Germany is one of the most popular destinations for studying abroad. It has the largest national economy in the world and offers ample employment opportunities for international aspirants. International students often show huge interest in pursuing MS courses in the country, mostly because of the research-based work prospects they offer. Other key reasons behind choosing Germany for MS courses are the globally ranked and reputed universities here, the quality of education that they provide, and the comparatively affordable cost of MS in Germany for Indian students. The average cost may range between INR 2,76,700 and INR 9,34,800 annually and includes tuition charges, costs of living and other uncategorized expenditures. Expenses like visa processing, entrance test fees and other costs should also be considered.
The costs mentioned above as master’s fees in Germany may be classified into two categories, namely accrued expense while present in India and those that apply when studying physically in Germany. The primary initial costs include registration charges for standardized tests including graduate assessment and language proficiency tests.
On that note, here are some important aspects worth keeping in mind:
1. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
This is a universally recognized English proficiency test with registration fees of roughly INR 14,500. Scores of the English language test are valid for two years and post expiration, those who have not obtained admission, will have to take it afresh. Registration should be done a minimum of 7 days prior to the examination date and results are sent over email. Costs linked to this test are also a part of the MS in Germany cost and include late registration fees of $40, rescheduling test charges of $60, and Additional score reports (per institution or agency) which cost $20 each.
2. IELTS
The International English Language Testing System or IELTS fees is also included in the cost of doing MS in Germany. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is one of the most widely accepted language proficiency exams that test the candidate’s familiarity with the English language. It is designed to help individuals who wish to study, work or migrate to a country where English is the dominant language.
Conducted in different difficulty levels for students (IELTS Academic) and immigration (IELTS General) purposes, the exam evaluates the test taker’s speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills.
Scheduled multiple times every year, IELTS is conducted in more than 50 test centers across India by IDP Education. Aspirants can register online for the test with a registration fee of ₹15,500 and the results remain valid for two years.
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is required not just for German institutions but all throughout Europe. GMAT registration charges are roughly INR 18,500 and aspirants may send the scorecard to 5 chosen universities. Subsequent test score dispatch requests will cost INR 800 per college.
4. GRE
Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) have specific fees although it is not mandatory in most universities in Germany. Yet, if it is a requirement for any particular university, then aspirants have to take the same. The GRE score may be accepted by several universities in place of GMAT. GRE remains valid for a period of 5 years. The two tests are Subject and General. Registration charges for general tests are INR 14,600 while they are INR 10,600 for subject tests.
Other accepted tests include Duolingo, PTE, CAEL, and others. The Duolingo test costs INR 3,700 while PTE costs INR 13,300 and CAEL costs INR 11,000.
When compared to other European countries, Germany has a low cost of living.
University Tuition Fees
Despite the fact that some German universities have reinstated tuition fees for international students, the bulk of them offer free higher education. As an international student in Germany, the only university payment that must be made is a semester contribution. A certain amount of money has to be paid to the institution for specific services such as bus transportation, administrative help, sports facilities, dining halls, and so on.
Although tuition-free education in Germany relieves students of a significant financial load, there is still the cost of living to consider. Germany is not an expensive place to live as a student, but if they put in the effort to plan where they will live and keep track of their spending, they may save a lot of money. Overall, the total cost of living in Germany is determined by factors such as – where students live and what kind of lifestyle they lead. Rent, food, and clothing in industrialized cities are more expensive. In contrast, students might expect lower costs for several items and services in less-populated locations. Therefore, students may save a lot of money by choosing the right place to reside.
Average Rent in Germany
Finding a decent house to rent is the first and most pressing problem for every student in Germany. The rent prices are the main expense they will have to bear. Labeling a city as an expensive location to live is done primarily for that reason.
Major cities, such as Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, and Frankfurt, are more expensive than smaller cities, such as Leipzig or Karlsruhe. Prices vary widely depending on where students want to live and what kind of conditions they want. If they want to rent a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, the monthly rent will be less than €700 (INR 58,000)
Below is the average monthly rent for one-bedroom apartments in the ten popular German cities:
No.
Name of the city
Average monthly rent
1
Munich
1,200 EUR (INR 1 Lakh)
2
Frankfurt
870 EUR (INR 76,000)
3
Stuttgart
850 EUR (INR 74,000)
4
Hamburg
840 EUR (INR 73,000)
5
Berlin
800 EUR (INR 70,000)
6
Cologne
730 EUR (INR 64,000)
7
Dusseldorf
675 EUR (INR 59,000)
8
Leipzig
500 EUR (INR 43,500)
9
Dortmund
460 EUR (INR 40,000)
10
Essen
450 EUR (INR 39,000)
Transportation Costs in Germany
Making an informed decision about the mode of transportation to use might save not just time but also money. Bicycling is the best way to get from one place to another, especially in congested cities during rush hours. Among the several modes of transportation, public transportation is unquestionably the most affordable. On average, a one-way ticket on local public transportation costs 2.00 €.
