Study Abroad Archives - Russianvagabond

The Netherlands and Germany both are popular countries for internation students. The first county offers more English taught programs and native English-speaking teachers, on another hand, Germany has more affordable tuition fees and cost of living. The Netherlands is one of the most densely populated countries in Europe, it’s known for its tolerant and liberal people and a wealth of great student cities – none of which are more than a bicycle ride (the nation’s preferred mode of transport) away from some picturesque countryside. Germany is a favorite European country to study abroad, with great economy and many the world's biggest companies, hence good working prospects for international graduates. In this post, I compare these two countries from the study abroad perspective. Opportunities for English Speakers If you want to study in English this factor might be one of the most important thus you can comfortably live and study in a new country. The Netherlands Surprisingly, the Netherlands was the first non-native English speaking country to offer courses taught in English to international students. That's a good sign! The country has impressive 2,500 English programs inc. undergraduate and postgraduate, so if you don't speak German you might consider the Dutch university. English is widely spoken and many non-Dutch speaking people are working or studying there. It's also one of the favorite countries of immigrants, thanks to open-mindedness and tolerance of people. English degree also isn't more expensive than a degree in Dutch, compared to Germany where most of the time students pay significant tuition fees only because of the language. The Netherlands is very advanced with the English language, they learn it and actively practice from a young age, movies are also don't translated into the Dutch language, which encourages locals to learn and master the English language. Also, most Dutch professors and teachers speak good English and quite many of them are from English speaking countries such as the UK, USA, Canada. German universities have significantly fewer English native speakers among the academic staff. To be able to apply to university you will need a certificate about sufficient knowledge of English. It can be done by completing IELTS with score 6.0 or TOEFL with a score no lower than 550 Paper Based or 213 Computer-Based or 80%. In the Netherlands, you can also expect a large community of international students: More than 112,000 students from around the world. Around 16% of all students come from abroad - one of the highest ratios anywhere in Europe. Germany Germany has over 370,000 international students, 3 times more than in the Netherlands. Does it mean that Germany is better for foreign students? Yes, and no, most of there students completing a degree program in German and not in the English language as most in the Netherlands do. Since German is the official language in Germany and also all country and companies functioning mostly on german. Usually, the future students learn German already in their home country and after passing school and language exams come to study to Germany. But it doesn't mean that there is no option to study in English, the choice is small but still exists. So, if you’re aiming to study at an undergraduate course in a public university in Germany you will hardly find a course taught in English because the absolute majority of them are in German. To complete a bachelor in English you need to opt for a private University or University of Applied Sciences. On the DAAD website, you can check all available English courses and degree programs depending if it's under or postgraduate. Remember that to apply for an English program in Germany you need to pass TOEFL or IELTS test beforehand with a TOEFL score of 80 points ( 550 paper-based or 213 computer-based and IELTS of 6.0. All other entry requirements remain to be similar (read below) to those for the German-taught course. Entry Requirements for Universities The Netherlands First, you have to contact the international office of the university you are interested in to check whether your degree or school-leaving exam (obtained in your homeland) is recognized in the Netherlands. Given that your degree is recognized, for the application you will need: Sufficient level of English: TOEFL (minimum 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based), IELTS minimum 6.0 A school leaving/entry university diploma translated into EnglishTranscript of recordsSome master programs can require minimum TOEFL of 100 or IELTS of 7.0In some cases:CV or resume (including two referees)Motivation letterSample of academic written work After application university might invite you to pass an additional exam. This can be GRE or GMAT. If you have no idea what is it read here. Most of the time you will need such an exam for application to business school and/or an MBA program (GMAT) and GRE is used as part of admissions for a wide variety of graduate school programs. The GMAT and GRE tests are computer-adaptive tests, which assesses a person’s quantitative, analytical and writing skills in standard written English in preparation for being admitted into a graduate program. Please note: plan to take your exam well before the application deadline. It can take some time before you receive the official results. GMAT and GRE test scores are valid for two years. Some institutions may reject your application or ask you to take some other admission tests if they believe you are not fully qualified. Application deadline Each university has its dates, but in general: The application deadline for most courses: 1st of MayIn some universities, the application deadline is: 1st of February or the 1st of March (if possible