For many students, studying in Germany is a lifetime opportunity. The country offers a unique blend of high quality experiences and great education. The colleges rival other international institutions in other parts of the world. Did you know that you can study at one of the prestigious German universities almost for free?
Well, it is true!
Free college education in Germany
To some extent, studying in a German university will cost you way less than studying in other countries as a foreign student.
The German government abolished international fees that were charged by most public colleges.
If you want to enroll in most colleges, you are only required to pay little fees to cover costs such as transportation and administration. This contribution is referred to as semester contribution. The semester contribution depends on your university of choice.
The situation is quite different for private universities. Here you are expected to pay tuition fees. The amount to be paid is determined by your preferred course and other factors that may be deemed relevant.
Are German universities free?
To answer this question, we must define âfreeâ. As an international student, donât expect to enroll without paying a small fee.
Free, in this case, means subsidized. Instead of paying for everything, the government sponsors your tuition, but you still have to pay for public transportation and administrative costs.
Who qualifies to study for free at a German university?
Anyone!
Whether you are from Europe or outside Europe, you qualify for free university education at a public institution.
The only limitation of being a citizen of a country outside Europe is that you need to apply for a residence permit. Additionally, you need to complete the course you choose within the country.
Universities where you can study for free
Generally, most public universities offer free programs. There are plenty of options to choose from. Here is a list of prominent universities offering free tuition in Germany.
- Ludwig Maximilians University Munich
- University of MĂŒnster
- University of Cologne
- RWTH Aachen University
- University of Duisburg-Essen
- Goethe University of Frankfurt
- Technical University of Munich
- Ruhr University of Bochum
- Universitat Hamburg
- University of WĂŒrzburg
- FAU Erlangen-NĂŒrnberg
What to expect from free university education in Germany
Most free things in this world donât bring as much value as other paid options. This is not the case for colleges in Germany. The country hosts as many as 300 universities, all of which offer high quality education and experiences that exceed international standards.
Expect to receive the best when you enroll at a public institution in the country. Even though your university may not feature on the list of top 100 institutions, it doesnât mean that the teaching offered there will be of low quality.
All educational providers in Germany are fully accredited by strict standards to make them appealing to students from all walks of life.
The decision to abolish tuition fees was simply a move meant to lower the cost of acquiring knowledge to empower people to pursue their dreams and help build the countryâs economy.
