Why should I go to Germany to continue my university education?

Do I need to know German if I want to study in Germany?

Even if there is no tuition, how much will I have to pay for living expenses?

What about accommodation? Can I get a place in a student dormitory?

What about libraries and computers at German universities?

What are the most important differences between German and Palestinian universities?

How can I obtain more information about Studying-in-Germany?

How can I find a supervisor for my PhD studies in Germany?

How can I get a visa allowing me to study in Germany?

Why should I come to Germany to continue my university education ?

Germany’s institutions of higher education have a centuries-long tradition of academic excellence. There are more than 300 institutions of higher education in Germany, among them 82 universities, 136 Fachhochschulen (Technical colleges respectively Universities for the Applied Sciences) and 46 colleges of music and fine arts. The spectrum of study options is extremely broad. In the last few years, inter-disciplinary science and research have become significantly more important. Until this date there are no tuition fees, neither for German nor for foreign students. This will most probably change in the near future.  Since 1994, German universities have developed new study opportunities of particular interest and relevance for foreign students (courses and lectures held in English, tightly-organized study programs, international degrees, academic support system provided by tutors and mentors). To find out more about these newly established programs, please refer to the booklet “Undergraduate, Graduate and Postgraduate Degree Programs in English and German” at the DAAD Information Center in East Jerusalem.

Do I need to know German if I want to study in Germany?

Obviously, Germans do speak German, and most of the teaching at German universities is done in German. However, if you do not know any German yet, you might want to take a close look at the newly established Undergraduate, Graduate and Postgraduate Degree Programs in English and German mentioned in Q 1. In these programs, most of the teaching is done in English (please check the above mentioned booklet or the Internet for more details), and even if some previous knowledge of German is required, you will not have to pass the general university language exam (DSH – Deutsche Sprachpruefung fuer den Hochschulzugang) which is considered to be quite difficult. To be accepted in one of these International Degree Programs, a good command of English is absolutely necessary (minimum TOEFL score of 550 and up). Even if you decide to pursue a degree program in English, it is still a good idea to work on your German for use in daily life etc. Do take advantage of the excellent German language courses at the Goethe Institute in Ramallah (ask them about the possibility of distance learning) and their branches in other Palestinian cities. The PhD scholarship program includes a 6 month German language course in Germany prior to your Ph,D. work.

Even if there is no tuition, how much will I have to pay for living expenses?

Living expenses depend very much on the city you are living in. Life in big cities like Munich or Hamburgis more expensive than in smaller cities like Oldenburg or Cottbus. Generally speaking, you should expect living expenses of about 700 Euro/month (3800 NIS). Compared to the United States or to the United Kingdom, studying in Germany is obviously less expensive . By the way: Many universities in Germany offer student discounts for travel, newspaper subscriptions, banking etc.

How about accommodation? Can I get a place in a student dormitory?

As a foreign student coming to Germany, you have different options to find accommodation. You can either choose to live in a student dormitory (where the rent will be low, because it is subsidized by the government) or you can try to find a place on the „free market" which tends to be more expensive. Student dormitories are generally quite nice in Germany – very often you will have an apartment with your own kitchen and bathroom. Sometimes you will have to share kitchen and/or bathroom with fellow students living in the same building. We should recommend to you to live in a dormitory for the first one or two semesters. Later on you might start looking for an apartment of your own on the „free market". 

What about libraries and computers at German universities?

German colleges and universities usually have extremely well-stocked libraries and archives where you can work in the quiet atmosphere of the reading rooms. You do not need to buy all the recommended and mandatory reading for your seminars. However, popular books are often on loan. There are various types of libraries and different lending procedures.  Many institutions have set up computer facilities in the different faculties where students can work with various programs. On top of this, most Computer Centers (Hochschulrechenzentren - HRZ) have computer work-rooms. Different computer courses are offered at the HRZ. If you ask for it, you might be able to use their workstations and servers. Many universities offer their students access to the Internet and individual mail boxes. When arriving at your new university, you should find out for yourself what specific offers are available there.

What are the most important differences between German and Palestinian universities?

Generally speaking, German universities can offer their students a wider range of course choices within their respective fields of study. Most importantly, however, your academic work will be much less supervised by your professors. German universities leave most of the responsibility for their academic progress to the students themselves. Consequently, there is much less focus on midterm exams, exams at the end of a course and the like. With the introduction of International Degree Programs and the change of the German University System to the Anglo-Saxon System (B.A./M.A./Ph.D.) in the context of the European wide Bologna Process (to be completed by 2010), a deep-going transformation is taking place, bringing German academic training much closer to the Anglo-Saxon model of teaching (focusing much more on tight supervision of students).  

How can I obtain more information about „Studying in Germany"?

Right here, starting from our website in Jerusalem and from the central DAAD homepage in Bonn, Germany. There you will find detailed information on all aspects of the German university system, degree courses, admission requirements etc. You will be able to find links to all German universities. Another address worth checking out is the homepage of the „Hochschulrektorenkonferenz" in Germany. The Higher Education Compass is particularly helpful with its information on all German universities and the study courses they offer. It also gives you access to the information on the universities' own websites. For general information about Germany and the Germans, check the library at the Goethe Institute. You may also pick up the booklet „Facts about Germany" from the German Representative Office in Ramallah or from its branch in Gaza or for that matter from the DAAD IC in East Jerusalem. Last but not least you should check out the German government’s official homepage. For more information about studying in Germany and about the different scholarship programs offered to Palestinians, please, visit or call the DAAD Information Center in East Jerusalem (www.daad.de/westbank_gaza  - phone 02-6262106, fax 02-6262108, e-mail: daad@netvision.net.il ).

How can I find a supervisor for my PhD studies in Germany?

In order to apply for the PhD scholarship program you need a letter of acceptance from a German professor ready to be your supervisor during your studies and research for the Ph.D.. The best way to get in contact with a German professor is through the internet and e-mail. But first of all, you should look at international journals in your particular field of study and find out which German professor is involved in cutting-edge research. Usually, international journals provide their readers with the e-mails of the authors of all articles published. Also, you might check with your professors at the Masters’ level to see whom they recommend to you.  Finally, you might try to get accepted by one of the new German PhD programs, either offered by the DFG (German Research Association). Also, check the website of the DAAD main office which offers links to all German universities.