sciences
You can check the Registrar’s Office at your university websites for more details.
- Summer semester: March to August (lectures begin: 15 March)
- Winter semester: September to February (lectures begin: 15 September)
For Universities
- Summer semester: April to September (lectures begin: 15 April)
- Winter semester: October to March (lectures begin: 15 October)
Semester vacation/recess (non-lecture period)
- Summer: end of July to September
- Winter: end of February to mid-April
Some of the German scholarship
There are numerous German scholarship programmes for international study that Nigerians need to know about Studying in Germany.
Government-funded scholarships in Germany
- DAAD SCHOLARSHIP –The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers many scholarships for international students to study in Germany at various degree levels. Click the link to view the DAAD scholarships database.
- Erasmus SCHOLARSHIP– Erasmus is the largest provider of scholarship in Europe. It provides grants towards living costs when participating in an exchange program to study in Europe.
Non-Government Funded Scholarships in Germany
- Einstein International Postdoctoral Fellowship – This program is sponsored by the Einstein Foundation for only postdoctoral research at a university in Berlin.
- Heinrich Böll Scholarships for International Students –This scholarship for international students at all levels wishing to study in Germany at an accredited institution.
- Humboldt Research Fellowships for Postdoctoral Researchers – This scholarship is for Postdoctoral for scientists and scholars of any subject and nationality. Also, Students from developing countries may be eligible to apply for a Georg Forster Fellowship.
- Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Scholarships – This is monthly master’s and Ph.D. scholarship that are available for international applicants under 30years who have completed a university degree in their home country. However, you still need to provide evidence of above-average academic performance, and been actively involved in voluntary work will help you to win the scholarship.
- Kurt Hansen Science Scholarships – This is fully funded by the Bayer Foundation. This is a science scholarship open for people that which to be an educator in the world of science.
- Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) for Developing Countries – This is fully funded by the European Commission and it is open for international students.
- Mawista Scholarship – This scholarship is open for those studying abroad while taking care of a child.
- Deutschland Stipendium –This is merits-based scholarships of €300 per month and is available to highly talented students enrolled to study at German universities. Please note that nationality and personal income do not affect your chances of being winning.
Host Universities scholarships in Germany
- DRD Scholarships for Sub-Saharan Africans– This is merit-based scholarships for students from developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa iñcludiñg Nigeria pursuing a master’s degree in development studies, public administration and development management at Ruhr-University Bochum.
- Frankfurt School of Finance and Management Doctoral Tuition Waivers – This is tuition waiver scholarships for doctoral students studying an English-language program at Frankfurt university within finance, accounting, mathematics and business administration.
- FRIAS Cofund Fellowship Programme for International Researchers – This is a German scholarships for international students to study at Universität Freiburg on a research-level program.
- Hamburg University of Applied Sciences Masters Scholarships – This is a scholarships for international students at masters level for all subject excluding public health, administration and design.
- KAAD Scholarships for Developing Countries – A scheme offering scholarships for international students from developing countries (in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America) to study at a German university at master’s or PhD level. Candidates must possess German-language skills and be of Catholic-Christian denomination.
- Kofi Annan MBA Scholarships for Developing Country Students – This scholarships is for international students for from developing countries to study a full-time, one-year MBA at the European School of Management and Technology (ESMT) in Berlin. Other MBA scholarships available at the school include the ESMT Women’s Academic Scholarship for female candidates.
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids –This scholarship is available for Post-doctoral fellowships are available to study solid state chemistry at the university.
Conclusion
Most German Masters programme are for 2years or more. PhD (you get salary) are for 3yrs or more. After study, you have 18months to stay back to search for a job, most times, related to your discipline or field. If no success in this regard, you have to leave Germany for good.
Above are what Nigerians need to know about studying in Germany.
Read Also: How to Secure Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
Adeyinka is the founder and content creator at Career Acada. He’s a technology expert and web developer. He holds a degree in Genetics and loves impacting life for a better society.
