What is the cost to study in Germany?

Germany comes on the list of one of the most sought-after countries when one plans to study abroad. It is counted amongst the five most popular study destinations in the world. World-class education with almost no tuition fees is possible here only. The cost of studying in Germany is less expensive compared to other European countries. With its focus on imparting quality education and tuition fee abolishment rules, Germany is one of the most preferred destinations for international students. The cost to study in Germany is very negligible compared to other countries and that makes it the perfect choice for international students.

Germany has the world’s leading universities: applied sciences universities; technical film, music and art colleges. Most of the universities here are public universities; so low-cost study in Germany becomes viable. Around 387K foreign students are enrolled in various universities and colleges of Germany, of these 13% are Indian students. All these factors popularly make Germany the “Mecca of Education”.

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An interesting fact about the cost of study in Germany 

Higher education in Germany is funded mostly by the German states. More than 400 institutions are offering education to international students. Out of them, some are public universities and are tuition-free. More than 2.5 million students are enrolled in these universities. Private institutions have less than 5% of the total enrollment.

Public universities offering free education have a few courses taught in English medium and they require B1 level German language proficiency and a good GRE score. Hence, the University of Applied Sciences is mostly preferred by International students who are looking for high-quality education without the need of learning the German language. 

Why study in Germany?

Studying in Germany is affordable for almost all international courses. Germany’s education cost is favorable for Indian students as well. Here are a few reasons that make Germany one of the popular choices to study abroad – 

1) High-quality education, infrastructure and staff

As most of the German public universities belong to the Middle Ages, hence, they follow the tradition of quality education. Even newer institutions follow the same legacy and the course curriculum is in line with contemporary international standards. Modern infrastructure, veteran professors, and trained staff bring valuable and quality experience to the learners.

 2) Internationally recognized degrees 

Operating under the Bologna reform, German universities ensure that students get internationally recognized degrees for all the courses from undergraduate to doctoral and even beyond. More than 14,500 Bachelors and Masters Degree program options are available here. Semester system is followed for most of the courses – 

a) Bachelors in Arts or Science – 6 semesters

b) Masters in Arts or Science – 2-4 semesters

c) Ph.D. – 4-6 semesters

 3) Affordable cost of study in Germany 

Out of 16 states in Germany, 11 states do not charge any tuition fees. Other states charge a maximum of 500 euros for a year. Along with it, the German government also runs multiple financial support programs for international students. 

 4) English as the first language 

International students do not have to face a language barrier here. Most of the universities do not impose the need for German proficiency on international students. Unless a student gets enrolled in a German language required course, English remains the first language.

5) Immense job opportunities 

Being a developed nation, Germany offers immense job opportunities to international students. With a work permit, students can work up to 180 full days or 220 half days per year. With the right qualification and skills, students can have multiple lucrative job offers. International students can stay here for one year after completion of their courses for job purposes.

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Average Tuition Fees in Germany

You will be surprised to know that it is almost zero if you are lucky enough to find a seat in any public university. Yes, the German free tuition system is prevalent here. In 2014, a government plan was introduced which had abolished tuition fees for all students enrolled in public universities and the same is applicable for international students as well. Nearly zero tuition fee is the main reason for around 380K overseas students choosing Germany as their destination country for higher education. Even a few states like Bremen, Saarland, Saxony, Lower Saxony, Thuringia, or Saxony-Anhalt which are not part of this abolishment drive, charge less fee for their university courses.    

However, you would be required to pay the semester contribution fee that is charged for the student union, public transport and administrative costs. But all these are kept minimum, approx. 300 Euro per semester. If you are getting enrolled in a private university then it will cost you around 30,000 Euro per year. General arts and science courses will cost less while MBA and engineering courses are charged higher. 

Top private universities in Germany and their fees

Private universities in Germany are free to decide their tuition fees based on the courses available and fees for professional courses are high. The average cost of study in Germany for an MBA degree at a private B school goes around 30,000 euros per year. Still, it is affordable when compared to other European countries. If a student meets a set of criteria as mentioned by some private universities then they get an additional discount on tuition fees. Reduced fees are offered to the students belonging to low-income groups. Fees are reviewed and revised for each academic session. 

Below is a list of some popular private universities in Germany and their average tuition fees yearly –

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Public universities in Germany and their fees

Most of the public universities in Germany are tuition-free, which means all the students whether domestic or international, do not have to pay tuition fees. Some of the most popular universities with no tuition fees are listed below –

1) University of Stuttgart

2) University of Mannheim 

3) University of Bremen 

4) University of Cologne 

5) University of Hamburg

Tuition fees at top-ranked universities in Germany

Read More: Requirements to study in Germany for Indian students

Course wise cost of study in Germany 

Normal courses for Bachelor or Masters degrees are quite affordable even at private universities. Professional courses like the cost of an MBA in Germany, the cost of MS in Germany or medical degrees are expensive. It also depends upon the university in which a student is getting enrolled. 