to start in winter and summer semesters) Germany First and most important, to study in Germany you need to have a recognized Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB), meaning higher education entrance qualification. I know from my experience many foreigners struggling with this german entrance requirement, which are different for each nationality and overall the system is complicated. Therefore your previous education in the country of origin determines if you can enter German universities directly or you need to pass additional exams&undergo preparational courses. People from EU/EEA don't have problems being accepted by the university, as education more less the same in all Europe. However, many international applicants will need to complete a year/half a year course at Studienkolleg (preparatory school) to reach the same university entrance level that Germans have. The main entrance requirements to German University are: A high-school diploma or school-leaving certificate or university entrance exam translated into German by a legal translator and verified by a notary Proof of German (DSH, Goethe Institut Certification, TestDaF B2) or if a program in English IELTS minimum 6.0/TOEFL 80 (minimum 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based)A translated into German overview of your course modules and gradesA passport photo Some nationalities will need to get their diplomas and qualifications approved by the issued organization so they contain an apostille stamp which confirms their validity. I had to go to Russia to do this. Keep in mind that the process can take several months, make sure that your documents are ready before the application. For most subjects, you can apply directly via university email, alternatively, you can use the website www.uni-assist.de, a centralized admissions portal for international students. I suggest applying for various courses at various universities to increase your chances of being admitted. Application deadline At many German universities, it’s possible to apply for admission twice a year – in the winter or summer semester: 15 July for the winter semester and 15 January for summer Be aware that application deadlines vary between institutions, and the same institution may set different deadlines for each program. It’s recommended to submit applications at least six weeks before the deadline. You should expect to receive a formal acceptance or rejection approximately one to two months after the deadline has passed. Therefore, there will be little time to apply for a visa, you need to take action as fast as possible. Quality of Education According to the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2018, Netherlands has 12 and Germany has no less than 38 universities in the top 500 universities in the world. But this might be only to the total number of the university in each coutry, Germany has so many! The Netherlands https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNCSTVOcSq8 Dutch universities usually relatively young and modern institutions, offering higher standard facilities when it comes to technology and material. The lectures and seminars are held in English, which makes them much more appealing for foreigners, in fact, most Dutch universities are indeed highly popular with foreigners. Many English-taught programs and native English-speaking teachers surely give the Netherlands an upper advantage in entire Europe. The studies are often very practical oriented with a lot of group work and many presentations. In general, the system is more adaptable and flexible, also in terms of degrees, for instance, few Master degrees even don’t require a Bachelor but a certain amount of related work experience, which is a new approach to education and nearly unheard of in Germany. The QS World University Rankings 2019 includes 13 universities in the Netherlands, all ranked within the world's top 350, and an impressive 7 of these are within the global top 150. The nation’s highest-ranking institution is the Delft University of Technology at place 52 in the world, with the University of Amsterdam and Eindhoven University of Technology not too far behind, at 57 and 99 respectively. The Netherlands can't be less proud of its quality of education. Same as Germany Dutch high education system is divided on Research Universities, Universities of Applied Science. In comparison to Germany - Dutch Bachelor programs often take up to 4 years to complete, which is one year longer than in the neighboring country. Germany The German education system and German degree have a very good reputation worldwide, and therefore a significant number of foreigners study at German universities. Germany has more universities than all other European counties (currently 429), also a big focus on research. Some of them have been consistently ranked among the world’s best universities. German specialists and scientists are known worldwide for a high level of knowledge, experience, and expertise. Students value German universities for the quality of education, hands-on experiences during their studies, opportunities to improve academically and most importantly the safe and friendly environment. Most universities and colleges in Germany are public, they receive funding from the state governments. In addition to public institutions, there are now more than 121 private universities and colleges, which provide officially recognized degrees. A majority of all universities are Universities of Applied Sciences. They offer a more practically oriented education that is adapted to the demands of professional life. Their degree programs generally include internships and a practical module. Read here more about the differences between the University and the University of Applied