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I recently completed my MSc. degree in Germany. When I started there was not much real information about the pros and cons of studying here. Generic higher studies websites posted generic higher studies terms , and I did not know anyone personally who had moved to Germany. I hope my blog post would help out other people with deciding. About Me : I am from Asia and attended one of the elite engineering colleges in my country for Bachelors. For Masters, I was interested in a course which allowed me to study computer science but was also interdisciplinary. Since Europe seemed to have such courses available, I decided to apply here. My results : I got into 2 courses. One was MSc. Computational Science in University of Amsterdam (https://www.uva.nl/en/programmes/masters/computational-science/computational-science.html) and the other was MSc. Simulation Sciences at RWTH Aachen University (https://www.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/bnzu/lidx/1) . I finally decided to join RWTH. I would like to give my opinion about this decision, in retrospect, and also some comments. The good : 1. Education is free in Germany, even for foreigners. In some states some amount of fees has been introduced for non EU students (around 1500 EUR) which is still considerably less than in other European countries for non EU/EEA students. In my state (NRW) while I was a student, there was no fees for foreigners yet. 2. The cost of living was much much cheaper than Amsterdam. 3. Pretty good and pretty cheap alcohol :D 4. You get a semester ticket which lets you travel in public transport for free, typically in your state and maybe also in other nearby countries. eg my semester ticket allowed me to travel in NRW as well as till Maastricht in Netherlands. 5. The specific course I took had too many non useful mandatory courses. But as far as electives are concerned, we had a lot of flexibility. This also meant lot of flexibility in choosing your thesis topic and department. The bad : 1. Language issues. While my course was completely in English, there were many courses available in German I would have taken if they were available in English, specially from the Math department. 2. In day to day life, living without German knowledge is difficult in Aachen, and NRW in general. It would be much more convenient maybe in Munich, Berlin or Frankfurt. 3. Courses seem too theoretical. It seemed that emphasis was on preparing students for future as PhD scholars, and not preparing for job market. Recently a MSc. in Data Science course has been started and even their courses seem to be too theoretical. 4. Job market is not as good in Aachen as in other bigger German cities as well as compared to Netherlands. Too many jobs, including Software Engineer roles, seem to ask for German knowledge. It gets even more limited if you want to join banks, consultancies etc. 5. Social life : most college events, poetry / quizzes etc are completely in German. This is not the case in Netherlands. 6. Aachen is definitely not as lively as Amsterdam. Few more comments : 1. You should know about the Dutch 30% ruling for expats, if you plan to later take up jobs in Netherlands. 2. It is possible to find industry funded research in both these countries, if that is what you may prefer. 3. Unlike other countries, Germany does not seem to have concept of semester breaks (like a month or 2 break between semesters). I think this is also true for European countries in general. Which means if you would like to do an internship in a different city than yours, you may have to take a semester break and complete the internship. 4. It is normal for MSc. degrees to stretch beyond 2 years. Do not fret to drop a semester and do an industrial internship. Final comments : In retrospect, maybe taking up the MSc. course in Amsterdam would have been a better choice from study and job perspective, but it also depends on your personal situation. If you do not want to spend too much money on grad school, Germany is definitely a better choice, but try to go for bigger cities, like Munich or Berlin. Trying to get in touch with older students from your course over LinkedIn may be helpful.

