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de/accra

Information Center Accra

Studying in Germany International Degree Programmes

GOOD REASONS TO STUDY IN GERMANY
One hundred years ago half of all students studying abroad worldwide were actually studying in Germany, and there are good reasons to study in Germany today as well: High density of universities which is unique worldwide Low cost of living No or moderate tuition fees Wide choice of degree programmes Excellence in research and teaching First-class all-round services for international students

INTERNATIONAL DEGREE PROGRAMMES

There is a wide range of international degree programmes that cover undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels (Bachelor, Master, PhD). All these courses fulfil most of the following conditions: High academic standards Well-organised study programmes International degrees, i.e. Bachelor and Master Courses and lectures taught either entirely or often exclusively during the first year of study in English German language courses offered before and during the programme Special services: academic and personal support services provided by tutors and mentors, intensive study counselling, work in small groups Opportunities for study periods at partner universities and colleges abroad

INTERNATIONAL DEGREE COURSES SELECTED BY DAAD

A good number of courses among the international degree programmes have been selected under competitive conditions and receive institutional support from DAAD. These courses are subjected to regular quality control by the DAAD. There are two types of study programmes with a distinct set of features: Courses that focus on topics relevant to developing countries: These courses are open to professionals and executives from developing countries who are typically staff members of a public or private company. The courses consist of one or two years of intense study and they provide academically trained young professionals with the opportunity to engage in postgraduate education and training in their particular field or profession. The courses are open to all eligible candidates, and applications are welcome from professionals who are self-sufficient, from those who are sponsored by their government or company or from those who are recipients of scholarships from scholarship awarding organisations. Courses that lead to a doctorate over a three-year period of study: This may either be the traditional German doctorate (Dr.) or the equivalent international degree (PhD). The language of instruction is English and to some extends German. Applicants must hold a Diplom, Magister or Masters degree. For more detailed information on the courses, please check the website www.daad.de/idp , where you may find a brief description of each programme, information on admissions, language of instruction, tuition fees etc. To obtain more specific information, please visit the website of the respective international degree course.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SELECTED POSTGRADUATE COURSES

Out of the large number of international postgraduate courses, the DAAD awards full or partial scholarships for a selected number of programmes which are of particular interest for junior executives from developing countries. Applicants for a scholarship who want to obtain a Masters Degree must hold a Bachelors degree (Second Class, Upper Division or above) in a subject related to the chosen programme, have at least two years of related professional experience and must not be older than 36 / 32 years. Applicants for courses taught in English generally need a TOEFL (minimum score 550 paper based, 213 computer based, 80 internet based) or IELTS (band 6) certificate, though some courses may expect different levels. DAAD-scholarship application forms are available as a Download from www.daad.de/ deutschland/download/03118.en.html or from the DAAD Information Center. Many courses have their own application forms, which must be submitted to the university in addition to the DAAD application form.

Applicants must submit a statement of motivation explaining why they are interested in attending a particular course. Applicants should state their current work situation at the time of application and submit a letter of reference from their employer. Application deadlines may vary from course to course. Please check the deadline for the course you want to apply for on the respective course website. The following application documents have to be submitted to either the German Embassy or DAAD: application form(s), CV, letter of motivation, Research expos, 2 letters of recommendation of recent date, confirmation of employment, TOEFL / IELTS, certified copies of academic transcripts and of awarded academic degrees.

CHECKLIST FOR PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS

Check your financial status: How will you finance your stay in Germany? Even if German will not be the language of instruction: Start to learn at least some basic German. Will your academic qualification allow you to enter a German university directly? See the staff of Information Center Accra for advice or check with the Anabin-Website, a database that informs about the recognition of foreign educational certificates in Germany (www.ifos.de/anabin)! Where would you like to study and what subject? Contact the University of your choice and gather information material on your course! Will you be admitted to the course of your choice? Apply for admission to the chosen course! Apply for a student visa to Germany!

HOW TO FINANCE THE STAY IN GERMANY?

German universities usually charge no or quite moderate tuition fees, but you will have to pay for your living expenses. Depending on which part of Germany you stay in, the cost of living (accommodation, food, health insurance, clothing, books, travel expenses etc.) can easily sum up to 600 to 700 Euro per month. Do not count on financing your studies by working! Strict employment rules apply to all foreign students in Germany. In addition, when applying for a student visa you will have to prove before even traveling to Germany that you have sufficient financial means for one year ahead to support yourself. Please note: Proof of your financial means is one of the most important requirements for a student visa! If you cannot provide for your expenses, you have to look for sources of financial assistance.

Please be aware that the DAAD offers scholarships only for Postgraduate courses with relevance to developing countries or for PhD-research.

