Germany vs Ireland: Which country is better for Indian Students?

Germany vs Ireland! Both Germany and Ireland are popular destinations for International students planning to study in Europe. Each country hosts a large number of students from all over the world and offers a wide variety of courses. Comparing popular parameters like education, cost of living and study, jobs, visa details, etc. between Germany and Ireland will help you make informed decisions. So, let's deep dive more into Germany vs Ireland.

Table of Contents

• Germany vs Ireland: Highlights
• 11 Major factors to be considered to decide study in Germany or Ireland
• Popular Courses in Germany and Ireland
• Germany vs Ireland: Top Universities
• Eligibility Requirements for Germany and Ireland
• Cost of study in Germany and Ireland
• Germany vs Ireland: Cost of living and Taxes
• Scholarship opportunities in Germany and Ireland
• Germany vs Ireland: Visa Process
• Post study work permit details
• Germany vs Ireland: Permanent Residence Opportunities
• Employment Opportunities in Germany and Ireland
• Ensuring Safety and Healthcare
• Germany vs Ireland: Climate change
• Which is the better study destination: Germany or Ireland?
• Frequently Asked Questions: Germany vs Ireland

Germany vs Ireland: Highlights

Key Aspects	Germany	Ireland
Total International Students	3,50,000	32000
Degrees offered	Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral	Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral
Exams accepted	TOEFL, IELTS	TOEFL, IELTS
Preferred intakes	2 intakes- Winter (september/october) and summer (April).	2 intakes- Autumn intake (September to December) and spring intake (January to May).
Popular cities	Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, and Cologne.	Dublin, Cork, and Galway.
Living cost (updated to 2023)	€850- €2,507 per month	€1200- €3,177 per month
Language	German and English	English and Gaeilge

11 Major factors to be considered to decide study in Germany or Ireland

Popular Courses in Germany and Ireland

Business management and the engineering stream in the departments of Computer Science, Mechanical engineering, Civil engineering, Chemical engineering are some of the popular courses offered in German Universities for International students.

Business Analytics, Data Analytics, Data Science, Cyber Security, and Computer science are some of the popular courses offered in Ireland for International students.

Germany vs Ireland: Top Universities

Getting accepted by German universities can be challenging unless you have exceptional academic records. Thus, the admission rate at Irish universities tends to be higher than in Germany. Nevertheless, both countries are very welcoming and have the best universities with QS world rankings. 

Top Universities in Germany
University Name	QS World Ranking 2023
Technical University of Munich	49
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich	59
Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg	65
Freie Universitat of Berlin	118
Humboldt University of Berlin	131

 

Top Universities in Ireland
University Name	QS World Ranking 2023
Trinity College Dublin	98
University College Dublin	181
University of Galway	270
University College Park	303

Eligibility Requirements for Germany and Ireland

Germany

German universities are often sponsored by the state but not regulated by it. Hence, universities in Germany have their own score cut-off and eligibility criteria. So, it is always advisable to go through the concerned university's website to check your selected programs' eligibility details.

Due to the high level of competition at the application stage, for undergraduate (UG) courses, universities request as much as 90% in your secondary school or class 12. However, if you have cleared the JEE Advanced exam, the cut-off score is 50%. 

You are eligible to enrol for UG courses if you have completed one year of bachelor’s degree education from a recognized university in India (or) cleared the Feststellungsprüfung ( assessment test to determine the eligibility of foreign applicants who want to study in Germany).

To pursue a postgraduate program in Germany, you would require the German equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in the concerned discipline. Holding these fundamental criteria aside, universities might also expect you to have a good GRE or GMAT score. 

IELTS or TOEFL, including working knowledge of the German language, is necessary for international students. A high level of language proficiency is mandatory for German-taught programs, and you will be required to take either TestDAF or DSH.

Ireland

It is important to note that students above the age of 18 are eligible for degree programs, and an academic score of 60% or above in class 12 is necessary. For foundation and diploma programs, students with academic scores around 50% are also eligible.

For undergraduate courses, universities in Ireland accept applications through an online enrolment system, namely, the Central Application Office (CAO), in which you have to register and provide basic information, academic details, IELTS/TOEFL scores, and pay an application fee at the end. You can track your application process through this registered account.

To apply for postgraduate courses at Irish universities, students need to have a bachelor’s degree or diploma that aligns with the desired master’s program. Additionally, candidates would be required to produce an English language proficiency test certificate that proves their proficiency.

