Cost of Studying in Germany: Comprehensive Guide for International Students

The primary factor of overseas education that we often ponder upon is the tuition fee of the program along with the cost of living in the chosen country. Sometimes, it is not feasible for everyone to choose a course which is easy on the pocket as well. Known as the land of poets and thinkers, Germany has set a unique example for other countries by providing free education.

With an aim to provide education to children belonging to varied backgrounds, the Government of Germany, since 2014, has been offering free education across its public universities without compromising the quality of academic programs. This blog will elucidate the varied details regarding the cost of studying in Germany at both public and private institutions of the country.

Cost of Studying in Germany: Overview

Let us look at the cost of studying in Germany for all those students who wish to study in Germany.

Type of Institution	Tuition Fees
Public Universities	Generally, no tuition fees are charged to international students at public German universities for undergraduate programs. However, students are typically required to pay an administrative fee per semester, which can range from EUR 250 to EUR 350 (approximately INR 22,350 – 31,290) Some master’s programs may have tuition fees ranging between EUR 1,500 and EUR 20,000 per annum.
Private Universities	Private universities typically have tuition fees ranging from EUR 5,000 to EUR 30,000 per year. These can be significantly higher than those at public universities
Semester contribution fees	German public universities (except Baden-Württemberg) charge only around EUR 350 per semester, and these fees are called “semester contributions”
Long-term fee	If the standard period of study is exceeded by more than four semesters, a long-term fee charge could be as much as EUR 500 per semester

Cost of Studying at Public Universities in Germany (2025)

Take a look at the following table below which mentions the cost of studying at public universities in Germany.

Expense Category	Details	Estimated Cost
Tuition Fees	Most undergraduate programs for all nationalities	EUR 0
Semester/Admin Fees	Covers administration, and student services, sometimes including a public transport pass.	EUR 100 – EUR 350
Living Expenses (Monthly)	Includes rent, food, transportation, health insurance, study materials, and personal expenses.	EUR 750 – EUR 1,000
Health Insurance (Monthly)	Mandatory for all students.	Approximately EUR 142
Other Expenses (Monthly)	Study Materials, personal expenses, etc.	EUR 175

Also Read: Public Universities in Germany

Cost of Studying in Germany: Private Universities

Here’s a breakdown of the costs associated with studying at private universities in Germany, presented in table format:

Expense Category	Details	Estimated Cost (per year)
Tuition Fees	Bachelor’s Programs	EUR 10,000 – EUR 20,000
	Master’s Programs	EUR 13,000 – 36,000
	MBA Programs	Up to EUR 40,000
Living Expenses	Includes rent, food, transportation, health insurance, study materials, and personal expenses.	EUR 9,000 – EUR 13,200
Financial Aid	Scholarships and flexible payment options are often available.	Varies
Key Benefits	Personalised learning environment, career-focused degrees, innovative study models (like blended learning), smaller class sizes, modern facilities, strong industry connections, and comprehensive career services.	NA
Considerations	Private universities generally have lower tuition fees compared to private universities of Applied Sciences.	NA

Living Costs

While the tuition fee cost of studying in Germany’s public universities has been exempted, the living expenses are still unavoidable. The university accommodation costs might vary from one institution to another, if you are planning to stay on your own, the monthly rent of an apartment (depending upon whether you are living within the city centre or outside) can range from EUR 722.37 to EUR 722.37.

The following table shows the breakup of the monthly expenditure of a student, irrespective of the cost of studying:

Rent for Apartment (1 Bedroom)	EUR 530
Meal for a Single Person	EUR 10.00
Local Public Transport	EUR 2.70
Taxi Tariff/km	EUR 2.00
Utilities per Month	EUR 215

UG Cost of Studying

Although top universities in Germany do not charge any tuition fee from candidates making higher education affordable for international students. However, these universities do charge the registration, confirmation and administrative fee from candidates which is near about EUR 250. Study abroad students also need to get a hold of Semesterticket which is a public transport ticket valid for 6 months. 

PG Cost of Studying

Masters courses in Germany is free of cost only when candidates opt for consecutive programs, wherein they continue Masters in Germany just after completing a Bachelor’s degree from the country. Students taking a gap in their education or have pursued undergraduate courses from any other country do not get a chance to avail this opportunity.

For non-consecutive programmes, the cost of studying is approximately EUR 20,000 in public and EUR 30,000 in private colleges.

Also Read: Study in Germany without IELTS 

Top German Universities Offering Free Education

Offering a perfect combination of free and quality education, students don’t have to worry much about the cost of studying in Germany. Here is a list of universities that provide courses at no tuition fees in the country: 

University	QS World Ranking 2025	Popular Courses
Humboldt University of Berlin	#129	185 degree courses, 21 international Masters with lectures and seminars in English
University of Hamburg	#205	Law, Economics, Business Administration, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering
Ludwig Maximilians University Munich	#54	Data Science, Technology Management, Neuro-Cognitive Psychology, Quantitative Economics
Technical University of Munich	#37	Data Engineering and Analytics, Management, Computer Science, Business & Economics
Free University of Berlin	#98	Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems, Molecular Medicine, Medical Neurosciences, Business Law
University of Freiburg	#192	Applied Physics, Computer Science, Economics, Physics, Geology
RWTH Aachen University	#106	Computer Engineering, Business Administration, Technology Communication, Technology Education
University of Bonn	#239	Law, Agricultural Science, Art History, Biochemistry
Heidelberg University	#87	Economics, Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts & Theology, Mathematics
University of Münster	NA	Applied Linguistics, Business Administration, Educational Science, Biology
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)	#119	NA

Quick Read: Free Universities In Germany

Why Study in Germany?

Germany attracts international students for key reasons as to why you should study in Germany:

• High-Quality Education: German universities offer world-class programs, particularly in engineering, sciences, and humanities, with a strong emphasis on research and innovation. Many programs are taught in English.
• Affordable Tuition: Public universities generally have very low or no tuition fees for domestic and international students, especially for undergraduate degrees. You’ll still pay semester fees covering administrative costs and public transport.
• Excellent Job Prospects: Germany has a strong economy and offers numerous job opportunities for graduates, particularly in in-demand fields. A residence permit for job searching is often granted after graduation.
• Safe and Welcoming Environment: Germany is a safe and politically stable country with a high standard of living. It’s culturally diverse and welcoming to international students.
• Cultural Experience: Studying in Germany offers a rich cultural experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in German traditions, learn the language, and explore Europe.
• Research Opportunities: Germany is a hub for research and development, providing students with opportunities to participate in cutting-edge projects.
• Scholarship Availability: Numerous scholarships and funding options are available for international students to support their studies in Germany.

Also Read: Top 10 Reasons to Study in Germany

Top Scholarships for Studying in Germany

If you wish to study in Germany through scholarships, then you can consider either of the following mentioned below.

DAAD Scholarships	Deutschlandstipendium
Erasmus +	Humboldt Scholarship
Helmholtz Scholarship	Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarships

Explore related blogs on Germany here!

How to Learn German Language	Language Courses in Germany
Is German Language Compulsory to Study in Germany?	English vs German: Similarities and Differences
Entrance Exams for German Universities	Universities Accepting Only TOEFL Score 90 in Europe

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