START TO LEARN AT LEAST SOME BASIC GERMAN!

In most of the "International Degree Programmes" the predominant language of instruction, at least in the first semesters, is English. However, since you cannot participate in social life in Germany without any knowledge of German, and since some knowledge of German is in your favour when applying for a student visa, it is strongly recommended that you start learning German in Ghana. Moreover, keep in mind that Germany is a German-speaking country and that you will need to speak German to perform even the most basic communicative tasks outside your classroom such as asking directions or shopping. Once you are in Germany, you will see many opportunities advertised such as scholarships or job vacancies, which you can only take advantage of if you can understand the information given. Finally, you will be allowed to stay on after completion of your course, if you can find qualified employment. Your chances of finding a good position without a sound command of the German language are very limited, however. Do not assume that you will pick up German naturally once you are there. You will be very busy doing your course and adapting to your new environment. Start learning German in Ghana and continue to do so in Germany. you can learn the language within a couple of weeks. Set aside at least half a year to get a sound understanding of the basics of German language. German is a very difficult language to learn. German and English share many similarities and throughout the world some 20 million people are currently learning German as a foreign language. For information on how to learn German in Ghana please visit the following website: http://ic.daad.de/accra/learning.htm. In Accra, high-quality language classes at various levels are offered by the Goethe-Institut (next to NAFTI). Please contact the head of the language section,to make enquiries about course dates, enrolment and fees. Email: language@accra.goethe.org

WILL

YOUR ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION ALLOW YOU TO ENTER A MAN UNIVERSITY DIRECTLY?

GER-

In case you have just finished your SSS, you will normally have to take a oneyear preparatory course ('Studienkolleg') in Germany before commencing your studies. This course, which is conducted in German Language, will prepare you for the assessment test ('Feststellungsprfung') which you have to pass in order to get admission to a German university. The preparatory course is free of charge. Please note, however, that Studienkollegs generally only admit applicants with at least five SSSC subjects at credit level (D) and a language plus a science or mathematics subject among those subjects (applicants for a humanities subject need two languages). You will also be required to proof that you speak German at an intermediate level. Generally, HND holders are only considered for direct admission to related Bachelor programmes offered by Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen). Students enrolled at a Ghanaian university for at least two semesters and above average performance do not have to partake in the preparatory course, but may enter a German university directly to study a related subject. (Note, however, that applicants for direct entry will normally still need to comply with the Studienkolleg admission requirements. For more information on the Studienkolleg please visit: http://www.studienkollegs.de). If you are already a graduate, seek information from the course coordinator as to whether your academic background basically qualifies you for admission. A qualified Bachelors degree is the most important prerequisite when applying for a Master programme. Depending on the programme additional requirements may apply.

CONTACT

YOUR CHOSEN UNVERSITY AND ENQUIRE FOR INFORMATION MATERIAL ON YOUR COURSE! Contact the course coordinator via email and gather information material on your chosen degree course and the application process. For a comprehensive database of "International Degree Programmes" please visit this internet address: http://www.daad.de/deutschland/studium/idp/04709.en.html

APPLY FOR ADMISSION TO YOUR CHOSEN COURSE!

When you have looked through the information material and found a degree course that suits your needs, make sure you meet all its requirements. Then check whether you have to submit your application to ASSIST, an organisation which screens applications from abroad for selected universities, or whether you have to send it to the University of your choice directly. Please note that there is a processing fee to be paid, if you have to apply for admission via ASSIST. More information about ASSIST can be found at: www.uni-assist.de/.

When filling the university's forms, fill in all the required fields in clear capital letters and avoid spelling mistakes since misspelled applications will not be taken into consideration! If the university requests certified copies of your school documents to be included in your application, you may contact the German Embassy which will certify them for you. The German Embassy requires at least seven days for certifying your documents.

APPLY FOR A STUDENT VISA TO GERMANY!

The 'DAAD Information Center Accra' is not in a position to help you with issues related to visa matters. Prospective applicants, however, are urged to discuss their study intentions with information center staff. Current information and visa application forms are available at the gate of the visa section of the German Embassy. You can also visit their website for details on how to apply for a visa to Germany: http://www.accra.diplo.de/en/Startseite.html. Only submit genuine documents and be prepared to fulfil all of the following requirements: You have to prove that you have sufficient financial means to cover your living expenses in Germany for one academic year in advance (at present roughly Euro 600 x 12 months = Euro 7200). The documents you provide to prove this will be thoroughly checked by the visa officers of the German Embassy. Even if you decide to take an International Degree Course with English as the language of instruction, some command of German would be in your favour in a visa application. You have to present the letter of admission of the University of your choice in Germany. Additional requirements may apply.

November 2007 Edition