Sciences. Student life How students are living in the coutry also not the unimportant factor which choosing a place to study abroad. The Netherlands Being a student in the Netherlands is fun since there are a lot of facilities, cultural happenings, museums, historical places, and of course many other international students. Most cities are student cities with many offerings for a younger population. Dutch people are also very friendly and more relaxed there as well as open to other newcomers. Especially their English skills make Dutch students approachable and perfect party buddies, but if you’re looking to form solid friendships with them, you should learn some Dutch. Germany Because Germany is such a big country and a favorite student destination, you are going to meet a lot of other international students, but you can also mix with local ones. As a student there, you will have a lot to do in your free time. Germany is a perfect country to go for a beer, do some sports or outdoors, chill at the many parks or by the rivers. If you like to travel Germany will spoil you with many destinations and places to visit. Germans like their routines and schedules a lot. Professors are no exception. Being an organized student will get you their respect, so you’d better get used to sticking to deadlines. Tuition and Living Costs The Netherlands In the Netherlands, higher education isn't free as in Germany and students will need to pay the following fees for a bachelor program: Average tuition fees for EU/EEA students: between 700 - 2,100 EUR/ yearAverage tuition fees for non-EU students: between 6,000 and 15,000 EUR/year And for a masters program: Average tuition fees for EU/EEA students: between 1,070 and 2,083 EUR/yearAverage tuition fees for non-EU students: between 8,000 and 20,000 EUR/year Of course, if you choose a private university, your tuition fees will be higher. Living costs The expected cost of living is approximately 900 - 1,100 EUR a month for a typical student life. Notice that rent is higher than in most German student cities and will be your biggest expense. Second is food which is also more expensive than in the eastern neighbor. Your main living costs will be: Rent – 350-800 EUR per monthGroceries/Eating Out – 250 EUR per monthStudy Materials – 50 EUR per monthInsurance (if you are not an EHIC holder) – 80 EUR per monthClothes/Entertainment – €100 per month Who is eligible for EHIC insurance which is cheaper than any other for international students - students from EU/EEA countries, students who are working (part-time count too) or doing internships in the Netherlands. Germany Germany is officially the cheapest country to study in Europe. Theoretically, tuition fees do not exist for local and for foreign students, but practically everyone will need to pay between 100 - 350 EUR per semester for administrative costs. Living costs Not only can you study for free in Germany, but it is also a pretty affordable country. Compared to the Netherlands, the living costs in Germany are cheaper. Furthermore, it is easier to find reasonably priced and quality accommodation in Germany. Also, food is more affordable, although eating and drinking out cost relatively the same. The average costs of living for students range between 800 - 1,000 EUR/month, including accommodation. Depending on your location prices are vary, for example, east of Germany is very affordable for students with many great universities and ridiculously cheap rent. You won't see this regional difference in the Netherlands, the prices remain to be the same throughout the country. Here are some examples of living costs depending on the region: Larger western cities: Munich, Frankfurt or Stuttgart – total living costs of 1,000 – 1,500 EUR/monthLarger eastern cities: Dresden, Leipzig, Hannover – you will need 750 – 1,000 EUR/month Main costs As a student, you will pay about 170-250 EUR/month on food also depending region you are studying in. If you’re looking for lower prices, try discount supermarkets like Aldi, Lidl, and Netto. For dinner in a restaurant, you will pay 10 EUR for food in a cheap one and 15 in normal one. A three-course meal for two in an average restaurant costs 45 EUR and an additional light drink will be 4 EUR. Housing for Students The Netherlands Housing may be somewhat problematic in both countries. But it also very different, in the Netherlands students tend to share apartments or houses with partly common facilities (kitchen, toilet, bathroom) and private rooms. This is a great solution for an economic point of view, but also comfort, so students have more space. Some universities also provide campus houses where you can get your own room, but far not each university has these facilities. There fore shared houses are more common also due to Dutch architecture, which contains small and tiny private houses, where the family has an entire house for itself. Students often rent a house outside the city center or even the city, so they can save money and just bike each day to the university. Germany Unfortunately, most German universities also don't offer accommodation to enrolling students. In Germany students also often rent an entire apartment and separate it on the private rooms with the shared area like kitchen and bathroom. Houses are less rentable by students and more suitable to the families. Sometimes in a student city, you can receive a campus accommodations from your university. It's normally a small apartment with a private bathroom and kitchen in a big campus building also called residence hall (Wohnheim). Cheaper options for international students are residence halls or sharing a privately rented apartment. You can also rent a one-room apartment (also called a studio). Below you will find the average accommodation costs for