In the last few years Germany has become a favorite destination for Doctors from all over the
world. This new trend can be attributed to several geo-political reasons like Germany
opening its door for non- european doctors in April of 2012. This was primarily done to
compensate for the thinning workforce in the healthcare sector due to increasing number of
german doctors reaching retirement age every year.
The requirement of more doctors is also compounded by the ageing population of the country.
It is needless to say, as the population gets older, people will need more medical care and
therefore there is a need of more doctors in the german society. Several government agencies
suggest that even after migration of hundreds of foreign doctors every year in last few
years, Germany still faces shortage of Doctors and this shortage is expected to increase in
the next decade. Several external factors like oversaturation of English speaking countries,
increasing Visa complications in countries like UK und USA , ambition and motivation for
world class training , wish to live and work in a developed european country divert many
doctors to Germany.
Better salary structure during residency alongwith a high standard of living and
well-regulated working conditions , also attract lots of doctors.
Ranking of German universities
Germany, Switzerland, and Austria are all famous for the quality of their universities,
and Germany enrolls the third-highest number of international students in the world - it
is also 1st in the amount of financial support it offers them. In the 2012 QS Ranking of "The
Best Student Cities in the World," German-speaking cities dominate the category
of "Quality of Living" for students, with the first five places going to Vienna, Zurich,
Munich, Sidney, and Berlin.
Universities in Germany offer plenty of choice,
including some of the most prestigious institutions in Western Europe. Germany's highest
ranked university in the QS
World University Rankings® 2014/15 is Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
(ranked 49th in the world), followed by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (52=) and
Technische Universität München (54th).
Beyond that, every major German city
you can think of has at least one university ranked among the world's best. A total of
17 German universities make the world's top 250, and more than 40 are included within
the world's top 650. This establishes Germany well within the world's higher education
elite.
Excellent higher education staff members and infrastructure
Higher education in Germany consists of three different types of
institutions:
Universities
Universities of Applied Sciences
Technical, Art, Film and Music Colleges
Most
public universities in Germany date from the middle Ages, barring a significant
tradition of qualitative education and prominent names in various academic disciplines.
Other institutions were either founded after the Second World War or fairly recently,
including most of the private universities in Germany.
Universities in
Germany are known to excel in both infrastructure and curricula. Optimal facilities
providing contemporary technology, and a diversified professional staff that contributes
to compounding an enlightening curricula, ensure promising future generations of experts
regardless of the discipline. Innovation, international cooperation and
practice-oriented studies are considered to be the revolutionary roads to a world-class
education.
Internationally recognized degrees
Universities in Germany now all operate under the Bologna reform, which ensures all
students get a unified and internationally recognized degree such as Bachelor's, Masters
or PhD.
BA/BSc equals 6 semesters of
study
MA/MSc equals to 2-4 semesters, depending
on the program
PhD equals 4-6 semesters,
depending on the program
This applies to most academic disciplines, except
for medicine, law and pharmacy. In these subjects students are still educated in the
traditional way; a state exam is conducted at the end of studies, and the course lasts a
few more semesters than an ordinary bachelor's degree.
Some Study programs taught in English
Studying in Germany not only comes for free, but you can also do it in English if your
German language skills are not so good. English is an international and widely spoken
language, taught as a second language in the majority of schools around the world. A
fresh start in a new country, a new university AND a new language can be tougher than
you think; therefore you might want to go easy on yourself and take up an international
program taught in English while your German language skills advance, and then perhaps
switch to studying in Germany.
However, earning some German language skills
always makes life easier on and off campus. Taking basic German language courses will
help you a lot to find part-time jobs, make new friends and understand the German system
better.
Great job opportunities
Regardless of the free tuition fee policy, studying in Germany doesn't come entirely for
free – you still need to meet the living costs. Therefore many international students
tend to look for a job to support them while studying. It is very easy for EU students
to find a job, as there are no limitations whatsoever. Meanwhile students from non-EU
countries have to apply for a work permit, and their working hours are limited to 120
full days or 240 half days per year. Earlier it was 90 full days or 180 half
days.
Students from countries outside of the EU, EEA or Switzerland are not
permitted to work freelance or self-employed. However, this has seldom been an issue
since Germany is a very well-developed country where the economy supports thousands of
new jobs every day, giving the majority of international students the possibility of
finding a decent job.
It's worth mentioning that practice-oriented
universities in Germany have agreements with great companies, providing students with
internships. These may not always be paid, but could lead to a great future job after
obtaining your degree.
A chance to explore all aspects of life in Germany
Student life in Germany thrives on adrenaline and curiosity. German people are friendly
but give you privacy; mutual respect and order are part of the daily routine; and
cultural diversity is worth exploring in every inch of the country, as it makes you feel
part of one entity rather than a total stranger.
