Studying in Germany has been an amazing journey, combining top-tier education with the excitement of living in cities like Berlin and Munich. With public universities offering minimal or even no tuition fees in Germany for international students, I've been able to focus on my studies and enjoy the vibrant culture without breaking the bank. From historical landmarks to cutting-edge research, Germany offers a unique blend of tradition and innovation. Here’s a detailed look at the costs you can expect while studying in this incredible country.
Total Cost of Studying in Germany for Indian Students
When I explored the total cost of studying in Germany as an Indian student, I saw many expenses to consider. These include tuition fees, administrative costs, and living expenses. Based on my research, studying in Germany as an Indian student is expensive. German universities are generally affordable for international students. However, there are still financial matters to consider when analyzing German university fees for international students.
Most public universities in Germany offer tuition-free programs. Semester fees are low, ranging from €150 to €350 (approx. ₹13,407 to ₹31,283). However, students still must pay for administration, public transport, and student services.
Living expenses in Germany vary by city. They range from €700 to €1200 per month. This includes rent, groceries, transport, health insurance, and leisure activities, among other things. For Indian students in Germany seeking education abroad, the estimated yearly spending, including tuition, is €10,000 to €15,000.
Germany is budget-friendly for international students. You'll mainly pay low semester fees (about €150-€350). The fees cover student services and public transport. Even specialized Master's programs have reasonable fees, ranging from €1,500 to €3,000 annually. This affordability makes Germany a top choice for Indian students. They seek quality education without a hefty price tag.
Regular courses for bachelor’s or master's degrees are quite affordable, even at private universities. The cost of an MBA in Germany, the cost of an MS in Germany, cost of the medical degrees or other professional courses can be on the higher side. It also depends upon the university in which a student is getting enrolled.
Below is a brief idea of the cost of study in Germany –
Course
Annual Fees
Vocational or Diploma Courses
€300
Bachelor’s Courses
Up to €30,000
Master’s Course
Up to €40,000
PhD
Up to €3000
Cost of MBA in Germany for Indian Students
Pursuing an MBA degree in Germany is cheaper than in other European countries. State-funded universities have no tuition fees at all. Candidates have to pay administrative fees only at the beginning of the semester. A full-time MBA study program takes between 12 to 24 months.
MBA study programs are also available in which students can work with an organization while studying. They can study in the evening or at weekends. The duration of these courses is higher than that of full-time study programs.
Here is a brief idea of the cost of an MBA in Germany for Indian students at some popular business schools –
Germany includes globally ranked universities for Masters in Science that are valued across the world for the top-class quality education and an MS degree at an affordable cost.
Here are some of the top universities that offer Masters in Science degrees in Germany:
The cost of living covers accommodation costs, utilities, transportation, and food expenses. Though the cost of living in Germany depends on the city you want to live in, the average costs for each category are mentioned in the table below
Cost of Living in Germany : Highlights
Category
Monthly Costs
Accommodation Costs
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre – €920.97
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre- €694.75
Utility Costs
€200 to €300.06
Food Expenses
€2.44 to €13.00
Transportation Costs
€3.00 to €30.00
Source: Numbeo
Average Rent in Germany for students
The average rent for accommodation varies from one city to another. Some cities like Frankfurt, Berlin, and Cologne are cheaper, while Munich and Hamburg may be slightly costlier. Here’s taking a look at the average rentals that are easily available. It completely depends upon the size and the number of bedrooms in the apartment.
Here are some of the cities with minimal accommodation costs.
Average Rent in Germany for Students: Highlights
City
Average Cost
Berlin
€ 1,321
Munich
€ 1,398
Frankfurt Am Main
€ 1,156
Cologne
€ 929
Hamburg
€ 996
Food Cost in Germany: Highlights
Item
Average Price (€)
Milk (regular) (1 liter)
€ 1.04
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
€ 1.97
Rice (white) (1kg)
€ 2.75
Eggs (regular) (12)
€ 3.33
Local Cheese (1kg)
€ 12.59
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
€ 14.68
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
€ 16.14
Apples (1kg)
€ 2.62
Banana (1kg)
€ 1.32
Oranges (1kg)
€ 2.03
Tomato (1kg)
€ 3.03
Potato (1kg)
€ 1.49
Onion (1kg)
€ 1.60
Lettuce (1 head)
€ 1.86
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
€ 0.85
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
€ 5.99
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
€ 0.86
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
€ 1.44
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
€ 8.20
Transportation Cost
The cost of public transportation in Germany is arguably cheaper than running a car. Public transportation options include bicycles, public transport tickets, taxis, and personal cars. An average one-way ticket on local public transport costs around €3.00. A monthly public transport ticket averages around €60. Taxis typically have a starting fare of €4.40 and a cost per kilometer that can vary from €3.20 to €7.00. Owning a car can also be expensive, with gasoline prices between €1.71 and €1.90 per liter.
