How do I apply to German universities for my Masters?

Germany is the hub of numerous mechanical and automobile manufacturers. This has led to Germany becoming the lure to engineers looking to study and work in those areas. Apart from this, the low tuition fee and the value of a German degree are major advantages. But the increasing opportunities have also led to increasing competition for the prospects. So, how does one apply to German universities and secure a spot? Must be hard, right?

Actually, no. you need to remember these four steps exactly to secure admission in a German institute.

Step 1 – Choose a university and course

Once you have zeroed down on Germany as your destination, choose a university and a course. The reason why this is considered as the first step is that the admission procedure and eligibility criteria for the course vary from institute to institute. Some universities require you to complete a foundation degree before you can enrol in the course while some will allow you to enrol directly, depending on your qualifications. So ensure that you satisfy the requirements before you apply to a university.

Step 2 – Ensure you have the necessary academic certificates

The academic certificate of your present highest qualification must be recognised in Germany. Mostly, Indian certificates are recognised by German institutions. If not, you must enrol in a qualification assessment test and clear it. To check if your qualifications are recognised, you can check out the “Anabin” database.

Normally, universities expect students from India to hold at least 80%. In exceptional cases, students with low grades might secure a spot if they have worked on exceptional projects or something similar.

Step 3 – Proof of your knowledge in the language of instruction

Most of the courses are taught in German and a collective few are taught in English. Whichever course you apply to, you must provide a certificate to prove your competence in that language. If you are choosing a course which is taught in German, your certificate must carry at least a grade of A2. It might also vary from university to university, so check out your course page. Having B2 will be helpful if you are planning to choose a degree which is instructed in German.

If you choose a course with English as the medium of instruction, it is recommended that you carry an IELTS/TOEFL. The minimum grades required can be found on the university’s website which you apply to.

Step 4 – Ensure you are academically sound

It is well known that Germany is the hotspot for mechanical and automobile engineers. So, there is heavy competition among the students applying to the universities. You cannot be noticed unless you stand apart from the crowd.  Even with a good CGPA, you are likely to face rejection from universities. The key is knowledge. You must be able to prove in your portfolio that you possess a sound knowledge in the subject you have studied. This can be done by working on several projects and research papers.

From time to time, at Skill-Lync, we have helped students secure admissions in international universities, including German institutes. To ensure admission and recognition, students would work on industry-level projects that would mark them special so much that they have won funded admits in addition to securing admission. If you are looking to build your portfolio with such cutting edge projects and enrol in one of our courses.

To know more about applying to German Universities, check out the following articles:

• Top universities in Germany for Mechanical engineers – Part 1
• Top universities in Germany for Mechanical engineers – Part 2
• Top universities in Germany for CFD