Outdoor activities are
pretty popular in Germany, including sports, hiking, cycling, skiing and more – so
students who consider themselves athletic are going to fit in just fine. As most
international students choose to live in metropolises, they'll find lots of activities
to fill their spare time; hanging out in bars, clubbing, theater and cinema are all part
of student life in Germany. Most of the great German cities are artsy and have a vivid
underground music scene, full of hipster fashion, books and ideals which all make for an
enlightening and interesting experience.
If you get tired of the frenzy,
you'll find that Germans are for the most part more private people, who prefer smaller
gatherings behind closed doors, enjoying their food and beverages in a more intimate
atmosphere. Once you have a chance to join local friendship groups, you will start
learning about "real" life in Germany.
Germans are by all means green. Parks
and green spaces are part of every neighborhood and remain the ideal space to calm the
mind. Travelling in and out of the country promises surreal landscapes, great
architecture and loads of historical data to be revealed.
Another true
advantage to life in Germany is the excellent public transport, which is efficient, safe
and fast. As an additional perk of studying in Germany, you get a travel card for free
by paying enrollment and administrative taxes that are ridiculously low.
Staying in Germany after your studies
Finally, after studying in Germany, you'll have the chance to stay on and seek work after
you graduate. The law allows international graduates to stay for an additional 18 months
to seek work, and you may even end up staying longer, if that is what you wish. Earlier,
it was for 12 Months only.
Some qualities Embossing/Engraving in your Personality
Besides getting quality education you will also intentionally/unintentionally will be
embossed with some qualities like- Punctuality, Organization, Planning and Diplomacy in
your personality which will not only a foundation in driving your personality and
career.
Germany is a well organized and a punctual country. Including buses,
trains, programs, people and offices, everything runs on time. But it is still full of
life, without losing essentials of life. Under stress also smile prevails. Planning in
advance, being punctual, following schedules and appointments strictly help you gaining
your goals quickly and easily. Honesty is also a major part of German life. People do
apologize, even if they are late by a single minute to attend an appointment. You can
learn a lot from Germans and make many friends in the society by gaining these
qualities.
So conclusively: People in Germany are friendly, open and very
social and they expect the same from you. Proper behavior and feeling as a
representative of your country helps to make your stay in Germany a very memorable one.
Better Opportunities wit a good knowledge of german
Your chances of finding a job in Germany are generally much better if you have a good
knowledge of German. Exceptions include large, multinational companies and scientific
research institutes.
Job Market
There are great chances and excellent Job opportunities after
studies as Germany need 6.5 Million Skilled Labor/Professionals till 2025.
(Reference: Federal Employment Agency).
Correctly assessing your job prospects
It always
takes time and effort to find the right job. But, thanks to the good economic situation
in Germany, university graduates looking for work generally have very good prospects.
Added to this is the fact that there is a lack of skilled employees in many regions and
professions. The fields of mathematics, IT, natural sciences and technology as well as
other areas, such as the health sector, are experiencing particular
shortages.
Urgently needed - A shortage of STEM
graduates
The acronym STEM refers to the fields of knowledge –
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – that are of vital importance in this
context. Although the great majority of STEM jobs are to be found in the private sector,
the state also provides for employment in this field, by funding a whole range of
world-class scientific and technological research institutes such as the Max Planck
Society and the Fraunhofer Society.
It is not just the research institutes
that are looking for well-qualified, new staff. Industry, too, is finding it
increasingly hard to secure graduates with a degree in STEM subjects. In addition to
engineers, there is also a substantial demand for scientists, mathematicians, and IT
experts. For it is not only German carmakers and engineering companies that are among
the very best in the world: some of the global players in the chemical and
pharmaceutical industries are likewise from Germany. And the same is true of the German
biotech and nanotech sectors. In all of these areas, the demand for first-rate
scientists is consistently high.
Similarly, many of the larger companies from
throughout the German economy need IT specialists to perform a range of tasks. These
include programming advanced machine-control systems, writing company software, ensuring
the security of complex systems, and managing the ever larger field of online
applications. Mathematicians are also in great demand, particularly in banks and
insurance companies.
No matter which area – job prospects for graduates in
the STEM subjects are favorable in Germany. Indeed, in recent years, German companies
have been unable to recruit anything like the number of scientists, mathematicians, and
IT experts needed to fill vacant positions. Compared with typical graduates of other
disciplines, STEM graduates are much more likely to be offered a permanent contract when
entering the job market and have a significantly higher earnings
potential.
Because of the increasing digitization of industry, this is also
widely referred to in Germany as "Industrie 4.0". Germany is investing ever more heavily
in intelligent technologies and innovative digital applications to stay competitive in
an international market. There is a current drive to promote the important issues of
intelligent networks and digitisation, for example in the energy sector. This is why IT
specialists are particularly sought-after and have good career prospects on the German
labor market.
Germany as a country of Immigration
Although it is not a widely appreciated fact, Germany has been one of the most popular
immigration destinations in the world for some time now. Some 11 million of the people
currently living in Germany were actually born elsewhere. In other words, over one in
eight members of the German population is an immigrant. The proportion is even higher
among the working population, where one in seven is originally from another country. All
in all, one in five people in Germany has a migrant background.
