Is Postgraduate Study in Germany Really Free?

They say nothing in life is free – but is postgraduate study in Germany the exception?

You may have heard that German universities don’t charge for Masters and PhDs programmes (which is true!), but their postgraduate degrees aren’t freebies in quite the same way as the mint humbug at the end of a restaurant meal or your 10th latte at Caffé Nero.

So exactly how much will a Masters in Germany set you back, and what hidden costs should you watch out for? We have the answers.

Do German universities charge tuition fees?

The short answer to this question is no. Most degree programmes in Germany are tuition-free for all students, regardless of nationality!

There are a few exceptions to be aware of:

• Private universities may charge fees. That said, the majority of universities in Germany are public so you’ll have no shortage of state-funded institutions to choose from if you want to avoid extra charges!
• The state of Baden-Württemberg introduced tuition fees of €1,500 per semester for Masters programmes in 2017. There are over 50 universities in Baden-Württemberg, including the highly-ranked Heidelberg University.
• A small number of non-consecutive Masters degrees may charge fees. However, these tend to be highly specialised and require several years’ professional experience.

So all in all, it would be inaccurate to say that Masters study in Germany is completely free. What we can say, however, is that it’s a very good deal.

*very much not free

Other costs

Of course, there are more costs associated with packing up and heading to a new country for your Masters than just tuition fees.

The German government estimates that students budget around €867 per month (including rent). You'll need a little bit more than this (€11,208 per year) to apply for a student visa. These living costs are roughly in line with the EU average. You may even be able to get by with less if you choose a cheaper form of accommodation or study in a cheaper city.

The cost of housing in Germany is quite variable. It can be as little as €246 per month for a student dormitory or as much as €595 for a private flat.

Taken together with the lack of tuition fees, Germany’s middle-of-the-road living costs make it one of Europe’s cheapest options for postgraduate study!