The German government truly follows this motto by making education accessible and affordable to everyone. From bachelors to masters, engineering to management, students who want to study abroad in Germany can choose from a variety of courses.
Other than quality education, the state also offers cultural diversity, endless work opportunities, scholarships, etc. And the best part is, there is no need to learn German, you can study every course in English.
No doubt, Germany is a great place to study. But before moving forward with filling out the college applications, you should also be aware of the total cost of studying in Germany. To correctly estimate your study budget, here is a list of all the education and living expenses you should take into account.
Cost of Studying in Germany:
Education Cost:
While the German government didn’t really make education free for all, they did an amazing job of making it quite affordable for everyone. The education cost requires to study in Germany for international students is very low as compared to other countries. The public universities are funded by the government itself and students only have to pay a small amount to pursue their basic and higher education.
· Tuition Fees:
The prime thing that lowers the Cost of studying in Germany is the absence of tuition fees for Bachelor’s courses or Master’s courses in almost every public university. The only exception is the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg which charges a tuition fee of EUR 1,500 per semester for non-EU citizens.
For private universities, the tuition fees can reach 26,000 EUR/year for a Bachelor’s degree and 40,000 EUR/year for a Master’s. Although the exact amount varies with the course and university selected.
· Semester Cost:
Most public universities do not charge any tuition fees for international students but they do charge a fee for enrollment, confirmation, and administration every semester. The semester fee covers your contributions to student services and the student government (AStA). The amount typically ranges between 100 and 350 EUR and has to be paid at the time of enrolment and before the start of every new semester.
Living Cost:
While the education costs are not particularly high compared to other countries, to Study in Germany one must also calculate the living expenses. You need at least 750 EUR for a decent living in smaller cities of Germany as a student and this number can reach up to 900 EUR for bigger cities like Berlin, Frankfurt, or Dusseldorf.
· Housing Rent:
Students who Study in Germany can choose from various affordable accommodation options. According to DAAD, over 40% of international students live in a student residence while 30% share a flat, the former costs 250 EUR/month and the latter costs 365 EUR/month on average. Some students also prefer to live alone in a studio which costs approx. 390 EUR/month.
· Food Expenses:
The food expenses typically range from 150 to 170 EUR/month for students. The amount can largely vary based on your food habits. While cooking at home would be the cheapest option but if you prefer to eat out most of the time, it will cost you between 10 to 20 EUR for every meal.
· Transportation Cost:
Many universities cover the cost of the monthly transport pass in the semester fee, it usually ranges between 25 and 200 EUR/month for students who Study in Germany. You can also travel by Germany’s Deutsche Bahn trains, the fares are between 20 and 70 EUR. And if you are looking for a cheap option, rent a bicycle for just 15–20 EUR/day.
· Other Expenses:
While the major expenditures are already covered above, to study abroad one must also incorporate other expenses in the total amount. It includes college supplies, clothing costs, doctor’s fees, telephone, internet, and TV bills. As there are huge discounts for students, recreational activities like opera houses, cinemas, sports, etc don’t charge you a lot.
Scholarships For International Students:
There are many scholarships available to study in Germany for international students. Many institutions, party-related foundations, and business-affiliated organisations offer scholarships to fund their Cost of studying in Germany.
· DAAD Scholarships
· The Deutschlandstipendium
· Erasmus +
· Humboldt Scholarship
· Helmholtz Scholarship
· Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarships
Overall, Germany offers inexpensive and quality education to international students, making it one of the most popular study destinations.