I’m currently deciding between two Master’s programs in Germany, and since my main goal is landing a strong working student/full-time tech job in Germany as quickly as possible, I would really appreciate honest opinions from people who know the German job market.

Option 1 — Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences

M.Sc. High Integrity Systems

• Public university
• No tuition fees
• Located in Frankfurt (huge advantage?)
• Strong focus on software systems, security, embedded/reliable systems
• Big international city with more IT companies, fintech, cloud, consulting, startups, etc.

Option 2 — Hof University of Applied Sciences

M.Eng. Software Engineering for Industrial Applications

• Tuition fees: around €3,300 per semester
• Includes a mandatory 1-year paid internship during the 3rd and 4th semesters
• Very practice-oriented and industry-focused
• Smaller city in Bavaria
• Strong industry integration and company collaboration

From what I found, Hof’s program seems heavily focused on practical exposure and internships with companies like SAP, Siemens, Continental, IBM, etc.
The university also emphasizes career support, networking events, and mandatory German language learning.

However, I’m worried about:

• Hof being a very small town
• Fewer working student opportunities during studies
• Limited networking compared to Frankfurt
• Whether paying ~€13k total tuition is worth it

At the same time, the mandatory internship sounds extremely valuable because many people say German experience is what matters most.

For Frankfurt UAS:

• I feel the location advantage could be huge for networking and jobs
• Frankfurt seems much stronger for English-speaking tech opportunities
• But there’s no guaranteed internship built into the degree

So my main question is:

Which option is actually better if the ONLY priority is getting into the German tech job market quickly?

Would you choose:

• Frankfurt UAS because of the city/location/networking? OR
• Hof because the mandatory internship creates a direct industry entry path?

Also, how is Hof viewed by employers in Germany, especially in software engineering?

I’d especially appreciate opinions from:

• International students
• People already working in Germany
• Hof alumni
• Frankfurt UAS students
• Recruiters/hiring managers

Thanks a lot!

I’m currently living in Norway on a job seeker residence permit, which expires on 31 August 2026. I recently received admission to the Master’s program in High Integrity Systems at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences for Winter Semester 2026/27, and my classes start in October.
I applied for a German student visa through the German Embassy in Oslo because I am legally residing in Norway at the moment. However, the embassy informed me that visa processing will only begin around mid-August since the semester starts in October. They also mentioned that the visa validity can only begin around 2 weeks before the semester starts.
The problem is:
My Norwegian permit expires on 31 August

I cannot extend it further in Norway

I plan to return to Bangladesh after my permit expires and wait there before flying to Germany

But German student visa waiting times in Bangladesh are extremely long (sometimes years)

I already explained to the embassy that I fully respect Norwegian immigration laws and do not intend to overstay in Norway. My goal is simply to complete the German visa process legally from Oslo since I am currently residing here lawfully.
Has anyone faced a similar situation?
Is it possible for the German Embassy in Oslo to continue processing my visa even if I leave Norway before the final decision?

Has anyone received a German student visa from a country where they previously held a residence permit but later left?

Any advice on how to properly explain this situation to the embassy?

I would really appreciate any experiences or suggestions. This master’s opportunity is very important for my career in software engineering and secure systems, and I’m trying to handle everything legally and correctly.