Hello all, I am from India, applying for master's in Computational Science and Engineering at Technical University of Munich (TUM) for the winter semester 2020. The process requires me to apply through Uni-Assist as well as the TUM portal. The Uni-Assist instructions specify that after selecting the course and making the payment, I need to upload the documents (including CV, motivation letter, study certificate, etc.) online and then send the notarized hard copies by post. Due to the COVID-19 situation, the hard copies might take longer than usual to reach Germany from India. If I wait until I prepare all of my documents, upload them online and then post the hard copies, they might not reach Germany from India before the deadline, which is the 30th of June, 2020. In this regard, can someone please tell me: 1) which documents need to be compulsorily uploaded online on the Uni-Assist portal? 2) whether I can post the hard copies first and then complete uploading the documents online? I need to wrap up my application as soon as possible. So, any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Not sure if I'm posting this in the right place... but I might as well try. I'm considering applying to the Transatlantic Masters Program at UNC-Chapel Hill, more specifically the Turkish-German track. The program seems much more viable compared to any other American university in terms of obtaining an MA, however I would still need funding to undertake studies there. I have read into some of the funding opportunities available to European and German citizens (which I am). I was wondering if anyone had any other advice in terms of funding options or opportunities I could look into or qualify for, as a German/Turkish citizen currently finishing a BA at the University of Edinburgh.

I am starting to write my Statement of purpose and I am currently doing Btech in ECE but want to pursue CS/Informatics in TUM,Germany.How should i justify my change of major(I am genuinely not interest in ECE), also I had 2 backlogs in 2nd year which I have cleared now but my percentage dropped ,should I mention this?My current GPA is 7 acc to Indian scale and 2.5 according to German scale.Please advise.

Hello everyone I just thought that the new board should be created, I applied for the scholarship for an MA, crossing my fingers.

Anyone here apploed for daad fine arts scholarship? Or anyone who avail it?

The application period opens today. I am planning to apply for North American Studies and potentially English Studies there. I just want to study literature, history, and critical theory. Does anyone have any experience with the process? It looks like GPA is all that matters, but I am nervous about actually getting accepted. Any clue what GPA you generally need to get in? I have a 3.6 from a University of California school. Anyone else planning on going to Berlin for school this October?

Hello all, Since I could not take GRE exam, I've applied gradschools in Canada. But I have been thinking about some high ranking universities in Germany such as Humboldt and University of Mannheim . I'm interested in work and labor, economic sociology... Besides, I think that I would have limited opportunities to improve my sociological skills in those schools in Germany. You know European PhD programs have different patterns than those schools in USA and Canada. What do you think? Are there anyone could tell about experiences in those schools? Ekinsu

Hi, I just finished my master degree and I'm considering apply for the DAAD short-term research grant hoping that I could research in some German archives. So, I need some advice from those with relevant experiences. According to the DAAD's notice, applicants are required for the confirmations from Doktorvater/-mutter(academic advisor) and the host institution. Following is the exact statement "Letter confirming supervision by an academic adviser in Germany, which refers to the applicant's proposal and confirms that the host institute will provide a workplace" I think this "supervision" means the case in which someone researches in labs, especially in the fields of engineering or natural sciences. But I don't think I would need advice or a workplace while doing my research because most I have to do will be find, read and collect primary sources in the archives. For historical researches, how should I prepare those 'confirmations'?

Profile Evaluation: GRE: 305 (Q: 157, V: 148) IELTS (To be given) 70% in Pune University (Mechanical Engineering) Summer School on Automotive and Mobility Studies at RWTH Aachen University, 1 year sales engineer in a manufacturing firm, 1 month internship in a manufacturing firm (project on lean manufacturing), 1 year project done at a manufacturing firm, participated in SAE Supra, 1 local paper publication. Kindly suggest universities for USA and Germany (both automotive and industrial engineering)

