Most of Germany has a temperate climate, ranging from oceanic in the north and west to continental in the east and southeast. Winters range from cold in the Southern Alps to cool and are generally overcast with limited precipitation, while summers can vary from hot and dry to cool and rainy. The northern regions have prevailing westerly winds that bring in moist air from the North Sea, moderating the temperature and increasing precipitation. Conversely, the southeast regions have more extreme temperatures.
Germany has a network of 227 diplomatic missions abroad and maintains relations with more than 190 countries. Germany is a member of NATO, the OECD, the G7, the G20, the World Bank and the IMF. It has played an influential role in the European Union since its inception and has maintained a strong alliance with France and all neighboring countries since 1990. Germany promotes creating a more unified European political, economic, and security apparatus. The governments of Germany and the United States are close political allies. Cultural ties and economic interests have crafted a bond between the two countries resulting in Atlanticism. After 1990, Germany and Russia established a “strategic partnership” in which energy development became one of the most important factors. As a result of the cooperation, Germany imported most of its natural gas and crude oil from Russia.
Responsibility for educational supervision in Germany is primarily organized within the individual states. Optional kindergarten education is provided for all children between three and six years old, after which school attendance is compulsory for at least nine years depending on the state. Primary education usually lasts for four to six years. Secondary schooling is divided into tracks based on whether students pursue academic or vocational education. A system of apprenticeship called Duale Ausbildung leads to a skilled qualification which is almost comparable to an academic degree. It allows students in vocational training to learn in a company as well as in a state-run trade school. This model is well-regarded and reproduced all around the world.
Most of the German universities are public institutions, and students traditionally study without fee payment. The general requirement for attending university is the Abitur. According to an OECD report in 2014, Germany is the world’s third leading destination for international study. The established universities in Germany include some of the oldest in the world, with Heidelberg University (established in 1386), Leipzig University (established in 1409), and the University of Rostock (established in 1419) being the oldest. The Humboldt University of Berlin, founded in 1810 by the liberal educational reformer Wilhelm von Humboldt, became the academic model for many Western universities. In the contemporary era, Germany has developed eleven Universities of Excellence.
Germany’s health care system was 77% government-funded and 23% privately funded as of 2013. In 2014, Germany spent 11.3% of its GDP on health care. Germany ranked 21st in the world in 2019 in life expectancy with 78.7 years for men and 84.8 years for women according to the WHO, and it had a very low infant mortality rate (4 per 1,000 live births). In 2019, the principal cause of death was cardiovascular disease, at 37%. Obesity in Germany has been increasingly cited as a major health issue. A 2014 study showed that 52 percent of the adult German population was overweight or obese.
Germany’s universities are recognized internationally; in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), six of the top 100 universities in the world are in Germany and 18 of the top 200. Germany is the all-time rank holder in the QS World University Rankings. Most German universities are public institutions, charging fees of only around €60–500 per semester for each student, usually to cover expenses associated with the university cafeterias and (usually mandatory) public transport tickets. Thus, academic education is open to most citizens and studying is very common in Germany. The dual education system combines both practical and theoretical education but does not lead to academic degrees. It is more popular in Germany than anywhere else in the world and is a role model for other countries. The oldest universities in Germany are also among the oldest and best-regarded in the world, with Heidelberg University being the oldest (established in 1386 and continuous operation since then). It is followed by Cologne University (1388), Leipzig University (1409), Rostock University (1419), Greifswald University (1456), Freiburg University (1457), LMU Munich (1472) and the University of Tübingen (1477). While German universities have a strong focus on research, a large part of it is also done outside of universities in independent institutes that are embedded in academic clusters, such as within the Max Planck, Fraunhofer, Leibniz , and Helmholtz institutes. This German peculiarity of “outsourcing” research leads to a competition for funds between universities and research institutes and may negatively affect academic rankings.

