Cost of MS in Germany for Indian Students – Living Cost, Fees

Germany is one of the most popular destinations for studying abroad. It has the largest national economy in the world and offers ample employment opportunities for international aspirants. International students often show huge interest in pursuing MS courses in the country, mostly because of the research-based work prospects they offer. Other key reasons behind choosing Germany for MS courses are the globally ranked and reputed universities here, the quality of education that they provide, and the comparatively affordable cost of MS in Germany for Indian students.  The average cost may range between INR 2,76,700 and INR 9,34,800 annually and includes tuition charges, costs of living and other uncategorized expenditures. Expenses like visa processing, entrance test fees and other costs should also be considered. 

Read More: All about Germany study visa

Masters in Germany cost – An estimate

The Masters in Germany cost estimates are given below for a better understanding: 

1. IELTS/TOEFL (one-time)- INR 12,000-14,500

2. Airfare (one-time)- INR 26,700-36,300

3. Visa application charges- INR 4,786 (one-time)

4. Yearly health insurance- INR 40,756.95 

5. Application fees (one-time)- Up to INR 12,000 

6. Tuition fees (annual)- INR 24,288-INR 25 lakh 

7. Books and other material- Up to INR 1 lakh 

8. Accommodation (annual)- INR 33,000-7 lakh 

9. Food and beverages (annual)- INR 22,000-26,000

These are rough estimates, covering the minimum and maximum thresholds of Masters fees in Germany. 

Pre-Arrival Cost for Master’s in Germany

The costs mentioned above as master’s fees in Germany may be classified into two categories, namely accrued expense while present in India and those that apply when studying physically in Germany. The primary initial costs include registration charges for standardized tests including graduate assessment and language proficiency tests. 

On that note, here are some important aspects worth keeping in mind: 

1. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

This is a universally recognized English proficiency test with registration fees of roughly INR 14,500. Scores of the English language test are valid for two years and post expiration, those who have not obtained admission, will have to take it afresh. Registration should be done a minimum of 7 days prior to the examination date and results are sent over email. Costs linked to this test are also a part of the MS in Germany cost and include late registration fees of $40, rescheduling test charges of $60, and Additional score reports (per institution or agency) which cost $20 each. 

2. IELTS

The International English Language Testing System or IELTS fees is also included in the cost of doing MS in Germany. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is one of the most widely accepted language proficiency exams that test the candidate’s familiarity with the English language. It is designed to help individuals who wish to study, work or migrate to a country where English is the dominant language.

Conducted in different difficulty levels for students (IELTS Academic) and immigration (IELTS General) purposes, the exam evaluates the test taker’s speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills. 

Scheduled multiple times every year, IELTS is conducted in more than 50 test centers across India by IDP Education. Aspirants can register online for the test with a registration fee of ₹15,500 and the results remain valid for two years. 

3. GMAT

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is required not just for German institutions but all throughout Europe. GMAT registration charges are roughly INR 18,500 and aspirants may send the scorecard to 5 chosen universities. Subsequent test score dispatch requests will cost INR 800 per college. 

4. GRE

Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) have specific fees although it is not mandatory in most universities in Germany. Yet, if it is a requirement for any particular university, then aspirants have to take the same. The GRE score may be accepted by several universities in place of GMAT. GRE remains valid for a period of 5 years. The two tests are Subject and General. Registration charges for general tests are INR 14,600 while they are INR 10,600 for subject tests. 

Other accepted tests include Duolingo, PTE, CAEL, and others. The Duolingo test costs INR 3,700 while PTE costs INR 13,300 and CAEL costs INR 11,000. 

Read More: Study in Germany for free

Cost of  Living in Germany

When compared to other European countries, Germany has a low cost of living.

University Tuition Fees

Despite the fact that some German universities have reinstated tuition fees for international students, the bulk of them offer free higher education. As an international student in Germany, the only university payment that must be made is a semester contribution. A certain amount of money has to be paid to the institution for specific services such as bus transportation, administrative help, sports facilities, dining halls, and so on. 

