For international Students, choosing whether to study abroad or not is a big question.Students often get confused in deciding whether they want to Study in Germany or study in the UK. Both of these countries are top destinations to study abroad and they offer academic standards, multicultural exposure, post-study opportunities, and a strong global reputation.
In this blog you will explore in detail about the Germany study and UK study, study costs for Germany and UK universities, student visa, masters abroad, etc.
Also explore ‘How to study in Switzerland?
Quick Overview of Germany v/s UK
| Category | Germany Study | UK Study |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | Low or free at public universities | High for international students |
| Cost of Living | €900 – €1,200/month | £900 – £1,400/month |
| Language | German required for many courses | English, globally accepted |
| Course Duration | 2 years (masters) | 1 year (masters) |
| Part-time jobs | 20 hrs/week | 20 hrs/week |
| Post-study Work Visa | 18 months | 2 years (Graduate Route) |
| Top Fields | Engineering, IT, Science | Business, Finance, Healthcare |
| Teaching Style | Research-oriented | Industry-focused |
| Competition | Very high | Moderate to high |
Overview for Study in Germany
Germany is very popular among the countries that are selected by students for overseas education. Here is why it is so popular:
1. The Public universities have zero or low tuition fees
2. There are strong programs in engineering, STEM, IT, automotive, and sciences
3. There are excellent employment opportunities in companies like BMW, Siemens, SAP, Bosch
4. You can get 18-month post-study work visa for job hunting
5. There is high demand for skilled foreign workers.
Overview for Study in UK
The UK has remained a top option for education abroad due to its world class universities and 1 year master’s program. Following is why it is popular:
1. It has top universities like Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College, UCL, etc
2. You can graduate faster due to 1-year masters abroad programs
3. There is easy communication as the medium of teaching is English and you can easily get your study guide.
4. There are many career opportunities in fields of business, healthcare, finance, management, data science
5. You can also get a 2-year post-study work visa under the Graduate Route.
Germany v/s UK: Tuition Fees
| Degree Level | Germany (Public) | UK Universities |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s | €0 – €1,500/year | £12,000 – £18,000/year |
| Master’s | €0 – €3,000/year | £14,000 – £25,000/year |
| Private Colleges | €10,000 – €20,000/year | £15,000 – £35,000/year |
Germany v/s UK: Cost of Living Comparison
| Expense | Germany | UK |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | €400 – €700 | £500 – £900 |
| Food | €200 – €350 | £200 – £400 |
| Transport | €50 – €90 | £50 – £90 |
| Total | €900 – €1,200 | £900 – £1,400 |
Germany v/s UK: Student Visa
A) Germany Study Abroad Visa:
1. It Requires proof of funds
2. Takes longer to process which is between 8 to 12 weeks
3. It Requires strong academic documentation
B) UK Study Abroad Visa:
1. It Requires proof of funds
2. It has a faster processing time i.e. between 2–6 weeks
3. CAS letter from UK university required
Part Time Work Opportunities
Both Germany and the UK allow 20 hours of work during the semesters and full time work during breaks.
The average earnings include Germany: €10–€15 per hour and UK: £10–£14 per hour
Post Study Work Opportunities
Germany: You can get an 18-month Post Study Work Visa, and it is great for engineering, IT, robotics, AI, automotive. This also has a high demand for international graduates. Germany offers better long term job stability.
The UK: It has a 2-year Graduate Route. It is useful for business, management, healthcare, finance, data science, etc. The UK offers strong opportunities in corporate roles.
Quality of Education
Germany: The quality of education is research-heavy, has a Strong scientific infrastructure, has industry-integrated labs and is best for technical degrees
UK: The UK has Structured programs, Case-study based teaching, Globally recognized degrees and is Ideal for business, law, medicine, social sciences.
Which country should you choose? Germany or the UK?
A) Choose Germany if:
1. You want affordable or free education
2. You prefer engineering or STEM courses
3. You plan to work long-term in Europe
4. You are willing to learn German language
B) Choose UK if:
1. You want a 1-year master’s degree which will be completed quickly
2. You prefer courses taught in English
3. You’re interested in fields like business, finance, marketing, HR
4. You want a smooth visa process
FAQ’s
1. Which is a better place to study? UK or Germany?
Ans: It depends upon you. If you want affordable education and prefer engineering or STEM, then choose Germany. If you prefer English-taught courses and top global universities, then choose the UK.
2. Should I study abroad in England or Germany?
Ans: If you prefer fields like business, finance, healthcare, and social sciences then choose England and if you prefer engineering, IT, and research-oriented programs, then choose Germany.
3. UK or Germany Which option should I choose?
Ans: It depends upon you. If you want affordable education and prefer engineering or STEM, then choose Germany. If you prefer English-taught courses and top global universities, then choose the UK.
4. Is it better to do an MS in the UK or an MS in Germany?
Ans: Choose based on your goals as MS in UK is for 1 year and MS in Germany is for 2 years.
5. Which country is better in everything, the UK or Germany?
Ans: Every country is unique. Germany is ideal for affordability & engineering. The UK is ideal for top-ranked universities & business degrees.
6. Which is better for higher study, Germany or London?
Ans: Germany is better for affordability and London is better for global business exposure.