UK vs Germany

The UK and Germany are the top countries in Europe for international students to study abroad. Studying in the UK or Germany offers various benefits to students. The UK is known for its top-ranked universities, work opportunities, and quality education. At the same time, Germany is known for its tuition-free programs, academic excellence, and cultural diversity.

If you’re wondering, which UK or Germany is better for international students? You are at the right place. In this quick guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about studying abroad in the UK or Germany.

Table of Contents:

1. Highlights
2. Top Universities in the UK vs Germany
3. Popular Courses in the UK vs Germany
4. Admission Requirements in the UK vs Germany
5. Cost of Studying in the UK vs Germany
6. Scholarships in the UK vs Germany
7. Post-Graduate Work Visa in the UK vs Germany
8. Popular Job Sectors in the UK vs Germany
9. Conclusion: UK vs Germany
10. Frequently Asked Questions

Highlights

Particulars	UK	Germany
Population	68,265,209	84,669,326
Official Language	English	German
Intake	Fall (September / October), Winter (January / February) and Spring (April / May)	Winter (September / October) and Summer (March / April)
Average Cost of Living	€820 per month / €9,840 per year	€992 per month / €11,904 per year
Top Degrees Offered	Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral	Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral

Top Universities in the UK vs Germany

Studying abroad at a top university has various benefits. Networking, career opportunities, and personal development are at the top. Some of the top universities in the UK vs Germany are:

UK Top Universities

University	QS World University Ranking
Imperial College London	2
University of Oxford	3
University of Cambridge	5
University College London – UCL	9
The University of Edinburgh	27
The University of Manchester	=34
King’s College London	=40
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)	=50
University of Briston	54
The University of Warwick	=69

Germany Top Universities

University Name	QS World University Ranking
Technical University of Munich	28
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München	59
Universität Heidelberg	=84
Freie Universität Berlin	97
RWTH Aachen University	99
KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology	102
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin	=126
Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin)	147
Universität Hamburg	191
Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet Freiburg	212

Popular Courses in the UK vs Germany

If you are planning to study abroad, you must be wondering which are the best courses to study from. Finding a course that aligns with your academic interests and career goals can be confusing. UK and Germany both offer various courses for international students. Here are some top & popular courses in the UK vs Germany:

UK Popular Courses

Law	Engineering
Management	Computer Science
Medicine	Architecture
MBA	Financial Accounting
Business Analytics	Data Science
Interior Design	Nursing
Mechanical Engineering	Psychology

Germany Popular Courses

Engineering	Management
Humanities	Social Sciences
Computer Science	Business Administration
Law	Medicine
Architecture	Computer Engineering
Dentistry	Mathematics
Electrical Engineering	Fine Arts

Admission Requirements in the UK vs Germany

Admission requirements will vary based on your chosen program, university, and specialization. The common admission requirements in the UK vs Germany are:

UK

• For UG Courses: Passed class 12th or equivalent with a minimum of 80% or more.
• For PG Courses: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (in a related field) with 60% or more.
• For PhD Courses: Master’s degree or equivalent (in a related field) with a minimum of 60% or more.

Common admission requirements for the UK are as follows:

Academic Transcripts	English Language Proficiency Test Scores
Standardized Tests (if applicable)	Statement of Purpose / Essay
Copy of Passport	Letters of Recommendation
Proof of Funds	Resume / CV
Student Visa	Work Experience (if applicable)

Germany

• For UG Courses: A total of 13 years of Education is required for UG courses. If you have 12 years of education, apply for a one-year prep course, Studienkolleg, and clear the final exam, Feststellungsprüfung.
• For PG Courses: Bachelor’s degree in a related field with sufficient credits.
• For PhD Courses: Master’s degree or a German state examination known as Staatsexamen in a related field.

Common admission requirements for Germany are as follows:

Recognised School Leaving Certificate	Transcripts and Diploma Certificate
Proof of Language Proficiency	Copy of Passport & Student Visa
Letters of Recommendation (if applicable)	CV / Resume
Standardized Tests (if applicable)	Akademische Prüfstelle – APS certificate
Preliminary Review Documentation – VPD	Proof of Funds

Cost of Studying in the UK vs Germany

Finance can be the top barrier when studying abroad, especially when you begin your journey. For international students, the fee can vary from the local students. While Germany offers free education (in their public universities), the UK tuition fees can vary. The cost of studying in the UK vs Germany is:

Cost of Studying	UK	Germany
Bachelor’s	€9,000 – €38,000	€4,000 – €28,000
Master’s	€15,000 – €35,000	€5,000 – €30,000

Note: PhD or Doctoral programs are usually fully funded by the university. The universities waive off the tuition fees.

