Nursing Courses in Germany- Cost of Studying Nursing in Germany

If you are planning to pursue a degree in Nursing from a foreign country and Germany is on your list, you have reached the correct spot. This article will cover all the details regarding how you can pursue Nursing courses in Germany, the cost of studying Nursing in Germany, BSc Nursing in Germany, Nursing in Germany for international students and other details.

Requirements of Nurses in Germany

It is visible that the population of developed nations is aging very quickly, which means that the percentage of people above 65 is growing very rapidly in developed nations. For these people, the governments of developed countries have to expand their healthcare system and hire professionals in nursing. As the birth rate declines and the aging population increases, healthcare professionals' demand starts overgrowing.

Germany is one such nation where the aging population is increasing very fast, and it is also among the top 3 countries in the world with a large population above the age of 65 years. This implies that Germany requires new nurses every year, and a study shows that Germany will require around 1.5 lakh new nurses in the next five years.

This demand is applicable for Germany and other developed nations like Japan, Italy, Portugal, Denmark, France, Spain, Belgium, etc. Hence, nursing as a career prospect is a fantastic option, primarily if you pursue it from a foreign country and land a job in a country that has a large aging population.

Nursing Course in Germany- Ausbildung Course

Unlike many other countries, nursing in Germany is not offered as a degree program in UG or PG. You will have to apply for an apprenticeship called "Ausbildung" in Germany, in a hospital recognized by the Government of Germany.

The most basic prerequisite of pursuing an apprenticeship in a German hospital is that you need to have proficiency in German with at least a B1 level. Language is necessary because most nurses hired in Germany must know German. So, if you want to study nursing in Germany, knowing German is a mandatory requirement for you.

Eligibility for Work & Study Nursing Program

Given below are the eligibility conditions for studying Nursing in Germany

• A Pass in Plus Two ( All Streams Accepted)
• German Language B1 Level
• Below 24 Years
• Male & Female Students are Eligible to Apply

Stipend During the Course

• Approx- 1 Lac/Month

Structure of Nursing Courses in Germany

As mentioned above, nursing in Germany is pursued as an apprenticeship where candidates have to work and learn simultaneously. After you have been selected to pursue an apprenticeship in nursing, you will have to undergo practical & theoretical training for three years. You will also earn a stipend of around € 1,000 to € 1,200 per month.

German hospitals that offer an apprenticeship for nursing have a partner college or educational institution that takes care of the theoretical learning. This is generally offered by the vocational institutions/ departments of German colleges and universities.

It is a full-time program, and you will have to cover 2,100 hours of classroom lectures at the partner college/ institute and 2,500 hours of hands-on practical exposure at the hospital.

At the end of your three-year apprenticeship, you will have to mandatorily sit for the state examination and clear it to obtain a valid nursing license. Once you obtain that, you can work at healthcare centers, nursing homes, hospitals, OPDs, health insurance firms, old-age homes, and various other places.

Study Nursing in Germany – Cost of Living

The average cost of living in Germany is around € 700 to € 900 per month, including rent, food, and transportation. It is on the lower side as compared to the neighboring countries of Germany.

If you are allotted a hostel bed within the hospital or college, the hostel fee for lodging and food is around € 400 to € 600 per month. Your cost of living in Germany while studying nursing course will be covered in the stipend.

German Nursing Professions Act

As of 2020, the German Nursing Professions Act (Pflegeberufegesetz, PflBG) has been implemented in Germany. This act has the following provisions:

• Students who wish to pursue nursing in Germany will not choose a specialization at the beginning of the course.
• For the first two years, students will have to pursue a general nursing course.
• At the start of the third year, students can either continue with the general training or select a specialization to become either a pediatric nurse or a geriatric nurse.
• Some universities in Germany will introduce nursing courses for classroom education for studying nursing.

Requirements to Study Nursing in Germany for International Students

The eligibility criteria for pursuing a nursing course in Germany are mentioned below:

• You should have passed high school, i.e., Class 12 (10+2) in any subject.
• Should have studied Science subject in Class 10 or 12
• It would be best if you held a B1 level language proficiency in German.
• For some universities, students should hold an equivalent qualification of 'Abitur,' which is the university entrance test of Germany.

