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Study in Germany: costs, visa, scholarships and universities

Costs, visa process, work rights, scholarships and university options for studying in Germany.

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Overview

Germany has a large public higher-education system made up of research universities and universities of applied sciences. Most state institutions charge no tuition for bachelor's or most master's programmes, though every student pays a semester contribution (DAAD gives a range of about 70-430 EUR per semester). Baden-Wuerttemberg charges non-EU/EEA students 1,500 EUR per semester, and the Technical University of Munich charges non-EU students in Bavaria per-semester tuition, while other institutions, such as LMU Munich, RWTH Aachen and Freie Universitaet Berlin, state that they charge no tuition for regular degree programmes.

Studies follow the bachelor, master and doctoral cycles. Most bachelor's programmes are taught in German and require proof of German at about B2 to C1 level (DSH-2 or TestDaF level 4 are typical thresholds), while a growing number of master's programmes are taught in English and ask for IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 88-95, depending on the programme. Applicants whose school-leaving certificate is not recognised as a direct university entrance qualification must pass the Feststellungsprüfung, usually after a Studienkolleg year; the DAAD admission database and the anabin database are the official checking tools.

Non-EU applicants usually apply through uni-assist or directly to the university, with winter-semester deadlines typically around 15 July for bachelor's programmes and January to May for many English-taught master's programmes. A national visa for study is applied for at the German mission, with proof of funds of 992 EUR per month (11,904 EUR a year, commonly through a blocked account), health insurance, and the admission letter. Processing times quoted by missions range from a few weeks to several months. Students may work 140 full or 280 half days per year, and graduates can obtain a residence permit of up to 18 months to look for qualified work.

Germany may suit students who can meet the academic and language requirements, can document financing for the visa, and are prepared to plan applications, visa and housing early. Costs, deadlines and rules differ by state, university and programme, and admission outcomes depend on individual decisions; applicants should confirm details with the university and the responsible German mission.

Public university tuition
DAAD: most state institutions charge no fees for bachelor's or most master's programmes; some continuing-education master's charge fees and private institutions may charge more. Baden-Wuerttemberg: 1,500 EUR per semester for non-EU/EEA citizens in bachelor's, master's, Diplom and state-examination programmes (doctoral students exempt). Bavaria: DAAD says non-EU students may face fees of several thousand EUR per semester set by each institution; TUM currently charges usually 2,000 or 3,000 EUR (bachelor) and 4,000 or 6,000 EUR (master) per semester, rising from winter semester 2027/28 to 2,300/3,400 and 4,600/6,800; LMU states no tuition for regular degree programmes including non-EU students. Berlin (FU Berlin program pages: no tuition), North Rhine-Westphalia (RWTH: no additional tuition for non-EU students). Semester contribution 70-430 EUR per semester (DAAD); examples: TUM 97 EUR, LMU 97 EUR, KIT 184 EUR.
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Monthly living cost
DAAD: about 900-1,200 EUR per month depending on city; a 2023 student survey found average monthly expenses of 876 EUR; students spend on average 410 EUR/month on rent incl. utilities (DAAD finances page). DAAD renting page: Studentenwerk residences about 280 EUR/month on average, students overall about 489 EUR/month, shared-flat rooms roughly 266-790 EUR (Munich about 790). LMU recommends about 1,500 EUR/month in Munich; KIT estimates 800-900 EUR/month in Karlsruhe.
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Visa processing time
Varies by mission: Bern 2-5 weeks; Muscat at least 4 weeks; Tashkent usually 4-6 weeks; Beirut up to 8 weeks; Ankara/Istanbul/Izmir general national-visa page 8-10 weeks (page is several years old); Moscow: the whole procedure takes a few working days up to several months, embassy review takes several months and status inquiries in the first three months are generally not answered. DAAD: can sometimes take months. Always depends on Ausländerbehörde approval.
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Work rights
Students from non-EU/EEA/Swiss countries may work 140 full days or 280 half days per year (DAAD side-jobs page). Residence Act section 16b(3): the permit 'only entitles the holder to employment of up to a total of 140 working days per year'; student jobs are not counted; a day of no more than four hours counts as a half working day. Academic/student assistants have no day limit but must inform the foreigners office. Self-employment only with Ausländerbehörde permission. Working more requires permission from the Agentur für Arbeit and the foreigners office (special financial need). Mini-job limit 556 EUR/month tax-free; statutory minimum wage 13.90 EUR/hour since January 2026 (DAAD).
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Intakes and deadlines
Winter semester starts September/October: applications generally open early May and close 15 July; acceptance letters August/September. Summer semester starts March/April: applications early December to 15 January; acceptance letters February/March (DAAD). Many English-taught master's programmes have earlier windows (e.g. TUM Informatics 1 Feb-31 May, TU Berlin English-language restricted master's 1 Apr-15 May, Heidelberg Molecular Biosciences 1 Feb-15 Mar, LMU Economics 1-30 April). Private universities may set other deadlines.
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Language requirement
DAAD: most programmes require German at at least B2 (CEFR) level; international and English-taught postgraduate programmes need English proof instead. Typical thresholds seen on university pages: DSH-2 or TestDaF level 4 in all sections for German-taught programmes (TUM, Heidelberg; TUM accepts DSH-1/TestDaF 3 only for Aerospace and Information Engineering bachelors; Heidelberg DSH-3 for some programmes such as Psychology bachelor and Medicine); English-taught: IELTS Academic 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 88 (TUM), IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 90 (Heidelberg Scientific Computing), IELTS 7.0 / TOEFL iBT 95 (LMU Management and Digital Technologies, C1), C1 for FU Berlin Data Science and Economic Systems, B2 at LMU Statistics and Data Science and KIT Mechanical Engineering, B1 at FU Computational Sciences.
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Tuition and living costs

