Preparing for study in Germany

Updated on: Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Dreaming of studying in a top-notch German university? Well, the best way to start working towards the goal is to first pay a virtual visit to the home page of the German Consulate in Chennai.

A better prepared student will find it easier to wade through the maze of modalities that are required to get a student visa to Germany.

This was the bit of advice given to student aspirants at a recent seminar organised by German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) at Goethe Institut.
Documents required

Some of the must-haves listed out by Britta Petersohn-Barnhusen, Vice-Consul, German Consulate in Chennai, were an admission notice from a German university, a TOEFL/IELTS certificate not older than a year and proof of having enough money to see through the living expenses for the first year of study (it costs roughly €634) through a sponsor in India or Germany.

Ms. Petersohn-Barnhusen sought to allay student dread over the prospects of facing the interview with Consular officials once all the documents are submitted.

“The idea of the interview is more to gauge communication skills and how clear-minded you are about what you want to study. Surely, we won’t ask you about Germany’s economic policy.”

However, she also made it clear that answering in monosyllables, however politely, would be a waste of time.

For the compulsive doubters in the audience there was more reassurance in the slide show. According to Consular data, about 500 students from the southern States get student visas every year under the German National Residence Permit programme. And, add to that the fact that German policy is to encourage more students from India.
Stringent criteria

Only nine per cent of visa applications were turned down, and these had more to do with failure to adhere to the rather stringent criteria laid down by the Immigration Office in Germany than lack of merit. “And, if any of you wish to settle down in Germany, you are most welcome,” she said.

According to the Vice-Consul, 80 per cent of the applications from Indian students are for IT-related courses. Biotechnology, automotive engineering, renewable energy and ecology-related disciplines are among the popular courses.

The hindu

Preparing for study in Germany

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