ScholarMag Sep 2015 Issue.pdf

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5 basic points to consider if 

planning to study in Europe for free 

-By Vinay Nair 

You are here as you may be planning to study in Europe, so let me surprise you straightaway 

by saying that one can achieve graduation from Germany for free! Not only in Germany but 

also in most of the countries in the European Union (EU)which has universities boasting quality 

education, while providing admissions without a pinch of GRE, IELTS/TOEFL or even Tuition 

FEES in the application pie. 

Here we present to you with a fiver to consider if you are planning to study in Europe for free 

1. Free education 

Higher education tuition fees for public 

universities in most European countries 

costs anywhere from 0 to 500 Euros a 

semester, even for an international 

student from a non-European country. 

And if free tuition isn’t just enough, 


travelling around the continent is super 

easy and cheap. Despite being free or 

low tuition costs, Europe boosts some of 

the best universities in the world, like the 

University of Munich, The University of 

Vienna, Paris-Sorbonne University to 

name a few. 

colleges does not charge tuition fees 

for both native and foreign students. 

Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 

Norwegian University of Science & 

Technology, University of Adger etc. 

are some of the options to consider. 

Click here to Apply to Scholarship 

opportunities with Norwegian 

Universities 

 

German universities come under the 

jurisdiction of the Government and 

that’s why they charge very nominal 

or no tuition fee from students, thus 

making them ultimate choice for 

international students with budgetary 

issues. University of Cologne, 

Technische Universität München and 

University of Augsburg has varying 

options in the English language itself. 

Finnish universities have no tuition 

fees except Student Union Fees 

which is like 80-90 euro/yr. Education 

is subsidized by the State through the 

Ministry of Education. This also 

applies to the international students 

and to exchange and visiting 

students as well. Look among Aalto 

University, Abo Akademi University, 

Hanken School of Economics, 

Lappeenranta University of 

Technology, Tampere University of 

Technology, University of Eastern 

Finland etc. for offers. 

Click here to Apply to Scholarship 

opportunities with Finnish Universities 

2. No IELTS 

Click here to apply to Scholarships 

opportunities with German 

Universities 

Norwegian government finances 

education with taxpayers money so 

universities and state university 


Getting admission to the top universities or 

colleges in Europe without an IELTS score 

require you to fulfill some criteria which 

would easily exempt you from the need of 

one such test. A student showing some 

proficiency in English language can prove 

his eligibility by proving: 

One has been educated in English 

medium during the five most recent 

years of study and has offered 

English as a first language at the 

IGCSE (International General 

Certificate of Secondary Education) 

or O level (Ordinary Level). 

Been able to prove that prior 

education was entirely conducted in 

English and that they have good 

communication skills. This is done by 

having a conversation with the 

student via Skype or over the 

telephone. This is for prospective 

students from non-English speaking 

countries such as South Africa and 

India to study in Britain. 

Applying to study in the same 

institution where the first degree was 

awarded. 

Having a degree which has been 

taught solely in English. 

3. No GRE 

Unlike the US Universities, where GRE plays a 

vital role in the admission criteria. European 

Universities mainly focus on Undergraduate 

score and then comes GRE scores. Most of 

the Universities in Europe do not require GRE 

scores to be submitted with the application. 

GRE scores are optional for almost all the 

universities, except few where it is 

mandatory. 

Honestly, an additional GRE score will 

always be handy with your profile and 

increase your acceptance rate slightly. 

4. Language 

“Language is no barrier” said someone but 

when it comes to studying in Europe the rich 

diversity of spoken languages in each 

country would nail you down with a 

requirement of the local language. Since 

most of the universities are not in Englishspeaking 

countries, the only downfall would 

be being able to speak in the language of 

the country but I wouldn’t disappoint you 

further for many universities have come 

ahead of the dilemma and offers courses in 

the English language. There’s also a lot of 

focus in Masters Programs taught 

completely in English. Plus the added bonus 

of studying in a non-English speaking 


country means that you can quickly pick up 

a new language during your time there, 

and make your resume look even more 

international. 

