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 excellent opportunities to study and 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 thousands of international students.
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, 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’s and Masters’s degree programs are available in Germany. The 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 education 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 enrolls in the German language required course, English remains the first language.
5) Immense job opportunities
Being a developed nation, Germany offers excellent job opportunities to international students. Students can have multiple lucrative job offers with the right qualifications and skills. International students can stay for one year after completing their courses for job purposes.
There are two types of universities in Germany based on funding.
Public Universities
As the name suggests, public universities receive 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
University
Semester wise tuition fee
University of Stuttgart
€ 1500
University of Mannheim
€ 1500
University of Bremen
no tuition fee
University of Cologne
€ 933
University of Hamburg
€ 335
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
University
QS World University Ranking 2022
Semester-wise tuition fee
Technical University of Munich
50
90 to 138 €
Heidelberg University
63
30,706 to 31,948 €
Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich
64
100 to 200 €
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
68
1100 to 1200 €
Freie Universität Berlin
127
3,800 €
Humboldt University Berlin
128
315 €
University of Tübingen
177
No tuition fee
RWTH Aachen University
165
No tuition fee
University of Freiburg
172
1661 €
University of Bonn
226
No tuition fee
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 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 lower 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 Euros per semester. If you are getting enrolled in a private university, then it will cost you around 30,000 Euros per year. General arts and science courses will cost less, while MBA and engineering courses are expensive.
Normal courses for Bachelor’s or Masters’s degrees are quite affordable, even at private universities. The cost of an MBA in Germany, the cost of MS in Germany, cost of the medical degrees or other professional courses can be on the higher side. It also depends upon the university in which a student is getting enrolled.
Below is a brief idea of the cost of study in Germany –
Course
Fees
Vocational or Diploma courses
€300 per year or INR 26,500 per year
Bachelors Courses
€300 per year or INR 26,500 per year
Masters Course
€300 per year or INR 26,500 per year
MS
€300 to €28,000 per year or INR 26,500 to 25 lacs per year
PhD
€300 to €3000 per year or INR 26,500 to 2,65,000 per year
Cost of MBA in Germany for Indian Students
Pursuing an MBA degree 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 –
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, a 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:
The cost of living covers 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
Category
Costs
Accommodation costs
On-campus accommodation – 250 € /month
Off-campus accommodation – 365 to 390 €/ month
Utility costs
100 to 200 €/ month
Food expenses
170 €/ month
Transportation costs
25 to 200 €/ month
Average Rent in Germany for students
The average rent for accommodation varies from one city to another. Some 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 and the number of bedrooms in the apartment.
Here are some of the cities with minimal accommodation costs.
City
Cost
Berlin
€739
Munich
€1, 030
Frankfurt Am Main
€900
Cologne
€800
Hamburg
€900
Food Cost in Germany
Food Item
Cost
White Bread
€1.27-1.43
Milk (1 litre)
€0.71-0.84
Rice (1 Kg-White)
€1.79-2.15
Tomato (1 Kg)
€2.61-2.82
Eggs (12)
€1.61-1.78
Potato (1 Kg)
€1-1.32
Transportation Cost
The cost of public 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. Monthly cards are also available to the travelers at the cost around €80 to €90. Bus and subway expenses are also affordable. A college student ID also gives you easy access to many offers on transportation throughout Germany.
Some basic expenses
Expenses
Cost
Gas, electricity
€10 to €20 per month
Phone and Internet
€15 to €30 per month
Public transport
€30 to €60 per month
Car maintenance
€150 to €260 per month
Entertainment
€80 to €150 per month
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
€ 30.46
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
€ 19.61
German Student Visa Cost
The German student visa is essentially a long-term stay visa (90+ days) or the D visa. The application fee for an adult D visa 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, 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 for opening the account. For example, 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 who are admitted to a degree course in a recognized German institution can get 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 they 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.
Winter: This is the primary intake in Germany which is widely preferred by international students. It starts in September and ends in July
Mid-July
Summer: The summer intake is the second intake in Germany. Students who miss applying in the winter intake can go for this one. However, there are few courses available at the universities for this intake. It starts in April and ends in August
Mid-January
Eligibility for Admission into German Universities
Although some German universities offer English-taught courses, the dominant mode of instruction in the German universities 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 languages are given in the table below
English language proficiency test ,
German language proficiency test
IELTS Academic
TOEFL iBT
PTE Academic
DSH- Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang
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 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:
Category
Job roles
On-campus
Library supervisor
Research assistant
Peer tutor
Tutorial assistant
Off-campus
Babysitter
Waiter
Bartender
Cashier
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
Degree
Stipend amount
Postgraduate
850 €
Doctoral or Ph.D.
1,100 €
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
Requirements
German/Foreign students (schooled in Germany)
Non-EU nationals (not schooled in Germany)
Degree needed to get the scholarship
Bachelor’s, Diploma
Master’s degree (work experience proof is a must)
German proficiency proof
N/A
B2 level or DSH 2 certificate required
For Doctoral Students
Requirements
German/Foreign students (schooled in Germany)
Non-EU nationals (not schooled in Germany)
Doctoral study admission proof
Proof that you are enrolled for a doctoral study at a state or state-approved university must be submitted with the application
Proof that you are enrolled for a doctoral study at a state or state-approved university must be submitted with the application
German proficiency proof
N/A
B2 level or DSH 2 certificate required.
Stipend amount
Degree
Category
Stipend
Masters
Non- EU nationals
850€ per month
Ph.D.
Non- EU nationals
1,200€ per month
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 completed 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.
Degree
Stipend amount
Postgraduate
850€ per month
Doctoral
1,200€ per month
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.
Willing 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€
Conclusion
In 2024, the cost of studying in Germany for international students remains an attractive proposition, largely due to the country's policy of offering low to no tuition fees at public universities. This approach makes Germany one of the most cost-effective higher education destinations in Europe. However, students should budget for other living expenses, such as accommodation, health insurance, food, transportation, and study materials. Cities like Munich and Frankfurt might have higher living costs compared to smaller towns, but overall, Germany offers a reasonable cost of living in comparison to other Western European countries. Additionally, with opportunities for part-time work and numerous scholarships available, students can further offset their living expenses. The combination of high-quality education, relatively low costs, and a strong focus on research and innovation continues to make Germany a highly desirable destination for students worldwide in 2024.
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. 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 know the living costs and associated study fees before applying. Do your homework, 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 studiesexperts for any queries and further assistance regarding studying abroad.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
How much does it cost to study in Germany for Indian students?
The cost of studying public universities/colleges in Germany is almost free. However, the private universities in Germany are quite costly. Depending on the course, the fees can range from €10,000 to €30,000. Courses in certain fields like medical science are even costlier.
Is Germany expensive?
Germany is considered less expensive than most other European countries and countries like the USA and the UK. However, it is a bit more expensive than in India. The cost is mainly influenced by the rent, which varies across cities in Germany.
What is a blocked account in Germany?
The blocked account is used to deposit the money required as proof of financial resources for living in Germany. It is necessary for getting a German visa. The blocked money amounts to €10,332 (Rs 9 Lakhs) for a year and is used to meet the costs of living in Germany.
An aspiring writer making the most out of every opportunity and growing from challenges on the way. Yashita is a mass communication graduate who has tried her hands on freelancing, worked as a creative content writer and has now stepped into the corporate