Costs
Tuition
Public universities: €0–350/semester (administrative fee only). TUM introduced non-EU fees: €1,500–6,000/semester from 2024. Heidelberg: €1,661/semester for non-EU. Private universities: €10,000–30,000/year.
Living Costs
€850–1,100/month. Munich most expensive (~€1,200). Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden: €750–900. Blocked account requirement: €11,904/year (released €992/month).
Total Annual Cost
€11,000–14,500/year at public universities. The best cost-to-quality ratio globally.
Part-Time Work
240 half-days per year (doubled from 120 in 2024). Earning potential: €450–800/month part-time. Mini-jobs (€520/month tax-free). Student assistant (HiWi) positions at universities: €12–15/hour.
Post-Study & Immigration
Post-Study Work Visa
18-month job search visa after graduation. Find a job matching your qualification → 2-year work permit → Settlement permit (permanent residency) after 2 years with Blue Card, or 4 years standard. One of the fastest PR paths in Europe.
Path to Permanent Residency
One of the best in Europe. Blue Card holders: permanent residency in 21 months (with B1 German) or 33 months (with A1). Standard work permit: 4 years → Settlement permit.
Language Requirements
Many master's programmes taught entirely in English. Bachelor's mostly in German. No English test required for some English-taught programmes (check per university). TestDaF/DSH required for German-taught programmes.
Visa Processing
6–12 weeks processing. Apply at German embassy/consulate in your country. Need: admission letter, blocked account proof, health insurance, passport. Some nationalities can enter visa-free and apply for residence permit in Germany.
Top Universities
| University | QS 2025 | Tuition (Int'l) | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| TU Munich (TUM) | #22 | €1,500–6,000/sem (non-EU) | Engineering, Computer Science, Business |
| LMU Munich | #58 | €85/semester only | Medicine, Law, Natural Sciences, Humanities |
| Heidelberg University | #80 | €1,661/sem (non-EU) | Medicine, Natural Sciences, Humanities |
| Freie Universität Berlin | #88 | €359/semester only | Political Science, Humanities, Natural Sciences |
| Humboldt University Berlin | #130 | €330/semester only | Arts, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences |
Scholarships
DAAD Scholarship
Award: €934/month + tuition + insurance
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Oct–Dec
Germany's largest exchange org. Multiple programmes: EPOS, Research Grants, Study Scholarships.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Oct–Dec
Germany's largest exchange org. Multiple programmes: EPOS, Research Grants, Study Scholarships.
Deutschlandstipendium
Award: €300/month
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Varies by uni
Merit-based. Apply through your German university. 25,000+ recipients.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Varies by uni
Merit-based. Apply through your German university. 25,000+ recipients.
SBW Berlin
Award: Free housing + €900/month
Eligibility: Developing countries · Deadline: March
Unique: provides apartment in Berlin + living stipend. Bachelor's and master's.
Eligibility: Developing countries · Deadline: March
Unique: provides apartment in Berlin + living stipend. Bachelor's and master's.
Heinrich Böll Foundation
Award: €934/month
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: March/September
Green party-affiliated. Values engagement in human rights, ecology, democracy.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: March/September
Green party-affiliated. Values engagement in human rights, ecology, democracy.
Friedrich Ebert Foundation
Award: €934/month
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Ongoing
SPD-affiliated. Focus on social justice and democracy. Strong alumni network.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Ongoing
SPD-affiliated. Focus on social justice and democracy. Strong alumni network.
2026 Policy Updates
What changed: TUM introduced non-EU tuition fees (€1,500–6,000/semester) — Germany is no longer universally free. Student work hours doubled from 120 to 240 half-days/year. Blocked account requirement: €11,904/year. Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) launched for job seekers — not directly student-related but improves post-study options.
Best For
Budget-conscious students wanting top-quality education. Engineering and STEM students (Germany's strength). Students targeting permanent residency in Europe. Those comfortable with bureaucracy and potentially learning German.
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