5. Work permit 

Everyone has a dream to work abroad and 

spend some quality time on your own 

expenses independently. You have just 

been granted your wish for studying abroad 

in Europe comes with its own incentives for 

a work permit ranging from months to years 

while you complete your studies in 

European universities. The graduates can 

always come seeking for job in the country 

owing to your degree in the same. 

Europe is rich in innovation. Some of the 

world class companies in 

Technology/design are from Europe. 

European Universities offer variety of 

programs recognized all over the world. The 

European Union submits over 44% of the 

total number of patent applications 

worldwide. 

Apart from an exposure to an international 

culture of students, Europe embraces its 

education with pinnacle opportunities in 

career, experienced faculty members and 

leaders in the field of technology providing 

in depth information of their respective 

areas to the students. The world-class 

facilities of laboratories and high end 

equipment’s used in research helps a 

candidate gain an edge over his interests. 


Crucial tips for earning and saving 

money while studying in Germany 

Whether as a waiter in a café, a research assistant or an industrial production assistant: many 

international students need to work to finance their studies. 

-By Damini Mahajan 

Students from the European Union (EU) or 

European Economic Area (EEA) have free 

access to the German job market and are 

practically equivalent to German students. 

International students from other countries 

can work a total of 120 full or 240 half days 

per year. If you want to work more, you 

need a permit from the “Agentur für Arbeit” 

(Federal Employment Agency) and the 

foreigners’ authority. Whether you are 

issued a work permit largely depends on 

the condition of the local job market. You 

are less likely to receive a permit to work 

more than 120 days in regions with higher 

unemployment rates. 

This does not include work as a research 

assistant. No time limits apply for this 


activity. However, you will still need to 

inform the foreigners’ authority. In addition, 

international students from outside the EU or 

EEA are not permitted to work in a selfemployed 

or freelance capacity. If you are 

unsure about what kind of job you have 

been offered, please consult the relevant 

authority. 

Regulations are particularly strict for 

participants in language courses or in 

preparatory courses (“Studienkolleg”). You 

may only work in lecture-free periods and 

only with the consent of the Federal 

Employment Agency and the foreigners’ 

authority. 

library, give tutorials or research literature for 

the professor. If you’re interested in this kind 

of job, you can contact your department’s 

secretariat about vacancies and check the 

notices on the university premises. 

How much will I earn? 

How much you earn depends heavily on 

your experience, the sector and the 

regional employment situation. In cities like 

Munich and Hamburg, student wages are 

usually higher, but so is the cost of living. 

Five to ten euros an hour is usual. Hiwis 

How do I find a job? 

Many university and student union websites 

have job exchanges. The Federal 

Employment Agency also helps find jobs for 

students, and offices often have student 

recruitment tools. You can look through job 

exchanges on the Internet, or the 

advertisements in the local and regional 

newspapers. Even a quick look at the 

university’s blackboard may sometimes be 

enough. Some students work as university 

research assistants (also referred to as 

“Hiwis”). They work as supervisors in the 

(research assistants) earn between five and 

15 euros an hour, with over 90 percent 

earning between seven and ten euros. 

Some jobs may even pay more than ten 

euros, such as industrial production 

assistants or service personnel at fairs. Jobs 

in the restaurant industry can also be quite 

lucrative, as tips are added to the basic 

wage. 


What about taxes and social security 

contributions? 

Students can generally earn 8354 euros per 

year tax free, i.e. they can hold a mini-job 

and earn 450 euros a month without paying 

taxes. Sometimes the employer still 

withholds income tax, despite the low 

income, but you generally get this back 

after submitting your income tax statement. 

Anyone who works for less than two 

consecutive months or 50 days over a 

period of one year, does not have to pay 

any social security contributions. Anyone 

who is employed, or holds a mini-job, for a 

longer period of time normally has to make 

pension insurance contributions. If you work 

more than 20 hours a week, you not only risk 

your course performance, you generally 

also have to pay health, unemployment 

and nursing care insurance. 

