Study in UK vs Germany: Know the Difference Between Germany vs UK for International Students

Choosing an ideal country to pursue your higher education between UK vs Germany can be simple. Comparing the eligibility criteria and admission requirements of both countries can lead to an informed decision. Public universities in UK and Germany have different requirements for admitting students to their educational programs. Let us have a look at these requirements. 

Eligibility Criteria to Study in UK

Students seeking admission to the best private universities in UK will have to fulfil all the eligibility criteria set by the institutions. The eligibility requirements are:

1. Higher Secondary Education
2. Bachelor’s Degree
3. English Language Proficiency Scores
4. ACT/SAT Scores
5. GMAT/GRE Scores
6. Work Experience
7. Master’s Degree

Let’s know these requirements in detail:

1.  Higher Secondary Education

If you want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in UK, you have to complete your 10+2 education first. Students have to score a minimum of 60% or above in their Class 12 examination.

2.  Bachelor’s Degree

In order to pursue a master’s degree in UK universities, students are also required to submit their bachelor’s certificate. Students have to score a minimum GPA of 3.0 or above in order to get admission to the top colleges and universities in UK.

3.  English Language Proficiency Scores

International students also have to prove their English-proficiency and hence have to submit the score to IELTS or TOEFL examinations. The minimum score requirements for these English language proficiency tests:

• IELTS: 6.0+
• TOEFL: 100+

4.  ACT/SAT Scores

The universities in UK that offer undergraduate or bachelors courses for international students also have the requirement for ACT/SAT scores. The minimum score required by top universities are:

• ACT: 16+
• SAT: 1100+

5.  GMAT/GRE Scores

Standardised entrance examinations are pretty common in UK. Hence, students have to submit their GMAT/GRE scores to apply for masters programs. GMAT is essential for students applying for management courses and GRE is the general entrance requirement for masters programs. The minimum requirements for these test scores are mentioned below.

• GMAT: 550 or above
• GRE: 160 or above

6.  Work Experience

Students who have some sort of work experience can easily get admission to the top universities for master’s courses in UK. Students will have to submit an updated CV with at least 1-2 years of work experience.

7.  Master’s Degree

For students who are applying for doctoral programs in UK, one basic requirement is to complete the master’s degree. Students can choose their specialisation of PhD in UK based on their interest.

Suggested: Requirements to Study in UK for International Students

Eligibility Criteria to Study in Germany

1. Higher Secondary Education
2. Bachelor’s Degree
3. English Language Proficiency Scores
4. ACT/SAT Scores
5. GMAT/GRE
6. Work Experience
7. Master’s Degree

Let’s discuss these requirements in detail:

1.  Higher Secondary Education

Applying to English-taught Bachelor's programs in Germany requires the students to score a GPA of 2.6 or more in their 10+2 examination. Students can choose from different specialisations such as science, business, technology, humanities, and much more.

2.  Bachelor’s Degree

Students applying for postgraduate studies in Germany are also asked to submit their bachelor’s degree certificate. To get admission into the top German universities, students have to maintain an overall GPA of 3.0.

3.  English Language Proficiency Scores

Examinations like IELTS or TOEFL are highly valued in Germany. So, international students who want to study at the best German universities will have to submit their English language proficiency test scores whose minimum requirements are mentioned below.

• IELTS: 5.5 – 6.0
• TOEFL: 80+

4.  ACT/SAT Scores

Students will have to submit ACT or SAT scores to study undergraduate courses in German universities. The average score requirements for the exams are mentioned below.

• ACT: 18 or above
• SAT: 1050 or above

5.  GMAT/GRE

German universities also require students to submit their GMAT or GRE scores with their application. Students have to score a minimum of 550 marks or above on GMAT and 300+ on GRE.

6.  Work Experience

International students should need to submit an updated resume detailing their work experience and achievement to get admission to German universities. For postgraduate courses in Germany, a work experience of 2 years is mandatory.

7.  Master's Degree

Students will also have to submit their masters degree certificate if they want to pursue a PhD course in Germany. They can pursue a doctoral program from the top universities in Germany on the basis of their choice of master’s program.

Suggested: Requirements to Study in Germany for International Students

When comparing the costs of living and studying in UK vs Germany for international students, you might see a stark difference between the countries. The cost of education in Germany is negligible compared to the costs of studying in UK.

Also, the living expenses are quite less in Germany as compared to UK. We are dividing the overall expenses into two categories for both countries: tuition fees and the cost of living in Germany vs UK.

1.  Tuition Fees in UK vs Germany

The program fees for different educational courses offered in UK and German universities are mentioned below in detail. 

