Every country boasts of having international students in their universities. Likewise, the Uk and Germany are great destinations for an international students to study. Studying in the UK or Germany offers an international student numerous benefits on both sides.
The UK is known for its high-ranking universities while Germany is known for its tuition-free courses among others. Nonetheless, it can sometimes be tricky for an international student to decide on what country to study.
There are factors every international student should consider when choosing a country to study abroad. These factors determine what country is better for you to study as an international student.
In this blog, we’ll explain what makes The Uk or Germany a better place for study for an international student.
- University Reputation/ World Ranking
High ranking universities attract more international students every day. This increases the competition and chase of those schools by international students. World ranking, researchers, contribution to society and country are some of the factors that affect a university’s overall reputation,
The UK and Germany boast of good reputation in the world ranking. The UK tops in the list of rankings in Europe with programmes that offer flexibility. Germany also has a global reputation beyond European countries. The LMU Munich, Technical University of Munich and the Heilderbeg Universities in Germany are respected for their long and famous qualitative education, especially in the field of engineering and sciences.
Both the Uk and Germany are great destinations for any international student who seeks a globally recognized institution. But what makes for a great study place is more than an online ranking.
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- University Tuition Fees
Every international student considers money as a key factor. It plays a major role in your decision making of where to study. The tuition fee for the UK is among the most expensive in Europe, especially for the first degree.
According to various sources, the estimated annual cost of an undergraduate degree for an international student is around £12,000 a year. On the other hand, Germany boasts of tuition-free programmes for international students. You can find a variety of courses with no tuition except the administration costs of within 100 – 350 EUR/semester.
The UK nevertheless is a great place to study if money isn’t a big deal. Most universities offer scholarships and incentives to attract students. But Germany says you can have both at an affordable platter.
- Cost of Living
The cost of living in Germany for an international student is estimated to be between 700 – 1,000 EUR/month. However, this can vary depending on lifestyle and location. Nonetheless, students enjoy discounts from restaurants, cafes, transportations etc.
On the other hand, the cost of living in the UK isn’t exactly cheap. In popular cities like London, monthly living costs can easily jump over 1,360 GBP. In smaller towns, you can get by with a budget of 635–1,040 GBP per month. As usual, these costs vary depending on lifestyle and location.
- Work-Study Opportunities
Most international students would want to make extra cash while studying. Earning while studying relieves students of some financial burdens that come with studying abroad. The UK and Germany offer work-study opportunities.
This means that you can work while studying as an international student. According to Deutsches Studentenwerk, about 66% of students in Germany have a side job.
As an international student in Germany, you can work alongside your study for 120 full days or 240 half days per year.
Also, in the UK, you can work while studying if your school is in the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) sponsor list. You can work for 20 hours per week during the term and full time during holidays.
- Employment Opportunities
A degree issued from a German university or The UK is highly respected and valued around the globe. Therefore, international students from both countries enjoy high employability in the global job market.
After completing your degree in the Uk, you need to apply for Tier 2 visa which is for Highly Skilled Workers. To be eligible to apply for Tier 2, your annual lowest wage for the new job should be £20,500 or above. This Tier 2 visa is valid for a maximum of 5 years. The Uk offers job opportunities such as corporate managers, directors, mechanical engineers, aircraft pilots, nurses etc.
In Germany, International students apply for a Residence Permit of 18 months to look for a job related to their qualifications. If you have a job offer relevant to your course, you can directly apply for a Residence Permit or an EU Blue Card even before you complete your education,
You can find jobs in the health sector, mechanical & automotive, electrical and electronics industry, building & construction, information technology & telecommunications etc.
There is a likelihood of more job opportunities in Germany than in the UK. The current unemployment rate is higher in the UK than in Germany.
- Opportunity to Explore
Besides studying, you might want to explore the continent of your studies. Germany is located in the centre of Europe, and that means a higher opportunity to travel across the whole continent.
Also, the German student visa allows you to travel to 26 countries without any restrictions. Weekend trips are easy to plan and affordable by train or plane.
On the other hand, the UK is not as centrally located in Europe as Germany. Since the UK is an island, it has limited and expensive train connectivity to mainland Europe (via the Euro tunnel).
- Scholarship Opportunities
Both the Uk and Germany offer scholarship opportunities for international students. The Uk offers scholarship opportunities as far as 1902. Scholarships like the Cambridge Trust, The Rhodes Trust, Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships exist. Most of these opportunities are available for Masters and PhD students.
Similarly, Germany has an array of scholarship opportunities for international students even though it offers tuition-free programmes. The German Academic Exchange Service gives a list of available scholarship options for international students. Also, a higher percentage of its scholarships are for postgraduate students.
The UK and Germany are both great destinations to study abroad with high ranking. You have to decide which factors are more important to you and choose the country that wins there. More so, you can seek professional guidance for proper counsel.
