Study in Germany:
Top Universities, Courses, Scholarships, Course Fees and Job Opportunities
The main reason many students choose Germany to pursue higher education is the presence of globally-reputed colleges and Universities. In addition, every higher education institute also boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure, modern amenities, and highly qualified and experienced faculty. A study by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, states that there are over 20,800 Indian students who are pursuing higher education in Germany each year. It is also notable that Germany has the lowest unemployment rate in the European Union, with 4.31%.
Why Study in Germany?
Various significant reasons stand as proof for international students choosing Germany to pursue higher education. Some of the most important reasons are listed,
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The tuition costs to pursue higher education are comparatively lower than in other countries. The universities also offer numerous scholarships, which makes the tuition fee negligible.
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There are various significant, highly ranked, globally acknowledged universities in Germany offer various exclusive programs for international students.
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It is also essential to note that Germany offers multiple degree courses for students.
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The living costs are significantly lower in Germany than in other countries. This fundamentally reduces the financial burden of the students aspiring to study abroad in Germany.
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Germany also offers various part-time working opportunities for students while studying to provide them with financial aid.
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The universities and institutes in Germany offer courses that are taught in English, which makes it easier for students to comprehend.
Top Universities in Germany for Indian Students
With a wide range of universities, Germany is one of the best places to pursue higher education for students aspiring to study abroad. The top universities to study in Germany for Indian students based on the course level are listed.
Best Universities in Germany for Undergraduate Programs
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Heidelberg University
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University of Freiberg
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University of Hamburg
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University of Stuttgart
Best Universities in Germany for Postgraduate Programs
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Frankfurt School of Finance and Management
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University of Stuttgart
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Freie University of Berlin
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University of Freiburg
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University of Mannheim
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Ludwig Maximilian University Munich
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University of Hamburg
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University of Bonn
Best Universities in Germany for PhD
- Technical University of Munich
- Humboldt University of Berlin
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- University of Freiburg
- LMU Munich
- Heidelberg University
- Rwth Aachen University
- University of Gottingen
- Free University of Berlin
Government Universities in Germany for MBA
The most popular public universities in Germany that offer MBA courses for Indian students are,
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University of Mannheim- Mannheim Business School
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University of Cologne- Cologne Business School
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University of Hamburg- Hamburg Business School
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University of Kaiserslautern- TUK Business School
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University of Passau- Passau Business School
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University of Potsdam- Potsdam Graduate School
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University of Leipzig- Leipzig Graduate School of Management
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University of Stuttgart- Institute of Business Administration
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Technical University of Munich (TUM)- TUM School of Management
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HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management
Popular Courses in Germany for Indian Students
The universities in Germany offer exclusive and high-quality courses for international students. Some of the most popular courses that are provided by the universities in Germany for international students are,
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Economics
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Media and Journalism
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Animation and Game
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Cloud Computing
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Applied Mechatronic Systems
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Computer Science
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International Relations
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Big Data Management
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Data Science
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Big Data and Business Analytics
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Software Engineering
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Applied Data Management
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Management and Marketing
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Digital Industrial Management
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Business Administration
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International Marketing
Apart from these courses, Germany is popularly known for its engineering courses. Some of the most popular engineering courses offered by German universities are,
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Computer Engineering
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Chemical Engineering
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Aerospace Engineering
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Biomedical Engineering
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Mechanical Engineering
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Environmental Engineering
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Automotive Engineering
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Communication and Information Engineering
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Electrical Engineering
Top Universities in Germany to Pursue Popular Courses for International Students
The table below lists the top universities to study in Germany to pursue popular courses for Indian students,
Popular Courses |
Top Universities |
MBA |
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MS |
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Engineering and Technology |
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Computer Science and IT |
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Application Process, Eligibility, and Deadlines to Apply for German Universities
Application Process to Study in Germany
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Shortlist Universities in Germany- Finalizing the German Universities a student wants to apply to must be the priority. In addition, applicants have to be certain about the undergraduate or postgraduate degree program they wish to pursue.
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Check Requirements for Applying- Whatever the requirements of the University where a student prefers to apply for admission must be precise beforehand. All higher education institutes in Germany thoroughly review every applicant's academic qualifications and German/English language proficiency. So, a candidate needs to know about their skillsets, abilities, and records before applying to a University.
