You may have heard that Germany offers free education to international students, but that’s not all there is to study in Germany. Although you can study in Germany for free, it does not apply to all types of degrees, for example, MBA. Therefore, you may still need to budget for tuition fees, as well as the cost of living in Germany. Also, you need to understand how to apply for a German student visa to study in Germany.
You will get complete information about all this in this post if you keep reading.
About studying in Germany
Germany Offers a great opportunity for good quality education. Apart from a good education, Universities in Germany offer free education.
Compared to other European countries, the cost of living in Germany is quite reasonable. The prices of food, accommodation, clothing, cultural events, etc. are basically in line with the EU average. You will need around 850 euros a month to cover your living expenses. The biggest expense is your monthly rent.
Students require around 850 euros per month to cover the cost of living in Germany. In big cities, costs can vary considerably depending on where you live.
You should plan to spend more living and studying in Munich than in Leipzig, for example.
Cost of living in Germany
Compared to other European countries, the cost of living in Germany is quite reasonable. The prices of food, housing, clothing, cultural events, etc. are basically in line with the EU average. You will need around 850 euros a month to cover your living expenses. The biggest expense is your monthly rent.
You should expect to pay the following fees during your stay in Germany:
- Living expenses (rent, food, clothing, books, telephone,…)
- Semester contribution
- The medical insurance
- Possible tuition fees
Students need around 850 euros per month to cover the cost of living in Germany. In big cities, costs can vary considerably depending on where you live.
For example, you should plan to spend more to live and studying in Munich than in Leipzig. In general, students can live for less money in small cities than in larger cities. Of course, the amount you’ll need will ultimately depend on your financial situation.
The rental of the apartment includes most of the monthly expenses. However, rental prices in Germany vary considerably. Depending on the location of your university, you will pay between 210 and 360 euros per month for accommodation.
Rental prices in some major cities, such as Cologne, Munich, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, and Frankfurt am Main, are much higher in comparison.
If you want to live on a shoestring, it may be advisable to rent a room in a student residence or shared flat (WG).
Students are eligible for any price reduction. By presenting your student card at the ticket office, you can benefit from discounts on admission fees to theatres, museums, opera houses, cinemas, public swimming pools, and other cultural venues.
License plate in Germany
Most higher education institutions in Germany are state-funded. As a general rule, fees do not apply to Bachelor’s courses or to most Master’s courses offered at state institutions of higher education.
Tuition fees may apply to specific continuing education master’s programs, which, however, are not particularly high compared to other countries. Higher rates may be charged for studies completed at private higher education institutions.
However, the federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg has decided to charge non-EU citizens study fees amounting to €1,500 per semester for study courses (bachelor, master, diploma, state exam) starting from the semester winter 2023/2024.
Ph.D. students are not affected by these fees. Students who have already embarked on their studies in Baden-Wuerttemberg but have not completed their courses in the WS 2023/24 will not be subject to the fees mentioned above.
Courses like Medicine, Criminal Law Humanities Engineering, and other courses are offered at around 300 Universities in Germany. Most of the courses are taught in German and some are taught in English.
| rent and utilities | € 323 |
| Food and drink | € 168 |
| Clothing | € 42 |
| learning materials | € 20 |
| Automobile and public transport. | € 94 |
| Health insurance, medical expenses, and medicine. | € 80 |
| Telephone, Internet, TV | € 31 |
| Recreation, culture, sports. | € 61 |
| Total | €819 |
Requirements to study in Germany at the undergraduate and postgraduate level
Graduate Requirements
- English / German language proficiency result
- Birth certificate.
- Medical certificate showing how healthy an applicant is.
- O-level results and transcripts showing grades
- A valid international passport.
Graduate Requirements
- English / German language proficiency result
- Birth certificate.
- Medical certificate showing how healthy an applicant is.
- A valid international passport.
- grade result
- The transcript showing all courses taken by the student with their grades as well as a grade result
- You must provide two reference letters
- Statement of objectives and/or research papers.
How to apply to Study for free in Germany
Once a college with the preferred course has been found through an internet search, an application can be made. German universities accept both paper and online applications, although most universities prefer online applications as it is a much easier way to request and receive documents.
The online application includes opening an account on the University website and completing the forms and submitting them. Paper applications involve photocopying and notarizing all documents and submitting them along with the downloaded application forms to the admission office.
How to Get a Germany Student Visa to Study for Free
An important aspect of education abroad is a student visa. The school will provide a letter of invitation after application which will be required when applying for a student visa.
The applicant will go to the embassy in his country of origin with documents such as results, medical insurance, passport photos, international passport, and others. When this is done, the applicant will be informed when he or she must come in for an interview.
It is important to note that applicants will need to open a German block account of 7000 Euros before they can obtain the visa. Applicants should not be bothered as the embassy will guide them through the procedure to do so.
Here are some of the best universities in Germany.