Cost of study in Germany and Ireland

Germany has lower tuition fees than Ireland. Most international students in Germany pay zero tuition fees but need to pay a semester fee of around €200 to €500. While in Ireland, pay for international students pursuing undergraduate courses at public universities ranges from €9,850 to €55,000.

Cost of Study for Undergraduate Program in Germany vs Ireland

Key aspects	UG course in Germany	UG course in Ireland
Duration of course	3-4 years	3-4 years
Average Tuition fee	BBA- 3.45 lakhs BTech- 1.10 lakhs BSc- 1.00 lakh	BBA- 10.40 lakhs BTech- 11.23 lakhs BSc- 13.02 lakhs
Average living expenses	3.67 lakhs	4.05 lakhs

Cost of Study for Postgraduate Program in Germany vs Ireland

Key aspects	PG course in Germany	PG course in Ireland
Duration of course	1.5-2 years	1-2 years
Average Tuition fee	MBA- 12.77 lakhs MS- 85.25 k MA- 38.65 k	MBA- 12.96 lakhs MS- 14.43 lakhs MA- 13.08 lakhs
Average living expenses	3.67 lakhs	4.05 lakhs

Also Read: Details related to Germany Education loan

Germany vs Ireland: Cost of living and Taxes

Germany and Ireland have an affordable cost of living. In Germany, you will be required to spend around €800 to €1,100 per month, which varies depending on your lifestyle, and place of stay. Technically speaking, funding your living expenses is the only concern you will have in Germany, and you will not have to worry about tuition fees. Whereas in Ireland, you need to bear tuition fees as well, including your monthly living expenses.

 In Germany, your income is tax free if your earnings are less than  €9,744 per year, and you will pay tax between 14% and 45% if you make more than that amount. In Ireland, tax is charged as a percentage that depends on the income you earn, split into two parts. The first part of your income will be charged 20% tax, and the balance amount is taxed at 40%.

Scholarship opportunities in Germany and Ireland

Germany

The German Academic Exchange Service, or DAAD, is the primary funding organization in Germany. These organizations will help you with various scholarship options depending on your chosen discipline or field of study. Many other independent research institutes in Germany also offer scholarships to research scholars or students.

Ireland

There are many scholarships available for international students at different levels of study from a wide variety of sources, such as the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship and the Irish Higher Education Institutions. Each organisation sets its own eligibility and selection criteria; hence, students are advised to visit the concerned websites directly to obtain more information. Along with the government, the Irish universities also offer scholarships to Indian students.

Germany vs Ireland: Visa Process

Germany and Ireland need student visas to study and have similar visa requirements.

• The visa application process in Germany and Ireland requires proof of academic transcripts, university acceptance letters, passport copies, photographs, proof of language proficiency test, etc.
• Alongside this, international students should also submit proof of sufficient funds.

The only difference between the countries' visas is seen in their preferred rules and regulations.

Germany

The German student visa follows a few regulations.

• A German student visa (residence permit) is required for a student to stay in Germany for more than 90 days.
• The maximum validity of the residence permit issued to the students is 2 years. It needs to be renewed if the course duration is longer than two years.
• International students should show proof of funds (in the form of a blocked account) worth €11,172 per year for the cost of living, including health insurance coverage.
• In Germany, students can pursue part-time jobs related to their technical industry. Additionally, some universities offer part-time jobs on campus known as Hi/wi. In an academic year, students can work for 180 days half-time and 90 days full-time.

Ireland

The rules applied for the Ireland student visa are as follows

• International students planning to undertake a study course that has a duration of more than 3 months are required to apply for an Ireland student visa.
• Also, when applying for a study visa, international students have to show proof of funds worth €7000 in their bank account for cost of living for one academic year in Ireland.
• After getting a valid stamp 2, international students will be permitted to work 20 hours per week during academic sessions. Every year, vacations will be from June to September and from December 15 to January 15, during which students will be allowed to work 40 hours per week.

Post study work permit details

Germany

In Germany, students who have completed their graduation have to apply for an 18 months duration residency permit to look for jobs related to their qualifications. Students have to ensure that the permit is not combined with a German student visa and should apply for it at the foreign national’s registration office. If you have a job offer relevant to your technical field before your completion of education, then you can directly apply for a residence permit or an EU Blue Card.