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Be Certain about Financial Resources- One of the most crucial steps for a student outside the EU/EEA who aspires to secure German university admission is to be 100 percent confident about financial resources. German universities require every applicant to submit proof of financial resources. All these higher education institutes want to check whether a student can meet the living expenses in Germany throughout their course.
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Apply to the Desired German Universities- International students can submit their applications to their coveted institutes in Germany to pursue higher education. A feasible option for an aspirant is to apply to the University directly. The other option is to apply a web application. Not every University accepts applications from interested students through Uni-Assist.
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Apply for Health Insurance- Every student from a different country who wishes to study in Germany must apply for health insurance. No international student will get a student visa without health insurance and eventually be unable to enroll in their desired German Universities.
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Apply for a German Student Visa- International students must apply for a German Student Visa right after completing the application to their coveted higher education institution. Submitting every necessary document along with the visa application form is required to get approval for a German student visa.
Timeline for Application Process for German Universities
Here’s a list of the admission process timelines at German Universities. However, it is essential to consider that this timeline might vary based on the university.
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Application for the summer semester starts in August and ends in January
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The candidates applying for the summer semester must submit the documents during November and January
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The university sends an invite to the selected students during January and February
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The classes for the summer semester start between February and March
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Application for the winter semester starts in March and ends in July
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The candidates applying for the winter semester must submit the documents during April and May
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The classes for the winter semester start between May and July
Eligibility and Documents Required
The documents required to apply to study in Germany might vary based on the university and level of course. However, some of the essential documents that are required to apply for study abroad programs in Germany for Indian students are,
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Proof of higher education completion with high school or university transcripts
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The candidates must qualify for English language proficiency tests with a required eligible score for the chosen university and program
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The candidate must submit proof of German language knowledge if required
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Score cared of subject-specific exams like the GRE or GMAT should be submitted
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Minimum two letters of recommendation for consideration
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Statement of purpose drafted by the students to acquire admission
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Updated resume with work certificates if applicable
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A valid passport and student visa to study in Germany
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Other required documents must be submitted based on the university and course
Entrance Exam Requirements for German Universities
International students who aspire to study in Germany should qualify for certain entrance exams to acquire admission. Some of the most popular and common entrance exams are,
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IELTS- The candidates must clear the IELTS exam with an overall score of 6.5 on 9 to acquire admission to German universities. This exam is valid for two years from the date of the result.
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TOEFL- The accepted TOEFL score to apply for German universities and institutes ranges from 60 to 80. The TOEFL score is valid for two years from the date of the result.
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GRE- The GRE test score is considered for students applying for business and management programs. The approximate GRE score that is considered a good score is 300.
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GMAT- The average GMAT score the candidates require to apply for German business schools is approximately 640.
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FSP- This test determines the student's eligibility for the chosen program. Students can also take a re-test if they fail to qualify in the first attempt.
Application Deadlines for German Universities
The admission deadline to study in Germany differs based on factors like the university, course, semester, etc. However, the approximate application deadlines for the summer and winter semester is listed,
Summer Semester
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To apply for the summer semester cycle, the students must apply before January 15
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The application for all the universities of applied sciences starts in March and ends in August
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The application for other universities starts in April and ends in September
Winter Semester
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To apply for the winter semester cycle, the students must apply before July 15
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The application for all the universities of applied sciences starts in September and ends in February
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The application for other universities starts in October and ends in March
Cost of Living in Germany for Indian Students
The cost of living in Germany varies based on factors like the cities and states of the country. However, the approximate cost of living in Germany for international students is,
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Rent and Accommodation- EUR 300- EUR 700
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Travelling- EUR 100 – EUR 150
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Food and Drinks- EUR 150- EUR 250
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Health Insurance- EUR 100- EUR 250
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Utilities- EUR 150 – EUR 300
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Personal Expenses- EUR 50 – EUR 200
Cost of Studying in Germany for Indian Students
International students' cost of studying in Germany might vary based on factors like the university, course, course level, duration, etc. The approximate cost of studying in Germany for international students based on the type of university is listed,
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The approximate cost of studying in public universities in Germany is EUR 300-500 per semester
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The approximate cost of studying in private universities in Germany is 12,000- 15,000 euros per year.
