Top 10 FAQs By International Students In Germany

By UniAcco
Mar 15, 2024 •
germany

Germany is one of the most successful non-Anglophone study destinations in the world, and it’s easy to see why, with its fashionable student cities and low (or no) tuition fees. If you choose to study in Germany, it’s good to well prepare beforehand for what’s coming your way. What’s better than seeing some of the most important FAQs by international students in Germany have in mind? Without further ado, let’s get started.

Q1. How can international students study in Germany?

International students in Germany, for the majority of subjects, may apply directly to the university’s foreign branch. You may also use the website www.uni-assist.de, which is a consolidated admissions system for foreign students operated by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), but not all colleges use it. You may want to apply to several courses and colleges separately to improve the odds of acceptance.

Many German universities enable students to apply for admission twice a year – in the winter and summer semesters. In general, applications for winter enrolment must be submitted by 15 July, and applications for summer enrolment must be submitted by 15 January. However, submission deadlines differ between organisations, and the same organisation may set separate deadlines for each programme – make sure to thoroughly research the relevant dates for your chosen course.

Q2. IS Studying In Germany Cheap?

As international students in Germany, you’ll be relieved to hear that tuition fees for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees are waived (except if you choose to earn a Master’s degree in a topic other than the one you learned as a Bachelor’s student). Both international applicants, regardless of their country of birth, are qualified for the German free tuition system.

The sole exception is the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg, which reinstated tuition fees of 3,000 EUR a year for non-EU/EEA students at the end of 2017.

Since most German colleges are public, you would just have to pay an administrative tax, which ranges from 100 and 350 EUR a semester. The cost of studying in Germany is highly affordable. The costs and charges include the facilities of the student organisation as well as your enrollment. However, there are several variations to the tuition-free clause. If you do not complete your degree programme on time and live in Bremen, Lower Saxony, Saarland, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, or Thuringia, you will be required to pay tuition fees.

Also read: Cheapest Country To Study Abroad For Indian Students

Private University Tuition Fees

Tuition at German private universities will surpass 26,000 EUR per year for a Bachelor’s degree and 40,000 EUR per year for a Master’s. Engineering and Business & Management programmes are the most costly.

Tuition Free universities in Germany for International Students

  • University of Stuttgart
  • University of Mannheim
  • University of Bremen
  • University of Cologne
  • University of Hamburg

Average Germany tuition fees for international students:

  • Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich has an annual tuition fee of 258 EUR.
  • Tuition at Heidelberg University is about 20,000 EUR a year on average.
  • Munich Technical University has an average tuition fee of 258 EUR a year.
  • No tuition fees are charged at Humboldt University Berlin.

Q3. Can international students work and study in Germany?

As a foreign student, you are permitted to work part-time in addition to your studies whilst in Germany. Typically, a student is not permitted to operate more than 20 hours per week during the academic year, according to university regulations.

Q4. Can international students study for free in Germany?

Tuition payments for undergraduate students at all public German institutions were eliminated by Germany’s 16 states in 2014. This ensures that all domestic and foreign undergraduates at public universities in Germany can currently study for free, with just a nominal charge each semester to cover administration and other expenses.

Q5. Is it hard to study in Germany?

You can encounter language difficulties. Another issue is the sense of becoming an outsider.

People of any country prefer to offer their countrymen the benefit of the doubt over those from other countries. This isn’t a big deal; it’s the result of a number of little ones. You might find it tough to get a student job or the apartment you really liked, for example, while locals seem to have a simpler time of it. This is something one would have seen all over the world; citizens from other cultures are still handled somewhat differently.

Q6. What Is The Procedure From German Student Visa To Permanent Residency?

You must register with the nearest Alien Registration Office within two weeks of arrival. You must apply for a study permit in this country. The papers you’ll need are the same as those used for the visa:

  • Evidence of current private or municipal health insurance
  • Your university’s enrolment certificate
  • Evidence of ample financial resources
  • Passport must be valid.
  • If you have a current passport, you must still have a certificate of fitness (if applicable)
  • Your lease deal (if applicable)
  • Photographs of biometric passports (if applicable)
  • Fee for a residence permit (check the current rate beforehand to make sure you bring enough money)
  • While evidence of language proficiency would have been requested as part of your university application, you will be required to submit this information again in order to obtain your residence permit. International students must provide a TestDaf or DSH score for German-taught courses, or a TOEFL or IELTS score for English-taught courses.
  • This residency permit is valid for two years and can be extended until it expires if necessary. The basic expense of a residence permit is €100 (US$120), with an additional charge of up to €96 (US$115) for each extension.
Close-up Photography of Gray Pillar Building

Q7. What cheapest student cities in Germany With Universities?

Following is a list of the cheapest student cities in Germany with its most popular universities for international students:

  • Technical University of Munich, Munich
  • Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich
  • Heidelberg University, Heidelberg
  • Karlsruher Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe
  • Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin
  • Georg-Augusta University of Göttingen, Göttingen
  • University of Hamburg, Hamburg

Q8. How much money do I need to show for a German student visa?

According to Studying-in-Germany.org, a blocked bank account is a separate account into which the visa claimant must pay at least 10,332 Euros to demonstrate that they have the means to fund themselves for the first year of their studies. This amount will be kept in the bank before the student arrives in Germany.

Q9. How is the cost of studying in Germany?

Although several students are willing to study for free in Germany, living costs are inevitable. The cost of living in Germany varies by region; for example, Munich is considered the most costly German city to live in, with annual living cost in Germany for international students ranging about €12,000 (US$13,900). In contrast, the total annual living expenses in Germany for international students is approximately €10,200 (US$11,800).

Other estimated monthly costs:

Food€168
Clothing€42
Transportation€94
Computer, internet, and TV licence€31
Study material€20
Leisure activities€61

Q10. How much do international students in Germany pay as tuition fees?

Germany, being one of the few nations in the world that provides free schooling to all domestic and foreign students, would also have to begin reintroducing tuition fees on all non-EU students in order to make up for the state’s shortfall.

Tuition fees were abolished in the last German state of Baden-Württemberg in 2011, and all public colleges in Germany were free of charge in 2014.

However, after pledging not to impose general fees earlier this year, the state government of Baden-Württemberg has confirmed the reintroduction of tuition fees for foreign students beginning in autumn 2017.

This abrupt transition is part of the country’s attempts to alleviate debt, as the Ministry acknowledges it can no longer provide free schooling. As a result, tuition fees for foreign students will be reinstated beginning in the fall of 2017.

Non-EU students enrolled in German universities would be expected to pay €1,500 in semester tuition. Students pursuing a second degree, on the other hand, can incur a discounted rate of €650 per course.

Don’t forget to read: Abroad Studies: All You Need To Know!


If you need any assistance with your student accommodation search, call us on 000 800 040 3523 or simply write to us at contact@18.170.55.100, to get in touch with one of our property consultants. Visit UniAcco today!

Related Posts