Basic Expenses
Expenses
Cost (Per Month)
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
€ 300.06
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
€ 28.60
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
€ 46.03
German Student Visa Cost
The German student visa is a long-term stay visa (90+ days) or the D visa. The application fee for an adult D visa is 75 EUR or INR 6,780.87. The visa fees should be paid at the end of the visa appointment. It is also important to note that they are non-refundable, meaning the amount will not be refunded even if the visa application is rejected.
Block Account Cost
The blocked account deposits the money required as proof of financial resources for living in Germany. The German blocked account amount is deposited while applying for a student visa to Germany. The blocked amount is €11,208 (INR 10 Lakhs) for a year. This amount is used to manage living expenses apart from the costs of studying in Germany, such as tuition fees. Banks may charge an additional amount to open the account.
Costs of Health Insurance in Germany for International Students
The cost of health insurance for Indian students in Germany adds to their overall living expenditure. These include:
Winter: This is the primary intake in Germany which is widely preferred by international students. It starts in September and ends in July
Mid-July
Summer: The summer intake is the second intake in Germany. Students who miss applying in the winter intake can go for this one. However, there are few courses available at the universities for this intake. It starts in April and ends in August
Mid-January
Eligibility for Admission into German Universities
Although some German universities offer English-taught courses, the dominant mode of instruction in German universities is the German language. Therefore, applicants applying for admission into German-taught universities must prove their German language proficiency.
On the other hand, applicants applying to English-taught German universities must prove their English language proficiency. The proficiency tests required for both languages are given in the table below
English Language Proficiency Test
German Language Proficiency Test
IELTS Academic
TOEFL iBT
PTE Academic
DSH- Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang
Although there are several ways of supporting your education in Germany, the most relevant of them are discussed below
1. Part-Time jobs:
To earn extra money while studying in Germany, you can take up several part-time jobs which you can find on-campus and off-campus. The job roles in each category are mentioned below:
Category
Job roles
On-Campus
Library Supervisor
Research Assistant
Peer Tutor
Tutorial Assistant
Off-Campus
Babysitter
Waiter
Bartender
Cashier
The wages for part-time jobs in Germany start from €467 per month.
2. Scholarships
a) Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships
Students who have maintained an excellent academic record and have a keen interest in politics may apply for the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship. The purpose of this scholarship is to attract graduate students from all over the world to Germany.
Eligibility
The students should hold a bachelor’s degree.
Applicants should not exceed the age limit of 30 years.
Must have German language proficiency at B2 level.
Any volunteer work done is an added advantage.
Stipend amount
Degree
Stipend Amount
Postgraduate
€850
Doctoral or PhD
€1,100
b) Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships
Heinrich Böll Foundation annually awards 1,200 scholarships to undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students enrolling in any course at a German university. However, it is imperative that aspirants must pursue their degrees at a state-recognized university in Germany.
Eligibility
Excellent academic performance
Demonstrate a keen interest in politics, democracy, sustainability, and human rights
For Undergraduate and Graduate Students
Requirements
German/Foreign students (schooled in Germany)
Non-EU nationals (not schooled in Germany)
Degree needed to get the scholarship
Bachelor’s, Diploma
Master’s degree (work experience proof is a must)
German proficiency proof
N/A
B2 level or DSH 2 certificate required
For Doctoral Students
Requirements
German/Foreign students (schooled in Germany)
Non-EU nationals (not schooled in Germany)
Doctoral study admission proof
Proof that you are enrolled for a doctoral study at a state or state-approved university must be submitted with the application
Proof that you are enrolled for a doctoral study at a state or state-approved university must be submitted with the application
German proficiency proof
N/A
B2 level or DSH 2 certificate required.