Public universities in Germany are funded by the federal states and do not charge tuition fees. However, all enrolled students do have to pay a semester fee (Semesterbeitrag). This fee consists of an administrative fee for the university (only in some of the states), a fee for Studentenwerk, which is a statutory student affairs organization, a fee for the university’s AStA (Allgemeiner Studentenausschuss, students’ government), and Studentenschaft (students’ union), at many universities a fee for public transportation, and possibly more fees as decided by the university’s students’ parliament (e.g., for cooperation with a local theater granting free entry for students). Summed up, the semester fee usually ranges between €150 and €350. Since 1998, all German states have introduced tuition fees for long-time students (Langzeitstudiengebühren) of €500 up to €900 per semester. These fees are required for students who study substantially longer than the standard period of study (Regelstudienzeit), which is a defined number of semesters for each degree program. Even after the abolition of general tuition fees, tuition fees for long-time students remain in six states. Additionally, universities may charge tuition fees for so-called non-consecutive master’s degree programs, which do not build directly on a bachelor’s degree, such as a Master of Business Administration. For international students, there are different approaches to get a full scholarship or funding for their studies. To be able to get a scholarship a successful application is mandatory. It can be submitted upon arrival in Germany as well as after arrival. However, because many scholarships are only available to students who are already studying, the chances of acceptance are limited for applicants from abroad. Therefore, many foreign students have to work to finance their studies.
At German universities, students enroll in a specific program of study (Studiengang). During their studies, students can usually choose freely from all courses offered at the university. However, all bachelor’s degree programs require several particular compulsory courses and all degree programs require a minimum number of credits that must be earned in the core field of the program of study. It is not uncommon to spend longer than the regular period of study (Regelstudienzeit) at university. There are no fixed classes of students who study and graduate together. Students can change universities according to their interests and the strengths of each university. Sometimes students attend multiple different universities throughout their studies. This mobility means that at German universities there is freedom and individuality unknown in the US, the UK, or France. Professors also choose their subjects for research and teaching freely. This academic freedom is laid down in the German constitution. Since German universities do not offer accommodation or meals, students are expected to organize and pay for board and lodging themselves. Inexpensive places in dormitories are available from Studentenwerk, a statutory non-profit organization for student affairs. However, there are only enough places for a fraction of students. Studentenwerk also runs canteens and cafés on campus, which are similarly affordable. Other common housing options include renting a private room or apartment as well as living together with one or more roommates to form a Wohngemeinschaft (often abbreviated WG). Furthermore, many university students continue to live with their parents. One-third to one-half of the students work to make a little extra money, often resulting in a longer stay at university.

Recently, the implementation of the Bologna Declaration introduced bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as ECTS credits to the German higher education system. Previously, universities conferred Diplomas and Magister degrees depending on the field of study, which usually took 4–6 years. These were the only degrees below the doctorate. In the majority of subjects, students can only study for bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as Diploma or Magister courses do not accept new enrollments. However, a few Diploma courses still prevail. The standard period of study is usually three years (six semesters, with 180 ECTS points) for bachelor’s degrees and two years (four semesters, 120 ECTS) for master’s degrees. The following Bologna degrees are common in Germany:
    Bachelor of Arts (B.A.);         
    Master of Arts (M.A.)
    Bachelor of Science (BSc);
    Master of Science (MSc)
    Bachelor of Engineering (BEng);
    Master of Engineering (MEng)
    Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.); Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)
    Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.); Master of Music (M.Mus.)
Universities and research institutes conduct scientific research in Germany. The raw output of scientific research from Germany consistently ranks among the world’s best. The national academy of Germany is the Leopoldina Academy of Sciences. Additionally, the Union of the German Academies of Sciences and Humanities is an umbrella organization for eight local academies and acatech is the Academy of Science and Engineering.
With many top-ranked universities & buzzing cities packed with history, vibrant nightlife, and art galleries, no wonder thousands of young international students are deciding to pursue their studies in Germany. In recent years, Germany has become one of the most popular places to study for international students. To be more precise, it is the third most popular destination.