Public university tuition
DAAD: most state institutions charge no fees for bachelor's or most master's programmes; some continuing-education master's charge fees and private institutions may charge more. Baden-Wuerttemberg: 1,500 EUR per semester for non-EU/EEA citizens in bachelor's, master's, Diplom and state-examination programmes (doctoral students exempt). Bavaria: DAAD says non-EU students may face fees of several thousand EUR per semester set by each institution; TUM currently charges usually 2,000 or 3,000 EUR (bachelor) and 4,000 or 6,000 EUR (master) per semester, rising from winter semester 2027/28 to 2,300/3,400 and 4,600/6,800; LMU states no tuition for regular degree programmes including non-EU students. Berlin (FU Berlin program pages: no tuition), North Rhine-Westphalia (RWTH: no additional tuition for non-EU students). Semester contribution 70-430 EUR per semester (DAAD); examples: TUM 97 EUR, LMU 97 EUR, KIT 184 EUR.
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Private university tuition
Not yet verified
Monthly living cost
DAAD: about 900-1,200 EUR per month depending on city; a 2023 student survey found average monthly expenses of 876 EUR; students spend on average 410 EUR/month on rent incl. utilities (DAAD finances page). DAAD renting page: Studentenwerk residences about 280 EUR/month on average, students overall about 489 EUR/month, shared-flat rooms roughly 266-790 EUR (Munich about 790). LMU recommends about 1,500 EUR/month in Munich; KIT estimates 800-900 EUR/month in Karlsruhe.
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Accommodation

DAAD: Studentenwerk (student services) residences are the most affordable option (about 280 EUR/month on average) but demand is high; apply early, some residences accept registrations while the degree application is pending. Flatshares and own flats are alternatives. Deposit (Kaution) usually about three months' basic rent. Beware of fraud (advance payments, non-German IBANs). Heidelberg Studierendenwerk: dorm application deadlines are 15 July (winter) and 15 January (summer) per a Heidelberg master's page.

When planning the total budget, separate one-off and monthly items. Budget planning guide

Visa and residence permit

Non-EU/EEA students generally apply for a national visa (D visa) for study at the German mission responsible for their place of residence. DAAD distinguishes a student visa (admission letter in hand) from a prospective-student visa (valid up to nine months, for applicants awaiting admission or entrance exams). After arrival the holder applies for a residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde. Citizens of Australia, Canada, UK, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, USA and a few other states may enter without a visa and apply for the permit in Germany (DAAD).