Stipend amount
Degree
Category
Stipend (Monthly)
Masters
Non- EU nationals
€850
PhD
Non- EU nationals
€1,200
c) DAAD Scholarship Programs
DAAD or German Academic Exchange Service Scholarship is a joint organization of Germany’s higher education institutions, responsible for promoting international academic relations. International students enrolling in full-time study programs in Germany are eligible for this scholarship.
Eligibility
Bachelor’s degree completed in the last six years
Two years of proven work experience
Stipend Amount
The scholarship program provides monthly allowances to students every month that covers their living and travel expenses.
Degree
Stipend Amount (Monthly)
Postgraduate
€850
Doctoral
€1,200
d) Erasmus+ Scholarship Programs
Erasmus+ Scholarship Programs offer an opportunity to international students already studying in a university in their home country for studying more than two semesters at a German university. The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial support to students interested in studying in Germany.
Eligibility Criteria
Students are currently studying at a home university that is a member of the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education.
Willing to study in a German university which is also a member of the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education,
Want to become a subject of student exchange under a mutual agreement of both universities (sending and German hosting university) for specific mobility action.
English language proficiency test scores
Stipend Amount-
€49,000
Conclusion
In 2024, the cost of studying in Germany for international students remains an attractive proposition, largely due to the country's policy of offering low to no tuition fees at public universities. This approach makes Germany one of the most cost-effective higher education destinations in Europe. So, if you are looking to study in Germany, connect with our experts.
What is the total cost of living for international students in Germany?
On average, international students will have to spend EUR 588-799 every month on the cost of living in Germany. Luckily, Germany is affordable in terms of accommodation, food, insurance, and transport.
Which are the free universities in Germany?
Germany is a notable destination to pursue higher education. To abolish illiteracy, it has some notable free universities for aspiring and brilliant international students. For reference, some of them are the Humboldt University of Berlin, Technical University of Munich, Ludwig Maximilians University, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, University of Hamburg, Heidelberg University, Free University of Berlin and the Technical University of Berlin.
Can you do a part-time job in Germany while studying?
Every year a good percentage of students travel to Germany to take up higher education. To accommodate and pay for the cost of living, there are part-time job opportunities for international students. A student can earn up to 450 EUR/month without the need to pay taxes. The best-paying ones are research assistants at the university, office assistants, language tutors, babysitting, and call center assistants.
Which are the best cities to study in Germany?
Studying in Germany is a wonderful experience for international students. Some of the best cities are Munich, Berlin, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Dresden, Aachen, Bonn, Hamburg and Cologne.
What is the IELTS score requirement required by the top universities in Germany?
German universities now offer graduation and master programs in two categories— German or English. In fact, there are some universities that allow admissions with taking any English language proficiency test. Some universities may demand a Language of Instruction Certificate from your bachelor’s degree college. Some universities need an IELTS score as below –
How much money is required to study in Germany in Indian rupees?
For public universities in Germany, expect minimal tuition fees (around ₹13,000 - ₹26,000 per semester) but factor in living costs (₹72,000 - ₹1,03,000 monthly) and a blocked account requirement (around ₹9,78,000 per year). Private universities cost more, with tuition fees ranging from ₹8,50,000 to ₹17,00,000 annually, on top of living expenses.
Is Germany expensive?
Germany is considered less expensive than most other European countries and countries like the USA and the UK. However, it is a bit more expensive than in India. The cost is mainly influenced by the rent, which varies across cities in Germany.
What is a blocked account in Germany?
The blocked account is used to deposit the money required as proof of financial resources for living in Germany. It is necessary to get a German visa. The blocked money amounts to €11,208 for a year and is used to meet the costs of living in Germany.
How many Indian students go to Germany every year?
Determining the exact average is hard. Germany is becoming more popular with Indian students. Based on recent data, an accurate estimate would be more than 42,997 Indian students studying in Germany annually.
Rakhee Talukdar is an edtech expert with five years of experience in the education technology sector, focusing on K-12 and higher education systems in various countries, including Canada, USA, Finland, France, and Germany. Her background includes founding a startup and working with early-stage educational ventures, giving her a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities within these educational landscapes. Additionally, Rakhee specializes in helping students craft compelling Statements of Purpose (SOPs) for studying abroad, leveraging her insights into different education systems to guide students in articulating their academic and professional goals effectively. Her comprehensive knowledge and strategic approach make her a valuable resource for students navigating their educational journeys and financial planning.
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