If a person is a frequent traveller on the same line, a monthly ticket, which costs on average 70€, can be purchased. The initial taxi fare is 3.50€, while the per-kilometre fare ranges from 1.55€ to 2.50€. Anyone who owns a car must know that gasoline prices range from 1.25€ to 1.49€.
Average Utilities and Bills Cost
Besides housing rent, there will be a need to cover monthly bills for heating, electricity, water, and garbage. In Germany, a person will have to pay 29.42 cents for a kilowatt-hour (CT/kWh). If living with roommates, of course, there will be sharing of these expenses. In some cases, these bills are included in the rent, so there is no need to pay extra for these utilities.
Food Cost in Germany
In Germany, the cost of basic foods and beverages is not too expensive. The average cost of some of these items is listed below:
Items
Cost
Potato (1kg)
1.06 €
Onion (1kg)
1.09 €
Chicken (1kg)
7.53 €
Tomato (1kg)
2.62 €
Apples (1kg)
2.22 €
Banana (1kg)
1.58 €
Oranges (1kg)
2.29 €
Application and Other Costs
The Masters in Germany cost also includes cost of application, German study permit and evidence of financial resources for studying MS in the country. The application cost is not standardized. It will vary on the basis of several factors including the study level, study mode and institution. This fee may vary between approximately INR 1,854-7,416 or USD$25-100. Some German institutions have free application facilities for international students.
Visa application fees or German study permits cost between INR 5,280-6,600 approximately. All applicants at universities in Germany should demonstrate their abilities to meet tuition and living costs for their selected program. They should have deposit confirmation of INR 9.07 lakh at a blocked account in a German bank. This blocked amount will be covering all costs of the program including the student’s monthly expenditure. The monthly costs are estimated at roughly INR 75,768 as of 2021, covering tuition/semester fees, household costs, utilities, rent, transport, clothing, entertainment, food, books, insurance, and other costs.
Instantly after landing in Germany, students must get permanent accommodation. For the same, they will need to apply for a student residence permit in the country. The application cost varies between INR 4,928-8,800 for first-timers and INR 4,312-8,448 for extensions of student residence permits.
If budget is the obstacle, one can try making it to the public universities that offer MS courses with no or minimal fees.
Student Accommodation
Germany, as a student-friendly country, has made all provisions to ensure the safety of its students. There are numerous student housing options available at reasonable rates.
Internships/Part-Time work
For students, Germany has a plethora of paid internships and part-time jobs. Students will gain exposure and experience in addition to earning extra money.
Student Loan
Students can take care of the loan after the completion of their course as all overseas students studying in Germany are eligible for free 18-month job-search visas.
Personal Expenses
Some costs are inevitable, but students must master the skill of managing their personal expenses.
Masters’ Fees in Germany at leading universities
Cost of MS will naturally vary across leading universities in Germany. Here is a list of top universities and their approximate tuition fees in addition to expected living costs for students alongside:
University
Tuition Fee (INR)
Cost of Living (INR)
University of Freiburg
1,32,000
70,400
University of Wuerzburg
Free + semester contribution fee of 12,144
61,600
The Humboldt University of Berlin
Free + university registration fee of approximately 26,400
Here are some of the scholarships available for lowering your costs considerably:
DAAD Scholarships
These scholarships come from the biggest organization for financial aid globally. DAAD also offers several programs for people in other countries. The DAAD helps students hailing from developing countries too.
Deutschlandstipendium
This national educational program benefits more than 22,500 students courtesy of the German Federal Government. This initiative rewards meritorious students with 300 Euros each month.
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung
This scholarship offers help for international and local students with good grades and awareness of civil and political responsibilities, along with involvement in social or political initiatives. Eligible students may get up to 1,000 Euros each month.
Heinrich Boll Foundation
The Heinrich Boll Foundation offers multiple scholarships to international and German students at various academic levels, especially those planning to study STEM courses.
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS)
This is for aspiring PhD or Master’s students in Germany and holds good for a year.
Bayer Foundation
This scholarship offers financial aid to both professionals and students from other countries and Germany alike.
Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
Scholarships are available up to 400 Euros each month for students in Master’s programs.
Leipzig Graduate School of Management
Scholarships are given to students enrolled in several MSc courses.
Many other colleges and universities like RWTH Aachen, ESMT MBA and Ulm University have scholarship programs for international students.
Top Part-Time Jobs Available for International Students
International students are treated equally as their domestic counterparts in the context of part-time work in the country. Those coming from the EU (European Union), Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein will have similar rights as local German students. They can work more than twenty hours each week while having eligibility for specific insurance contributions like German citizens.
