10 Affordable Universities in Germany for International Students

As you know, most public universities in Germany charge no tuition fees because higher education is largely state-funded and supported by the government to make quality education accessible to all, including international students. No tuition fee does not mean lower academic standards.

Here is the list of the most affordable universities in Germany for international students:

Let’s get into the details of each of the affordable universities in Germany, along with their popular courses and more:

Semester Fee: €72 - €110 (₹7.7K - ₹11.7K)

Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg was founded in 1743 and has over 40,000 students. The university has more than 600 professors and over 6,500 staff members. It offers 275+ degree programs across 5 faculties covering engineering, medicine, sciences, and social sciences. 

The university has campuses in Erlangen and Nuremberg, with different focus areas in each city. FAU receives around €250 million in research funding each year and has strong industry partnerships. 

• University Type: Public Research University
• Monthly Expenses (Total): €750-€1,000 (₹81K-₹1 lakh) (Erlangen/Nuremberg are mid-sized cities with moderate living costs)
• Popular Courses: Mechanical Engineering, Medical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Business Administration, Economics, Data Science, and Physics

Semester Fee: €250 - €300 (₹26.7K - ₹32K)

The University of Bonn has over 35,000 students and offers around 250+ academic programs across different fields. The university has about 700+ professors and manages more than 350 buildings, including 50+ libraries. 

It has a total budget of over €800 million, with strong funding for research activities. The university is known for research in mathematics, economics, and life sciences. It also has partnerships with 70+ international universities, giving students global exposure.

• University Type: Public Research University
• Monthly Expenses (Total): €800-€1,050 (₹86K-₹1.1 lakhs) (Bonn is relatively more affordable compared to major cities like Munich)
• Popular Courses: Mathematics, Economics, Physics, Life Sciences, Computer Science, and Data Science

Semester Fee: €300 - €350 (₹32K - ₹37.5K)

RWTH Aachen University is a public technical university in Germany and one of the largest engineering-focused institutions in the country. It has more than 47,000 students, including over 12,000 international students from 120+ countries. 

The university offers 189+ study programs across 9 faculties and around 260 institutes. It is ranked #105 in QS World University Rankings 2026 and is placed among the affordable German universities for engineering and technical studies due to low semester fees and strong industry connections.

• University Type: Public Technical University
• Monthly Expenses (Total): €800-€1,150 (₹96K-₹1.2 lakhs) (Aachen is moderately expensive due to high student population, but still cheaper than cities like Munich)
• Popular Courses: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Data Science, Automotive Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering

Semester Fee: €320 - €350 (₹34K - ₹37.5K)

The Technical University of Dresden was founded in 1828 and has around 32,000 students. Its main campus is located in Dresden, a well-connected student city.

The university employs about 8,300 staff members, with people from over 70 countries. It is structured into 5 schools and 18 faculties, offering programs in engineering, science, and other fields. The university is known for strong research networks and receives high external funding for research. 

• University Type: Public Technical University
• Monthly Expenses (Total): €800-€1,050 (₹86K-₹1.1 lakhs) (Dresden is more affordable compared to major German cities)
• Popular Courses: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Data Science, and Physics

Semester Fee: €300 - €360 (₹32K - ₹38.5K) 

Humboldt University of Berlin was founded in 1810 and is one of the oldest universities in Germany. It has around 37,000 students, including over 5,200 international students. 

The university has been associated with 57 Nobel Prize winners, including well-known names like Albert Einstein and Max Planck. It offers amazing faculties in Education Sciences, Psychology, and Romance. The main campus is located in central Berlin (Mitte), making it a popular choice for students.

• University Type: Public Research University
• Monthly Expenses (Total): €900-€1,300 (₹97K-₹1.4 lakhs) (Berlin has moderate to high living costs, mainly due to rent)
• Popular Courses: Law, Medicine, Psychology, Philosophy, Economics, Political Science, and Natural Sciences

Semester Fee: €330 - €360 (₹35K - ₹38.5K)

The Free University of Berlin was founded in 1948 and is a public research university located in Berlin. It has around 34,400 students, including about 13-33% international students. The university employs around 390 professors and over 4,700 staff members. 

