Costs to study in Germany

Despite possessing excellent educational programs recognized by countries around the world, the cost of studying in Germany is very affordable. Following a government decision in 2014, tuition fees in most schools have been abolished. That is also one of the reasons why Germany has become one of the five most popular study abroad destinations for international students. However, you must understand that that does not mean you do not need to spend any money to study in Germany.

TUITION FEES TO STUDY IN GERMANY

If you want to study abroad, tuition fees are one of the top concerns for every student. While in Germany, most international students don't worry about this at all. In 2014, the government decided to waive tuition fees for all students enrolled in public universities, including foreign students. However, in some parts of Germany, some tuition fees were reintroduced in 2017. But overall the cost of studying in Germany is still much lower than elsewhere.

Although you don't have to pay tuition fees, universities in Germany still charge a small amount to help with administrative maintenance, student unions, and public transport, commonly known as "Semesterbeitrag". This payment is payable at the beginning of each semester, which will usually not exceed 300 EUR. BUT, if you attend private universities, you still have to pay tuition fees depending on your major and the requirements of the school.

How much does it cost to study abroad at private universities in Germany?

Normally, tuition fees at German private universities range from 1.400 to 32.500 EUR, still much lower than in other countries. For example, in Germany, if you want to get a Master's degree in Business Administration at prestigious private business universities, you only need to pay a maximum of about 35.000 EUR/year, while in the UK, tuition fees you have to pay can be up to 50.000 EUR.

Not to mention the fact that private schools in Germany even offer discounts to students if they meet certain financial situation criteria. In addition, there are still some private schools that charge only the same administrative maintenance fees as public schools, such as the International Psychoanalytic University (IPU) Berlin.

LIVING COSTS WHEN STUDY IN GERMANY

In addition to having to pay for tuition fees (if you attend private schools), you also have to pay for living expenses while studying & experiencing in Germany. According to current law in Germany, each international student must have at least 10.332 EUR in their bank account to ensure they can afford to pay for their studies for at least the first year. This law is based on the idea that a foreign student spends at least 861 EUR/month. 

Overall, prices for food, accommodation, bills, clothing and entertainment in Germany are still at an average rate in Europe. According to a survey in 2020, you need to spend a minimum of 850 EUR/month on your living expenses, about 10.236 EUR/year.

You can refer to the average cost of living of some cities through the following table:

The average cost of living in some German cities (Unit: EUR)

Renting accommodation while studying in Germany

Through the table above, it can be seen that the amount of money you use to pay for accommodation accounts for the largest percentage, and at the same time, which city you choose to live in also determines the cost of living you have to pay monthly in Germany. Normally, if you want to rent a one-bedroom apartment, the rent in Germany will range between 500 - 1.500 EUR/month.

Food in Germany

If you are a person who does not know how to cook, maybe you should start learning it right now. Because if you have a meal at a restaurant, you will have to spend a lot more than a self-sufficient meal. Currently, to eat a meal for two at a restaurant, it will cost you about 45 EUR, more expensive than a self-catering meal. However, you can still save money when you buy food from university cafes, which sell food at cheaper student prices. 

In addition, some universities also provide a Campus/Mensa card system for students. To receive a Campus card, you will have to do more procedures because the card is an integration of many different cards, such as student cards; library card; Mensa card with integrated e-wallet, making it easier for students to pay for meals at a more affordable price; barcode and expiry date. For Mensa cards only, which you can pick up at each of the cashiers in the canteen and cafe of the studierendenWERK BERLIN, with a deposit of EUR 1.55 upon showing your student card or documents confirming you are a student of the university.

If you want to prepare your own meals, here are the prices of some foods consumed daily for your reference:

Prices of some foods consumed daily in Germany

Means of transport in Germany

Besides paying for rent and food, students also have the need to travel from one place to another to meet different purposes, such as studying, doing part-time jobs, meeting & going out with friends, going shopping, travel, etc. Therefore, the cost of travel is also a matter of concern.

In general, the best means of transportation that helps you save money is a bicycle. Cycling saves you expenses on fuel, is convenient to get around, makes it easier to get to your destination during busy rush hours, and gives you the opportunity to exercise every day.

Besides, public transport in Germany is also quite cheap, the average fare for a one-way ticket is about 2 EUR. If you often have to take a certain route, you can still buy a monthly pass for an average of about 70 EUR. Because taxis charge per kilometer, taxis are more expensive than other means of transport. One ride can cost you between 1.55-2.50 EUR. In short, depending on your budget, you can choose any type of vehicle to travel most convenient for you.

Health insurance in Germany

Health insurance is one of the things you must have from the day you enter Germany, regardless of your residency status and income.

There are two types of health insurance policies in Germany: private health insurance and public health insurance. Public health insurance is compulsory for everyone living in Germany and is cheaper than private insurance. Currently, the public insurance premium is about 70-80 EUR/month.

In addition, if you have a need to use more medical services, you can choose private health insurance with a higher price. As for private insurance, there is no standard package because different companies will offer different packages depending on each individual's needs.

Other expenses incurred in Germany

In addition, we also have to pay for many other fees such as utility service fees (electricity, water, etc), expenses for personal needs (buying clothes, books, etc) , but luckily most of the rental fees you pay include electricity and water.

On the other hand, clothes in Germany are very expensive as a pair of jeans can range in price from 50-100 EUR. Similarly, a pair of shoes can cost between 60 - 120 EUR or more. Particularly for a pair of work shoes, you will have to pay a higher price ranging from 70-150 EUR.

So, depending on your budget, you should consider what to buy and what season to buy. 

Is there any way to reduce the cost of studying in Germany?

Your cost of living depends on where you live in Germany. While you can only rent accommodation close to where your school is located, there are sure to be affordable accommodations around your university campus for you to choose from.

If your school is located in crowded cities like Munich, Hamburg or Frankfurt, it's relatively more difficult to save money than in smaller, less populated cities like Karlsruher and Leipzig. However, you can still consider finding accommodation in the suburbs of these cities, which will certainly be significantly cheaper. You can also find friends to share monthly payment for the room. 

Besides, in Germany, international students are still allowed to work many different jobs, so if you want to earn a little extra pocket money for personal hobbies and get more interesting life experiences, you can try.