Recently I applied for masters in germany for a total of 10+ universities, and get rejected by each and every one of them. I believe that my low grades (2nd class lower, equivalent to a C grade) are the primary reasons why noone would take me. I feel so sad as I spend so much time and effort in doing additional test, the GRE and also the IELTS (both of which has good scores (GRE- 314, IELTS 7.5), in addition to my 5 year working experience in a manufacturing industry, (though not a MNC).

At one point, I feel like killing myself. Luckily the feeling pass away quickly. I just don't know what I should do. I can continue working, and hopefully change jobs to a more meaningful one, but at this point, I just want to improve my knowledge skills in a german university, and also gain some networking opportunities, and I can't see myself doing that changing jobs.

I sincerely asked that people who are in a similar experience or knows someone like me to please give me some guidance.

I'm doing engineering, and would like to explore my options in the technical fields, such as mechatronics, electronics, or even computer science. If there is no way, I guess I can do management with engineering masters. My background is Mechatronic Engineering.

Have you tried applying in local unis?
German universities look at grades as a serious requirement. They don't know you, can't verify your work experience and your university syllabus so they're left with looking at your results. If even your results don't qualify, they wont bother considering the rest.

I have not.. Sorry for being ignorant about it, but do you think I could qualify for masters in local unis? And will the cost be affordable?

If it's masters, local universities aren't so stringent on grading, but with second lower getting a scholarship would be tough. I would reckon you to approach a supervisor personally before registering; perhaps as an RA to familiarize with the research before pursuing your masters.

After your masters, perhaps you may want to pursue ur PhD somewhere else. Masters gets you familiarize with research-based stepping stone, PhD is where things start. Of course try to get more publications, it would benefit your applications overseas. Don't be discouraged by your grades, you can always compensate them with more publications or patents. A friend of mine with, 2nd lower completed his masters, and currently applying for PhD in SG. Not sure would he be accepted, but his supervisor literally loves him a lot - he is an RA now.

If I am not mistaken GRE and IELSE are general test to filter the students. In most cases, even with bad scores you may be admitted, but not vice versa.

I also in the midst of applying for PhD, hope that I could secure one. But, things kina far-fetched now - I may have screwed up my application.

Local unis will consider you Malaysian working experience. I can't confirm this but from my personal experience, it matters. They might relax the requirement if they know the company you're working in offers a challenging environment or the university you got your degree from is a good malaysian uni.

are you interested in coursework based or research based? as far as I know, research based is not that strict for local unis.

maybe you could try msc in local uni through research mode as a start. once you have obtained msc, i believe you can have an easier pathway for overseas uni to do your phd.

Hey Don't be discourage, I've just finished my masters degree last month! and you know what? I'm in mechanical Engineering! try applying for the local universities like UTHM (where I'm from) in my opinion (just my opinion) it doesn't matter if its by coursework/research/mixmode its more of a how the difficulty were distributed. and since you're mechatronic graduate, you could apply for mechanical engineering masters like what few of my friend did (and they are going to graduate next semester!) i know its a bit grueling that makes you worries a lot due to your grades but don't fret! Just keep trying and show "life" that you can beat this challange and say fuck you to it! and good luck!

you can PM me if you would like and I'll help as much as I can I promise!

Currently looking for a job wish me luck!

hi bro, may i know your bachelors degree from which uni?

coz i also 2nd class lower, so i'm afraid they will reject also. my stats similar to yours also. including working exp

Undergrad grades matter a lot if you do not hv relevant working experience.

Being the playful type when I was young, I graduated with a degree in advertising with just under a C+ average.

I wouldn't hv qualified to pursue a master's degree in mktg comm if it weren't for my 20-year experience working in the advertising industry.