How much does it cost to study in Germany for international students?

Studying in Germany is definitely reasonable. Even if you don’t have to pay a tuition fee to study in Germany you will certainly have to spend on other factors to secure yourself as a student while studying in Germany. Thus, you can expect a regular expenditure of € 860 in Germany as an international student.

Is education totally free in Germany?

No! Even if students are not paying any tuition fee in public universities in Germany, they are still required to pay a fee in the form of semester contribution or administrative fee.

Is living in Germany expensive for students?

As compared to other study abroad destinations such as the UK and US, Germany is relatively less expensive. To have a hassle free experience while studying in Germany, it is important to have a safe funding plan. You can seek help from an expert or a peer who is familiar with the process of study abroad. It is best to seek guidance from someone who has done their educational research or is studying abroad to let you in on private insights. Facts about how easy or difficult it is to find a job or repay the education loan etc will help you choose the right thing for you.

Cost of Studying in Germany for Indian Students: Tuition Fees & Living Cost

Public universities in Germany have no tuition fees. However, you must pay an administration fee at the beginning of every semester. This can be between EUR 250 - 350 / INR 22,350 - 31,290, depending on the university and the course.

On the other hand, the average cost of studying in private German universities ranges from EUR 11,000 to 20,000 / INR 9,89,430 - 17,98,960. This is 35.3% lower than education in other top countries, such as the US, Canada and the UK. While the value of education and the prestige of the degree remain at par, Germany is an international student’s best choice for budget education.

According to Statista, Germany had 3 million students in the 2023 academic year. This proves the growing popularity of the country in the arena of education. When it comes to studying in Germany, you get a diverse range of experiences. Moreover, Germany has historically been a leading exporter of machinery, automobile components, and engineering equipment - creating career opportunities for postgraduate students.

Convinced about studying in Germany yet? Yes/ No/ Maybe?

Not a problem! With low education costs, living expenses and lots of learning opportunities, Germany is the destination for your higher education. Connect with a study-abroad expert at Yocket to know more about whether Germany would be the best fit for your education and future. Connect with us today!

Table Of Contents

Tuition Fees at German Universities
Cost of Living & Other Expenses for Studying in Germany
Total Cost of Studying In Germany
Financing Your Education: What are some of the ways you can finance your studies?

Tuition Fees at German Universities

The cost of studying in Germany depends on various factors. Whether you’re enrolled in a public or private university, your accommodation and transportation costs, standard of living and others. These will determine how much you spend during your education in Germany. In this section, we will break down each part, so that you can make an informed decision.

Germany Public University Fees

Public universities in Germany have no tuition fees for international students. But you have to pay an enrollment fee for every semester. This can range from EUR 250 - 350 or INR 22,350 - 31,290. For better understanding, we have curated the following table with universities and their fees per year:

University	Average Fees per year
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich	EUR 300 / INR 26,820
Technical University of Munich	EUR 258 / INR 23,070
Humboldt University Berlin	EUR 685 - 1000 / INR 61,240 - 89,410
Technical University of Berlin	EUR 308 / INR 27,540
Free University of Berlin	EUR 311 / INR 28,520
RWTH Aachen University	EUR 1,095 / INR 97,900

Germany Private University Fees

The tuition fees in private German universities can cost anywhere between EUR 25,000 - 40,000 / INR 22,35,200 - 35,76,320. These costs depend on the course and the university. Usually, MBA and Engineering degrees are the most expensive.

Find details for private universities and their average fees per year below:

University	Average Fees (per year)
University of Applied Sciences Europe	EUR 1,400 / INR 1,25,170
GISMA Business School	EUR 20,000 / INR 17,88,160
SRH Hochschule Berlin	EUR 10,000 / INR 8,94,080
CODE University of Applied Sciences	EUR 9800 / INR 8,76,200
Munich Business School	EUR 24,000 / INR 21,45,790
EBC Hochschule	EUR 10,000 / INR 8,94,080
Bard College Berlin	EUR 29,700 / INR 26,55,420

Variations in German Education Fee with Regions

In 2014, 16 German states abolished tuition fees in public universities for both domestic and international students. However, in 2017, the state of Baden-Württemberg reintroduced tuition fees for non-EU students.

Students in the state of Baden-Württemberg are required to pay €3,000 per year for pursuing a degree at any of the public universities.