Hello, I have a question that may be too specific but hopefully someone out there has some relevant experience/advice. I am trying to decide what to do as a literature student who would like to eventually complete a PhD in linguistics. Right now I am mostly looking into masters programs as it seems that it would greatly help me to complete a masters before even trying to apply to a PhD, but if someone has a suggestion of a PhD program that requires little background in linguistics, I'm game. Here are my studies so far : B.A. English and French literature at a small liberal arts school in the USA Masters 1 & 2 in comparative literature at the Sorbonne in Paris (all schoolwork in French) -- I will complete my last year of this masters this year. The program I am envisioning doing my PhD in is the Linguistics PhD at McGill, and they have a masters program as well, so I could possibly do one and then the other seamlessly. They do require some preparation in linguistics, so I would probably be referred to their qualifying year. Tuition for that year is about 16000, but once you get into the master, it is funded. I am considering either auditing some linguistics courses this year or doing a full year of classes after the masters in order to give myself some background in linguistics. I feel I need at least a few classes in order to write a good statement of purpose, and I also will need letters of recommendation, and having some linguistics professors would be helpful. There is one program at a French university that looks like it would give me a full course load of introductory classes, it is at the L3 level, so that would be equivalent to re-doing a senior year of a bachelor's program, grade-wise. There are also several masters programs across europe that require little to no preparation in linguistics, and I could alternatively do a masters in Europe and then apply directly to the PhD at McGill. The Masters in europe aren't funded but tuition is free or negligible. I am looking at several universities in Belgium, the Freie University Berlin, and a few universities in France. Does anybody here have experience with McGill and their Qualifying Year, or generally applying to the program? I am worried about it being very expensive if I have to do the qualifying year, which is why I am considering doing a masters elsewhere first. I'm also worried about not having a writing sample in English for the application to McGill (the european masters are fairly easy to get into and don't require writing samples or letters of rec). I'm just feeling very overwhelmed with all the different options across many countries and could use some help/advice. links to programs : McGill : https://www.mcgill.ca/linguistics/graduate/admission Berlin : http://www.geisteswissenschaften.fu-berlin.de/en/izeus/master/bewerbung/Zulassungsvoraussetzungen/index.html Belgium : https://uclouvain.be/en/faculties/fial/selection-et-admission-0.html https://www.programmes.uliege.be/cocoon/20182019/en/formations/condac/P2ULIN01.html https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/faculties/faculty-of-arts/studying-and-education/degree-students/programmes/ France http://www.masterlinguistiquetours.com/Admision.html http://www.univ-tlse2.fr/accueil/formation-insertion/odf-2016-2020/master-linguistique-cognition-communication-licoco--386439.kjsp http://www.u-bordeaux-montaigne.fr/fr/formations/offre-de-formation-2016-2020/master-XB/sciences-du-langage-SCLANG.14/master-sciences-du-langage-program-mna16-216/master-2-theorie-et-description-du-langage-et-des-langages-subprogram-master-2-theorie-et-description-du-langage-et-des-languesnouveau-parcours.html L3 - Bachelor's year : https://formation.univ-paris-diderot.fr/formations/licence-sciences-du-langage

Hey everyone I want to ask about RWTH Aachen university , I heard that it notorious for rejecting students from unknown places . that students must have connections in the university to get admitted . Is it true ? I feel like it is a lie from rejected students . I need someone to answer me please . thanks all

Hello guys, is there anyone here who applied for the short-term grant of the DAAD (with the deadline on April 2018 ) and who is waiting for the results ?? Do you have any news? Good luck!

Hi Everyone, I have an urgent question. I have just been admitted to the Hertie School of Governance for their Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) program. This is basically a flexible track program which you can finish between 1-5 years. It is meant for working professionals (avg. student experience 10 years) who are in their mid-career and want further education, skills or interaction in their fields to progress. The actual course attendance is only 43 days with compulsory and elective courses along with skills training workshops. Hence it is meant for people who are working and can take the course at the same time. My dilemma is that I am a Marketing and Brands professional (6 years of experience) and based out of Dubai, U.A.E. I want to switch my field towards public administration, governmental affairs, NGOs, international development and sustainability. However, I will leave my job and move to Berlin for one year (opting for the 1 year track) and work part time on a student visa. I have tried very hard to find student reviews on this program, however I can't find any. Can anyone help me with the below who has attended or knows of the program? 1. Is the program structure good and will it help me learn a different skill set in order to switch my field? 2. What do you think of the program and the school? 3. Will I be able to find a job in the public / semi-public / consultancy sector with no knowledge of German? Of course I plan to take intensive classes to learn the language, but given that German is a difficult language for someone from my background, I know I would only be able to learn the basics in one year and would have to look for a job within that time on a student visa. Thank you for any help or answers in advance. Best Regards, A Hopeful Executive MPA Student