a student in Germany: Living alone in a studio: 490 EUR - 600 EUR/monthSharing a privately rented room: 250 EUR - 500/monthLiving in a student residence: 250 - 300 EUR/month According to the statistics of DAAD - big academic exchange organization, over 40% of international students live in a student residence. The second most popular option is sharing a flat, with 30% of students choosing this type of accommodation. Culture and Lifestyle As you will spend at least three years doing your Bachelor’s studies in Germany or Netherlands you should know what to expect when interacting with the locals and be prepared for this. The bad news is that both countries have not so friendly climates – they are generally colder and more reserved compare to other cultures. The good news is several cities of both countries rank as most liveable places in the world. The Netherlands Generally, the Dutch tend to be more open and tolerant while German seems to be more difficult to approach. Dutch are very direct and low content people, even more, that Germans are. They are honest and straight forward with anyone, for foreigners, it will be something to adjust to. Many Dutch live under the slogan "equality for all", yet focus on individuality more than community. They are considered a middle-class society. Because most people especially young ones speak English they also come across as less formal, more open-minded and friendly. It’s easy to pick a conversation with a stranger or to get the right directions from the first person you meet. Similar to Germans, Dutch people like to schedule things. Don’t be surprised if dinner with a Dutch friend is scheduled for six weeks in advance. Germany Germany has a way stronger culture and traditions than the Netherlands, people also very proud of this and like to celebrate it. The Germans deliver what they promise so overall you can trust this person and relay on them, of course, they are also very punctual and it's not only stereotypes. They are slightly more reserved, and more formal than Dutchies. Also English for Germans, not the language of comfort, and they can hesitate a bit to speak it. As I said before Germany is very dependent on the German language and hasn't yet internationalized that much in comparison to the Netherlands. Even movies are dubbed into German. But overall German people are quite friendly too. Maybe a very German characteristic is to participate in different clubs (Verein). Many Germans are part of social clubs that focus on different activities: sports clubs, singing clubs, hiking clubs, even animal breeding clubs, as well as different kind of nonprofit organizations. Vereins (clubs) are a big part of the German culture and country itself, they bring huge value to people's lives. And of course, do not forget the beer and the process of drinking beer also have huge cultural importance. Application Process for a Student Visa Because both Germany and the Netherlands are part of the European Union, EU students won’t need a visa to study in any of the countries. Non-EU students will have to apply for a student visa and a residence permit after arrival. The Netherlands For all Non-EU students planning to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days, the visa process has two parts: to apply for a Provisional Residence Permit (MVV) and Residence Permit. First is an entry visa you need to receive in your home country before the arrival. Your MVV application will take some time to process, and it is recommended that students apply at least 3 months before the arrival date. Notice that you can't leave your country during the application and waiting for decision prozess. Luckily, the Dutch Universities took this responsibility for a visa and do almost all dirty work for you. Isn't it a dream for a foreign student?! However, you will need to pay a visa fee for this which is 319 EUR. I think money 100% worth the work! After arrival, you will need to apply for a residence permit to be able to stay longer than 6 months. And even this process University will do on your behalf! I guess it's clear why so many foreign students choose the Netherlands, the biggest hurdle of studying abroad taken over by Universities. Therefore the student can avoid all this stress. Germany All Non-EU/EEA citizens will need a student visa to study in Germany. Future students should apply as soon as they receive an acceptance letter from University. To do this they need independently contact the local German embassy or consulate in their home country. Same as students in the Netherlands, they need to apply for a residence permit after arrival. Usually, it's an easy procedure and doesn't require that many additional documents. Don't be scared but here is a full list of the documents you need to have in order to apply for the German student visa in your country: Two filled out and signed national visa formsValid national passportTwo photocopies of the passportBirth certificateMarriage certificate (if married).Child’s certificate (if children)Two recently taken biometric portrait photographsPhotocopies of previous German residence titles. (If have been to Germany before)Previous Schengen VisaProof of Financial Resources. You should meet the financial requirements to be granted your German student visa. Depending on your circumstances, you should have one of the following:Blocked Bank Account with 10,236 EUR.Letter of commitment. You can get this by a person living in Germany who shows they will be covering your accommodation or other living costs.Letter of declaration. Through this, your parents show they will be providing you with financial support during your stay.Scholarship certificate. If you have a scholarship award, the certificate should show what the scholarship will cover and that you are the receiver of that financial coverage.Proof of Admission. It can be one of the following:University admission letter.Letter of admission in foundation/propaedeutic/German language course.Original certificates of previous educationCurriculum Vitae (CV)Motivational Letter. Explain why you have chosen this degree program as well as your future plans.Travel Health Insurance. (covering the period from your departure to the date of enrolment at the university – approx. 