- University of Applied Sciences Konstanz
- Frankfurt University
- Free University of Berlin
- University of Hamburg
- Hamburg Media School
- Humboldt University, Berlin
- University of Bamberg
- University of Dortmund
- International University of Bremen
- international university in Germany
- Furtwangen University of Applied Sciences
- Augsburg University
- University of Flensburg
- Aachen University of Technology
- Hanover University of Applied Sciences
- Jena University of Applied Sciences
- Technical University of Duisburg
- European School of Management Mainz
- University of Applied Sciences Erfurt
- University of Applied Sciences in Koblenz
Top Scholarships to Help You Study in Germany
The University Of Bonn Encourages The Eligible International Postdoctoral Researcher To Work On The Research Questions Related To The Six Transdisciplinary Research Areas (TRAs) Of The University For The Academic Year 2023-2024.
2. Jeff Schell $10,000 Fellowship in Germany, 2023
The Jeff Schell Fellowships for Agricultural Science is aimed at assisting Masters and Ph.D. students from scientific disciplines including data science or natural science with research having a direct and significant impact on the crop science industry.
The Bayer Foundation´s Fellowships are designed to assist students who wish to gain additional training abroad by enhancing their existing study programs, such as MSc and Ph.D. For students that are based outside Germany, their fellowship period must be spent in Germany, while students based in Germany are expected to undertake their fellowship outside Germany.
The Bayer Foundation offers three fellowships (Jeff Schell Fellowship, Otto Bayer Fellowship, and Carl Duisberg Fellowships) to enhance existing study programs by providing necessary financing for international funding, which will be complimentary to their current or future scientific studies.
Fellowships cannot, however, be undertaken at commercial/industrial organizations.
$1,500 Full Ph.D. Scholarship in Hamburg University – Germany 2023
Do you want to study for a doctorate in Germany with everything paid for? A new opportunity for excellence is presented for international students interested in preparing academically abroad. The University of Hamburg will be responsible for hosting and training the scholarship winners in any of the fields they select.
The University of Hamburg is internationally recognized for its high educational levels, as well as for the support and funding programs it grants to students from all over the globe who demonstrate academic and research potential. The main benefit provided by this scholarship is the allocation of university tuition.
How will I apply for this and what course
Do you offer a full scholarship to international students
Hi Beatrice. We don’t offer scholarships. We are just a website with lot of scholarship information that can direct you to an University’s website that is offering a full scholarship, but not us directly.
Good
My name is Enamene Jesuremeluoba Stephen I have my Senior secondary school examination (SSCE) result with good grade last year 2022 . A Nigerian, i am really interested in study medicine and surgery undergraduate in Germany university. I need fully founded scholarship.
I will be grateful, if the opportunity to further my education in your university is given to me.
Phone No. 234(0)8029463117
Please my name is Stephen and l am 14 years old. I am in Ghana and am in basic 8 and l will like to study Germany please l need your help
Hi Stephen! It’s great to hear that you’re interested in studying in Germany. Here are some steps and tips that can help you achieve your goal:
### 1. Research and Preparation
**Understand the Education System:**
– In Germany, higher education is provided by universities, universities of applied sciences, and colleges of art, film, and music.
– Most undergraduate degrees (Bachelor’s) take about 3 years to complete.
**Language Requirements:**
– Many undergraduate programs are offered in German, so proficiency in the German language is often required.
– Start learning German as early as possible if you haven’t already. This will improve your application prospects and make daily life easier once you’re there.
### 2. Meeting Academic Requirements
**Complete Basic Education:**
– Make sure to complete your basic education with good grades.
– Focus on subjects that are relevant to the course you wish to pursue in Germany.
**Standardized Tests:**
– Some universities may require you to take standardized tests (such as TestDaF or DSH for German language proficiency).
### 3. Scholarships and Financial Aid
**Search for Scholarships:**
– Look for scholarships that can support your studies financially.
– You can find useful scholarship information on websites like [Pick A Scholarship](https://www.pickascholarship.com).
### 4. Application Process
**Choose a University and Course:**
– Research different universities and courses they offer.
**Prepare Your Documents:**
You will typically need:
– Academic transcripts.
– Proof of language proficiency.
– A motivation letter.
**Apply:**
– Submit your application through the university’s online portal or via Uni-assist if applicable.
### 5. Visa Requirements
Ensure you have all necessary documents for a student visa:
1. Acceptance letter from a German university.
2. Proof of financial resources (bank statements, scholarship letters).
3. Health insurance coverage.
4. Valid passport.
Visit the German embassy or consulate in Ghana for specific requirements regarding student visas.
### Final Tips:
1. **Stay Organized:** Keep track of deadlines and requirements for each university.
2. **Improve Your Profile:** Engage in extracurricular activities related to your field of interest; this can strengthen your application.
3. **Seek Guidance:** Talk to teachers or educational counselors who can provide additional advice tailored to your situation.
Good luck with your preparations, Stephen! If you stay focused and work hard, I’m sure you’ll achieve your dream of studying in Germany!