Study cost in Germany for Indian students is affordable as most of the public universities charge administration fees only. Tuition fees at private universities are higher. Below is a brief idea of the cost of study in Germany – 

Cost of MBA in Germany for Indian Students 

Pursuing an MBA in Germany is cheaper than in other European countries. State-funded universities have no tuition fees at all. Candidates have to pay administrative fees only at the beginning of the semester. A full-time MBA study program takes between 12 to 24 months. Half-time MBA study programs are also available in which students can work with an organization while studying. They can study in the evening or on weekends. The duration of these courses is higher than the full-time study programs. 

Here is a brief idea of the cost of an MBA in Germany for Indian students at some popular business schools – 

Read More: Career Opportunities in Germany

Cost of MS in Germany for Indian Students 

Germany includes globally ranked universities for Masters in Science, that are valued across the world for the top-class quality education and an MS degree at an affordable cost. The cost of doing MS in Germany is cheaper than in any other European coTuntry. he country’s reputed universities have top faculty members, state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities, top research curriculum, various funding options, diverse communities, and accommodation with inviting hospitality.

Master of science courses in Germany

1) Masters of Computing

2) MS in Information Technology

3) MS Information Technology

4) MS in Civil & Structural Engineering

5) MS in Computer Science

6) MS in Computer Science

7) MS in Mechanical Engineering

8) MS in Mechanical Engineering

Here are some of the top universities that offer Masters in Science degrees in Germany:

Are you still confused about the fees structure and courses in Germany? Fret not, as we are here to solve all your doubts on affordability to study in Germany. upGrad has launched ‘upGrad Abroad’ program and with this, you can get a globally recognized degree from top German universities to kick start your career. Our programs allow students to study online for the first year and then we will help them move to on-campus studies in Germany. As the first year of the degree can be pursued online, it will save a lot of money of the aspirant.

Read More: Study in Germany without IELTS

Average Cost of living in Germany

Don’t worry! It is understood that traveling to a foreign country is a big step so here is some breakdown of how much it costs for students to live in Germany. Luckily, Germany is affordable! Living cost in Germany for international students is around 850 euros a month. The costs of food, housing, clothing, and cultural activities can be easily afforded by international students. 

Average rent in Germany for students

 The average rent for accommodation varies from one city to another. Some of the cities like Frankfurt, Berlin, and Cologne are cheaper while Munich and Hamburg may be slightly on the costlier side. Here’s taking a look at the average rentals that are easily available. It completely depends upon the size of the apartment and the number of bedrooms you choose. 

Here are some of the cities with a minimal accommodation cost. 

Food cost in Germany

Transportation Cost

The cost of transportation in Germany is arguably cheaper than the cost of running a car. Single bus, metro trips and tram usually cost something between €1 to €2. There were monthly cards for travelers that only cost around €80 to €90. Bus and subway expenses are affordable. A college student ID also gives you easy access to many offers for transportation throughout Germany. 

Some basic expenses 

Conclusion

Germany has more than 400 universities where students can pursue masters and Ph.D. programs to receive a recognized degree. The universities have world-class staff and facilities with hundreds of courses to choose from. And not only Germany is home to some of the best universities in the world – you can study there for free. It is luckily an interesting country to explore with a profound history. There are endless career opportunities in Germany once you graduate. The living cost in Germany is very affordable and gives endless opportunities to enroll in part-time jobs to sustain a living. For the international students, EUR 588-799 every month will be sufficient. 

Do you know the best part? International students do not need to know the German language to communicate or study, as English is the medium of communication and instruction in universities and colleges. Wherever you study in Germany, it is very important to be aware of the living costs and associated study fees before you apply. Do your homework and take adequate time to think and involve yourself in perfect planning because you will be new to the place. 

Read More: Germany – A dream destination to study abroad

Cost of Study in Germany – FAQs

Q1. What is the total cost of living for international students in Germany?

On average, international students will have to spend EUR 588-799 every month on the cost of living in Germany. Luckily, Germany is affordable in terms of accommodation, food, insurance, and transport.

Q2. Which are the free universities in Germany?

Germany is a notable destination to pursue higher education. To abolish illiteracy, it has some notable free universities for aspiring and brilliant international students. For reference, some of them are the Humboldt University of Berlin, Technical University of Munich, Ludwig Maximilians University, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, University of Hamburg, Heidelberg University, Free University of Berlin and the Technical University of Berlin.

Q3. Can you do a part-time job in Germany while studying?

Every year a good percentage of students travel to Germany to take up higher education. To accommodate and pay for the cost of living, there are part-time job opportunities for international students. A student can earn up to 450 EUR/month without the need to pay taxes. The best-paying ones are research assistants at the university, office assistants, language tutors, babysitting, and call center assistants.

Q4. Which are the best cities to study in Germany?

Studying in Germany is a wonderful experience for international students. Some of the best cities are Munich, Berlin, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Dresden, Aachen, Bonn, Hamburg and Cologne.

Q5. What is the IELTS score requirement required by the top universities in Germany?

German universities now offer graduation and master programs in two categories--- German or English. In fact, there are some universities that allow admissions with taking any English language proficiency test. Some universities may demand a Language of Instruction Certificate from your bachelor’s degree college. Some universities need an IELTS score as below - ● Ludwig Maximilians University Munich needs - 5.5 ● University of Heidelberg- 6.5 ● Humboldt University of Berlin- 6.5 ● University of Freiburg- 6