Tuition-Free Public University Scholar Pragalya Geetharani Ramesh from India Shares Her Journey of Securing a Tuition-Free Master's at Universität Hamburg, Germany

“Knowledge has a beginning but no end,” so grabbing all the opportunities to enhance my skills and knowledge. Learning to understand the beauty of the world will help me to understand the purpose of life. I am Pragalya Geetharani Ramesh. I completed my schooling in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. I took many number of University Entrance Exams to find my area of interest and discovered that I was interested in biology and mathematics. So, I pursued my bachelor's degree in B Tech Biotechnology at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, which is ranked 6th in the Agriculture and Allied Sectors in NIRF 2025.

Educational Background

I was motivated to become a researcher in the field of biotechnology and so  during my second year of my bachelor's program, I decided to pursue masters in abroad. So I started to enhance my skills by grabbing all the opportunities to learn them. I did my internship in Defence Food Research Laboratory, Mysuru, India and my bachelor thesis under Senthil Natesan, Director, CPMB&B, TNAU, Coimbatore on “Evaluation of F3 Red Colour Sweet Corn Types for Sweetness” for the  project  Introgression of cyanidin and beta-carotene to develop coloured sweet corn (Zea mays L.) inbreds through marker assisted backcross breeding.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Hamburg?

I prepared a database of all the universities in Germany and browsed individual university websites to check for the courses offered and other information of the research labs. By which, I understood the education system of Germany and how it is different from one state to another. I applied only for the Public Universities without application fees. As I did my bachelor thesis in maize crop which was one of the key to get an admission in Universität Hamburg for pursuing my master’s degree in M.Sc Molecular Plant Science.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

I did not apply for any scholarship to pursue this course as it is a public university. But after joining the course as an international student, one could apply for the Merit Scholarship for International students enrolled at Universität Hamburg.

What Drew You to Choose This Country to Pursue Your Degree?

Choosing Germany for my master’s degree was a decision driven by its world-class research infrastructure by providing an ideal environment to advance my expertise in molecular plant science. I was specifically drawn to the M.Sc. Molecular Plant Science (MoPS) program at the University of Hamburg for its highly practice-oriented curriculum, which offers unique opportunities for hands-on lab rotations. This structure perfectly aligns with my background in biotechnology and my commitment to bridging the gap between rigorous scientific research and global agricultural innovation.

What Were Some of the Challenges You Faced as an International Student, Particularly Regarding Living Costs or Part-time Work Opportunities?

In Germany, living costs depend on the state where the University is located. As I am pursuing my studies in a public University in Hamburg, the university provides me with a Deutschland Ticket along with the semester fees, so I need not worry about transport/travelling costs. So I can find accommodation an hour away from my university for a lower price. Also, there are students’ dorms available, but getting one is very difficult at times; the waiting period is more than 6 months, which differs from state to state. To get a stable part-time job, one must know B1 German proficiency, but if there are any HiWi jobs available in the university, then it will be good, which also depends on the university.

Looking Back, Would You Recommend Studying Here for International Students Seeking Affordable Higher Education?

It is worth pursuing my master's in Germany, as I can get hands-on experience on all different kinds of experiments with all the necessary equipments. Also, the course I am pursuing is a practical-oriented curriculum with which becoming confident in performing the experiments independently.

Is the Institution That You Are Studying at Free for Molecular Plant Science? If You Had to Pay Semester Fees, How Much Was It?

Universität Hamburg is a public university in Germany. I pay around 384-400 euros per semester (which includes my Deutschland Ticket).

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or German?

The course M.Sc Molecular Plant Science is an International course with English as the medium of instruction.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Not Knowing German?

One can complete the course successfully, but if the student wants to settle down in Germany or work, then he/she must learn German and be certified with B2 German level.