Study in Germany from Nigeria: Step by Step Guide

Over the years, Germany has grown to become one of the favorite destinations of people willing to pursue higher studies. The number of foreign applicants applying to study in Germany has been shown to be increasing steadily year on year.

Study in Germany from Nigeria: Step by Step Guide

The reasons aren’t farfetched, the universities in Germany are of very high standards and rank highly on the world ranking chart. Also, the learning experience in Germany isn’t restricted only to the classroom interactions as there are opportunities for hands-on experience and internships.

The universities in Germany also consider peer-peer interactions as an important source of learning hence the university selection committee tends to ensure that there is a diverse mix of students from all countries and all backgrounds.

Germany is particularly known for its industrial hub in Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart, Hannover, Bonn. Also, there are also many world-famous companies in Germany such as Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen, Siemens, Bosch, SAP, etc.

Overall, the country provides excellent career opportunities to everyone irrespective of their nationality. And there are thousands of supplier companies to these big giants that are quite receptive to international talents.

Generally, the research projects in the universities in Germany depends on the funding provided by three main sources: the German Government, industry and the European Union (EU).

All these three factors are largely unaffected by the external influences, the research funding for the projects have literally no bound making Germany one of the best places for researchers from any discipline.

Apart from these, there are other unique benefits for international students in Germany

• You don’t have to study in the German Language
• You can study in German English Universities although, you will need to understand some German language to communicate very well
• All universities in Germany are fully open for International Students. There is no discrimination at all.
• The cost of education in Germany is relatively cheap and tuition is free
• A degree from Germany is recognized anywhere in the world
• With over 16000 available courses, you can find your preferred course of study

So now that you know about education in Germany, let’s take a look at the process of applying for a student visa from Nigeria.

Generally, there are two different categories of visas eligible for students from Nigeria:

• Student Visa: This is for persons who have already applied at a university and have received a letter of admission to the university or confirmation that their application is being processed
• Language Course Visa: This is for persons intending to attend a language course for a duration for more than three months without planning to study at a German University afterward

Note: A Language Course Visa cannot be converted into a Student Visa in Germany.

Therefore, if you intend to study at a German university immediately after your language course, you are requested to apply for a Student Visa right away. Otherwise, you will have to return to Nigeria after your language course has ended.

Here are the steps involved in applying for a German student visa

Step 1: Apply for admission into a German university or Language school

You should visit the school’s website and apply as appropriate. You can proceed to the next step when you’ve been granted admission.

Step 2: Opening of blocked account

This account will be opened in one of the Deutsche Bank branches in Germany in your name. You will download a blocked account opening form, fill it and take it to the German embassy in Lagos where you will sign it in front of an embassy official. You will be given a slip as confirmation that you have applied for bank account opening. The form will be sent to the bank in Germany on your behalf by the embassy. The account name and number will be sent to you within three weeks.

You might not need to open a blocked account if you intend to prove your financial means or you’re a scholarship recipient or a sponsor who is in Germany.

Step 3: Funding blocked account

You’re expected to fund the account with the minimum amount of 7,908 Euro. And you will receive payment confirmation from the bank within two days of payment.

Step 4: Print the payment slip from the email notification

It is this email print out that you will use in booking a visa application/interview appointment.

Step 5: Booking of appointment for visa application/interview

For you to obtain an appointment for submission of your visa application, you are requested to send scans of your admission letter, proof of financial means as well as your passport data page by email to student@lago.diplo.de.  You will receive an email afterward indicating your appointment date.

Note: You can use the email printout from the German bank indicating the payment of money into the blocked account or the slip given to you at the embassy that you’ve applied for bank account opening as proof of financial means.

You should prepare adequately for your visa interview. Prior to the interview, you’re expected to have submitted your application forms alongside some relevant documents between Monday and Friday. The specific day of submission is available by appointment only. You will pay the visa fee amounting to 60 € (13,500 NGN) when submitting the visa application.

You are expected to provide the original of your documents alongside 2 copies of each document unless otherwise specified

• Valid passport + 2 copies of its data page
• 2 identical passport pictures according to biometric specifications with one of the passports attached to the application form
• 2 visa application forms (Application for a Residence Permit) – no copies required
• School Leaving Certificates of Primary and Secondary School/ WAEC-Certificate
• Proof of previous academic studies/professional training/ work experience (if applicable)
• Birth Certificate from National Population Commission or Declaration of Age deposed to by the head of Family
• Documents to verify identity (such as library card, baptism certificate, vaccination card, etc.)
• Letter of admission to the university/ Confirmation of registration for a language course
• Proof of knowledge of the German language, if required for the course of study
• A ‘WAEC-direct access card’ (scratch card to access WAEC results online, available e. g. at Spring Bank and Wema Bank)
• Proof of financial means for one year by one of the following options:

7. Confirmation of blocked German bank account bearing an amount of minimum 7.908,-€
8. Official German declaration of sponsorship for the purpose of studies/ language course given before the competent German authority (Please note: Financing is usually only secured if declarant resides in Germany)
9. Proof of scholarship of a German/ European organization covering the arising costs.

Step 6: Receive your visa interview decision from the Embassy

Usually, the visa is usually granted between 3 to 5 weeks after the visa interview date.