About University:
The Technical University of Munich (TUM or TU Munich) (German: Technische Universität München) is a public research university in Munich, with additional campuses in Garching, Freising, Heilbronn and Singapore. A technical university that specializes in engineering, technology, medicine, and the applied and natural sciences, it is organized into 15 schools and departments, and supported by numerous research centres. The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is one of the best universities in Europe. They excel in research and teaching, interdisciplinary and talent development. There are also strong alliances with companies and scientific institutions around the world. TUM is one of the first three universities of excellence in Germany. It regularly scores extremely well in international and national rankings.
TUM Homepage: https://www.tum.de/en/about-tum/our-university/
About Program:
The Master in Landscape Architecture (LA) is an official program of the Faculty of Architecture at the Technische Universität München (TUM). According to the concept of two-staged study programs, it builds up on the Bachelor program in “Landscape Architecture and Landscape Planning” (BSc) at the TUM. It is open to graduates of equivalent study courses at other universities. It is a scientific study-program, combining aspects of planning, artistic creativity and technical knowledge in the field of Landscape Architecture. The objective is to provide a broad theoretical foundation and to give an orientation towards professional practice. Students will develop and strengthen their competences in dealing with the analytic, artistic and technical aspects of designing open spaces and urban systems on different scales. The course duration varies as per previous study details. If you are an international graduate then course duration would be 4 Semesters otherwise it is a 3-semester course.
Landscape Architecture (LA) Homepage: https://www.ar.tum.de/en/studiengaenge/master/landscape-architecture-ma/
Program Details: https://www.tum.de/en/studies/degree-programs/detail/detail/StudyCourse/la
Ranking:
- World Ranking – 41st (2021) – https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/technical-university-m
- QS World Ranking – 50th (2021)- https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/technical-university-mu
- Germany – 2nd Rank
Tuition Fee:
In Germany while there usually aren’t any tuition fees at public universities, you normally have to pay something called a “semester fee” (“Semesterbeitrag”) or “administrative fee”. But that’s a small amount: often around 300 or 400 euros for the whole semester. This then also covers a public transport ticket for your city and sometimes even the surrounding areas, at a fraction of what you would normally pay for such a ticket.
For TUM the semester fee costs 144.40 Euros (I.e., approx. ₹ 13000/-)
Tuition fee Calculator: https://www.tum.de/en/studies/fees-and-financial-aid/#
Scholarship:
- There are few scholarships offered by the university for different courses. You can directly apply if you fit into the criteria given and following the instructions given on university website.
TUM scholarships: https://www.tum.de/en/studies/fees-and-financial-aid/scholar
- DAAD Scholarships (Other than university scholarships that you can find on DAAD.)
The DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) Scholarship in Germany is the world’s largest funding organisation for international students from developing countries. This organisation was founded in the year 1925 and ever since then, it has funded around two million scholars in Germany and abroad. The DAAD, or the German Academic Exchange Service, focuses on funding international students get their education abroad. It offers a monthly stipend (usually 850 Euros/month for postgraduate students) to students who are winners of this award to cover their expenses during their studies. One can find scholarships depending upon your field of study and need. There is a scholarship database available on DAAD portal categorized as per different study fields.
DAAD Website: https://www.daad.de/
DAAD Scholarship database: https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-datab
System for Admission Process:
German universities have a bit different admission process than any other country. Usually, the application process is different for international students since their certificates such as educational diplomas, language certificates, and other official documents will not be in German and come from countries all over the globe. To ease the application process for both international students and universities, there is a national service provider used as a mediator for many German universities which process all such application procedures for international students: it’s called Uni-Assist.
1.Online only Application:
For this type of universities, you only need to upload all the necessary documents mentioned by the university to Uni-assist application portal. You do not need to send any original or certified documents to Uni-assist. That means your entire application process happens through Uni-assist and there is no need to apply again via university portal. Uni assist forwards your application to the university and you receive confirmation of application from the university.
Step by step application process:
- Register and create an account on Uni-assist
- Fill in your applicant information and educational history
- Select your university and the chosen course under course catalogue
- Add it to your selection list. Make sure that you answer all questions without omissions
- Please upload each document only once
- Pay the application handling fees
(Transcript, Degree certificate remains same for each application so no need to upload it again for second application but you can upload different CV or statement of purpose or portfolio for different university applications as content may vary.)
