Germany beckons Indian students

German universities are making a concerted pitch to attract more Indian students.

Apart from the traditional courses such as engineering, information technology and natural sciences, favoured by Indian students, these universities are trying to attract Indian talent for courses on environmental engineering, resource management and developing country economics.

Speaking to Business Standard, the German Academic Exchange Service representative in Mumbai, Bettina Katharina Dinter, said Indian students form the second largest contingent among foreign students in Germany.

"At 14 per cent of the total student population, Indians form the second largest block of foreign students after China," she said.

Though German universities did not want to create a 'mass market' in higher education, they were looking for 'high potential' Indian students who would benefit from an internationally accepted education, she said. Also, German universities were not looking at education as a saleable commodity, she said.

Addressing the concerns of Indian students, the Dinter said, "German universities do not charge tuition fees as higher education in Germany is funded by the state in most cases."

To that extent, German universities do hand out scholarships for post-graduate studies as "there is already an element of grant built into the system."

She said students only had to pay for living expenses during their stay, which came to about €650 per month.

Also, most universities in Germany offer degrees for subjects taught in English. Thus, helping international students, she said.

She, however, added that the universities prefer that students learn some German so as to be able to adjust to life outside the campus.

Moreover, Germany offers a one-year, post-degree work permit to students looking to acquire work experience after the completion of their education.

The German Parliament had earlier proposed to offer a five-year work permit but the proposal was struck down by the country's Supreme Court.

Dinter said the presence of German companies in India meant students would easily find employment here.