Nursing Schools in Germany

• Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg) – Bachelor of Science (Nursing – Cooperative Degree Program).
• Hochschule Bremen City University of Applied Sciences (HSB) – International Degree Program in Nursing (B.Sc.).
• Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) – Bachelor of Science (Applied Health & Nursing Sciences).

Study Nursing in Germany – Required Documents

• High School Result (Class 12).
• Class 10 Result.
• Letter of Motivation for studying Nursing.
• Letter of Recommendation.
• Valid Passport.
• Passport size photographs.
• Proof of German competency – B2 Level.
• Proof of family income.
• Proof of Indian citizenship.
• Health Certificate.
• Vaccination Certificate of COVID-19.

How to Study in Germany for Free

If you are looking to study in Germany but are hesitating to apply because of the tuition fee, you should not worry. After going through this article and getting to know all the facts mentioned below, money won't be a factor that stops your dream of pursuing higher education in Germany.

If you follow the eight steps mentioned below, you will understand that you can pursue your higher education in Germany at a very minimal cost.

Good Academic Background.

The first filter put by German universities and colleges in admission is a good academic background. As most universities in Germany admit students based on their academic performance, you must have an excellent academic record. Along with good marks, other academic achievements that increase the chances of getting a scholarship are mentioned below:

• A good character certificate.
• Letter of recommendation from academic heads.
• Participation in co-curricular activities.
• Winning international academic events like Science Olympiads & Mathematics Olympiads.

Apply Early

This is an important factor as applying early will give you a head-start over other candidates who apply during the later phases of admission. Even before applying early, you should check the university requirements to ensure that you are eligible for a program and a scholarship.

Once your online application is accepted, you can contact the senior students and faculty to know about the selection process and how you can apply for a scholarship.

As scholarships are limited, applying on time is a good decision because most yearly scholarships are offered based on merit and a first-come-first-serve basis. When you apply early, make sure that you also apply for a hostel seat because living in an on-campus hostel is much cheaper than private accommodation in Germany.

Apply for Studying in a Free German University

The government of Germany subsidizes several universities and colleges in Germany. This means that the tuition fee at these universities is negligible for all students. You can visit the websites of free universities and decide the program that you want to pursue. Some of the free German universities are mentioned below:

• The Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich.
• Heidelberg University.
• The University of Tubingen.
• The Dresden University of Technology.
• The University of Stuttgart.
• The Technical University of Munich.

Scholarships in Germany

Various scholarships in Germany are offered to international students. These are granted based on academic merit, athletic merit, artistic merit, and international treaties with the student's country.

You can be granted a scholarship from the German government, the university from where you will pursue your course or any authorized private organization. When you apply for a particular university, make sure that you get the details of the scholarships offered by that university, as most of the public universities in Germany offer scholarships.

For government and private scholarships, you need to research the requirements and eligibility actively.

1. DAAD Scholarship

The government of Germany offers DAAD Scholarship, and it is the most sought-after scholarship for higher studies in Germany. It is a fully-funded scholarship which implies that it covers your costs, including tuition and living expenses. It is highly recommended that you apply for this scholarship.

2. Apply for Private Scholarships

We have covered university-level scholarships and government-funded scholarships. Other than those, many organizations offer private scholarships to international students in Germany.

Ensure that you do comprehensive research about private scholarships, as some of them require you to work for the organization after obtaining your degree. International organizations also offer scholarships to meticulous students. For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) offers scholarships to medical students in Germany. You can go through their official website to know more about the scholarships offered by them.

Part-time Job While Studying in Germany

The government of Germany allows students to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week. Working while studying is a common practice in developed countries like Germany as it helps reduce the financial burden on students. When you start with your studies in Germany, you will find that many students in your class have part-time jobs. So, it's considered good practice to get a part-time job to earn some money to pay your living costs.

Money Management

While you are pursuing your higher studies in Germany, good money management will help you in many ways. In developed countries like Germany, you will be intrigued to spend your money on various things but you should not. It is challenging to save money at every point, but it is doable.

If your money management is good, you will save money and learn to control your finances properly, even when you earn a reasonable sum of money after graduating.