While affordability is by no means the sole factor attracting international students to Germany, low or non-existent tuition fees undoubtedly add to the overall appeal
While affordability is by no means the sole factor attracting international students to Germany, low or non-existent tuition fees undoubtedly add to the overall appeal. At public universities in most of the country, there are no tuition fees for undergraduate programmes or for the majority of postgraduate degrees. Fees are charged at private universities, and for some master’s programmes at public universities. PhD study is free for at least the first six semesters (i.e. three years).
Tuition fees for non-EU international students were reintroduced in the south-west state of Baden-Württemberg in August 2017. These fees currently stand €1,500 (£1,286) a semester. Refugees and PhD students are exempt.
Elsewhere in the country, the majority of students at public universities simply pay a small ‘semester fee’. This is typically no more than €350 (~$300) per semester, covering contributions to the student union, administration and the cost of a Semester Ticket – a six-month pass for public transport.
Living costs vary depending on the location; you can use the QS Best Student Cities ranking to see how different cities compare for affordability. In general, it’s recommended to budget around €850 (~$730) per month to cover accommodation, food and other living expenses, which works out at €10,200 (~$8,645) a year. Those applying for a student visa will be required to show they have access to at least €725 per month (€8,700 for the full year) to cover living costs.
Study-in.de estimates the following monthly expenses for students, adding up to just over €800:
Once in Germany, it’s also possible to supplement your income through part-time work.
EU/EEA students can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week, while other international students are permitted to work 120 full days or 240 half days per year (more if a work permit is obtained), excluding research assistant work.
Despite the minimal tuition fees, it is possible to obtain scholarships to study in Germany. The DAAD provides many scholarships for international students, and lists other opportunities in an online database, which can be sorted by students’ subject and country of origin. Individual university websites are also a good source of information about available scholarships.
Sources of funding for PhD candidates include scholarships, prizes, research grants and paid positions within universities, research centers and industry. Notable funding providers include the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Leibniz Association and the EU’s Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorates program. Current opportunities are listed on the government-run website www.research-in-germany.org.