Below you’ll find a selection of frequently asked questions for international students looking to study abroad in Germany. Click any of the questions below to get impartial information about the admissions process at German universities, tuition fees in Germany (or lack thereof), German student visa applications, scholarships to study in Germany and more.
7. Where can I study in Germany?
Very good question! There are a total of 42 German universities featured in the latest edition of theQS World University Rankings®, meaning that you have a great selection of world-leading universities to choose from. If you want to study in a world-renowned student city, you might consider Munich orBerlin, both ranked among the world’s top 20 cities for students in the QS Best Student Cities index. But there are lots of regions of Germany with lots to offer students, including North Rhine-Westphalia (home of cities such as Dusseldorf and Cologne), Baden-Wurttemberg (home of Stuttgart), Bavaria (home of Munich), Hesse (home of Frankfurt am Main), Lower Saxony (home of Hannover), Saxony (home of Dresden) and Hamburg (a state which is also a city).
8. What’s the difference between a university and a ‘Fachhochschulen’?
While all degree programs in Germany lead to a recognized bachelor’s or master’s qualification (or the German equivalent), there are some institutions, named ‘Fachhochschulen’, which are more geared towards practical learning. ‘Fachhochschulen’ or University of Applied Sciences, typically offer degrees in fields such as engineering, natural science and business administration. Attending a University of Applied Science may give you a closer relationship with industry contacts and offer more opportunity for practical learning, including internships. If you wish to pursue an academic career, on the other hand, ‘Fachhochschulen’ may not be the best option, as there is less focus on theoretic work and they do not award PhDs.
9. Are scholarships available to cover living costs?
Although tuition fees in Germany are non-existent at public universities, you still need to consider how you’ll cover living costs. If you don’t have a sponsor or supporting family member, there are various opportunities to gain scholarships to cover these costs.
Scholarships to study in Germany can be obtained in various ways. The German government offers some funding to international students through the DAAD or the European Commission’s Erasmus+ scheme, but many opportunities are offered independently by German universities or external funding bodies. Browse the funding options on your chosen university’s website to see if they offer any international scholarships –these are often awarded based on merit, subject of study and/or country of origin.
10. Where will I live during my studies?
Unfortunately, most German universities do not offer accommodation to enrolling students. This means that finding accommodation is up to you. With no tuition fees in Germany, rent is likely to be your biggest monthly expense, and this will vary depending on which part of the country you live in. In big cities within Western Germany (i.e. Dusseldorf, Cologne etc.) and smaller, student-oriented cities such as Heidelberg and Freiburg, you should expect to pay slightly more than if you were living in eastern Germany (i.e. Berlin).
When looking for accommodation in Germany, you should consider student residences, shared accommodation or an apartment. An unshared apartment is the most expensive choice, and this will generally cost in the region of €350-400 (US$430-500) a month. Shared accommodation would be cheaper at around €250-300 (US$300-370) a month, while student residences are cheaper yet again at around €200-250 (US$250-310) a month.
If you struggle with finding your accommodation, you can also look for temporary accommodation to cover your first few days or weeks in the country. In these instances, emergency housing may be provided by the university or you could try couch-surfing, staying in a hostel, B&B or hotel.
11. Can I work in Germany during my studies?
Yes, you can! If you are a full-time EU or EEA student (excluding students from Bulgaria and Romania) there are no restrictions on where or when you can work. If you are a full-time student from outside of the EU (or from Romania and Bulgaria), you will be limited to working up to 190 full days or 240 half days per year before you must apply for a work permit. Upon gaining paid work in Germanyyou should contact the German employment office to learn about the legal conditions.
12. Can I stay in Germany when I complete my studies?
After completing your studies in Germany as an international student you are able to stay in the country and seek work for an additional period of 18 months. If you gain work in Germany within this time you should make sure that you extend your visa, residence or work permit to ensure you are living in the country legally.
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