Scholarships in the UK vs Germany

Studying abroad takes your education and career to the next level. To manage the expenses, you can apply for scholarships. Some of the scholarships in the UK vs Germany are:

UK Scholarships

Scholarships	Details
GREAT Scholarship	£10,000 for their tuition fees for 1-year postgraduate courses Must meet the English language requirement Must have a UG degree and have an interest in the subject
Chevening Scholarships	Fully funded, covers tuition fees, living expenses, and return flights to the UK Demonstrate leadership potential and strong academic background Must have 2 years of work experience (2,800 hours) Must have a UG degree that qualifies for a UK Master’s degree
Commonwealth Scholarships	Must have a UG honors degree of upper second class (2:1) Appropriate Master’s degree if applying for a PhD Must be unable to afford to study in the UK without a Scholarship

Read More: UK Scholarships

Germany Scholarships

Scholarships	Details
Expatrio Scholarship	1st prize – €12,000, 2nd prize – €6,000, 3rd prize – €3,000 More prizes for fourth to tenth-place winners Video submission answering: Why are you passionate about the field of study you are pursuing in Germany? The video should not be longer than 2 minutes
DAAD Scholarship	For Master’s, PhD, and Postdoctoral research programs Monthly stipend of €992 for Graduates and €1,200 for Doctoral/PhD students Good academic performance and achievements
Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships	For Master’s and Doctoral students studying at Universities, Universities of Applied Sciences and Universities of the Arts €992 per month plus health insurance and other allowance for Master’s students €1,400 per month, a €100 monthly mobility allowance, plus other individual allowances for PhD students

Post-Graduate Work Visa in the UK vs Germany

Post-graduate work visas are offered to international students once they finish pursuing their education. The details for a post-graduate work visa in the UK vs Germany are as follows:

UK

• A Graduate Visa in the UK lets you stay for 2 years (3 years if you have a PhD or any other Doctoral qualification) after completing your course.
• You can apply for a visa if you’re in the UK and your current visa is a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa.
• You do not have to wait until graduation to apply for the visa.
• You must pay the £822 application fee and healthcare surcharge of £1,035 (for each year you’re staying in the UK).
• You can work in most jobs with this visa, you can also look for work or be self-employed.

Germany

• Graduates can work in Germany after they finish their studies by extending their residence permit.
• The permit can be extended for up to 18 months after graduation.
• As soon as you finish your studies, these 18 months begin.
• It is advisable to start looking for work while you are still studying.
• During the 18 months, you can work whatever job you like to support yourself.

Popular Job Sectors in the UK vs Germany

The availability of job opportunities in the UK and Germany is one of the top reasons international students study there. The popular job sectors in the UK vs Germany are:

UK
Popular Job Sectors	Average Salary
Lawyer	€50,000
Software Engineer	€48,524
Financial Analyst	€40,000
IT Director	€52,982
Data Scientist	€55,068
Accountant	€39,000

Germany
Popular Job Sectors	Average Salary
Doctor	€157,139
Lawyer	€115.208
Data Scientist	€111,391
IT Security Specialist	€94,609
Automotive Engineer	€84,115
Program Manager	€75,975

The UK is well known worldwide for its top-ranked universities, educational opportunities, and support for international students. At the same time, Germany is widely popular for its free education, safe environment, and first-class education. Both the UK and Germany are best at what they offer.

Conclusion: UK vs Germany

If you are still looking for answers to whether the UK is better for you or Germany, the short answer is that it depends on your preferences. However, if you are still unsure, our team at Nomad Credit is here to help. With personalized guidance, expert tips, assistance in the application process, and more, you are in the right hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Germany offer free education to international students?

Germany is well known for its free tuition fee. Most public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees. They only have a semester fee, usually from €100 to €350.

Can an Indian get permanent residency in the UK?

You must meet all the basic eligibility requirements for permanent residency in the UK. The basic criteria is you must have stayed in the UK for at least 2 – 5 years. You must prove your English language skills and maintain your legal status.

Is it expensive to study abroad in the UK?

Depending on whether you are studying in a public or private university, on average, you would require €9,000 – €38,000 for your undergraduate degree. A postgraduate degree would cost you approximately €15,000 – €35,000.

What is the cost of living in Germany for international students?

The average cost of living in Germany for international students is €992 per month / €11,904 per year. The living costs and expenses may differ depending on your lifestyle and city.

How long does a UK Master’s take to complete?

The duration of the UK Master’s program varies. A full-time master’s program takes 1 – 2 years to complete, while a part-time master’s program lasts 2 – 4 years.