As with other
countries, certain areas in Germany tend to attract people with a migrant background.
Many of Germany's immigrant population live and work in the cities of Berlin, Hamburg,
Munich, Cologne, and Frankfurt. There is also a significant proportion of immigrants in
many other cities and towns in western and southern Germany. By contrast, there are
still relatively few people with foreign roots living and working in the states that
make up the former German Democratic Republic.
THE
ORIGINS OF GERMANY'S IMMIGRANT POPULATION
Europe accounts for the
biggest proportion of Germany's immigrant population. More than two thirds of Germany's
immigrant population are nationals of another European country, and 36.6 percent are
from within the EU. Overall, the major country of origin is Turkey, which accounts for
13 percent of the foreign nationals living in Germany. This is followed by Poland, which
accounts for almost 11 percent. Around nine percent of the foreign nationals living in
Germany are from Russia. Germany is also home to significant numbers of immigrants from
Kazakhstan (7 percent), Romania (4 percent) and Italy (4 percent).
Many
families from Italy, Turkey and the other EU member states in southern Europe first came
to Germany during the recruitment of guest workers from 1955 to 1973 and have long since
become an important part of the German population. Important lessons were learnt at the
time about how to meet the challenges posed by immigration.
The group of
expatriates – expats in short - has gained increasing importance in the last few years.
Such international experts live and work for their companies in Germany for a limited
period of time.
The occupations of Germany's immigrant population
German society is increasingly heterogeneous. The foreign nationals who arrived with the
first wave of guest workers from Greece, Spain or Turkey had jobs in industry and
usually stayed there. Their children, however, already had access to much wider career
opportunities. Today, members of Germany's immigrant population occupy a whole variety
of positions in German industry, the services sector, and meanwhile also the civil
service and the media - ranging from simple clerk to senior executive. People from
Germany's immigrant population also tend to be highly entrepreneurial and are often
self-employed. Indeed, this is a growing trend.
Today, more than 700,000
people with a migrant background run their own company. In other words, migrants are an
important factor in the German economy. And you can be a part of it too – invest and set
up your own business in Germany. Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), the economic development
agency of the Federal Republic of Germany, is there to help.
With its current employment prospects, Germany is an attractive
destination. Immigration to Germany is currently rising. In future, certain sectors
of the labour market will need to intensify their recruitment of skilled workers.
Employment opportunities will continue to increase, particularly in the healthcare,
engineering, IT, and many other commercial and technical sectors.
URGENTLY NEEDED: SCIENTISTS AND IT
SPECIALISTS
Germany has often been called a nation of poets and
philosophers. Yet it is also a land of invention and innovation. Many essential products
of the modern world are based on German discoveries. This story of technological
ingenuity stretches from the automobile and the X-ray machine to headache tablets and
rotor blades for wind turbines. Today, the country remains a centre of innovation, with
a host of German companies from diverse sectors operating at the very cutting edge of
technology.
Part of this is the increasing digitization of industry, which is
also widely referred to in Germany as "Industrie 4.0". Germany is investing ever more
heavily in intelligent technologies and innovative digital applications to stay
competitive in an international market. There is a current drive to promote the
important issues of intelligent networks and digitisation, for example in the energy
sector. This is why IT specialists are particularly sought-after and have good career
prospects on the German labour market.
The acronym STEM refers to the fields
of knowledge - science, technology,engineering, and mathematics - that are of vital
importance in this context. Although the great majority of STEM jobs are to be found in
the private sector, the state also provides for employment in this field, by funding a
whole range of world-class scientific and technological research institutes such as the
Max Planck Society and the Fraunhofer Society.
A shortage of STEM graduates
It is not just the research institutes that are looking for well-qualified, new staff.
Industry, too, is finding it increasingly hard to secure graduates with a degree in STEM
subjects. In addition to engineers, there is also a substantial demand for scientists,
mathematicians, and IT experts. For it is not only German carmakers and engineering
companies that are among the very best in the world: some of the global players in the
chemical and pharmaceutical industries are likewise from Germany. And the same is true
of the German biotech and nanotech sectors. In all of these areas, the demand for
first-rate scientists is consistently high.
Similarly, many of the larger
companies from throughout the German economy need IT specialists to perform a range of
tasks. These include programming advanced machine-control systems, writing company
software, ensuring the security of complex systems, and managing the ever larger field
of online applications. Mathematicians are also in great demand, particularly in banks
and insurance companies.
CAREER
OPPORTUNITIES
No matter which area – job prospects for graduates in
the STEM subjects are favourable in Germany. Indeed, in recent years, German companies
have been unable to recruit anything like the number of scientists, mathematicians, and
IT experts needed to fill vacant positions. Compared with typical graduates of other
disciplines, STEM graduates are much more likely to be offered a permanent contract when
entering the job market and have a significantly higher earnings potential. Average
starting salaries for STEM graduates are between €35,000 and €40,000 a year.