Students must reckon with costs ranging form between DM 1000 to 1300 a month.

There are no scholarships/fellowships offered from German sources for international beginning students or undergraduates. Germany does not offer employment for international students after graduation, even if they have obtained a German degree.

Therefore, before you start planning your higher education studies in Germany, you need to ask yourself a few questions:

Do I have - or how can I acquire- an adequate knowledge of the German Language?
With the exceptions referred to overleaf, the language of instruction at German universities is German. Consequently, a good knowledge of the German language is indispensable for anyone wanting to study in Germany in courses other than th-e ones expressly offered i'n English. Jf you are inclined to learn the language in your own country- which is more economical- contact the nearest Goethe- Institut (Max Mueller Bhavan) or a German Department at a university.

Do I have enough money to finance my stay in Germany?
You are strongly advised to assess your financial resources realistically. Although there are no tuition fees in Germany, you should have enough funds to cover your entire cost of living f r the entire study duration.

You should count on monthly expenses of no less than DM 1200. (As per rate of exchange (in October 98), this amounted to about Rs. 30,000 per month).

You should not plan on financing your studies by working in Germany, because your student visa and Residence Permit do not allow you to be gainfully employed for more than three months in a given year.

Moreover, most fellowships/scholarships that are being offered from German sources are for advanced studies and/or research only, for which a Master's degree is the minimum qualification required.

Do I want to study for a German degree, and are German degrees recognised in India?

The German system of higher education is quite different from the Indian model. At a German university or "Fachhochschule" you can study for one of the first degrees- "Dioplom" of " Magister" (M.A.) - the designation varies according 10 disciplines - or, at universities only, for a doctoral degree (equivalent to the Ph.D. ), for which one or the first degrees is a prerequisite. While the universities and "Fachhochschulen" (universities of Applied Sciences) have equal academic and legal standing, the "Fachhochschulen" are more practice-oriented and require internships in industry and/or commerce, prior to and during academic studies.

You are advised to find out from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU House, 16, Kotla Marg, New Delhi 110002) whether, and which, German degrees are recognised in India, prior to enrolment at a German institution of higher education.

Exceptionally well qualified B.Techs. from the IIT's and other premier institutions in India might find it profitable to study at a Germany university of Fachhochschule immediately after graduation. For all others, it would be advisable to go to a German university only after completing the Master's degree in India. In that case, you will not face the above-mentioned problems and, furthermore, scholarships are available for "post-postgraduate" studies in Germany, from DAAD and other German agencies

Further details can be had from the office of DAAD New Delhi (address already mentioned above).