Students from other countries can work for 120 full days (max) in a year or 240 half days annually. Freelancing or self-employment is not allowed while working beyond these hours requires special permission from the foreigners’ registration office and a local employment agency. Those doing language courses or preparatory programs may only work during recess with permission from the Immigration Office and Federal Employment Agency.
Some of the top part-time job options include the following:
Getting an education loan to study in Germany is a simple affair and quite like getting loans for studying in other global countries. The German universities usually admit students in January and September. Once you get admission, arranging the funds is the next big step. Germany is a cost-effective country with public universities charging almost nominal tuition fees and reasonable fees at private institutions.
Multiple public and private sector banks offer education loans in India and NBFCs (non-banking finance companies). Education loans are sanctioned at a lower interest rate for eligible students pursuing foreign education in Germany. Loan criteria may vary across banks. Some loans may need collateral or security, while co-applicants include the applicant’s parents, in-laws, siblings, or spouses. Applicants should be Indian citizens while having obtained admission into a course with recognition from the institution. The student should be at least 18 years of age and their parents may also apply for the study loan. One can also opt for a job-oriented course.
Some of the documents required include the following:
Study cost documents
Admission letter from the institution
Filled-out loan application
Proof of residence
Proof of identification
PAN details
Co-borrower/guarantor bank statements
Student’s or main applicant’s bank statements
Guarantor/co-borrower’s income proof
Co-borrower/guarantor’s statement of assets
The loan will cover tuition costs, caution deposit fees, accommodation costs, travel costs, study tours/project assignments, study materials, devices, stationery, and other expenditures for completing the course successfully. International students can start working part-time for up to 20 hours each week. After completing their courses, they can also apply for 18-month residence permits to find work. Those taking education loans have to start repaying after completing the course and moratorium period, i.e., one year after finishing the course or six months after getting a job, whichever comes earlier.
Study in Germany with upGrad Abroad
Students can pursue Master of Business Administration, Master in Data Science, Master in Computer Science, and Master in International Management from a leading German university, the International University of Applied Sciences, in collaboration with upGrad Abroad. As part of these advanced courses, students study the course part online with IU Germany and part on-campus in Germany.
They can avail the following benefits as part of any of the programs mentioned above:
Save up to 80% of the tuition fees by studying the first year online. The study abroad programs cost 1/10th of their offline costs.
Students will be guided by trained instructors to help them prepare for entrance and qualifying exams such as IELTS.
Fast-track courses that help students learn efficiently in a short span.
Assistance with visas, scholarships & readying admission documents.
Germany is globally acclaimed for its generous higher education system where public universities in almost all States charge zero or negligible tuition fees. If you are studying at a public university in Germany, your master’s degree will be almost free. You may only have to pay some nominal administrative costs and other charges. The waiver is also applicable to all students, including those from other countries. The master’s degree usually covers two years in Germany. You only have to pay the enrollment fee (one-time) when joining the educational program.
How can I get a scholarship for a master’s in Germany?
You can search online for the best scholarships available for master’s students in Germany. Some of the top options include the following:
1. Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarships
2. DAAD Scholarships
3. Deutschlandstipendium
3. DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Masters 4. Scholarships for Public Policy & Good Governance
5. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarships
With government and private-funded scholarship options, you can also get several scholarships from educational institutions like universities and colleges in Germany. They have varying criteria for obtaining the scholarship. Make sure you carefully check all the scholarship application criteria and deadlines before applying. Also, apply to as many scholarships as you can to maximize your chances of getting one.
Is studying in Germany cheap?
Studying in Germany is certainly more affordable than many international students think! Germany has an excellent self- or publicly-funded university system that does not charge any tuition fees. Public universities have zero tuition fees for all students, including international aspirants. They only charge enrollment and some other administrative fees. Private universities are not free in Germany but their fees are also reasonable compared to many other countries. In Germany, you can stop worrying about study costs. However, you have to cover your living costs, which may hover between 700-1,000 Euros per month, including accommodation, health insurance, food, and groceries, etc.
Is studying in Germany cheaper in comparison to India?
If you look at it from the point of view of tuition costs, then yes, studying in Germany is cheaper than in India. This is because the public universities do not charge any tuition fees for even international students. They only have to pay enrollment fees and some smaller charges. Indian universities in comparison, are not free for students. However, living costs are substantially higher in Germany than India, so that factor should be accounted for as well.
Kanika has 5+ years of experience as a writer and content developer. She has written for a wide range of industry verticals, including hospitality, restaurants, non-profits, finance, IT, HR, technology, payroll, and education. She has worked as a creator for a few leading companies and has also helped brands grow through her creative writing.
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