Money-saving tips 

 

Return books on time: many libraries 

charge huge late fees per book and 

day. Enter the date for returning a 

loaned book in your calendar as a 

reminder. Otherwise it can get 

expensive 

It’s not just important to earn your own 

money, but also to save it. You may find the 

following tips helpful: 

 

 

 

Go to university sports: universities 

have a wide range of sports offers, 

from football to dancing and yoga. 

Most sports courses are free and you 

can join in without having to register. 

Keep to a budget: always maintain an 

overview of your finances. Free 

Smartphone Apps can help, such as 

the My Student Budget Planner. 

Cook for yourself or with friends: 

cooking at home saves money. It’s 

even cheaper if you cook together 

with friends and split the costs. 


How to open a Blocked account? 

-By Akanksha Mishra 

Germany is the new hot spot for students planning to study in Europe. The no tuition fee 

structure and invaluable international experience is something that is drawing more and 

more students towards Germany. Currently, to study in Germany you need a student visa, 

and among the various other requirements to obtain the visa the most important is to prove 

that you have enough financial means to support your stay in Germany. The visa office asks 

the students to open a blocked account before they apply for the visa. So let me explain 

what is a ‘Blocked account’. 

Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) is required 

for financing your study and living costs in 

Germany. This account is called blocked 

since you are required to show that you 

have enough money to survive in the 


country for a year and only a certain sum 

of money will be released per month for 

your usage. You cannot withdraw more 

than the set monthly limit. Certainly, you 

can transfer more money than what is 

required for the German visa. 

Several banks in Germany offer this 

account (Deutsche Bank, Sparkasse 

Aachen and BW Bank) but since Deutsche 

bank is most widely used I will take you 

through their process. 

The two ways to open a blocked account 

is: 

1. Through German consulate 

- Download ‘Bank’s application form’ for 

Deutsche Bank from the bank website. 

(Alternatively you can also click here). 

- Book an appointment by sending an E- 

mail to your local German Consulate 

- On the day of appointment, go to the 

German Consulate with: 

Two copies of duly filled in Bank’s 

Application Form. 

Passport Xerox Copy & Original. 

Any other ID proof, if asked in your 

country. 

2 passport size photos. 

Admission letter from university (only 

if available). 

Attestation Fee 20€ (payable in 

local currency in cash. Subject to 

current day’s exchange rate). 

Appointment mail copy which you 

got reply about date confirmation. 

- Once the documents get attested, 

courier them to the address on the 

Deutsche Bank’s application form. 

- In around a week you will get a mail 

from the Deutsche Bank, confirming 

your account details. You can transfer 

the funds after you have received the 

mail. 

For any further FAQ’s you can check the 

website. 

2. Directly through local branch 

of Deutsche Bank: 

for getting the required documents 

attested. 

- Fill in the application form (Caution: 

Don’t write the place, date and 

signature. It needs to be filled at 

German Consulate.) 

This process is easy and hassle free. In case 

you want to save the fees, courier charges 


and travelling expenses (in case if the 

Deutsche Bank is not in your city). But it is 

not mandatory to open a local DB 

account and take their services. The steps 

for opening blocked account through 

local DB are: 

- Visit the nearest Deutsche Bank branch, 

you can visit any branch in India for 

that matter and inform them that you 

want to open the German Student 

Blocked Account, they will explain you 

the complete procedure. 

- You will have to open a Savings Bank 

Account with the Deutsche Bank India, 

which always has a minimum balance 

requirement. This minimum balance is 

excluding the blocked amount of 7,908 

€ (This balance needs to be 

maintained to keep your local DB 

account active.) The relationship 

manager will help you in filling up the 

form and also guide you through the 

procedure. 

- You will need the following documents: 

Passport Xerox Copy & Original. 

ID proof as asked by the 

relationship manager. 

2 passport size photos. 

Admission letter from university 

(only if available). 

Minimum balance, in cheque or 

cash. 

