Cost of studying in Germany: Germany is always a favorite haunt of international students, and especially those who want to pursue STEM courses. One obvious reason why students want to study in Germany is because its higher education is highly subsidized. Also, Germany is known for its research-oriented education, with the thriving automotive industry among the biggest employers in the country. One element that sets Germany apart from many of its counterparts is that it offers cost to study in Germany is free for both national and international students in its public universities.
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For students who are anxious about tuition fees in Germany, or for that matter the cost of studying in Germany for Indian students, there can be no better news, because tuition fee makes up a major chunk of study abroad expenses. Total cost to study in Germany from India is approximately INR 23.31 lakhs in private universities. Let's explore various costs of studying in Germany, how to study in Germany for free, etc through this article.
Though public universities do not charge tuition fees in Germany, they charge certain fees in the name of union fee, administrative costs and semester ticket, but they tend to be mostly moderate. Take for example Freie Universität Berlin, which doesn’t charge its students any tuition fees, except in the case of continuing education. So, the major expense that remains is related to cost of living in Germany.
University | Amount per year |
Humboldt University Berlin | EUR 620 |
Ludwig Maximilian University | EUR 244 |
Technical University of Munich | EUR 144 |
University of Heidelberg | EUR 364 |
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | EUR 1500 |
Technical University of Berlin | EUR 308 |
Free University of Berlin | EUR 354 |
Unlike public universities, if you get admission in a private university in Germany you have to pay the customary tuition fees. German private universities charge tuition fees from both local and international students. The cost of completing a particular degree in Germany varies from university to university, but German private institutions are known for their specialized programs and can be competitors to public universities. The average cost of a program offered by a private university is between 15,000 to 28,000 Euros per year.
The cost of studying in Germany for Indian students is much more if studying in a private university than at a public university. To cope with the additional expenses, students can look for scholarships and grants to study in Germany for free; there are many scholarships like DAAD scholarships which help meritorious but financially weak international students pursue their dreams. Keep a close eye on them.
Just like for international students, study in Germany for Indian students is largely free of cost in public universities. But most of the public universities have very low acceptance rates leading to high competition. For studying bachelor degrees, semester fees cost around 22,108 INR per semester with zero tuition fees. However, some of the masters courses are chargeable even in public universities of Germany, costs up to 11 lakhs per annum. There are various scholarships in Germany that students can apply to fund their education and make it free.
Cost of studying in Germany is different for different courses. MBA and Medicine are some of the costliest degrees to study in Germany. Most international students show enthusiasm to study PhD in Germany due to the centuries of history of their universities to deliver Nobel laureates and scholars. Refer to the following table to know course-wise costs to study in Germany.
Level of Course | Fees per Annum |
Vocational or Diploma courses | €300 (INR 26,538) |
Bachelors Courses | €300 (INR 26,538) |
Masters Course | €300 (INR 26,538) |
MS | €300-€28,000 (INR 26,538-INR 25 lakhs) |
PhD | €300- €3000 (INR 26,538-2.65 lakhs) |
Though there are both bachelor and masters courses offered by German universities free of cost, most Indians choose to do MS in Germany. The cost of MS in Germany is way cheaper than many other study abroad destinations with high standards of education. The biggest advantage of studying MS in Germany is that, students will have access to one-of-a-kind infrastructure, research facilities, and laboratories. Exposure to practical education is tremendous. Some of the top MS courses in Germany are:
1. MS in Mechanical Engineering
2. MS in Computer Science
3. MS in Civil & Structural Engineering
4. MS Information Technology
University in Germany | Cost of MS in Germany |
Technical University of Munich | €145 for the first year |
University of Heidelberg | €1500 for the first year |
Humboldt University Berlin | Free |
Charite Universitätsmedizin Berlin | €2500 for the first year |
University of Freiburg | €2,886 |
A clear picture about the total cost of study will emerge only if we start taking into account the living cost in Germany. There are several components like accommodation, transportation, clothing and health related expenses.
The average living costs for international students in Germany is between 700 to 1000 Euros per month. The cost of living will include food, accommodation, transport etc. Living expenses in larger cities like Berlin or Frankfurt will be around 900 to 1,500 Euros per month while in smaller cities like Hannover or Leipzig it will be around 750 to 1,100 Euros per month.
