Studying abroad is an experience of a lifetime for most students. Studying in a different country opens up an array of opportunities and gives students the chance of exploring a culture completely different from their own. However, many students find themselves stuck when it comes to selecting a study destination. The USA, UK, Germany, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are some of the most popular destinations catering to thousands of international students every year. So, let us look into what it's like to study in each of these countries, to help you choose the right study destination!
each of these countries, to help you choose the right study destination!
Comparing Education System of Germany With Other Countries
Let us start by comparing the system of education in Germany vs US, UK, Canada, Australia & NewZealand.
Germany
There are 3 types of universities in Germany - Universities, University of Applied Sciences, University of Music and Art. Students can avail free education at public institutions up to the university level. This is the biggest selling point for Germany and makes it different from all the other countries.
USA
The USA has some of the best universities for any course. It is home to maximum international students and provides the choice to choose from a wide range of courses for all the levels of study. US Universities are categorized as Ivy League universities , public ivies, Liberal arts philosophy colleges, specialist institutions, Land grant colleges, and Research Universities.
UK
The British education system is globally recognised for its teaching excellence. Its Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) assesses colleges, identifies the best education standards and provides feedback wherever necessary. The British higher education system has 5 stages - early years, primary years, secondary education, further education and higher education.
Canada
Canada is popular among students for its affordability and the range of courses offered. Higher education is provided by Canadian universities, community colleges and technical, applied arts or applied science schools. There are hundreds of public and private institutions which deliver excellent education quality.
Australia
Australia is popular for providing unparalleled quality of education. The implementation of Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) specifies the standards of qualification. Under AQF, there are 10 levels that interconnect various educational institutions under one national system. Universities in Australia (public and private) provide the highest level of education.
New Zealand
New Zealand has recently started gaining popularity among students for its quality of education. Universities in New Zealand are typically of three types - state owned universities, institute of technology and polytechnics and private training establishments or PTEs.
Suggested: Australia as a higher education destination
Top Courses & Universities in Germany Vs Other Countries
Top universities and courses offered are important deciding factors for most students. Here’s a look at top universities and courses offered for study in Germany vs USA, UK , Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
|
Country |
Top 3 Universities (QS Rank 2022) |
Top 3 Courses |
|
Germany |
Technical University of Munich (#50) Ruprecht-Karls-University of Heidelberg (#63) |
Engineering Business Management Humanities |
|
USA |
Harvard University (#1) Stanford University (#2) MIT (#3) |
Business Management Engineering Maths & Computer Science |
|
UK |
Oxford University (#5) Cambridge University (#7) |
Business studies Accounting and Finance Economics |
|
Canada |
University of Toronto (#25) McGill University (#31) |
MBA Computer Science and IT Business and finance |
|
Australia |
Australian National University (#31) University of Sydney (#40) University of Melbourne (#41) |
Accountancy Actuarial science Agricultural sciences |
|
New Zealand |
University of Auckland (#85) University of Otago (#175) |
Business Engineering Tourism |
Germany Vs Other Countries: Admission Requirements
Let us take a quick look at admission requirements for each of these countries:
Germany Admission Requirements:
|
Undergraduate/ Bachelor’s Degree |
Masters Degree |
|
Language requirements (IELTS/ TOEFL - English, TestDAF - German) Completed school education till class 12th and either cleared JEE advanced, one year bachelor degree or cleared Feststellungsprüfung. |
Language requirements (IELTS/ TOEFL - English, TestDAF - German) Recognised bachelor's degree of 3 or 4 years. Entrance exams if any |
USA Admission Requirements:
|
Undergraduate/ Bachelor’s Degree |
Masters Degree |
|
Completed 12 years of schooling English language proficiency (IELTS/ TOEFL, etc) Minimum GPA 2.50 to 3.60, or equivalent |
16 years of education (12 years schooling + 4 years undergraduate studies) English language proficiency (IELTS/ TOEFL, etc) Minimum GPA 3.00 to 3.25, or equivalent |
UK Admission Requirements:
|
Undergraduate/ Bachelor’s Degree |
Masters Degree |
|
Two A levels at grade E or above Higher secondary school certificates |
Bachelor's degree of 3 or 4 years. 1 or 2:2 bachelor's degree in a field related to the program to which you are applying 2:1 (upper second class) is equivalent to 75% 2:2 (lower second class) is equivalent to 60% |
Canada Admission Requirements:
|
Undergraduate/ Bachelor’s Degree |
Masters Degree |
|
Completed 12 years of schooling. SAT exam |
16 years of education (12 years schooling + 4 years undergraduate studies) Bachelor's degree with minimum GPA 3.0 |
Australia & New Zealand Admission Requirements:
|
Undergraduate/ Bachelor’s Degree |
Masters Degree |
|
12 years of schooling |
Bachelor's degree of 3 or 4 years |
As Indian students you must remember that most bachelor's degrees provided in India are of three years. So if you are looking to study in Canada or USA, you will have to complete a masters degree of 2 years. If you do not wish to do that, you may choose Germany, UK, Australia, New Zealand which do not require 16 years of formal education.