Cost of Living & Other Expenses for Studying in Germany

The average cost of living in Germany is EUR 1000 per month (INR 89,000). This includes housing, transportation, food, health insurance and other expenses that you may set aside for activities.

Housing: The cost of living in Germany varies depending on the city you live in and the kind of room you pick. The lowest-priced lodging may cost between EUR 450 - 550 / INR 40,210 - 49,140. The monthly rent in a city like Munich might range from EUR 900 - 1,200 / INR 80,420 - 1,07,220.
Transportation: Germany has an extensive network of public transportation. With numerous buses, trains and trams, travelling around the country is easy. Depending on the distance you are travelling, train fares range from EUR 1 - 2 / INR 90 - 180, and bus tickets are between EUR 19 - 40 / INR 1,980 - 2,410.
Food: As an international student, you can save significantly by cooking at home. Your monthly grocery expenses will be between EUR 50 - 75 / INR 4,470 - 6,700. Besides this, you can set aside another EUR 100 (INR 8900) for eating out occasionally.
Shopping: While you’re in a foreign country, it is fair to splurge on shopping every once in a while. This helps you understand the culture, gain new experiences and make memories. However, you must budget yourself to not spend an excessive amount of money on shopping.

Complete Breakdown of Cost of Living in Germany

Other Expenses for Students Studying in Germany

Additional costs associated with attending school in Germany include the German blocked bank account, student visa fees, and health insurance premiums.

Health Insurance: As an international student, it is compulsory for you to have health insurance in Germany. They usually cost between EUR 80 - 150 / INR 7,150 - 13,400 a month.
Blocked Bank Account: International students need to have proof showing they have enough money to live in Germany for a full year by setting up a blocked bank account. You need to provide a yearly income of roughly USD 10,000 / INR 8,30,360. You are permitted to take out EUR 895 / INR 79,970 each month for a year.
Student Visa: Once you have secured admission to a German university, you will need to apply for your student visa. To obtain a German student visa, you must provide your university acceptance letter, blocked account information, health insurance, loan paperwork, and mark sheets.The german student visa will cost you EUR 75 / INR 6,470 and it will take 25-30 days to receive your student visa.

Total Cost of Studying In Germany for Indian Students

The table below shows how much you will spend on what respective factors:

Expense	Cost per month
Germany College Fees	€250
German blocked bank account	€10,332
Health insurance	€80
Student Visa	€70
Cost of living	€1000+
Total Expenses To Study In Germany	€11,732

The total cost of studying in Germany around €11,000 or INR 9,77,892 for an Indian students. However, remember that you will be paying the charges of the German blocked account and the student visa only once. You will also be drawing the blocked amount in the first year of your studies in Germany.

Therefore, the regular cost of living and cost of studying in Germany for a student sums up to €850 - €1200, based on the city you choose to live in. Therefore, the cost of studying in Germany for Indian students would be 72,000 1,00,000 INR per month.

This video will walk you through the best courses and colleges in Germany, along with the reasons to study in Germany for Indian students!

Financing Your Education: What are some of the ways you can finance your studies?

While studying in Germany may not exactly be cheap, there are various things you can do to alleviate financial stress. There are multiple scholarships available for Indian students, such as the JN Tata Endowment Scholarship, TUM Scholarship for International students (offered by the Technical University of Munich) and many others. Check out more at Yocket’s personalised page for the best scholarships for more information.

You can also avail student loans at cheap interest rates, from various banks in India. You can speak with a loan advisor at Yocket to know more about the best loans available. Make sure to schedule a free call with an expert, and we’ll get back to you. Some other ways to finance your education in Germany would be to do a part-time job while pursuing your degree, have a significant corpus, and receive merit-based grants from the German government.

Ways to finance education in Germany

Part-Time Jobs for International Students in Germany

From the Desk of Yocket

Investing for international education in Germany is a huge step. But you must remember, that it’s an investment for your future. The affordable education and living costs have made Germany increasingly popular. The quality of education is 29.3% better than other counties. Students also gain exposure to multiple opportunities of working during and post education. These factors contribute to Germany’s popularity as a top study-abroad destination.

If you are aspiring for top-quality education on a budget, Germany is the perfect place! To know more about how you can make it to the top-ranked universities in Germany, explore Yocket Premium. With over 1200 admits from the top 20 universities across the world, and 9000+ admits from top 50 universities, Yocket is the study-abroad consultant you need to stay ahead. Reach out to us today!