How Much Does Studying for a Master’s in Germany Cost?

Thinking of doing your Master’s in Germany? You are not alone. Many Pakistani graduates who want to study abroad are increasingly choosing Germany due to its high quality of education, coupled with the affordability of education in the country.

But how much does it really cost to study and live in the country?

In this guide, we’ll break down the different costs to help you prepare if you’d like to pursue a master’s in Germany in English after your undergraduate studies.

Tuition Fees: The Good News (Mostly!)

When you search on Google for the most affordable countries to study in, Germany always comes up, often as number one. This is because the country heavily subsidizes education, especially at public universities. 

At most of these, the tuition fee is zero, even for non-EU international students. Yes, you read that right. This applies to bachelor’s degrees as well as master’s programs, and all you’ll need to pay are small administrative fees per semester. These are in the range of €150 to €500, an amount that includes a transport pass to let you travel within your city or region for free. The fee is applicable to all programs in Germany.

However, note that you’ll need to do a master’s degree related to your course to qualify for free tuition. Otherwise, the tuition will be around €1,500–€6,000 per semester, depending on the school. Also, universities in the state of Baden-Württemberg charge tuition for all non-EU students, which is €1,500 per semester. The Technische Universität München in the German state of Bavaria does the same, and the cost is €4,000-6,000 for master’s programs per semester.

For private universities, the cost is higher, but still much lower than what you’d pay in other Western countries. Expect to pay around €3,500–€10,000 per semester, depending on the school and program. Note that some private universities offer 1-year master’s courses (60 ECTS, 2 semesters), significantly bringing down the overall tuition and living expenses.

Cost of Living: Monthly Estimates

Transport is much cheaper as a student, but the other living expenses can take the overall costs significantly higher. Considering the quality of life in the country, you can expect to spend more in this category than on the tuition costs.

Here’s a quick breakdown to give you an idea of what to expect:

• Accommodation: This takes up the better part of the monthly expense budget. You can expect to pay €250 to €400 per month for student dormitories, but availability is highly competitive. A common alternative for students is shared apartments (Wohngemeinschaft, or WGs), which cost around €400 to €1000 per month, with big variances depending on the city.
• Food: The budget here ranges from €200 to €300 per month, for groceries and some outside means. Cooking at home is obviously the more cost-effective option.
• Health insurance: International students in the country are expected to have German health insurance, which costs around €130 to €150 per month.
• Transportation: Most students get a semester ticket from their university, so the cost here is usually covered. If travelling outside the region, students are also eligible for a 25% discount with the BahnCard 25. You can also get a Deutschlandticket for students at a cost of €29.40 per month.
• Study materials: You can budget around €30 to €50 per month. This will cover books, stationery, and other study-related costs.
• Other expenses: Things like internet, mobile phone, personal care items, social activities, and unexpected costs will vary depending on the individual, but the range is €100 to €200 per month.

Overall, you can expect to spend anywhere between €800 and €1300 per month for your living expenses during your period of study.

Visa and Application Costs: Initial Investments

Before you even get on a plane, there are several other costs you’ll need to cover. These mostly have to do with the Visa and school application.

• Visa application fee: Applying for a German student visa currently costs €75.
• Blocked account: To prove that you can cover your living expenses for at least the first year, you’ll need to open a blocked account (online) and deposit at least €11,904. This is your money, and it’s what you’ll use to cover your monthly expenses. It’s released monthly once you arrive.
• Application fee: Some universities might charge a small application fee of around €25 to €75.
• Travel costs: A flight from Pakistan to Germany will cost you anywhere between Rs 140,000 and Rs 220,000.

Besides these, remember to factor for a few other upfront costs such as the initial setup, which includes your beddings and kitchen items.

Once you settle down and familiarize yourself with the city, you can work while studying to improve your quality of life. International students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the semester, with more hours during semester breaks. This should make studying and living in Germany much more affordable.