2.VPD:
Some universities need preliminary review document which is generated by Uni-assist. You need to apply directly at your university: Submit the VPD, together with your application documents, directly to your university before the deadline. So here Uni-assist only verifies your documents and forwards the verified report (i.e VPD)to the university .For this you need to send certified copies documents(Hard copy) mentioned by the university to Uni-assist before the university application deadline via courier. This process may take some time hence one need to plan their application beforehand. You can apply for the VPD anytime in the year.
Step by step application process:
- Register and create an account on Uni-assist
- Fill in your applicant information and educational history
- Select your university and desired course semester. (In this case you may not need to choose particular course as you will be applying separately through university application portal)
- Add it to your selection list. Make sure that you answer all questions without omissions
- Please upload required documents once only. (In this case the documents are usually Degree certificate, transcript and language certificates. You need to check this requirement on university website)
- Pay the application handling fees
- Send hard copies of certified documents to Uni-assist by currier
- Register and Apply for your desired course from University application portal
There are certain standards when it comes to the Document certification which you need to follow.
More information about certified documents – https://www.uni-assist.de/en/how-to-apply/assemble-your-documents/certified-copies-and-transla
(While applying you need to upload VPD as part of the application document. Hence it is important to apply for VPD beforehand since it takes 4-6 weeks to process and you need to upload the VPD received from Uni-assist on University application portal before university application deadline. Plan your application accordingly)
Uni-assist website – https://www.uni-assist.de
Uni-assist VPD Information – https://www.uni-assist.de/en/how-to-apply/plan-your-application/
Uni-Assist is in charge of processing all application materials and documents from international students and many universities across Germany use this tool. Students who wish to apply to study programs that use Uni-Assist cannot avoid the process. Again, there are two types of universities you need to look at while applying, one who accepts “online only” application and one who needs “VPD “(“Vorprüfungsdokumentation” or preliminary review documentation).
Uni-assist Application Handling Fees:
Uni-assist charges handling fees for processing and evaluating your application documents. For 1st application the handling fees are 75 Euros (approx. 6682.59 Indian rupees) And For each additional desired course of study it is 30 Euros (Approx. 2673.04 Rupees)
If you are reapplying for a new semester, the fee is 75 Euros again for the first desired study course and 30 Euros for every other desired course of study for that semester.
More details about handling fees : https://www.uni-assist.de/en/how-to-apply/pay-all-fees/handling-
Platforms for more information:
When it comes to higher education abroad there are many education consultants and companies who act as a mediator between applicants and universities to give information about different universities and their application process and help you plan your application. For this they charge certain fees. But I believe choosing your university and understanding the application process is an experience in itself. And it’s not very difficult too once you start taking interest in the process. Research is the key here. And there are many websites or platforms from where you can get necessary and important information for free. These platforms may be different for different countries.
To get free knowledge and current news about German universities, their application process, fees etc and also about Germany as a country My German University is the best website to visit.
My German University:
They offer you the best content about studying in Germany and answer all of your questions in a professional way. Their aim is to offer international students independent and professional advice. Therefore, they list all available study offers on https://www.mygermanuniversity.com/– while many other portals or agencies only list or recommend those (private) universities that pay for exposure.
My German university conducts different webinars about study in Germany, universities, visa application process etc. You can register for the webinar for free. They also have sections called articles on their website where they provide information related to study in Germany. In their study finder section, you can search about your desired course /University and all the related information. This website gives you everything about Germany and German universities under one tap. You can get information regarding accommodation options too here.
My German university Articles – https://www.mygermanuniversity.com/articles
My German university Study finder – https://www.mygermanuniversity.com/studyfinder?p=1&pp=25&sort=featured&dir=ASC
My German university Webinars – https://www.mygermanuniversity.com/webinars
Need for a Foreign Language:
In Germany, mainly German language is spoken. Though the master’s program is taught in English, it is recommended to learn the language for ease of daily communication with local people, at supermarkets, to understand information boards and announcements in public transport.
Deutschland, the land of rich heritage and culture holds the German language very dear to it, while also embracing the internationality of big cities gracefully. one gets away from the bigger cities, the less is signposted in English and the less English is spoken in public. Also, it is important to know the basic language to educate yourself on Germany’s culture, to establish new friendships, for the ease of access and most importantly considering future opportunities for finding jobs in Germany.
At TUM there is a language centre where you can learn different languages including German. And the course is free for TUM students.
TUM language centre – https://www.sprachenzentrum.tum.de/en/homepage/