It is ranked #88 in the 2026 World University Rankings and is placed among the top 3 universities in Germany. It also has around 3,300 doctoral candidates, with nearly 42% coming from outside Germany.

• University Type: Public Research University
• Monthly Expenses (Total): €900-€1,300 (₹97K-₹1.4 lakhs)
• Popular Courses: Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Medicine, Law, Political Science, History, and International Relations

Semester Fee: €350 - €380 (₹32K - ₹40.6K) 

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) was founded in 1472 and is a public university located in Munich, Germany. It has around 50,000 students across 18 faculties. 

LMU is ranked #58 in QS World University Rankings 2026 and #34 in THE 2026 rankings. About 53% of its students are international, and it also has a high international faculty share of around 80%. The university is known for producing around 50 Nobel Prize winners across different fields.

• University Type: Public Research University
• Monthly Expenses (Total): €850-€1,200 (₹86K-₹1.3 lakhs)
• Popular Courses: Medicine, Business Administration, Economics, Law, Physics, Data Science, Psychology, and Political Science

Semester Fee: €340 - €380 (₹36.3K - ₹40.6K)

The University of Hamburg was founded in 1919 and has over 42,000 students, including around 5,500 doctoral candidates. It offers about 189 degree programs across 8 faculties covering different fields of study. The university has around 718 professors and more than 5,700 research staff, supported by a total budget of about €573 million. 

It is one of the largest and most affordable universities in Germany and is known for research in areas like climate science and physics. The campus is located in Hamburg, which is a major city and research hub in northern Germany.

• University Type: Public Research University
• Monthly Expenses (Total): €900-€1,200 (₹96K-₹1.28 lakhs) (Hamburg is a large city with slightly higher living costs)
• Popular Courses: Physics, Climate Science, Economics, Law, Computer Science, Business Administration, and Social Sciences

Semester Fee: €350 - €390 (₹37.5K - ₹41.7K)

The University of Gottingen was founded in 1737 and has around 22,000-28,000 students. About 11-13% of students are international, making it a diverse academic environment. The university offers 210+ degree programs across 13 faculties covering humanities, sciences, and medicine. 

It has over 400 professors and more than 5,000 staff members. The university has been associated with 40+ Nobel Prize winners, especially in fields like physics and mathematics.

• University Type: Public Research University
• Monthly Expenses (Total): €700-€1,000 (₹75K-₹1 lakh) (Göttingen is a smaller student city with lower living costs)
• Popular Courses: Physics, Mathematics, Economics, Data Science, Life Sciences, Computer Science, and Humanities

Semester Fee: €300 - €400 (₹32K - ₹42.8K)

The Technical University of Berlin was founded in 1879 and has around 34,500 students, with about 22% international students. It offers around 100 programs across engineering, natural sciences, economics, and planning through 7 schools and 40 institutes. 

The university has nearly 500 exchange programs, giving students options to study abroad during their degree. Its main campus is located in central Berlin (Charlottenburg). It is also known for strong support for student startups and industry connections.

• University Type: Public Technical University
• Monthly Expenses (Total): €900-€1,300 (₹97K-₹1.4 lakhs)
• Popular Courses: Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Industrial Engineering, Economics, Data Science, and Urban Planning 

Private universities in Germany charge tuition fees, but some options are still relatively affordable, like IU International University of Applied Sciences or GISMA Business School, compared to other countries. On average, tuition fees at private universities range between €10,000 and €24,000 per year (₹10.7-₹25.6 lakhs), offering English-taught and career-focused programs.

Here is the table with some of the most affordable private universities in Germany and their approximate annual tuition fees:

Many students assume 'free education' in Germany means zero cost, but the real challenge is managing living expenses and understanding city-wise cost differences. Choosing the right university is not just about low semester fees, but also about course availability, language requirements, and job opportunities after graduation. Planning these factors early can help you avoid common mistakes during applications.

With Yocket Premium, you get personalised university shortlisting, SOP guidance, and visa support to Germany. From understanding which universities are truly tuition-free to preparing for German or English requirements, experts guide you at every step.