The German educational system is recognized as one of the best in the world. The principle of dual education, which is at the core of the German education system, gives equal emphasis to theoretical and practical education. Germany is a great place to study not only because of their highly-valued university degrees, recognized worldwide, but also because this is Europe’s strongest economy. Famous for its well-established functional systems tailored to offer safety, social care, and an excellent standard of living, Germany offers many opportunities for learning, employment, entertainment, and culture.
What makes Germany an even better study destination is the relatively low cost of education. Except for the ones in the state of Baden-Württemberg, all public universities in Germany offer free tuition to all undergraduate and master’s students regardless of nationality. Moreover, in terms of tuition fees, Germany is quite affordable especially if you receive scholarships in Germany. For instance, students attending public universities pay a semester contribution fee between 200 EUR to 500 EUR and some scholarships can cover the living expenses as well.
Living Costs in Germany for International Students
International students in Germany may expect to spend anywhere between 800 EUR to 1,000 EUR a month. Living costs will vary depending on the type of accommodation and the location of the university. Rooms at student accommodations range from 250 EUR to 350 EUR, while a shared flat may vary from 350 EUR to 700 EUR depending on the city.
When it comes to food, Germany has very affordable prices for food and groceries, and a budget of 150 EUR to 200 EUR per month is adequate. Traveling expenses may also be minimal because the semester contribution entitles the student to a semester ticket which provides the student free unlimited use of buses, metro, and trams.
The health insurance contribution for students is fixed at 100 EUR to 120 EUR, and utilities including internet and mobile can range from 100 EUR to 300 EUR.
Can international students work in Germany?
International students from EU member states may work without any restrictions. However, if their job during the term time consumes more than 20 hours a week, they will be considered an employee and will be required to secure German health insurance.
International students who do not come from EU and EEA member states can only work 120 full days per year, either in term or during vacations. However, if a student wants to work more than 120 days, authorization from the Aliens Department and the Federal Employment Agency is required. Internships and job placements that are part of the studies program are not counted in the 120 days.
Top Universities in Country:
Germany has three universities in the top 100 of the 2024 QS World University Rankings – Technical University of Munich (50), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (63), and Ruprecht-Karls- Universität Heidelberg (64). The Technical University of Munich has 200 degree programs that aim to support entrepreneurs, while the other two universities are known for research in various fields.
The fourth and fifth top-ranked German university are Humboldt- Universität zu Berlin (117) and Freie Universität Berlin (130).
Best Scholarships in Germany:
1. Deutschland Stipendium Program
Deutschland Stipendium Program is a merit-based scholarship program funded by private sponsors and the Federal government of Germany and administered by select universities.
The recipients of this Germany scholarship are selected by the German universities from among their bachelor’s and postgraduate degree students based on academic achievement, social commitment, and other personal achievements. The scholarship provides a monthly allowance of 300 EUR for at least two semesters. The period of funding may be extended to cover the entire period of study subject to review of the university every two semesters.
2. German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD Scholarships)
The DAAD scholarships funds studies, researches, research visits, and internships of graduates, doctoral students, and postdocs. The monthly scholarship allowance for master’s degree students is 861 EUR, while the monthly scholarship allowance for doctoral students is 1,200 EUR. The scholarship also provides a flat-rate travel allowance.
In some cases, this scholarship in Germany may also include support research, family benefits, health insurance coverage, and allowance for language courses.
3. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarship
This scholarship program is administered by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, a German non-profit political organization committed to promoting social democracy. The scholarship is open to undergraduate and postgraduate studies and is very popular with international students in the social sciences.
In order to qualify for the scholarship program in Germany, the student must already be admitted to or enrolled at a state or state-recognized higher education institution. In addition to the student’s above-average academic performance, the foundation also evaluates applicants’ personalities and requires sufficient knowledge of German, even if the course is held in English.
The scholarship benefits include a monthly allowance of 750 EUR and 850 EUR for a bachelor’s and master’s degree, respectively. In addition, the scholarship covers the cost of health insurance and a family allowance of 276 EUR for scholars with children.
4. Konrad-Adenaur-Stiftung Scholarships
This scholarship program is open to international students who want to complete a postgraduate, doctorate, or research program in Germany. Students who already have a Ph.D. are not eligible for this scholarship. Other criteria for selection include academic performance, at least B2-level German language proficiency, engagement in voluntary work, and distinct interest in political issues.
Master’s or postgraduate students receive a monthly scholarship of 861 EUR for two years. Doctoral scholars receive a monthly scholarship of 1200 EUR for three years. In addition to the monthly stipend, this scholarship in Germany may subsidize healthcare insurance of up to 120 EUR. Subject to additional requirements and criteria, the program also gives a monthly family allowance of 276 EUR and monthly children’s budget of 194 EUR. Scholars also receive mentoring from the staff of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and other people in their network.
5. Technical University of Munich (TUM) Scholarship
The Technical University of Munich scholarship grants a one-time financial aid between 500 EUR to 1,500 EUR to undergraduate and postgraduate international students at the TUM.
Students may apply for this scholarship in Germany on the third semester of their bachelor’s program or the second semester of their master’s degree. Students may reapply for the scholarship every semester.
The scholarship considers both academic performance and financial capacity when selecting its beneficiaries.
6. Henrich Böll Foundation Scholarships
This scholarship is for international students who want to pursue graduate studies and Ph.D. degrees in applied sciences or universities of the arts.
The level of scholarship funding varies according to parental income or own asset earnings, but the maximum monthly stipend of 752 EUR plus 300 EUR study costs. This Germany scholarship requires proof of proficiency in German level B2 or DSH 2 (with certificate).
The scholarship selection process also considers social commitment and political interest in addition to academic performance.
7. Aachen Institute for Advanced Study Scholarship
The Aachen Institute for Advanced Study in Computational Engineering Science (AICES) is a graduate school for computational engineering under the RWTH Aachen University.
Doctoral degrees are available in the following areas: automatic differentiation, bioinformatics, biomechanical engineering, computational geoscience, high-performance computing, numerical linear algebra, optimal control and design, and process systems engineering, among others.
This Germany scholarship is offered to Ph.D. students in the field of computational engineering science. The scholarship awards the student with a monthly stipend of 2,000 EUR.