Visa processing time
Varies by mission: Bern 2-5 weeks; Muscat at least 4 weeks; Tashkent usually 4-6 weeks; Beirut up to 8 weeks; Ankara/Istanbul/Izmir general national-visa page 8-10 weeks (page is several years old); Moscow: the whole procedure takes a few working days up to several months, embassy review takes several months and status inquiries in the first three months are generally not answered. DAAD: can sometimes take months. Always depends on Ausländerbehörde approval.
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Proof of funds
992 EUR per month; funds for one year, 11,904 EUR, at application (Muscat 2026; Beirut: blocked account deposit 11,904 EUR with 992 EUR monthly payout; DAAD: 992 EUR/month as of 1 January 2025). Prospective students (Studienbewerber): 1,091 EUR per month for max. 9 months (Beirut sheet). Options: blocked account (Sperrkonto, setup fees 70-150 EUR per DAAD), formal commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) from a person in Germany, scholarship notice from a German public body of at least 992 EUR/month, parental income (DAAD). The Bern sheet still states 947 EUR/month and is outdated relative to the other sources.
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Health insurance
Insurance is mandatory in Germany (DAAD). Statutory student rate about 120-130 EUR/month under age 30; from 30 the standard contribution applies and private insurance is often cheaper. For the visa, enrolled students under 30 usually show incoming/travel cover (Schengen-wide, minimum 30,000 EUR, usually 90 days) until statutory insurance begins; applicants 30 or older or in Studienkolleg/language courses need private insurance for the visa duration (Beirut, Bern, Tashkent sheets).
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Application steps

  1. Check whether a visa is needed (Federal Foreign Office Visa Navigator).
  2. Obtain admission letter (or Studienkolleg/language-course admission, or entrance-exam invitation for prospective-student visa).
  3. Open a blocked account or arrange other financial proof; arrange health insurance.
  4. Apply via the Auslandsportal (digital.diplo.de) if available for the country, otherwise via the mission or its service provider; book appointment (biometrics).
  5. Mission usually obtains approval from the Ausländerbehörde in Germany; decision communicated by the mission.
  6. After entry: register address (Anmeldung within two weeks), then apply for the residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde (fee up to 100 EUR; initial permit usually valid up to two years).

Documents required

  • Valid passport (at least two blank pages per Muscat/Beirut sheets)
  • Application form (VIDEX/Auslandsportal) and declaration under section 54 AufenthG
  • Biometric photo
  • Admission letter / Studienkolleg or language-course admission
  • School and university certificates (apostille/legalisation where requested; sworn German translations unless German/English)
  • CV and motivation letter
  • Language proof as requested in the admission letter
  • Proof of funds
  • Health insurance proof
Fees
75 EUR for adults (37.50 EUR for minors) for national visas over 90 days; non-refundable. Waived in some scholarship cases per mission pages. Mission service-provider fees may apply (Tashkent: TLScontact).
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Nationality-specific notes: turkiye: Applications are handled by the German Embassy in Ankara and Consulates General in Istanbul and Izmir (plus consulate in Antalya). The Turkey missions' general page describes national (D) visas, names study in Germany as an example, states 8-10 weeks for national visas and 75 EUR fee for stays over 90 days, and that no status inquiries should be made in the first two months. Appointment provider iDATA is described there for Schengen applications; the study-specific procedure for Turkey was not verified on a dedicated page.; russia: German Embassy Moscow (and Consulate General St Petersburg for its district): appointment online via RK-Termin, in person with biometrics; proof of habitual residence in the Russian Federation required; Russian bank accounts are no longer accepted as proof of funds, use a blocked account (Sperrkonto) or a Verpflichtungserklärung; Russian documents need certified German translation; foreign degrees checked via anabin/ZAB; embassy review takes several months and status inquiries in the first three months are generally not answered.; kazakhstan: German mission in Kazakhstan publishes a sheet 'Visum zur Aufnahme eines Studiums' (documents: application form, biometric photos, passport, admission proof from university or Studienkolleg, original certificates, German translations except English) and describes an approval procedure with the Ausländerbehörde in which approval counts as given if no objection within 23 days. Dedicated PDFs returned 404 on direct fetch; details are from search summaries only.; ukraine: DAAD Ukraine: persons who were in Ukraine on 24 February 2022 and enter Germany due to the war until 4 December 2026 can register for temporary protection (section 24 AufenthG) without a prior visa, which allows study without a blocked account depending on the Ausländerbehörde; otherwise apply for the national student visa at a German embassy in a neighbouring country because the visa centre in Ukraine is closed; blocked account usually needed; processing can take a month or longer; scholarship holders usually faster. Section 24 holders enrolled as degree students lose social benefits but may apply for BAföG.; azerbaijan: German Embassy Baku student-visa leaflet (version dated March 2026 per search summary): national visa application filed entirely online through the Auslandsportal; TLScontact checks documents online, then issues appointment at the visa application centre with fingerprints and on-site fee payment; documents include admission or applicant confirmation, CV, degree certificate if applicable and signed section 54 AufenthG declaration. Direct PDF fetch returned 404; details from search summary only.