In this case, between education in Germany vs US or study in Germany vs Canada, Germany can be a better option.
Comparing Total Cost of Studying in Germany And Other Countries
Cost of studying includes tuition fees, other administrative fees like semester and exam fees etc. Take a look at the table below to understand the cost of studying in each country.
In terms of cost of studying, Germany is definitely a winner here providing the lowest cost of studying suitable for students from all financial backgrounds.
Comparing Living Cost in Germany And Other Countries
Cost of living includes the expenditure on food, travel, lifestyle, etc. the cost of living may vary based on a lot of factors like location, personal lifestyle, etc. Here is a comparison of average monthly cost of living in all the countries.
Availability of Scholarships in Germany And Other Countries
Scholarships are a great way for international students to finance their studies and all these countries discussed here offer several scholarships to students. Here is a quick look at the most popular scholarships offered in each country.
|
Country |
Popular Scholarships for International Students |
|
Germany |
Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships Erasmus Scholarship Programs |
|
USA |
Fulbright foreign students program #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship Rotary Peace Fellowship |
|
UK |
British chevening scholarships Commonwealth scholarships Marshall Scholarships |
|
Canada |
Government of Canada International Scholarships Program Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships |
|
Australia |
Australia Awards Scholarship Macquarie Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships |
|
New Zealand |
New Zealand Government Scholarships |
Apart from those mentioned above,various universities in these countries also offer several scholarships to students
Part time work and Internships Opportunities in Germany And Other Countries
Part time jobs are a great way of getting extra income in a foreign country for international students. Some part-time job opportunities and average income earned in these countries are:
|
Country |
Part Time Job Profile |
Average Income (per month) |
|
Germany |
Academic Assistants Waiter/Waitress Bartender Cashier |
EUR 450 |
|
USA |
Campus ambassador Barista Academic assistant |
USD 2209 |
|
UK |
Helper at retailer shop Cashier Delivery person |
GBP 2000 |
|
Canada |
Bookkeeper Sales assistant Customer service assistant |
CAD 2933 |
|
Australia |
Tutor Driver Authorised agent |
AUD 1200 |
|
New Zealand |
Retail sales assistant Seasonal workers Kitchenhand |
NZD 20.00 per hour |
Germany Vs Other Countries: Job Opportunities and PR
Job Opportunities
It is important to look for a country which gives you a high ROI. In terms of job opportunities for international students, the USA is the winner. However, the cost of studying and living in the USA is also equally high. On the other hand, Australia or Canada could provide better opportunities if you are looking for a more cost effective option.
Take a look at the popular employment sectors and the average annual income:
|
Country |
Employment Sector |
Average Income |
|
Germany |
Health Mechanical and automotive IT Constructions |
EUR 45,000 |
|
USA |
Management Finance Advertising/Media Data science & IT Health |
USD 50,000 |
|
UK |
Management Mechanical Engineering Aircraft pilots Nurses |
GBS 30,000 |
|
Canada |
Nurses Program Analyst Teachers Pharmacist |
CAD 51,711 |
|
Australia |
Education sector Health sector Hospitality Accounting |
AUD 62,322 |
|
New Zealand |
Professional Services ICT Automotive Industry Construction Industry |
NZD 55,000 |
Permanent Residency
Many students wish to get a PR after studying in a particular country. Let us take a comparative look at the PR process for US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada vs Germany for international students-
- You can apply for a permanent visa if you are living in Germany for 5 years on a residence permit.
- Eligible for a German citizenship after living in Germany for 8 years or marrying a German citizen.
PR in USA
- Long and slow process.
- You will be granted a ‘Green card’ if you reside in the USA for at least 5 years on the ground of employment.
PR in UK
- Can be very difficult because of recent changes in government and legal policies.
- Secure an indefinite leave to remain (ILR) visa to stay in the UK. The IRL can be obtained when a student completes 5 years of a graduate job.
- In most cases, if you are on a student or work visa, you will be required to leave the country.
- Is easy when compared to other countries.
- Students can apply for a PR under the Canadian Experience class during their post study work permit.
PR in Australia
- Long and complicated process.
