Cost of Studying in Germany – Fees, Living Cost & More

If we talk about the best study destinations across the globe, Germany would certainly top the list. Over the years, the country has established itself as a hub for international students, offering unique opportunities to study and get exposure to a diverse culture. 

The majority of German universities have earned a high place in the international rankings. The globally recognized study programs, part-time job opportunities, affordable tuition fees, and living costs draw a big chunk of international students. To start with, let’s know about the university types in Germany. 

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Reasons for Studying in Germany

Studying in Germany is affordable for almost all international courses. Germany’s education cost is favourable 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 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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Types of Universities in Germany 

There are two types of universities in Germany on the basis of funding. 

Public Universities

As the name suggests, public universities receive their funding from the state government. Therefore, they are comparatively less expensive than private universities. Public universities have negligible tuition fees for students. Some of these are given in the table below 

Private Universities

As opposed to public universities, private universities receive their funding from private institutions. Some prominent private universities in Germany are;

• Berlin School of Business and Innovation
• Jacobs University Bremen
• Cologne Business School
• EU Munich Business School
• International School of Management (ISM)

Top Universities in Germany

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 fees 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. 

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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 at 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 Country. The 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:

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Cost of Living in Germany 

The cost of living covers the accommodation costs, utilities, transportation, and food expenses. Though the cost of living in Germany depends on the city you want to live in, the average costs for each category are mentioned in the table below 

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 

German Student Visa Cost 

The German student visa is essentially the long-term stay visa (90+ days) or the D visa. The application fee for the D visa for adults is 75 EUR or INR 6,521. The visa fees should be paid at the end of the visa appointment. It is also important to note that it is a non-refundable fee, which means the amount will not be refunded even if the visa application gets rejected.

Block Account Cost

The blocked account is used to deposit the money required as proof of financial resources for living in Germany. The German blocked account amount is deposited while applying for a student visa to Germany. The blocked money amounts to €10,332 (Rs 9 Lakhs) for a year. The amount is used to manage living expenses apart from the costs of studying in Germany, like tuition fees, etc. Banks may charge an additional amount of money for opening the account. For example, the Deutsche Bank charges around €150 to create a blocked account.

Costs of Health Insurance in Germany for International Students

The cost of health insurance for Indian students in Germany adds to their overall living expenditure. So, students under 30 years and admitted to a degree course in a recognized German institution can go for special student discounts for public health insurance. Students under 23 years can pay €105.05 and those over 23 years can pay €106.93. It covers both public healthcare and nursing care.

International students aged over 30 years can go for either public or private health insurance. It is possible to find private plans costing below the public healthcare premiums, and it can cost as low as €40 monthly.

However, it is ideal for students who have already found jobs to select public health insurance. It is paid in the form of social security contributions of around 14.6% of the gross salary. The overall amount is equally shared between the employer and employee and is capped at 360 EUR a month. Germany’s top public health insurance providers are TK, Barmer, KKH, and AOK.

Important Resources to Read About Germany:

Intakes in Germany 

There are two intakes in Germany 

Eligibility for Admission into German Universities 

Although there are some German universities that offer English-taught courses, the dominant mode of instruction of the universities in Germany, is the German language. Therefore, applicants applying for admission into German-taught universities are required to prove their German language proficiency. On the other hand, applicants applying to English-taught German universities must prove their English language proficiency. The proficiency tests required for both the languages are given in the table below 

Financing Your Education in Germany

Although there are several ways of supporting your education in Germany, the most relevant of them are discussed below 

1. Part-time jobs:

To earn extra pocket money while studying in Germany, you can take up several part-time jobs which you can find on-campus and off-campus. The job roles in each category are mentioned below:

The wages for part-time jobs in Germany start from €467 per month. 

2. Scholarships 

a) Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships

Students who have maintained an excellent academic record and have a keen interest in politics may apply for the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship. The purpose of this scholarship is to attract graduate students from all over the world to Germany. 

Eligibility

• The students should hold a bachelor’s degree. 
• Applicants should not exceed the age limit of 30 years.
• Must have German language proficiency at B2 level. 
• Any volunteer work done is an added advantage.

Stipend amount

b) Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships

Heinrich Böll Foundation awards 1,200 annual scholarships to undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students enrolling in any course at a German university annually. However,  it is imperative that aspirants must pursue their degrees at a state-recognized university in Germany. 

Eligibility

• Excellent academic performance
• Demonstrate a keen interest in politics,  democracy, sustainability, and human rights

For Undergraduate and Graduate Students

For Doctoral Students

c) DAAD Scholarship Programs

DAAD or German Academic Exchange Service scholarship is a joint organization of Germany’s higher education institutions, responsible for promoting international academic relations. International students enrolling in full-time study programs in Germany are eligible for this scholarship.  

Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree done in the last six years 
• Two years of proven work experience 

Stipend amount 

The scholarship program provides monthly allowances to students every month that covers their living and travel expenses. 

d) Erasmus+ Scholarship Programs

Erasmus+ Scholarship Programs offer an opportunity to international students who are already studying in a university in their home country, for studying more than two semesters at a German university. The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial support to students interested in studying in Germany. 

Eligibility Criteria 

• Students are currently studying at a home university that is a member of the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education.
• Seek to study in a German university which is also a member of the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education,
• Want to become a subject of student exchange under a mutual agreement of both universities (sending and German hosting university) for specific mobility action.
• English language proficiency test scores 

Stipend amount-

49,000€

Study in Germany with upGrad Abroad

With upGrad Abroad, you can study programs such as International Management and Computer Science at renowned German universities The advantage of choosing upGrad Abroad as your study partner includes getting an  IELTS waiver. You also get the flexibility to start your study program online for a specific duration and then switch to on-campus study. Apart from that, you would be eligible for a post-study work permit.

Conclusion

Germany has more than 400 universities where students can pursue masters and PhD 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 enrol 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. 

You can also talk to our overseas studies experts for any queries and further assistance regarding studying abroad.

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Frequently Asked Questions

More Resources to Read About Germany: