Studying in Europe (Part 2)
by Lauren Ling
 Cost of Living
There are several accommodation options:
- Room in a hall of residence (Kollegium), 240-400 euros (RM1,200-RM2,000) per month.
- Room in a house or flat, 200-500 euros (RM1,000-RM2,500) per month. Visas Apply for a residence permit and visa from the Danish Embassy after being accepted for admission by an educational institution. For further information on residence and work permits, visit: www.newtodenmark.dk.
Can I Work? You may work a maximum of 15 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during the summer holidays (June, July and August). The minimum wage per hour in Denmark is approximately 12 euros (RM60).
Switzerland: Banker to the World
The breathtaking Swiss Alps and scrumptious Lindt & Sprüngli chocolates come to mind when you mention Switzerland. Aside from picturesque scenery and delicious confectionary, the country is the no-nonsense financial centre of the world.
Famous For As banker to the world’s richest, it makes perfect sense to study Finance and Economics there. Most Masters and post-graduate programmes are conducted in English, so language is no problem.
Fees/Scholarships/Sponsorship Post-graduate fees are lower than in other European countries, although it makes up for it in sky-high living expenses. Fees range from 1,000- 8,000 Swiss francs (RM3,000-RM24,000) per year. Postgraduate degrees usually last four to five years. There are also scholarships available:
Government scholarships The Swiss Government offers scholarships to post-graduate candidates from industrial and developing countries. For details, contact the Embassy of Switzerland in Malaysia at 03-2164 5635 or www.eda. admin.ch/kualalumpur.
A list of eligible countries and further information on the government scholarships, such as application requirements, duration of scholarship, scholarship amount, application procedure etc, is also available at www.sbf. admin.ch/eskas-e.html.
Before applying for a scholarship, candidates (who must be below 35 and proficient in English, German, French or Italian) should get in touch with a professor (www.proff. ch) or the department responsible for the programme at the higher education institution for written confirmation of acceptance.
Cost of Living You should budget for 1,500-2,333 Swiss francs (RM4,500-RM7,000) per month. Health insurance is a must for foreign students.
Visas Malaysian passport holders do not need a visa to enter Switzerland. However, you need authorisation to study there. Your school must submit an application on your behalf to the cantonal immigration authorities. If the application is approved, an “authorisation to enter Switzerland” permit will be issued. The school will then forward a copy to you.
 Once in Switzerland, you must visit the alien police within 10 days and they will issue you the appropriate permit. Can I Work? Foreign students are not allowed to work in Switzerland. If you do intend to work, your employer must apply for a work permit for you.
Ph.D programmes
are off ered at universities, research institutions and industries.
The components of the programm es are:
- Independent research under supervision.
- Courses for Ph.D students.
- Participation in research networks, including placement at other – mainly foreign – research institutions.
- Teaching or another form of knowledge dissemination which is, as far as possible, related to the Ph.D topic.
- The completion of a Ph.D thesis.
Germany: The birth-place of Einstein
Fancy studying at the old stomping ground of the world’s most famous genius? Out of two million students in Germany, 250,000 are foreigners. However, you need a working knowledge of the German language, unless you undertake an international course. The Goethe Institute offers German language courses in Malaysia and its language diploma will suffice for admission to an institution of higher education there.
Famous For Science – Medicine, Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Neurosciences, Physics and others. The IP Network There is a network of 50 international post-graduate programmes (IPP ) in a wide range of disciplines and subjects at centres of scientific excellence throughout Germany.
 Famous For Science – Medicine, Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Neurosciences, Physics and others. The IP Network There is a network of 50 international
| BAföG state funding programm e for students, is only awarded to international students if : |
|
One parent has G erman citizenship.
- They have or have had a German spouse.
- They are legitimate asylum seekers, stateless or refugees.
- One parent was legally employed in Germany for three years within six years before the beginning of studies.
- They were legally employed in Germany for five years before the beginning of studies.
|
Since 2001, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAA D) and the German Research Foundation (DFG) have jointly selected these post-graduate courses under the Doctorates at Universities in Germany support programme. Teaching includes lectures by visiting foreign academics and scientists. These are frequently delivered in English. The doctoral thesis may be written in English or in another world language, while the viva may be held in English.
The duration of the programme depends on the field of study. For further information, visit www.daad. de/deutschland/studienangebote/internationalprogrammes/ 07535.en.html.
Fees/Scholarships/Sponsorship Fees can range from as little as 650 euros (RM3,250) to several thousand euros per semester.
| Although we only highlighted four countries, there are many other educational options in Europe: -France - www.wle-france.com - Scotland - www.studyinscotland.org -Italy - www.study-in-italy.it -Sweden - www.studyinsweden.se -Finland - www.studyinfinland.fi |
Student loans Based on the above criteria, international students may also be entitled to a low-interest loan from the state. It is granted for a maximum of 24 months and amounts to 300 euros (RM1,500) per month. Repayment begins four years after the first draw-down.
Cost of Living You will need about 770 euros (RM3,850) a month (rental 250 euros (RM1,250), health insurance 50-90 euros (RM250-RM450), student organisation 60-250 euros (RM300-RM1,250) and other miscellaneous expenses). There is also a charge for the first residence permit – 50-60 euros (RM250-RM300).
Visas International students may apply for:
A three-month study applicant’s visa, which is valid if you have not yet obtained university admission. After admission, it must be converted into a residence permit for student purposes at the Office for Foreigners’ Affairs. The visa for study purposes is valid for one year. In order to obtain it, you must provide proof of admission and financial support for the duration of study.
The visa application is submitted to the German Embassy in Malaysia. Once you arrive in Germany, present your visa to the German Aliens Department where it will be converted to a residence permit for the purpose of studying. This permit is issued for two years and must be extended before the two years run out. You must also have health insurance. Without it, you cannot be enrolled.
Can I Work? As of 2005, international students from outside the EU are allowed to work 90 full or 180 half-days in a year. If you want to work more than this, you will need the approval of the Employment Agency and the Aliens Department. In many Federal States, you can only work during the summer vacation. The average hourly rate is 8 euros (RM40).
|