Has anyone else applied to LMU's M.Sc. Psychology: Learning Sciences program? I was one of the first people to interview and was told to be patient for the results, but this waiting is driving me CRAZY I'm trying to prepare for the worst while remaining optimistic .. Applied 4 Interviewed 2/4 Accepted 0/4 Waitlisted 0/4 Rejected 0/4 GPA 3.556 cumulative

I've accepted an offer from Bonn University for the graduate program in mathematics. If you're going to study in the same school next year, feel free to contact me. We have a chat on whatsapp with a similar student. 009zero5378two347nine_nine

Has anyone researched German University MFA programs? I have been on many of their website but can't find information on how to apply for their MFA programs.

Hi guys, I applied DAAD scholarship for my Masters( in Finance) studies in November and recently have been invited to the interview in German embassy. My interview is two weeks away and it's my first interview. Is there anyone who has experience with DAAD interviews? What questions can i expect during the interview? Thank you in advance)

Hi everybody, anybody here applied for DAAD research grant with funding start this year? Havent heard back so far, status says paper copies received

What does an American need grade wise to get into European universities(nothing big like cambridge, ecole, or delft), I want to go into business(international business, management, etc.). what would I need for AP scores, SAT/ACT, normal class credits, and languages? I am in my sophomore year, taking Algebra 2 and AP European History.

I already picked up my Italian student visa and my German student visa is also approved, can I pick up my German visa too, because Italy was my plan B and I wasn't sure if I can get German visa or not? Answer Request▾

Hi all, I'm new to this forum but am hoping to get a bit of advice regarding a decision I have to make. I have been accepted to both the University of Chicago Harris School MPP and the University of Applied Sciences Berlin (Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin) Masters in International Development Economics. I am sure not many people know about the latter program but I am really interested in the topic (Development Econ.) and the city. In addition, I wouldn't need to take out loans for the whole masters (1.5 years), although the university is less well-known and not as academically vigorous as UChicago. I received a 30k recurring scholarship for UChicago, so I would receive about 60k for the two years (20-30k in loans, probably, for the whole program, since I have some savings). Is an MPP from Harris worth the loans I would need to take out? I am leaning towards Berlin still, since it's my dream to study there. But it's difficult to pull the plug knowing the opportunities an MPP from UChicago might open up. I am American, by the way. If anyone has any insight, please let me know! I don't have many resources for people who have made similar decisions.

Hi, I am applying for MPP/MPA program with following profile- GRE 308 (M-163, V-145, AWA-3.0) TOEFL 96 (R24,L26,S22,W24) GPA 3.7 I am having around 5 years of experience with around 3 years experience in Government of India on large scale projects. I have drafted some major policies for flagship schemes in government. Having good volunteer experience. I am having SOP aligned with dedication for serving people as well as strong LOR from from government officials. I am very keen to get into MPP and shortlisted following Universities- 1) Duke University 2) UChicago (MS-CAPP) 3) U of Austin 4) CMU Heinz 5) Ford School (Michigan) 6) University of Washington Please suggest safe university to apply. Or should I apply to Germany or Canada Universities. Kindly need help.

Hey all , I need someone who is familiar with DAAD scholarship I need to know more about DAAD scholarship about the preliminary German courses prior to the scholarship , is it funded ? when students take those courses ? I am asking these questions because I am working in a full-time job and I don't know whether I should consider quitting my job during the courses or not . One more question , Do I have to pass the preliminary courses in order to get the scholarship ? or if I was selected then I am selected and the german courses will have no effect on my chances ? Thanks all

Has anyone used FINTIBA (http://www.fintiba.com) to get blocked account with Sutor bank before? I'm going to Uni in Munich and I was just wondering whether it'd be easy to withdraw the money from it because I could not find a branch of Sutor Bank in Munich.