Ireland

If you acquired a degree from an Irish university for a registered full-time course and have visa stamp 2, then you may be qualified for the Third level of graduate scheme. The steps for the process involve

• Students can apply for 2 years non-renewable extension after course completion to stay back and find suitable employment to gain work experience. Later on, they can apply for a work permit (general employment permit) or a Green card (critical skills employment permit).
• Foreign graduates authorized to work under Third level graduate scheme are granted a new stamp visa- Stamp 1G. If you have this visa, applying for a separate visa extension is not necessary.

Germany vs Ireland: Permanent Residence Opportunities

Living in Germany for five years on a German Residence Permit makes you eligible to apply for a German permanent visa. Applicants with more than 8 years of stay or who are married to a German citizen are eligible to apply for German citizenship. However, there are exemptions for shorter duration of stay requirements.

In Ireland, having a work permit for 5 years is eligible for Irish permanent residency. Additionally, they will get a stamp 4 on their passport that has 5 years of validity and is renewable. Foreign nationals after 8 years of legal residence can apply for the “Without condition as to time” endorsement.

Employment Opportunities in Germany and Ireland

Germany and Ireland hold a high employability rate in the job market for graduates. Students graduating from German or Irish universities can find employment within a 12 months period.

Germany

More than 90% of the students found employment in popular sectors like Business & Management, Health, Mechanical & Automotive, Building Construction, Electrical & Electronic industry, IT & telecommunications, Aviation etc.

Ireland

The job market in Ireland is affected by the shortage of skilled labour, creating favourable conditions for foreigners seeking employment opportunities. More than 70% of the students acquired jobs in fields like Pharmaceutical and Medical, Agriculture, Mining, Finance, Forestry & Fishing, Software & ICT, Marketing, Trade & Export etc.

Ensuring Safety and Healthcare

One can lead a peaceful life in both countries without any hurdles. However, being extra cautious is always good, especially in cities. According to the 2022 Global Peace Index, Ireland ranked as the 3rd safest country, while Germany ranked 16th. Coming to healthcare, Germany is funded by public and private insurers (fewer hospital bills), while in Ireland, healthcare is government-funded (mostly free or reduced cost).

Germany vs Ireland: Climate change

When travelling to a new country, people often think of the weather conditions. The country of Germany is divided into 16 states and has a varied landscape. German winters are cold and snowy, but summers are hot. And the country experiences unpredictable rainfall in all seasons. The average temperature ranges from -10 to 35 °C and is much colder than Ireland.

Ireland’s mild climate is influenced by the warm ocean currents from the Atlantic Ocean. With January and February being the coldest months, average temperatures range from 17-20°C in spring and summer, 13-17°C in autumn, and 7.78°C in winter. Snow is rare, except for a few cold weeks.

Which is the better study destination: Germany or Ireland?

Germany and Ireland have high employment rates for graduates and an affordable cost of living. For international students looking for an affordable tuition fee, Germany is the better choice because public universities offer zero tuition fees and a low semester fee. Students can also opt for part-time jobs to balance their monthly living expenses.

Study in  Germany vs Ireland- whatever country you choose, be sure to weigh all the key factors that are crucial.

Frequently Asked Questions: Germany vs Ireland

1. Is it better to study in Germany or Ireland?

The average cost of living in Germany is significantly lower than in Ireland. It ranges from 850-1000 euros per year, while the average monthly rent ranges from 290-560 euros. Public universities in Germany offer zero tuition fees and an affordable low semester fee for study programs for international students.

2. Which country is better to live Germany or Ireland?

Germany offers high level education at a low cost, good healthcare, and a minimum cost of living. On the other hand, Ireland provides a good public health system, a mild climate, and a deep historic culture with friendliness. As per the 2022 Human Development Index (HDI), Ireland ranks 8th and Germany ranks 9th.

3. What is the difference between Ireland and Northern Ireland?

Ireland, an island in the North Atlantic, is divided into two parts- Republic of Ireland (officially named Ireland), an independent country with the currency Euro, and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, with the currency pound sterling. Despite differences, the two countries are connected by shared history, culture, and language.

4. Should I go to Ireland or Germany?

Both Ireland and Germany have beautiful mountain areas. The mountainous areas of Germany are popular to explore and are considered to be better for visitors. In Ireland, plenty of historic attractions, especially castles, medieval small towns, and huge monuments, are popular destinations for tourists.

5. Which country is richer Ireland or Germany?

As of 2022, Ireland has a GDP per capita of $102,217, while in Germany, the GDP per capita is $48,397.8.