Masters fees in Germany

The German university system is underpinned by a philosophy of affordable and accessible higher education. Undergraduate courses at public universities in Germany are completely free and many German Masters degrees are also exempt from fees.

The self-proclaimed ‘land of ideas’ made headlines in 2014 when it completely abolished tuition fees for all of its undergraduate programmes. Fees still apply to postgraduate programmes, but the typical cost of a German Masters degree is far less than you might think.

There’s also plenty of financial support available for both domestic and international students. In fact, the body responsible for promoting German higher education and supporting students (the Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst, or DAAD) is one of the largest in the world.

Consecutive vs non-consecutive Masters degrees

Instead of being determined by nationality, the cost of your Masters degree in Germany will mainly depend on whether it is regarded as a ‘consecutive’ or ‘non-consecutive’ programme:

• Consecutive Masters programmes build upon related undergraduate degrees in the same subject. Tuition for these courses is usually free.
• Non-consecutive Masters programmes are not intended to directly follow undergraduate study. These are often professional degrees designed for returning students or discrete academic programmes for those seeking to acquire new skills and training at postgraduate level. Non-consecutive Masters programmes usually incur tuition fees of around €500 per semester, but some may cost more.

The best way to find out what fees are charged for a particular course is to check the programme details provided by universities.

Why not start by looking at the hundreds of German Masters programmes in our course listings? There you can find information on specific fees, as well as contact details for inquiries.

Do international students pay more to study a Masters in Germany?

Fees for international students in Germany are normally the same as those for domestic students. This applies to EU and EEA nationals as well as citizens of other countries.

One exception to this rule is the state of Baden-Württemberg, which charges non-EU students €1,500 per semester.

Are there any other costs for Masters students in Germany?

The full cost of postgraduate study in Germany includes some supplementary costs in addition to tuition fees. Of course, if you do not pay fees for your Masters in Germany, these supplementary charges will actually be the only ones you pay:

• Semester fees (or Semesterbeitrag) pay for basic registration and administration costs. In some cases these will also entitle you to student discounts. Prices are usually around €250 per semester.
• Health insurance is required by all students in Germany. If you already have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) this will be sufficient. Other students may need to take out private health cover during their Masters. Discounts are available to students under 30 and some part-time employers will also provide health cover.

Private universities

The cost of a Masters from a private university in Germany will usually be higher than at a public institution. Private universities are not obliged to waive fees and their degree pricing may not distinguish between consecutive and non-consecutive courses.

Cost of living for Masters students in Germany

Living costs for students in Germany are comparable to those in other European countries. Official estimates recommend that you budget around €850 a month to cover accommodation, food and other routine expenses.

The exact amount you’ll need will vary depending on the location of your university and your own lifestyle. As a rule, the cost of living in larger German cities such as Berlin, Frankfurt or Munich will be higher than elsewhere.