Universities in Germany

Ruby1219

you can search Goethe Institute for German camp.

regarding university, I have no experience at all and therefore create this topic. just so happened that my son studies in GSIS therefore I think he can be competent to apply for German universities. His teacher told us you hv to attain C1 level (just next to native level which is C2) in order to be qualified for the universities there, so it seems quite hard if your son hasn't start learning German as a major language

cherubic

回覆 Ruby1219 的帖子

Thanks for the camp information. We are planning to let him to learn German in summer. The reason I have this idea is because I know that some universities teach using english, and it seems that they accept IB result. Very preliminary checking only.

hkee33

多謝各位提供的資訊

vichuie

I hope someone has come across a good university in Germany to study medicine.  Thanks in advance.

ParisMimi

I actually studied in Konstanz for 2 years during my undergraduate program -( btw I am fluent in German) . Then I immediately continued my postgraduate program in UK. Upon completion of my studies, I started to work at a prestigious German company in Hong Kong and later on being relocated to work in China for more than 10 years till now. My personal experience tells that it is ultimately the choice of work location that determines the importance of where the degree is being attained. Apparently if you son aspires to live and work in Germany upon graduation, or even pursues his PhD in Science, it is no doubt that he should pursue his studies there - to get familiar with the community, industry, build up people network, gain work experience via internship, etc. If not, if he intends to return to Hong Kong for work, I don't think it's worthwhile to study there. As an employer, I see a university degree as a basic pre-requisite, yet I focus more on the attitude of the candidate rather than academic qualifications. It is because knowledge and skills can be acquired and developed, yet attitude is non trainable. Many times we hear about the poor quality or performance of work by 80s or 90s in the office. And usually the poor performance is related to attitude problem instead of lack of skill or knowledge. Hope this helps...

Ruby1219

Thank you very much ParisMimi for your information and advice.

But it is too early for my son to say where he would like to stay in the future for working and living. He's only 14/Year 9 now.

I totally agree with you that learning and working attitude is far more important than academic results. In which, I guess German do have a good culture and education in this ?

In fact, we consider Germany is because
1) its good reputation in Science & Engineering (my son is interested and strong in  Math/Physics/Computer/ Engineering).  
2) it is a 'quality' country in many aspects (education, work, living, global status)
3) its very low tuition fee
4) my son has the luck and advantage of learning German since he was 8

May I ask you a few more questions?

1) if not considering the future place for working and living, how would you compare the tertiary education of UK and Germany?
2) if considering it as the future place for working and living, how would you compare UK and Germany ?
3) if he's going to stay in HK for working and living, you would recommend UK or Germany universities ?

We are now having 2 alternative in mind :
1. Send him to UK for Year 12/13 and university.
Pros : he can take A Level (which should be easier for him than IB), he feels easier in terms of language and culture. Cons : it will cost much more money and he would have to leave us 2 years earlier

2. Send him to Germany for university
Pros : Low tuition fee yet good quality education, and he can stay longer with us. Cons : he is less comfortable with the language and culture (than English) and he would have to take IB with his current school in HK

I am planning to go visit some universities in Germany with him next summer, before he has to make up his mind and apply for Year 12 of UK schools.

ParisMimi

Hi Ruby1219,
In respect to your questions:
1. It depends on your expected benefits from a university. Comparatively the campus environment in UK is far more international and dynamic than in Germany. It is quite understandable that there is a vast nationalities of students around in UK campus e.g. Singaporean, Malaysian, Hongkie, Chinese, European,etc. As you can imagine, German campus are mainly occupied with German and students of other European nationalities e.g. apart from Western Europe, there are also a vast number of Greek, Turkish, which account for quite large population of migrants in Germany.
In terms of academic excellence, I would count on the published ranking of
uni. according to the subjects in each country to make comparison.

2. In terms of future employment, it is very difficult for a Hong Kong resident, comparing to most of my classmates who are from EU, to get work visa in UK. As for Germany, I think it is a lot easier. That's why I got to work as intern in two different Germany big corporation. In this regard, I think they are more open-minded. In terms of life, admittedly life in Germany is less exciting than that in UK. Travelling and instantly fell in love with the country is different from real work and life there in Germany. As a Hongkie raised in Hong Kong, life in UK is more suitable for me. That doesn't mean that life in Germany is terrible. It's just different...
3. If he plans to return to Hong Kong for work and life, probably UK Uni is better than German ones. I feel the recognition of of UK uni is higher than German ones in Hong Kong. Afterall it really depends on what specialty he is going to study and to what level of extent,say if he aspires to pursue his Master's or PhD. Anyway, for a bachelor's degree, I feel it is not different.

I truly respect you as a dedicated mom as I cannot imagine paying uni visit with my kids, haha. Anyway, I recommend you to discuss with him what he would like to study first and look out for the university prospectus on-line or from British Council/ Goethe Institute to get more info. Unless you can arrange some to guide you for a campus tour, I think it makes not much sense to visit the uni by walking around the campus. Hope this helps and feel free to discuss.

Ruby1219

回覆 ParisMimi 的帖子

Wow, I am really impressed and touched by your sincere and thoughtful response!!
I think at this moment, we only plan for his undergraduate education. I always remind my son that after undergraduate, he will be on his own physically, mentally and financially !

You are right that a walk at the universities won't help much, it is actually my excuse to convince my hubby to go for a trip to Germany with me! Wakakaka !

poonseelai

One advantage for students with HKSAR passports to study in UK universities is that they can work up to 2 years in the UK after graduation.