The approximate cost of studying in Germany for international students based on the popular courses is listed,
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Bachelor of Science- 80,000 INR
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Bachelor of Technology- 1.5 Lakhs
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Master of Arts- 1 lakh
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Master of Business Administration- 13.15 lakh
German Students Visa Application Process for Study Abroad Programs
Students aspiring to pursue higher education in Germany must apply for a German student visa. Some of the most common steps to apply for a German student visa are,
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Opening of a Blocked bank account
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Keep all necessary documents handy for visa application
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Fill out the student visa application form
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Take biometric visa photographs
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Make an appointment for a visa interview at the German Consulate/Embassy
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Obtain a Demand Draft for the German study visa fee
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Submit the visa application and appear for the visa interview
Study Abroad Scholarships in Germany for International Students
Some of the most popular scholarships for students studying in Germany are listed,
Scholarship |
Scholarship Coverage |
Eligible Degree |
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarship |
Monthly stipend of €774 with a study fee of €300 |
Undergraduate, Graduate, and Ph.D. studies |
Heinrich Boll Scholarships for International Students |
€850 Monthly stipend for graduate students €1200 Monthly stipend for Ph.D. students |
Graduate programs and Ph.D. degrees |
Konrad-Adenauer-Stifung Scholarship |
€861 per month for a master’s degree €1,200 per month for Ph.D. |
Master’s program and Ph.D. |
Erasmus Scholarship Programs in Germany |
Full tuition and traveling coverage |
Master’s degree |
Bayer Foundation Scholarship |
Up to 10,000 $ in funding |
Master’s programs and Ph.D. |
Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) For Developing Countries |
Up to 15,000 in funding |
Ph.D. degree |
Mawista Scholarship |
One-time payment of 3,000 $ |
Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. programs |
Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarships for International Students |
Living fee coverage |
Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. programs |
Top Government Scholarships in Germany for International Students
Deutschlandstipendium Program (DAAD Scholarship) |
€300 monthly allowance |
Undergraduate programs and graduate programs |
DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Masters Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance |
Full tuition fee coverage 931 € monthly allowance |
Master’s Degree |
DAAD Scholarships in Germany for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses |
Full tuition fee coverage 861 € monthly allowances for graduate degree students 1200€ monthly allowance for doctoral students |
Master’s programs and Ph.D. |
Top University Scholarships in Germany
TUM- Scholarships for International Students |
€500 – €1,500 per semester |
Undergraduate programs and graduate programs |
Amirana Scholarship |
Full tuition fee with education funds |
Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. programs |
RWTH International Academy- HiPS Grant |
50% tuition fee |
Graduate programs |
SIST LMU Study Scholarship |
€650 per month |
Ph.D. degree |
Ulm University Scholarships |
The amount depends on the student's situation and scholarship type |
Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. programs |
Hans-Peter Wild Talent Scholarships at Heidelberg University |
€1,000 per month |
Bachelor’s degree |
Goethe University Graduation Scholarship |
€500 per month for a maximum of 6 months |
Bachelor’s and Master’s degree |
Degree Completion Grant at Leibniz University Hannover |
Monthly stipend based on the student's situation |
Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. programs |
Corona Special Grant at Ruhr-University Bochum |
€400 per month for four months |
Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. programs |
University of Erlangen-Nuremberg Scholarship |
The amount depends on the student's situation |
Master’s programs |
University of Hamburg Merit Scholarship |
€850 – €1,000 per month |
Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. programs |
Job Prospects for International Students after Higher Education in Germany
After completing any graduation program, there are options for part-time jobs for students in Germany. Graduates can extend their residence permit for up to twelve months while searching for a job. Apart from this, Germany has a robust economy with several options for top multinational companies and start-ups. It includes BMW, SAP, and SIEMENS, offering plenty of opportunities to graduates.
The scope of employment rests on the stable economic condition and the chance of research and development in Germany. Fields like information technology, healthcare, engineering, finance, and renewable energy have promising job opportunities. Graduates in these programs can get high-paying jobs and have a chance to excel in their fields. Some of the significant high-paying job domains in Germany after higher education with approximate salary are,
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Insurance- 50 lakhs
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Telecom- 4o lakhs
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Transport- 51 lakhs
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Utilities- 56 lakhs
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Legal- 58 lakhs
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Aerospace engineering- 51 lakhs
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Business analyst- 46 lakhs
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Civil engineer- 37 lakhs
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IT manager- 65 lakhs
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Mechanical engineer- 44 lakhs
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Project manager- 57 lakhs
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Architect- 31 lakhs
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Graphic designer- 29 lakhs
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Engineering- 45 lakhs
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Medicine- 88 lakhs
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IT- 49 lakhs
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Consulting- 47 lakhs
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Banking & Finance- 40 lakhs