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Work rights and after graduation

Students from non-EU/EEA/Swiss countries may work 140 full days or 280 half days per year (DAAD side-jobs page). Residence Act section 16b(3): the permit 'only entitles the holder to employment of up to a total of 140 working days per year'; student jobs are not counted; a day of no more than four hours counts as a half working day. Academic/student assistants have no day limit but must inform the foreigners office. Self-employment only with Ausländerbehörde permission. Working more requires permission from the Agentur für Arbeit and the foreigners office (special financial need). Mini-job limit 556 EUR/month tax-free; statutory minimum wage 13.90 EUR/hour since January 2026 (DAAD).

After graduation: Residence Act section 20(1)-(2): permit up to 18 months after successfully completing a course of study.

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Language requirements and intakes

Language requirement
DAAD: most programmes require German at at least B2 (CEFR) level; international and English-taught postgraduate programmes need English proof instead. Typical thresholds seen on university pages: DSH-2 or TestDaF level 4 in all sections for German-taught programmes (TUM, Heidelberg; TUM accepts DSH-1/TestDaF 3 only for Aerospace and Information Engineering bachelors; Heidelberg DSH-3 for some programmes such as Psychology bachelor and Medicine); English-taught: IELTS Academic 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 88 (TUM), IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 90 (Heidelberg Scientific Computing), IELTS 7.0 / TOEFL iBT 95 (LMU Management and Digital Technologies, C1), C1 for FU Berlin Data Science and Economic Systems, B2 at LMU Statistics and Data Science and KIT Mechanical Engineering, B1 at FU Computational Sciences.
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Intakes and deadlines
Winter semester starts September/October: applications generally open early May and close 15 July; acceptance letters August/September. Summer semester starts March/April: applications early December to 15 January; acceptance letters February/March (DAAD). Many English-taught master's programmes have earlier windows (e.g. TUM Informatics 1 Feb-31 May, TU Berlin English-language restricted master's 1 Apr-15 May, Heidelberg Molecular Biosciences 1 Feb-15 Mar, LMU Economics 1-30 April). Private universities may set other deadlines.
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Scholarships

master / doctoral / postdoc (mainly graduates)direct via DAAD portal

DAAD scholarships

DAAD

Coverage
Example monthly payments 992 EUR (students) and 1,300 EUR (doctoral), flat travel allowance, health/accident/liability insurance in many cases; exact benefits per call
Deadline
per call in funding-guide.de database
Eligibility
Master's scholarships mainly for applicants from industrialised countries with exceptions (STEM study scholarships, EPOS); full doctoral grants primarily for developing/emerging countries; independent selection committees.
Source
bachelor / master studentsdirectly at the student's university