Although tuition-free education in Germany relieves students of a significant financial load, there is still the cost of living to consider. Germany is not an expensive place to live as a student, but if they put in the effort to plan where they will live and keep track of their spending, they may save a lot of money. Overall, the total cost of living in Germany is determined by factors such as – where students live and what kind of lifestyle they lead. Rent, food, and clothing in industrialized cities are more expensive. In contrast, students might expect lower costs for several items and services in less-populated locations. Therefore, students may save a lot of money by choosing the right place to reside. 

Average Rent in Germany

Finding a decent house to rent is the first and most pressing problem for every student in Germany. The rent prices are the main expense they will have to bear. Labeling a city as an expensive location to live is done primarily for that reason.

Major cities, such as Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, and Frankfurt, are more expensive than smaller cities, such as Leipzig or Karlsruhe. Prices vary widely depending on where students want to live and what kind of conditions they want. If they want to rent a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, the monthly rent will be less than €700 (INR 58,000)

Below is the average monthly rent for one-bedroom apartments in the ten popular German cities:

Transportation Costs in Germany

Making an informed decision about the mode of transportation to use might save not just time but also money. Bicycling is the best way to get from one place to another, especially in congested cities during rush hours. Among the several modes of transportation, public transportation is unquestionably the most affordable. On average, a one-way ticket on local public transportation costs 2.00 €.

If a person is a frequent traveller on the same line, a monthly ticket, which costs on average 70€, can be purchased. The initial taxi fare is 3.50€, while the per-kilometre fare ranges from 1.55€ to 2.50€. Anyone who owns a car must know that gasoline prices range from 1.25€ to 1.49€.

Average Utilities and Bills Cost

Besides housing rent, there will be a need to cover monthly bills for heating, electricity, water, and garbage. In Germany, a person will have to pay 29.42 cents for a kilowatt-hour (CT/kWh). If living with roommates, of course, there will be sharing of these expenses. In some cases, these bills are included in the rent, so there is no need to pay extra for these utilities.

Food Cost in Germany

In Germany, the cost of basic foods and beverages is not too expensive. The average cost of some of these items is listed below:

Application and Other Costs

The Masters in Germany cost also includes cost of application, German study permit and evidence of financial resources for studying MS in the country. The application cost is not standardized. It will vary on the basis of several factors including the study level, study mode and institution. This fee may vary between approximately INR 1,854-7,416 or USD$25-100. Some German institutions have free application facilities for international students. 

Visa application fees or German study permits cost between INR 5,280-6,600 approximately. All applicants at universities in Germany should demonstrate their abilities to meet tuition and living costs for their selected program. They should have deposit confirmation of INR 9.07 lakh at a blocked account in a German bank. This blocked amount will be covering all costs of the program including the student’s monthly expenditure. The monthly costs are estimated at roughly INR 75,768 as of 2021, covering tuition/semester fees, household costs, utilities, rent, transport, clothing, entertainment, food, books, insurance, and other costs. 

Instantly after landing in Germany, students must get permanent accommodation. For the same, they will need to apply for a student residence permit in the country. The application cost varies between INR 4,928-8,800 for first-timers and INR 4,312-8,448 for extensions of student residence permits. 

Read More: Study in Germany without IELTS

Ways to Reduce the Cost of Doing MS in Germany

Public Universities

If budget is the obstacle, one can try making it to the public universities that offer MS courses with no or minimal fees.

Student Accommodation

Germany, as a student-friendly country, has made all provisions to ensure the safety of its students. There are numerous student housing options available at reasonable rates.

Internships/Part-Time work

For students, Germany has a plethora of paid internships and part-time jobs. Students will gain exposure and experience in addition to earning extra money.

Student Loan

Students can take care of the loan after the completion of their course as all overseas students studying in Germany are eligible for free 18-month job-search visas.

Personal Expenses

Some costs are inevitable, but students must master the skill of managing their personal expenses.

Masters’ Fees in Germany at leading universities

Cost of MS will naturally vary across leading universities in Germany. Here is a list of top universities and their approximate tuition fees in addition to expected living costs for students alongside:

Available Scholarships and their benefits

Here are some of the scholarships available for lowering your costs considerably: 

DAAD Scholarships

These scholarships come from the biggest organization for financial aid globally. DAAD also offers several programs for people in other countries. The DAAD helps students hailing from developing countries too. 

