collageStudying in Germany is a lifetime opportunity for many students, but is college free in Germany like many people claim? You’ll find all the details in this article.
German colleges are consistently ranked among the world’s best and their quality is above global education standards.
Over the years, we have seen students who because of fear of the unknown, gave up on their dreams of studying abroad in Germany. Their reason? They feel there are no free tuition universities in Germany that teach in English language. The reasons being that they never found satisfactory answers to the following questions
Study in Germany for free: What you need to know
Author: Study.eu Team — Last update: 30 March 2020
Germany is one of the best countries to study abroad: It offers a unique combination of great universities and high quality of life, and rivals other popular destinations such as the United Kingdom or Holland.
And not only is Germany home to some of the best universities in the world – you can actually study there for free. If you want to learn more, check out our list of frequently asked questions about tuition fees in Germany:
Who can study in Germany for free?
Everyone can study in Germany tuition-free! That’s right: Germans, Europeans, and all non-Europeans can study in Germany free of charge – without tuition fees. It does not matter if you are from the EU or EEA.
This applies to almost all study programmes at public universities. There is a tiny catch: If you are from outside the EU, you will need to get a residence permit before you arrive in the country; and you will have to finish your studies in Germany.
At which universities in Germany can I study for free?
In Germany, you can generally study for free at public universities. There are almost 300 public universities in Germany, and there are more than 1,000 study programmes in total – so you have lots of options!
Some of the largest public universities include:
- University of Cologne
- Ludwig Maximilians University Munich (LMU)
- Goethe University Frankfurt
- RWTH Aachen University
- University of Münster
- Ruhr University Bochum
- University of Duisburg-Essen
- Universität Hamburg
- FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
- Technical University of Munich (TUM)
- University of Würzburg
Why do public universities in Germany not charge any tuition fees?
Almost anywhere in Europe and the world, universities charge tuition fees – if only from foreigners who come to that country for their studies. Germany is one of the few countries in Europe where you can study for free, even if you are from Asia, Africa or elsewhere.
Germans generally believe that education should not be treated as a commercial product, and that free access to higher education ensures economic growth and welfare for the greater population. In the recent past, there was legislation allowing public universities to charge very modest tuition fees of 1,000 euros annually. But after years of public protests, the tuition fees were abolished again in 2014. Today, there are only very few exceptions where public universities can charge tuition fees.
Also, Germany’s governments of recent years have understood the economic and social benefits of immigration. Germany wants to get the smartest minds to study into the country, and ideally to stay and work after graduation. That is why there are no general tuition fees for foreigners, as well.
If tuition is free, does that mean the universities are not very good?
Far from it! Germany’s universities are among the best in the world, and you can expect to receive a world-class education as a foreign student. Many of the larger institutions regularly rank among the top 100 in international rankings.
Regardless of a university’s ranking, you can always expect high-quality teaching. Germany has very strict standards for accrediting its educational providers.
The fact that higher education at public universities is tuition-free is a purely political decision by the German government. A degree from a German university will be respected around the world and open many doors for your career choices.
Are there any tuition fees in Germany?
Generally, you can study in Germany for free. But there are a few exceptions in which you have to pay tuition fees:
- Only public universities are tuition-free. If you study at one of the roughly 100 private universities, you are expected to pay, and those tuition fees are on par with what you would pay in countries such as the UK or Ireland. However, because of their competition from the cheap public universities, private schools in Germany tend to offer specialised programmes, and other benefits so that you get your money’s worth. And of course, you might be eligible for a scholarship.
- German universities distinguish between “consecutive” and “non-consecutive” Master’s programmes. Consecutive programmes are those that you can enroll in immediately after you finish your Bachelor’s degree. Non-consecutive programmes usually require that students have post-Bachelor work experience. Such non-consecutive study programmes usually cost tuition fees, even at public universities. They are relatively rare; typical are e.g. “Executive MBAs”, but also some specialised Master’s programmes.
- Since 2017, public universities in the state of Baden-Württemberg can charge tuition fees from non-EU/EEA students. That includes the universities in Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Freiburg, Heidelberg, and some other cities. The tuition fees are set at 1,500 euros per semester – which is still much more affordable than in many other countries in Europe.
