Option to work while studying
In Germany, you can work up to 120 full days or 240 half days per year. You can find a job easily in Germany as many companies are very open to hiring working students and interns. In the UK, you can only work up to 20 hours per week during term time or full-time during holidays. However, finding a paid job in the UK during your studies can be difficult as most companies want to hire employees with more experience. Moreover, unpaid internships are still rampant in the UK, so your chances of earning money while studying are pretty low. In Germany, you could earn above the minimum wage as a working student, averaging between €10 and €13 per hour.
Taxes
As with many countries, your tax rate depends on how much money you earn each year. You can earn a tax-free income in Germany if you make up to €450 per month. The standard German tax applies if you earn more than that. If you make less than €9408 a year, you can get the taxes you have paid when you file your tax return.
Your income might not be taxed in the UK if your country entered a tax treaty to avoid double taxation.
Visa requirements
Applying for a student visa in Germany and the UK is reasonably straightforward. However, the documents required for a German visa are slightly more extensive than for a UK visa. The UK needs a student to submit standard documents such as passport, photo, university acceptance letter, proof of funds, English language test, and medical test.
For Germany, in addition to the standard visa application documents, you would need to get proof of health insurance, a motivation letter of your intentions while living in Germany, and possibly proof of accommodation as well.
Another essential thing to note is that the visa application processing time in Germany is slower than in the UK, so you would have to apply much earlier.
Option to live and work after graduating
In Germany, you can stay for 18 months after graduation to look for a job. This period is enough time for you to find a permanent position and convert your visa into an employment visa. If you're highly skilled or earn above a certain amount per year, you're eligible to apply for an EU Blue Card, which gives you a shorter pathway to permanent residency in Germany.
There is now a recently implemented Graduate Route Visa in the UK, where graduates can stay in the country for up to 2 years. The new route is also very flexible, meaning you won't have to keep the same job continuously if you need to take some time out or if the employer did not work out.
Number of international students
The UK has a slightly higher number of international students than in Germany. About 452,000 international students are from non-EU countries in the UK, and about 152,000 are from within the EU. As the interest to study in Germany has only recently risen, the number of international students has just reached over 350,000. However, this shouldn't deter you from coming to Germany as a student. In fact, it should encourage you to apply even more to contribute to the diversity in the country.
Location
Both Germany and the UK are great places to live, each having its unique charms. Most universities in Germany are located in or around large metropolitan areas such as Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Frankfurt. Cities like London and Manchester also have a wealth of universities to choose from.
Germany shares a border with 11 beautiful countries in terms of distance to neighboring countries. This means affordable weekend trips to take a break off studies would be feasible at any time. In the UK, you would need to travel by plane to visit neighboring countries for a weekend getaway, which could get costly.
Safety
Both Germany and the UK are considered safe countries to live in. In general, large cities tend to have a higher crime rate, so it is always important to be aware of your surroundings no matter which country you live in.
Health system
Germany has a mandatory public health insurance system for all residents, including students. The monthly cost is around €110 per month for those below 30, and it gives you access to one of the best health systems in Europe.
Access to the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK is included in your visa application fee. However, some treatments may not be available for free, and you might need to pay a small charge.
Employability after graduating
Both Germany and the UK are great places to find a job after graduation. However, the competition is stiffer in the UK than in Germany. Germany has been ranked as one of the best countries in Europe for expats in terms of work-life balance. Germans take their life outside of work very seriously, so your chances of getting overworked are very low. Sadly, 66% of employees are overworked by six hours per week in the UK
Language barrier
Although German and English are both European languages, there can still be a language barrier when studying or living in Germany. However, the number of Germans learning English has been rising in recent years, so this might not be as much of an issue soon. Especially in large cities such as Berlin and Munich, you can get by with very minimal German.
Weather
Germany experiences warm summers and cold winters. However, the UK is not much better in this department. The main difference would be that the UK probably experiences more rain than Germany.
Culture
Both countries have a rich culture, and there are many things to see and do in both places. In terms of food, Germany is known for its delicious sausages and beer, while the UK is known for its fish and chips. In terms of music, Germany has given us classical greats such as Bach and Beethoven, while the UK has given us bands such as The Beatles and One Direction.
