Question 1

Is it really free to study in Germany?

Accepted Answer

Yes — public universities in Germany charge no tuition fees, even for international students, at both undergraduate and Master's level. You only pay a semester contribution of roughly €150–€350 which usually includes a public transport pass.

Question 2

Do I need to speak German?

Accepted Answer

Not for English-taught programmes, which now number over 1,800 across Germany. However, for daily life and part-time work, learning German to at least A2/B1 level is strongly recommended and often required for the post-study job-seeker visa.

Question 3

What is the APS certificate?

Accepted Answer

APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) is an academic evaluation required for students from India, China, Vietnam and a few other countries before applying to German universities. PathIQ handles the entire APS interview preparation and document submission.

Question 4

Can I work in Germany after graduating?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Germany offers an 18-month post-study job-seeker visa, one of the most generous in Europe. Once you secure a role, you can convert it to an EU Blue Card leading to permanent residency.

Question 5

How much does university cost in Italy?

Accepted Answer

Public Italian universities charge €900–€4,000 per year — among the lowest in Western Europe. Fees are income-based (ISEE), and international students from lower-income brackets often pay the minimum band.

Question 6

Are there English-taught programmes?

Accepted Answer

Yes, over 500 Bachelor's and Master's degrees are taught entirely in English, particularly in fields like Engineering, Economics, Design, Medicine and International Relations.

Question 7

What is the Dichiarazione di Valore?

Accepted Answer

It's the formal Italian recognition of your foreign qualifications, issued by the Italian consulate in your home country. PathIQ manages the translation, legalisation and consulate submission on your behalf.

Question 8

Can I stay in Italy after my degree?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Italy offers a 12-month post-study job-seeking permit, extendable if you find employment. Italy is also part of the EU Blue Card scheme for skilled graduates.

Question 9

How long does a European student visa take?

Accepted Answer

Typically 4–8 weeks depending on the country and season. Germany and France can process in 4 weeks with complete documentation; Italy and Spain sometimes take 8–10 weeks in peak season.

Question 10

How much bank balance do I need to show?

Accepted Answer

Germany requires €11,904 in a blocked account. France requires ~€7,380/year. Italy requires ~€6,000/year. Netherlands and Ireland: ~€12,000 – €14,000. We provide country-specific breakdowns during your consultation.

Question 11

Can my spouse or family join me?

Accepted Answer

Most EU countries allow dependent visas for spouses and children of Master's or PhD students. Working rights for spouses vary — Germany and Netherlands are the most generous.

Question 12

What is Schengen — can I travel around Europe on my student visa?

Accepted Answer

A student residence permit from any Schengen country lets you travel freely across all 27 Schengen states for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Ireland is not in Schengen.

Question 13

How much do your services cost?

Accepted Answer

The first counselling session is free. Our full-service packages are transparently priced by scope — from admissions-only to end-to-end (admissions + scholarship + visa). Every package is quoted in writing after your free assessment.

Question 14

What is your visa success rate?

Accepted Answer

98% across all destinations over the last three years. For students whose profile we accept for full-service handling, our European visa success rate is 99%.

Question 15

How early should I start?

Accepted Answer

For fall intake (September/October), we recommend starting 12–14 months in advance for scholarship applications, and 8–10 months for standard admissions. We do handle late applications where deadlines still permit.

Question 16

Do you work with students who are still in school?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We accept students from Grade 11 onward for early profile building, test-prep integration and scholarship strategy — a 2-year runway typically produces the strongest outcomes.

Every Question, Answered Honestly

Studying in Germany

Studying in Italy

Visas & Immigration

Working with PathIQ

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