While affordability is by no means the sole factor attracting international students to Germany, low or non-existent tuition fees undoubtedly add to the overall appeal. At public universities, there are no tuition fees for undergraduate programs or for the majority of postgraduate degrees. Fees are charged at private universities, and for some master’s programs at public universities.
PhD study is free for at least the first six semesters (ie. three years). At public universities, the majority of students simply pay a small ‘semester fee’. This is typically no more than €300 (US$330) per semester, covering contributions to the student union, administration and the cost of a Semester Ticket – a six-month pass for public transport. Living costs vary depending on the location; according to Mercer’s Cost of Living Survey, Munich is currently Germany’s most expensive city, followed by Frankfurt am Main and Berlin. In general, it is recommended to budget around €700 (US$770) per month to cover accommodation, food and other living expenses. Those applying for a student visa will be required to show they have access to at least €720 per month (€8,640 for the full year) to cover living costs.
Once in Germany, it’s also possible to supplement your income through part-time work. There are no restrictions on this for EU/EEA students, and other international students are permitted to work 120 full days or 240 half days per year (more if a work permit is obtained), excluding research assistant work. A 2014 government survey found that two thirds of surveyed international students were employed in paid part-time work.