- A thorough background check is conducted on the candidate by immigration officials to make sure he/she is not fraudulent.
PR in New Zealand
- Can be somewhat challenging.
- Students can apply for a PR if they have a job in New Zealand, are less than 55 years of age and possess good command over english.
Student Visa Process in Germany and Other Countries
Let us now compare the Visa process in these countries:
- Students wanting to stay in Germany for more than 90 days, must get a residence permit.
- Show proof of funds worth worth €10,332 per year
- Students can work part time under the student visa.
USA Student Visa
- A personal interview is conducted and you will be asked to provide your biometrics.
- You can remain in the US for up to 90 days beyond the length of time it takes to complete your academic program.
- You are not allowed to work part time for more than 20 hours per week and 40 hours per week on holidays.
- Granted only for a full-time study program
- For a diploma course, visa can be for up to 3 years and for a university degree, 4 years
- You may or may not be allowed to work part-time during your studies, it depends on individual cases.
- Requires a compulsory medical test for Indian applicants.
- It costs $150 to apply for this visa.
- You cannot work more than 20 hours per week. During holidays, the student may work up to 40 hours per week.
Australia Student Visa
- Students must either have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) or come under exemption categories
- Student visa holders are allowed to work up to 40 hours per fortnight during their study in Australia.
- Show proof of funds : NZD 15,000 per year
- Work part-time up to 20 hours a week while studying or full-time in the holidays, depending on your visa conditions.
Germany Vs Other Countries: Student Life
You will get an idea of what your life foreign country would look like after getting an overview about student life in each of the following countries.
Germany
- Has a rich cultural heritage, so you have various museums and art galleries to explore.
- You can attend Oktoberfest and enjoy Beer.
- Germans tend to be very punctual, straightforward and clear communicators who value each other’s time and personal space. They expect you to be the same.
- You can indulge in various fun activities including nightlife and visiting other European countries.
USA
- Experience cultural diversity and meet people from different parts of the world.
- Participate in various activities like sports, art, music, etc.
- Be a part of various American holidays and traditions.
- Americans value independence and equality. Most Americans are friendly and informal when it comes to behaviour.
UK
- Vibrant performing arts heritage. You will find many places with live music in the UK- from pop to opera.
- You can visit various clubs, cinema halls, contemporary art spaces, museums and galleries.
- Explore the outdoors- mountains of Scotland and Wales, the rolling hills of England and Northern Ireland, the Lake District and the Yorkshire moors, etc.!
Canada
- Various fun activities like going out in pubs, cafes and clubs; travelling to places around Canada in your study breaks etc.
- Culture is influenced by the traditions of British and French. Canadians are fans of professional sports, Hockey being the most popular.
- Most cities host numerous sporting events, theatrical productions, and musical performances.
Australia
- Australians are very friendly. The spirit of Australian culture emphasizes equality and living a life of contentment.
- Explore the picturesque landscapes.
- Indulge in fun & adventure activities like Snorkeling, scuba diving, bungee jumping, skydiving, camel riding, etc.
- Attend various events and festivals.
New Zealand
- Offers stunning views and landscapes.
- Very friendly and helpful people.
- Diversity in terms of people, food, culture and tradition.
- Attend a popular student event in New Zealand - SchoolFest which brings all the best theatre, dance, music, literature, visual and cultural arts from around the world.
- Enjoy rugby matches and adventurous sports.
Germany Vs Other Countries: Climate, Safety & Healthcare
While deciding to study in Germany vs Canada, US, UK, New Zealand or Australia, students also look out for factors as well. Let us compare these factors-
Climate
- In Germany, summers are hot and the winters are cold and snowy. Rains are unpredictable and common during all seasons.
- The climate in the USA varies with the region. The East Coast has a warm climate, the Midwest & New England have frozen winters, the Pacific Northwest has a humid oceanic climate. The Southwest has a hot desert climate , the south-east has a warm to the hot, humid climate.
- In the UK, summers are warm and winters see snowfall. Summers are cooler than those of India.
- Weather in Canada varies widely depending on where you are. In Toronto, winter is milder than most Canadian cities, yet still cold and snowy. Usually, the country experiences pleasantly cool summers
- Being in the Southern hemisphere, Australia experiences a very pleasant climate throughout the year.
- NewZealand experiences a temperate climate. This means mild temperatures, moderately high rainfall all year round.
Safety
New Zealand and Canada are the safest for international students. Australia and Germany are also considered quite safe for students. USA & UK also have a high level of safety.
Healthcare
Germany, US, UK, Canada, New Zealand & Australia require students to have mandatory health insurance. This insurance takes care of all the health related emergencies that a student may face.