- Some federal states also expect tuition fees of 500 to 650 EUR per semester if you want to pursue a “secondary degree” (“Zweitstudium”). This does not apply if you enrol in a Bachelor for the first time, or a (consecutive) Master’s programme following your Bachelor’s degree. Instead, “secondary degree” means
- enrolling in a non-consecutive Master’s programme (see above),
- enrolling in a Bachelor’s when you already have a Bachelor’s degree in another subject, or
- enrolling in a Master’s programme when you already have a Master’s degree in another subject.
How high are tuition fees in Baden-Württemberg?
Baden-Württemberg, in South-West Germany, is the only of the 16 German federal states where students from outside the EU have to pay tuition fees at public universities. Tuition fees in Baden-Württemberg are 1,500 euros per semester; or 3,000 euros per year.
These tuition fees apply to all public higher-education institutions in “BaWü”, of which there are around 50.
Students who are citizens of the EU are treated the same as German students and therefore do not pay any tuition fees.
What other costs do I have to consider when studying in Germany?
While there usually aren’t any tuition fees at public universities, you normally have to pay something called a “semester fee” (“Semesterbeitrag”) or “administrative fee”. But that’s a small amount: often around 300 or 400 euros for the whole semester. This then also covers a public transport ticket for your city and sometimes even the surrounding areas, at a fraction of what you would normally pay for such a ticket.
For a Western European country, Germany is otherwise very affordable. Here is an overview of typical cost of living as a student in Germany:
| Item | Average cost per month |
|---|---|
| Rent and utilities | 300 to 500 € |
| Food and drink | 200 to 250 € |
| Health insurance | 100 € |
| Phone and internet | 30 € |
| Leisure and hobbies | 50 to 100 € |
You can get by on 850 euros per month, give or take a bit, depending on what city you study in. Larger cities like Munich, Frankfurt or Hamburg are known to be more expensive than smaller towns.
What scholarships are available to study abroad in Germany?
There are many scholarships for foreign students in Germany. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has an official scholarship database which allows you to search for suitable scholarship options, e.g. based on your country of origin.
Can I stay in Germany after I graduate from university?
Yes: International graduates of German universities can stay in Germany while they look for a job. And that applies to all students, regardless of the country of origin. If you are a citizen from outside the European Union, you can apply for an 18-month residence permit for after graduation.
With such a “job seeker visa” (or “post-study work visa”), you can search for a job that fits your qualifications; and you are allowed to take any job during those 18 months. The German Federal Government offers more information about the graduate residence permit.
10 Tuition Free Universities in Germany for International Students [Updated]
Tuition Free Universities in Germany to Study in 2022: Germany is one of such places in the world with study-friendly environment and quite welcoming to international students. Tuition free universities in Germany are listed in this post for foreign students who have the interest to Study in Germany.
A large number of universities in Germany are known to offer internationally recognized programs at a relatively cheaper cost as may be compared to those in the USA, Canada, Australia, etc. Germany universities are now generally known as not charging tuition fees in line with policy of the government. However, some private universities in Germany still do charge tuition fees.
It is also important to note at this point that, though Universities in Germany do not charge tuition, students still end up paying certain fees according to the following quote from a reliable source;
“…there is mandatory €8700 to be deposited into a blocked account before applicant can apply for student visa and after arriving in Germany the money cannot be withdrawn once unlike other countries like Italy whose tuition fees start from €800-€3000 after partly payment, prospectus is good to apply for visa, in Spain tuition fees start from €2000 – 75000 no blocked account no upfront deposit,…”
Tuition free studies in Germany are mostly applicable to undergraduate programmes as most postgraduate programmes are fee-based, except in cases where scholarships are awarded. Students can as well take advantage of the numerous scholarship opportunities in Germany and other funding programmes where they cannot afford tuition fee payment and other cost of studying in Germany.
Tuition Free Universities in Germany
- Free University of Berlin
- Technical University of Munich
- Humboldt University of Berlin
- Ludwig Maximilians University
- Karlsruher Institute of Technology
- University of Hamburg
- Heidelberg University
- Technical University of Berlin
- Darmstadt University of Technology
- University of Stuttgart
- RWTH Aachen University
- University of Cologne
It is important to know that numbering is not any form of ranking of these universities in any order.