Sometimes even your discipline of study influences your living cost, like if you choose courses like MBA and engineering, some of the best courses in Germany, you may have to take up rigorous internship or practical classes which in turn may prompt you to stay close to the university. Accommodation cost in Germany, as it is elsewhere, is typically more near the university than those far away from it.
You will spend most of your time at your chosen accommodation, outside the class room. Therefore, make a wise decision while zeroing in on accommodation in Germany. Students often get confused whether to go for on-campus or off-campus accommodation. If you want privacy and independence, off-campus accommodation will suit you, but the university will not be responsible for your wellbeing in such cases. But if you go for on-campus accommodation, the university will look after your wellbeing and you will get to stay in a close community.
Students are also suggested to check out homestay accommodation, as they allow students a great opportunity to improve their knowledge about the locality and its culture, apart from providing the safety of staying in a family environment.
Remember, accommodation cost in Germany can be kept to a bare minimum with the right amount of research; so don’t shy away from doing the requisite homework.
Eligibility criteria for MBA aspirants include GMAT or, in some cases GRE test scores. You must pay the exam fee for whatever exam you choose.
Study in Germany prospects must also calculate Germany student visa cost. Known as D visa or long term stay visa, it costs EUR 75 or INR 6,635.
Whether you are studying in the USA, Canada, Australia, or for that matter Germany, you will have to produce evidence of sufficient health insurance coverage. Most universities in Germany, public universities included, require students to submit certificates detailing their medical cover at the time of enrollment, or before the commencement of classes. So, it is important to find an affordable health insurance.
Students in Germany have the option of choosing between a Statutory Health Insurance Plan and Private Insurance Plan. Health insurance costs can be between 95-115 Euros per month based on the insurance provider.
Also, studying abroad means you will be doing some serious travelling which would mandate a travel insurance plan to cover exigencies like baggage loss, ticket cancellation and medical emergencies. It isn’t a mandatory admission requirement though.
On Question asked by student community
Hello ,
Yes , It's possible to study B arch in Germany for free since most public universities don't charge tution fees but you need to meet certain requirements. A strong portfolio and you will have to show proficiency in the German language by passing exam like TestDaH or DSH.
Some universities conduct an aptitude test or interview to evaluate your understanding of architecture before granting an admission.
Thank you
Hello,
Yes, you can definitely pursue B.Sc. and an M.Sc. in Physics from IISc Bengaluru and then later aim for your Ph.D. (Doctorate) at Technical University of Berlin (TUB), Germany.
Choosing, the Physics programme from IISC has a strong international reputation, and its degree is well-recognized globally, including in German universities. After completing your M.Sc., you can apply for Ph.D. positions in TUB or any other German institutes through programs like DAAD scholarships or direct university applications.
ALL THE BEST.
1. TUM (Munich) – Engineering, Computer Science
2. LMU (Munich) – Medicine, Humanities
3. Heidelberg University – Medicine, Life Sciences
4. Humboldt University (Berlin) – Humanities, Social Sciences
5. KIT (Karlsruhe) – Engineering, Natural Sciences
6. RWTH Aachen – Engineering
7. University of Freiburg – Environmental Science
8. University of Stuttgart – Engineering, Automotive
9. Free University of Berlin – Political Science, Medicine
10. University of Mannheim – Business, Economics
These universities offer affordable or tuition-free education for international students.
Hello,
yes you can study for a bachelor's degree in Germany, as your diploma in nautical science may be considered equivalent to the 12th year for admission purposes. However each university may have specific requirements, so its important to check their entry criteria you might also need to provide additional documentation, like your diplomas' equivalency to German standards.
Hello,
It depends on the university you are applying to. Most German universities do not require GATE for admission to a Master's in Biotechnology. However, some universities may ask for the GRE , especially if you are applying to a highly competitive program.
You should check the specific admission requirements of the universities you are interested in. Generally, having IELTS (or TOEFL) and a German language proficiency certificate (if the course is in German) is enough.
Hope it helps !
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