Cost of studying in Germany

Germany is slowly and steadily becoming the topmost choice for international students. Every year, a large number of students from across the world go to the country to pursue their academic ambitions. Germany has become popular among international students for its low tuition fees. This factor makes education very affordable for international students.

Private universities in Germany are financed from tuition fees, and hence international students are required to pay 3000 and 20000 euros a year. The reason for this range being so wide is that the fees depends on factors like the degree course a student is pursuing, or the university in which he or she is studying.

Tuition fees in public universities

As most German universities are managed and run by the government, no tuition fees are charged. However, there are some charges for enrolling oneself every semester, and for confirmation and administration. All this usually adds up to a maximum of USD 350 every semester, with slight variation from one university to another.

Tuition fees at other type of institutes

Private colleges in germany have the same kind of tuition fees, as has been shared regarding private universities. And the tuition fees in private colleges differ according to the courses and programmes opted for. For example, the fees for a graduate management course will not be the same as that of a graduate course in Arts. Also, the fee structure is slightly different in private colleges.

Most affordable universities in Germany

Of course, the most affordable universities in Germany are those which do not charge any tuition fees. Some examples of such universities are University of Hamburg, University of Bremen, University of Cologne, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, etc.

Tuition fees at top-ranked universities in Germany

Here are the names of some of the Top universities in Germany, along with their tuition fees. The Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich does not charge any tuition fees. Then there is the Heidelberg University, where the tuition fee is around six thousand euros a year. Heidelberg is followed by the Technical University of Munich, which charges around two thousand euros a year. And finally, we have the famous Humboldt University of Berlin, where the education is free. The tuition fee is either very affordable, or there is no tuition fees at all for even the top-ranked universities in the country. And this applies to graduate, Masters, and all other post graduate courses.

Scholarships in Germany

To actively encourage education in the country, there are quite a few scholarships available for students. Some of the best ones are:

• Germany Tuition Free Universities and Scholarships for International Students
• Heinrich Boll Scholarships in Germany for International Students
• The Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences Scholarships
• Kofi Annan MBA Scholarships for Developing Country Students
• KAAD Scholarships in Germany for Developing Countries
• Erasmus Mundus Scholarships for International Students
• Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships for Developing Countries

Germany is very much an affordable country. An international student can easily live a decent life at eight hundred euros every month. However, the living costs differ based on the city chosen to live in. Here is a list of larger and smaller cities, along with the living costs in them.

• Larger cities (Berlin, Frankfurt, etc) – 950 euros a month
• Smaller cities (Hannover, Freiburg, etc) – 750 euros a month​

Average Monthly Expenses in Germany

• €168 for food and drink (14,000 INR Approx)
• €42 for clothes (3517 INR Approx)
• €94 for transport (7873 INR Approx)
• €31 for telephone, internet and TV license (2596 INR Approx)
• €20 for work/study materials (1675 INR Approx)
• €61 for leisure activities (5109 INR Approx)

Accommodation in Germany

The costs for accommodation form the largest part of a student’s living expenses in Germany. Typically, this part constitutes one-third of the monthly budget. There are, of course, cheaper arrangements (shared private apartments, residence halls, etc.) for international students. If one wants to live alone, it would cost somewhere around four hundred euros a month. With a partner or child, that cost would be three hundred and fifty euros, and if one lives on campus, the cost would go down to two hundred and fifty euros a month. However, getting accommodation on campus is not easy.

Food cost in Germany

The food costs for an international student would be somewhere around a hundred euros a month. A dinner in a cheap restaurant would cost around ten euros, whereas a three-course meal for two persons in an average restaurant will cost around forty euros, without drinks.

Transportation cost in Germany

Around ten percent of a student’s budget is spent on transportation every month. Public transport passes are available for thirty or sixty euros a month, depending on the city of residence. Bicycles can be rented for fifteen or twenty euros a day. Then of course, there are train services.

Extra costs and savings

To study in Germany, one must be aware of all costs involved. The costs for health insurance are high in Germany, and so are the costs for getting medical attention. One may avail the government health plans. Plus there are travel cards that can bring down the costs of travelling in the country.

Germany is an especially attractive academic option for Indian students because of the affordability of education, and the fact that their courses are now offered in English, removing the last hurdle that international students once faced.