Brief Descriptions of the Free Universities
Below are brief information regarding the listed tuition free universities in Germany for international students; their respective programmes, websites and scholarship opportunities are presented thus:
Free University Of Berlin
Free University of Berlin was established during the Cold War Era and represented the Freedom of the West Berlin, which was the stark contrast to the lack of freedom in East Berlin. The university is recognized internationally and offer free tuition programmes for International students.
Technical University Of Munich
This university was established in the year 1868 and has since produced about 17 Nobel Laureates as a demonstration of its research strength and excellent education it provides. One of its expertise areas is the STEM fields, International students with interested in such areas can apply to study tuition-free.
Humboldt University Of Berlin
Humboldt university is one of such tuition free universities in Germany famous in its wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses spanning across natural sciences, arts and humanities – being one of the best universities in the world. The Humboldt University of Berlin was established in 1810 and located in the borough of Mitte, Berlin with student population that numbers up to 32,000.
The school has made a lot of mark with over 50 Nobel laureates counted among the alumni of the university and is further associated with critical breakthroughs in science, including findings by Albert Einstein himself.
Ludwig Maximilians University
It has been ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and has produced over 40 Nobel laureates. The university is one of the oldest in Germany and currently, also, one of the largest in terms of student population with over 50,000 students. It offers courses spanning across Physical Sciences, Law, and Medicine to Business. As a public research university, it offers tuition-free education to both domestic and international students.
Karlsruher Institute Of Technology
The Karlsruher Institute of Technology (KIT) is a young public research university that was established only recently in 2009 and located in in Karlsruhe in Southern Germany. Despite it age, the institution has grown to be among the largest institutes of higher education in Germany and has also evolved into becoming one of Europe’s leading centres in engineering and natural science.
University Of Hamburg
The University of Hamburg was established since 1919 and has so far educated thousands of scholars, producing prominent people around the world and has enriched lives through her graduands. The university is considered one of the best schools in German for international students to study and has an endowment of over 600 million euros.
Heidelberg University
Heidelberg University, officially known as Ruprecht Karls Universitat Heidelberg, is a renowned public research university based in the Heidelberg province of Germany. It was established in the year 1386 which puts her among the oldest existing universities in the world. It is also one of the top ranking universities in the world as well in Germany.
Technical University Of Berlin
Established in 1879 as a research university, the university has grown to a current population of 34,000 students studying around 200 different courses and programmes. The university focuses on technology-based programmes and it’s a member of the TU9 – technology focus institutes in Germany.
Darmstadt University Of Technology
Darmstadt University of Technology (formally known as Technical University Of Darmstadt -TU Darmstadt) is prestigious research institution located in central Germany in the city of Darmstadt. The university was founded in 1877; known for its Engineering expertise was recommended for Albert Einstein himself! TU Darmstadt is also a member of the reputed TU9 network in Germany and it’s a powerhouse for education in computer science and information technology studies. The school, so far, has grown to become one of the leading universities in both Germany and even Europe at large.
University Of Stuttgart
The University of Stuttgart was ranked 263rd in QS World University Rankings 2016-17. It was established in 1829 and currently offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in a broad range of subjects gaining worldwide reputation for its excellent education in the fields of technology, engineering, and natural sciences. The school offers tuition-free education except for a few mandatory fees charge per student, which is not tuition fee.
RWTH Aachen University
Founded in 1870, RWTH Aachen University has grown to be one of the biggest institution of higher learning in Germany. It is a public research institution in the North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Currently, it has an approximate of 45,000 students, 23% of which are international students. The university offers courses ranging from the Natural Sciences, Engineering, Management, Arts & Humanities and Medicine
University Of Cologne
The University of Cologne is also one of the largest with an total of about 34,500 students or more – 18% of which are of foreign origins. The university was founded far back in the year 1798 being the fourth university established by the then Holy Roman Empire – that makes it the sixth-oldest university in Central Europe. It is currently is operating about 6 faculties grouped as the faculties of Arts & Humanities and Management & Social Sciences, Mathematics & Natural Science, Law, Medicine, and Human Science.
In case you have interested to study in Germany, you can look into applying to any of the above tuition free universities in Germany. Although the list is not exhaustive, but should go a long way to help in your scholarship search. We recommend you refer to the following fully funded scholarships in Germany to study for your dream course and also check to apply these German Government Scholarships for Postgraduate Students.
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