3 months). Proof of German language proficiency - if study in GermanProof of English language proficiency - if study in English Of course, all documents which aren't originated in the English language must be translated into German. Working during the Studies The Netherlands Depending on your nationality, in the Netherlands working while studying for a limited number of hours is allowed. In fact, many Dutch and international students take part-time jobs while studying to support themselves. To work in the cafés, pubs, and bars will not require you to speak Dutch, English is perfectly fine. For more academic jobs speaking Dutch can be required, but usually, there is a big market for international workers. From the legal side of it: international students are by law permitted to work for a maximum of 16 hours per week and full-time during vacations. Your employer will have to apply for a work permit on your behalf, which is quite a simple and straightforward process. However, it is more difficult to receive a work permit and find a job after you graduate. Students can expect to earn between 10 and 12 EUR per hour. Germany Germany also allows international students to work but only a restricted number of days per year. It's 120 full days each year or 240 half days. Some exceptions can be applied for a student assistant or research assistant at your university: it’s usually no problem to exceed the 120-day limit. Students from the EU/EEA can work for up to 20 hours per week without the need for a work permit. Note that non-EU students are not permitted to work in a self-employed or as a freelancers. You can count with an hour's salary between 9 and 12 EUR, but with some experience and expertise, it can be up to 15 EUR. After Graduation Opportunities Getting a job after graduation can be a goal of many students if they don't plan to back home afterward. So which country is better in this context? The Netherlands Some of the world’s largest companies are Dutch (Shell, KPMG, Philips, Heineken, etc.), and many global groups have their European headquarters in the Netherlands. Together with the country’s international mindset, to find a workplace that is operating in English and very welcoming towards foreign employees it's not a difficult task. There are actually pristine conditions for international students. If you have completed or are about to complete your graduation from a Dutch University, you are eligible for azoekjaar or search year. It will give you 12 months to look for a job in the Netherlands. After finding a suitable job you can apply for a working visa and residence permit, which does require a minimum salary of 2.364,00 EUR gross per month excluding holiday allowance. Statistics say 84% of the international students studying in the Netherlands get employed before the completion of their programs while 92% are employed within 6 months after graduation. International students seeking employment in the Netherlands are called highly skilled/educated migrants and very welcomed by employers. Top Jobs after Graduation Field of ProfessionAverage Annual Salary (in USD)Medical and Health Care96,948Engineering94,980Business and Management93,721IT and Telecommunication78,138Public Sector71,133Law65,934Education60,695Hospitality and Tourism29,377 If you graduate with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a Dutch university, you will stand a good chance at also finding a job and staying for a longer time. Germany Germany also gives chance to graduates to work after completing the degree. Often they will need to speak German but in big cities and big international companies, English speaking job is also possible. Especially graduates from IT, engineering have very good chances to work without speaking German. International students from Non-EU/EEA countries with a residence permit can extend it to stay in Germany and seek work for up to 18 months after graduating, as long as the job is related to their field of study. University graduates will need to apply for work a working and residence permit after they find a job, which is fulfilling requirements on the minimal salary: 53,000 EUR per year or 41,808 EUR if STEM profession. Its 4,416 EUR and 3,484 monthly respectively. After two years of employment in Germany, it’s possible to apply for permanent residency status. It’s beneficial to be fluent in the German language when seeking work in Germany, but not always essential. In general, Germany is more difficult and less promising for foreign students to stay and work after graduation. The reason for this is a smaller choice of English speaking jobs and much higher salary requirements. Best Universities for International Students The Netherlands The best Dutch Universities for an international perspective, many of them also ranking in the first 150 worldwide: Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) University of Amsterdam Eindhoven University of Technology Leiden University Utrecht University University of Groningen Germany Germany has more university in total and therefore more in our list: Ludwig Maximilian University of MunichFree University of BerlinBerlin Institute of TechnologyTechnical University of MunichRuprecht Karl University of HeidelbergKIT, Karlsruhe Institute of TechnologyRWTH Aachen UniversityUniversity of Freiburg