Deutschlandstipendium

Federal government and private funders via universities

Coverage
300 EUR per month, regardless of income, at least two semesters, up to end of standard period of study
Deadline
set by each university
Eligibility
Programme page teaser: first- and higher-semester students of all nationalities can apply directly to their university; criteria are achievement and responsibility.
Source
master / PhDonline portal of the foundation

Heinrich Boell Foundation scholarships

Heinrich Boell Foundation

Coverage
Amounts not stated on fetched page
Deadline
15 Jan-1 Mar 2027 (spring round); 15 Jul-1 Sep 2027 (fall round)
Eligibility
International students who completed first degree abroad and apply before master's in Germany; priority for applicants from DAC countries who have not yet moved to Germany.
Source
degree students in BW

Baden-Wuerttemberg Stiftung scholarship (tuition exemption)

Baden-Wuerttemberg Stiftung

Coverage
Holders are exempt from the 1,500 EUR non-EU tuition at KIT
Eligibility
Only the exemption effect is verified (KIT page); award rules not fetched.
Source
bachelor / masterTUM

TUM tuition waivers and scholarships for international students

TUM

Coverage
Awards are credited against tuition fees, not paid out
Deadline
must be applied for by deadline; not automatic
Eligibility
Each application reviewed individually.
Source

Cities

Munich

Berlin

Heidelberg

Aachen

Karlsruhe

Universities

Technical University of Munich (TUM)

Munich · public research university

Non-EU/EEA students currently usually 2,000 or 3,000 EUR per semester (bachelor) and 4,000 or 6,000 EUR per semester (master), shown per programme; from winter semester 2027/28: 2,300 or 3,400 (bachelor), 4,600 or 6,800 (master). Programme pages: Management and Technology BSc 2,000 EUR/semester; Information Systems MSc and Electrical Engineering and IT MSc 6,000 EUR/semester. Continuing students keep their starting rate. Exempt: EU/EEA citizens, doctoral candidates, exchange students, holders of German entrance qualification, etc. Waivers/scholarships credited against fees. Semester fee 97 EUR (Munich, Garching, Weihenstephan; summer semester 2026).

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Muenchen (LMU)

Munich · public research university

LMU states it does not charge tuition fees for regular degree programmes, including for non-EU students; semester fee 97 EUR (as of Aug 2026). Fee-based: further-education master's (e.g. International Health, Insurance, Management - International Triple Degree). Deutschlandticket for students 43 EUR/month (2026).

Heidelberg University

Heidelberg · public research university

1,500 EUR per semester for non-EU/EEA students with foreign entrance qualification in bachelor's, Staatsexamen and consecutive master's programmes since WS 2017/18; exemptions for EU/EEA, German entrance qualification, leave of absence, certain refugees/disabled, up to 5% quota (apply by 15 Jul / 15 Jan). Semester fee 148 EUR (Scientific Computing page) and 161.10 EUR for SoSe 2026 per search summary of the financing page.

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

Karlsruhe · public research university (and Helmholtz centre)

1,500 EUR per semester for non-EU/EEA students in bachelor's, teacher's, consecutive master's programmes and free movers; 650 EUR per semester for a second degree programme; exemptions include EU/EEA, German Abitur, cooperation/exchange programmes, doctoral students, BW Stiftung scholars, some refugees. Semester fee 184 EUR (administrative 80 + Studierendenwerk 92 + student union 12).

Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin

Berlin · public research university

Freie Universitaet Berlin

Berlin · public research university

FU Berlin programme pages (Data Science, Economic Systems, Computational Sciences, Global History) state: 'Students do not pay any tuition fees'; only semester fees and contributions (amount not on fetched pages).

Technische Universitaet Berlin

Berlin · public research university

RWTH Aachen University

Aachen · public research university (technical)

RWTH states it does not charge additional tuition fees for international students from non-EU countries; students pay only the semester fee (amount not on fetched page). Fee-based English programmes exist at RWTH International Academy and RWTH Business School.

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Official resources

Frequently asked questions

Information on this page is compiled from official sources and was verified on the date shown. Fees, dates and visa rules change often; check official sources before applying. Empty fields have not been verified yet; ask our advisor for the current information.

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