- The blocked account will be opened in 

4-5 days and then you can transfer the 

money to your local DB account and 

they will transfer it to the blocked 

account. 

Additionally for India they have a new 

provision wherein you can contact any 

branch of Kotak Mahindra in India and 

request opening of a blocked account for 

student visa for Germany. You will have to 

present proof of opening of such account 

at the time of applying for your visa. After 

having arrived in Germany, you can 

request Kotak Mahindra Bank to transfer 

the full deposited amount into. 

Try to start the procedure prior to your visa 

application process to avoid unnecessary 

troubles. I had personally faced a lot of 

issues due to lack of information, so I hope 

this information might be helpful for you. 

Comment below if you have any other 

queries. I will be happy to help. Wish you all 

the very best for the new journey. 


Crucial information on applying to 

DAAD WISE fully funded working 

Internship 

-By Muneeb Ur Rehman 

Are you an undergraduate student considering opportunities for a fully funded Working 

Internship in Science and Engineering (WISE) in Germany? 

DAAD-WISE is a great opportunity for 

undergraduate students who want to 

develop their research expertise, 

professional skills and international 

experience. Each year between May 

and July, DAAD provides funding 

opportunities for top-ranked applicants 

to do research at German higher 


education institutes. WISE interns 

participate in a 2 to 3 month research 

internship under the supervision of their 

independently selected professors of 

German universities, work with research 

associates and graduate students, and 

experience an unparalleled 

educational, social and international 

exposure the WISE offers. 

Here is a guide to every information on 

applying to DAAD WISE fully funded 

working internship. 

DEADLINE 

Application deadline for DAAD-WISE 

2016 is November. Apply here 

- A valid passport and Indian 

nationality at the time of 

application 

- Acceptance cum invitation 

letter from a German professor 

for the internship (The 

applicants have to 

independently search for a 

German professor/guide who 

can supervise their research 

internship) 

Students who have previously availed 

this opportunity are not eligible to 

apply. 

INTERNSHIP 

ELIGIBILITY 

Indian undergraduate students from 

selected institutes in the fields of 

Engineering, Mathematics and 

Science, who are in their fifth or sixth 

semester of a Bachelor program or in 

their fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth 

semester of an integrated or a dual 

program. 

Applicants must have: 

- Aggregate marks of 85 % and 

above or CGPA 8.5 / 10 and 

above of completed semesters 

at the time of application 

 

 

 

Applications are solicited from 

August to November each 

year. 

By the beginning of February, 

Applicants are shortlisted based 

upon their academic 

achievements and research 

interests. 

May-July: Selected applicants 

undergo a 2-3 month internship 

at a German home institute of 

their choice. Internships of less 

than two months duration are 

not supported. 

- Status as a registered student at 

his/her institution 

- Very good English language 

proficiency (German language 

skills are not mandatory) 

What does DAAD-WISE offer? 

A monthly scholarship of 650 

euros for participants (the 

monthly installment are 

calculated on a daily basis, i.e. 

21.70 euros per day) 


A lump sum travel subsidy of 550 

euros 

Payments towards health, 

accident and personal liability 

insurance covered by DAAD 

 

Participation in a meeting of 

DAAD scholarship-holders in 

Germany 

 

Recent reference from Indian 

university teacher which 

provides information about the 

applicant’s qualifications 

(please find the form in the 

DAAD application portal) 

University degree certificates 

indicating final grade(s) 

REQUIREMENTS 

 

 

 

Duly filled online application 

form (The application 

procedure occurs online 

through the DAAD portal. 

You are also required to send 

one copy of the “Application 

Summary”, which is generated 

in the DAAD portal after the 

online application procedure 

has been completed, and a 

reference from an Indian 

university teacher by post to the 

application address) 

Full curriculum vitae 

DAAD (form) Certificate of 

Enrollment filled in by home 

institution as proof of current 

enrolment 

DAAD (form) No Objection 

Certificate filled in and 

stamped by home institution 

Invitation letter of German 

supervisor 

 

DAAD form Approval Form by 

German Host filled in by 

German supervisor 


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