How To Study In Germany

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How to study in Germany without paying a fee: What you need to know
Germany is a great country to study abroad. It has a unique combination between top universities and high quality life that rivals other destinations like the United Kingdom and Holland.
Search for study programs in Germany
You can also study in Germany for free, not just because it is home to some of top universities around the globe. Check out this list of frequently asked questions regarding tuition fees in Germany.
Studying in Germany is free for everyone
Anyone can study in Germany tuition free! This is right: Germans, Europeans and all other non-Europeans are eligible to study in Germany without paying tuition fees. No matter if your origin is from the EU, EEA or other countries.
This applies to nearly all public university study programs. The only catch is that if you are not from the EU you will need a residence permit to enter Germany. You will also have to complete your studies in Germany.
What universities in Germany offer free study?
You can usually study at no cost at German public universities. You ...
... have many options. There are nearly 300 German public universities and more than 1000 study programs.
The following are some of the most prestigious public universities:
University of Cologne
Ludwig Maximilians University Munich (LMU)
Goethe University Frankfurt
RWTH Aachen University
University of Munster
Ruhr University Bochum
University of Duisburg - Essen
Universitat Hamburg
FAU Erlangen-Nurnberg
Technical University of Munich, (TUM).
University of Wurzburg
Why are German public universities free of tuition fees?
Nearly all universities in Europe and the rest of the world charge tuition fees, even if they are charged by foreign students who visit that country to study. Germany is one of few countries where you can get a free education, regardless of whether you're from Asia, Africa, or another part.
Germans believe education should not be considered a commodity and that it is essential to ensure economic growth and social welfare. In recent years, legislation allowed public universities to charge a modest tuition fee of just 1,000 euros per year. After years of protests, tuition fees were repealed in 2014. Today, tuition fees are not allowed at public universities except in very limited circumstances.
In recent years, Germany's governments have realized the social and economic benefits of immigration. Germany is keen to attract the best minds to the country to study and, ideally, to stay to work after graduation. This is why there are no tuition fees for foreign students.
Does that mean universities aren't very good because tuition is free?
It's far from the truth! Germany's universities rank among the top in the world. You can expect to receive an international-level education as a student. Many larger institutions are regularly ranked among the top 100 international rankings.
You can expect high-quality teaching regardless of the university's ranking. Germany has strict standards when it comes to accrediting educational providers.
German governments have made a political decision to make higher education tuition-free at public universities. German universities are respected worldwide and will open many doors for you in your career options.
Is there a tuition fee in Germany?
You can generally study in Germany without paying tuition fees. There are some exceptions to this rule.
Public universities are tuition-free. Private universities charge tuition fees that are comparable to what you would pay in the UK and Ireland. Private schools in Germany, however, are more competitive than the public universities and offer specialized programs as well as other benefits to ensure that you get the most for your money. You might also be eligible for scholarships.
German universities differentiate between "consecutive” and "nonconsecutive." These Master's programs can be enrolled in right after your Bachelor's degree. Students must have work experience after graduation for non-consecutive programs. These non-consecutive programs usually require students to pay tuition at public universities. These are rare, but they are common. They are rare; they include "Executive MBAs", as well as some Master's programs.
Non-EU/EEA students can now pay tuition fees at public universities in Baden-Wurttemberg since 2017. This includes universities in Stuttgart and other cities such as Karlsruhe, Mannheim or Heidelberg. The tuition fees for a semester are 1,500 euro, which is still a lot cheaper than many other European countries.
If you are interested in pursuing a "secondary degree", some federal states will also require tuition fees of 500-650 EUR per semester ( "Zweitstudium"). This doesn't apply to if you are enrolled in your first Bachelor's degree or a (consecutive Master's) programme after your Bachelor's. The term "secondary degree” is a synonym.
Enrolling in a Master's program that is not consecutive (see above),
If you have already earned a Bachelor’s degree in another field, or if you are already enrolled in a Bachelor’s program.
If you have a Master’s degree in another field, you can enroll in a Master’s program.