Deutschlandstipendium

This national educational program benefits more than 22,500 students courtesy of the German Federal Government. This initiative rewards meritorious students with 300 Euros each month. 

Friedrich Ebert Stiftung

This scholarship offers help for international and local students with good grades and awareness of civil and political responsibilities, along with involvement in social or political initiatives. Eligible students may get up to 1,000 Euros each month. 

Heinrich Boll Foundation

The Heinrich Boll Foundation offers multiple scholarships to international and German students at various academic levels, especially those planning to study STEM courses. 

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS)

This is for aspiring PhD or Master’s students in Germany and holds good for a year. 

Bayer Foundation

This scholarship offers financial aid to both professionals and students from other countries and Germany alike. 

Hamburg University of Applied Sciences

Scholarships are available up to 400 Euros each month for students in Master’s programs.

Leipzig Graduate School of Management

Scholarships are given to students enrolled in several MSc courses. 

Many other colleges and universities like RWTH Aachen, ESMT MBA and Ulm University have scholarship programs for international students. 

Top Part-Time Jobs Available for International Students

International students are treated equally as their domestic counterparts in the context of part-time work in the country. Those coming from the EU (European Union), Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein will have similar rights as local German students. They can work more than twenty hours each week while having eligibility for specific insurance contributions like German citizens. 

Students from other countries can work for 120 full days (max) in a year or 240 half days annually. Freelancing or self-employment is not allowed while working beyond these hours requires special permission from the foreigners’ registration office and a local employment agency. Those doing language courses or preparatory programs may only work during recess with permission from the Immigration Office and Federal Employment Agency. 

Some of the top part-time job options include the following: 

• Academic or research assistant
• Waiter/Waitress
• Tutorial assistant 
• Library supervisor
• Courier
• Trade Fair executive
• Cashier
• Bartender
• Babysitter
• Office assistant
• Media intern (for students of journalism)
• Tutors 

Education Loans

Getting an education loan to study in Germany is a simple affair and quite like getting loans for studying in other global countries. The German universities usually admit students in January and September. Once you get admission, arranging the funds is the next big step. Germany is a cost-effective country with public universities charging almost nominal tuition fees and reasonable fees at private institutions. 

Multiple public and private sector banks offer education loans in India and NBFCs (non-banking finance companies). Education loans are sanctioned at a lower interest rate for eligible students pursuing foreign education in Germany. Loan criteria may vary across banks. Some loans may need collateral or security, while co-applicants include the applicant’s parents, in-laws, siblings, or spouses. Applicants should be Indian citizens while having obtained admission into a course with recognition from the institution. The student should be at least 18 years of age and their parents may also apply for the study loan.  One can also opt for a job-oriented course. 

Some of the documents required include the following: 

• Study cost documents
• Admission letter from the institution 
• Filled-out loan application 
• Proof of residence
• Proof of identification 
• PAN details 
• Co-borrower/guarantor bank statements
• Student’s or main applicant’s bank statements 
• Guarantor/co-borrower’s income proof 
• Co-borrower/guarantor’s statement of assets 

The loan will cover tuition costs, caution deposit fees, accommodation costs, travel costs, study tours/project assignments, study materials, devices, stationery, and other expenditures for completing the course successfully. International students can start working part-time for up to 20 hours each week. After completing their courses, they can also apply for 18-month residence permits to find work. Those taking education loans have to start repaying after completing the course and moratorium period, i.e., one year after finishing the course or six months after getting a job, whichever comes earlier. 

Study in Germany with upGrad Abroad

Students can pursue Master of Business Administration, Master in Data Science, Master in Computer Science, and Master in International Management from a leading German university, the International University of Applied Sciences, in collaboration with upGrad Abroad. As part of these advanced courses, students study the course part online with IU Germany and part on-campus in Germany. 

They can avail the following benefits as part of any of the programs mentioned above:

• Save up to 80% of the tuition fees by studying the first year online. The study abroad programs cost 1/10th of their offline costs.
• Students will be guided by trained instructors to help them prepare for entrance and qualifying exams  such as IELTS.
• Fast-track courses that help students learn efficiently in a short span.
• Assistance with visas, scholarships & readying admission documents.

Frequently Asked Questions