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The 16 states that make up Germany eliminated undergraduate tuition costs at all public German institutions in 2014. This indicates that both domestic and foreign undergraduates presently have access to free education at public institutions in Germany, with only a nominal fee per semester to cover administrative and other costs.
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However, this luck might not endure forever. Tuition fees for non-EU students were reinstated in the south-western state of Baden-Württemberg in the fall of 2017, and it’s probable that additional states will do the same in the years to come. In Baden-Württemberg, non-EU students are now required to pay tuition fees of €3,000 (about $3,500) year, while those pursuing a second degree pay a lower charge of €1,300 (roughly $1,600) annually.
Germany has previously been listed as the fourth most popular location in the world for international students, making studying there an appealing option for potential students for the time being (after the US, UK and Australia).
Living expenses in Germany
While many students can attend college for free in Germany, living expenditures are a must. Germany has a varied cost of living; Munich, for instance, is regarded as the most costly city in the country, with annual living expenses average over €12,000 (about US$13,900). In contrast, the cost of living in Germany is approximately €10,200 ($11,800).
Your main monthly expense will be rent, which is less expensive if you live in a shared apartment (average rent is €280/US$340/month) or a dorm for students (rent is €234/US$290/month).
Other typical monthly expenses include the following:
168 euros ($205) for food, 42 dollars ($52) for clothing, 94 dollars ($115) for transportation, 31 dollars ($38) for a phone, internet, and TV license, and twenty dollars ($25) for work/study supplies. $75 (or €61) for extracurricular activities.
Visa Costs
A student visa Costs around €60 (~US$74). You must provide evidence that you have, or have access to, about €8,700 (US$10,680) per year or €725 (US$890) per month to support your living expenses in order to meet the visa criteria.
In order to enroll in a German university, you must also have health insurance. This will cost you approximately €80 (US$97) a month.
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Studying in Germany as an undergraduate
Public German universities allow undergraduates to attend for free, although there is a fee per semester for administration, confirmation, and enrollment. This varies by university but is normally no more than €250 (about US$290) per semester.
Public universities predominate in Germany. Private institutions set their own tuition rates, which can range up to and beyond €20,000 per year (roughly US$24,400). They typically rely on tuition fees for funding (although some also receive support from foundations).
A “Semesterticket,” which covers transportation costs for six months, may incur an additional fee; the cost varies based on the Semesterticket option you select. You may also be subject to a long-term fee charge if your study time is more than four semesters; this amount might be as much as €500 (about US$540) every semester. Red more about the ‘semesterticket’ here
Postgraduate costs to study in Germany
If a master’s degree is considered “consecutive” at a German university, meaning it comes immediately after a relevant bachelor’s degree earned in Germany, it is typically free. A minor fee per semester is required for enrollment, confirmation, administration, as well as a Semester ticket.
For students who have earned their bachelor’s degree elsewhere in the world, tuition costs for “non-consecutive” master’s degrees vary between universities and can range from roughly €20,000 (US$24,400) to up to €30,000 (US$36,600) per year at private German universities.
All German institutions offer free tuition for the first six semesters of a PhD program, at least. PhD students must contribute a semester fee for administrative and other fees, which cannot exceed €250, much like students at other levels of study. Learn more about pursuing a PhD in Germany.
For instance, tuition for non-consecutive master’s degrees at Germany’s top university, the Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, ranges from €2,500 (US$3,050) each semester for a Master of Arts in American Studies to €5,000 (US$6,100) per semester for a Master of Medical Education (MME).
Even with the low fees, there are still a few Scholarship opportunities, you could eventually end up studying in Germany without paying anything.
The DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst), also known as the German Academic Exchange Service, aids German and foreign students in obtaining funds to live and study in Germany for free or at a reduced cost.
Academics, researchers, and students from Germany and abroad of all levels are all eligible to apply for DAAD scholarships to study in Germany. You can do a search based on keywords, study level, place of origin, and subject to locate pertinent scholarships to study in Germany.
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research, also known as the BMBF (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung), also maintains a website with information on scholarships for study in Germany. Check out the website here.