2.  Germany vs UK Cost of Living

The cost of living in Germany compared to UK is quite less. The different expenses that students have to bear while living in Germany and UK have been tabulated for better understanding.

Suggested: MS in Germany Cost

International students want to know Germany or UK which is better for study. The education institutions are known for providing the best educational programs, training, courses, scholarships, and specialisations for international students.

Here we are providing a detailed overview of the top universities in both UK and Germany along with their QS World University Ranking 2023.

1.  Top Universities in UK 

Here is a list of the top universities in UK along with their QS World University Ranking 2023. 

Suggested: Cheapest University in UK

2.  Top Universities in Germany 

To give a better understanding of Germany or UK which is better for study, here is a list of the top universities in Germany and their QS Rankings.

Suggested: Types of Universities in Germany

Students looking forward to pursuing their higher education in Germany or UK will have to gather information about the education system and student life there. Students will notice a stark difference between the education quality and other aspects in both counties. And to know the top universities in both the countries you can search on College Finder easily.

Some of these details are tabulated below to provide better knowledge about germany vs uk for international students.

In order to choose between UK vs Germany for international students, the visa requirements and process are also very important factors. Both countries require students to apply for their student visa for further education and work opportunities. We are providing some important details about the visa process for each country.

1.  Student Visa for UK

• In UK, the full-time student Visa is known as the Tier 4 Visa. The total cost of UK visa for international students is around 350 GBP. Students will also have to pay the same amount in case they are applying for a dependent visa. Students will also have to pay an international health surcharge, the cost of which is around 705 GBP. 
• Before granting the student Visa in UK, students might have to attend a personal interview with the consulate for approval.
• Students applying for the short-term visa will be allowed to stay for a period of one month in UK after the completion of their course.

Documents Required for UK Student Visa

• A valid passport
• CAS or Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies reference number & related documents for obtaining CAS
• Assessment documentation 
• ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance report
• Proof of finances
• Certificate of Enrolment 
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Pass-port size photographs 

2.  Student Visa for Germany 

• The student visa in Germany is provided to students who want to stay in Germany for more than 90 days. Students will have to apply for a residence permit if they want to continue their studies in Germany. The total cost of the Visa is around 75 EUR.
• The maximum validity of the Germany student visa is 2 years. 
• Students will have to prove that they are capable of covering the expenses for at least one year in Germany.  

Documents Required for Germany Student Visa

• Valid passport
• Application form 
• A student declaration stating that the documents and information provided is true.
• Original and translated cover letter stating the reason for applying for the visa.
• Admission letter from a German University
• University Certificates & transcripts
• Proof of Language Proficiency along with German language test scores
• Proof of finances
• 3 recent passport pictures according to the biometric specifications
• Demand Draft for the Student Visa Fee

After the completion of the courses, students can stay back in UK and Germany to pursue a career. The duration of stay is different in the case of UK and Germany. Let us take a look at the stay-back options that students have in both Germany and UK after their studies.

1.  Stay Back in UK

Students can stay back in UK for a period of 2 years even after the completion of their course. Recently, students with a Tier 2 Visa can stay for about 5 years in UK after the completion of their education.

Suggested: Post Study Work Visa in UK

2.  Stay Back In Germany 

In the case of Germany, students can apply for a permanent residence to continue staying in Germany for a period of 18 months. If you have stayed in Germany for more than 5 years, you can then apply for a permanent Visa in Germany. 

Suggested: Germany vs Other Countries

Both Germany and the UK provide numerous employment opportunities for international students who want to build their careers. Students can choose from a wide range of career roles in both countries on the basis of their interests, specialisations, and expertise.

Different fields of commerce, business management, technology, science, humanities, sociology, and arts, seek to employ the best professionals who have pursued an education in these countries. Here we have mentioned the job opportunities and the salary scope for international students in UK and Germany.

1.  Post Study Job Opportunities in UK

Also known as the economic hub of the world, UK has limitless job opportunities for international students. They can work in the top companies, institutions, organisations, etc. at high-paying positions. Here are some details about the job roles and annual salary scope of international students in UK.

Suggested: High Paying Jobs In UK

2.  Post Study Job Opportunities in Germany 

Germany is also on the list of the top countries that offer the best job opportunities for international students after the completion of their education.

Suggested: Part Time Jobs in Germany for International Students

Making the choice between UK vs Germany for international students is a difficult decision for a student. Each country has its own benefits, programs, and options that make it the best. With careful study of each criterion, requirement, and feature, students can make an informed decision about the choice of country for higher education. In case you want more guidance, choose Yocket Premium and find answers to all your questions.