FAQ on studying in Germany

In all public educational institutions in Germany, instruction is conducted in German. While citizens of this country study for free, foreigners have to pay for their studies and accommodation.

The education system in Germany consists of several levels with corresponding prices.

• For example, the cost of tuition at children's language schools, designed for two weeks, ranges from €1,040 to €1,600.
• For standard weekly German courses, adults will have to pay from €530 to €3,200.
• School education for 13 years costs between €8,000 and €30,000 per year (average price).
• To obtain a higher education, you need to pay approximately €250 to €750 per semester. In private universities, the cost is €450 per month and above. Add to this administrative and social fees (€200-800 per semester). A bachelor's degree (which takes four years to complete) costs approximately €11,500 to €15,000 per year. For a master's degree, which takes one to two years, you will need to pay between €9,000 and €20,000 per year.

f we look at more specific areas, we can take Linguarama, a school specializing in teaching professional German, as an example. Here, students learn the vocabulary of twenty-five professions in German. The cost of tuition depends on the intensity of the courses and consists of the following prices (in euros, per week of study):

• intensive course – designed for 35 hours of classes – €3195;
• standard – includes 30 hours – €2265;
• short course of 20 hours – €1,595.

The prices listed also include the cost of accommodation.

When choosing an educational institution in Germany, you need to pay attention to changes in the conditions of admission and arrival due to the coronavirus pandemic. These changes primarily affect foreign students from countries outside the European Union.

Unlike other European countries, education in Germany is mostly free, but not for foreigners. To enroll in free public educational institutions, you need to have a student visa, which requires proof of financial support for the student's living expenses and meals for at least one academic year. In addition to monthly student insurance contributions, citizens from other countries are required to open a so-called blocked account (Sperrkonto). This special account is usually opened at a German bank:

• it cannot be closed within a year;
• it is not possible to withdraw the entire amount at once;
• students can only withdraw a fixed amount of money each month.

A Sperrkonto is important for obtaining a national long-term D visa, which allows you to stay in Germany for one year. The fee for submitting a visa application to the embassy or consulate, depending on the age of the applicant, ranges from €38 to €75. A blocked account can be opened at one of the German banks or their foreign branches, a list of which is available on the website of the German Federal Foreign Office. The minimum deposit amount is approximately €11,000 for one year. Due to the increase in the cost of living, the amount of the Sperrkonto may be adjusted several times throughout the entire period of study. Banks charge a commission for opening an account, ranging from 0.5 to 2% depending on the bank (on average €150). If you are enrolled in a four-year bachelor's program, the total amount will be €44,000.

Next, you will need to provide proof of permanent health insurance (on average €100). This document must be valid indefinitely.

When calculating the expenses of foreign students, it should be taken into account that state universities also charge student fees (Semesterbeitrag) each semester — from €200-300 and above. Therefore, foreigners spend the following amounts per month on so-called free education in Germany:

• visa application (€75);
• Sperrkonto (€11,000 for the entire period);
• bank fees for opening a blocked account (€150);
• food (€200-400);
• rent (€300-900);
• health insurance (€30-100);
• transport (€50-90);
• study materials (€20-40);
• Internet and telephone (€20-40);
• hygiene products and other expenses (€70-130).

Thus, excluding the costs for the first month, it is not difficult to calculate the average expenses of foreign students (€2,985).

Everyone can receive paid education at virtually any educational institution in Germany, from secondary school to university. Some universities, mainly state-run ones, offer a mix of free and paid education. Foreign students (from outside the European Union) are generally offered paid educational services.

For example, more than 120 higher education institutions located in almost all major cities of the country offer paid education in Germany. An attractive feature of such universities is their emphasis on practical training in the future profession. During their studies, students are given the opportunity to visit companies and communicate with future employers. All private schools and universities in Germany are state-accredited. A bachelor's degree can be obtained at such universities of applied sciences as:

• SRH Hochschule Berlin;
• EBC Hochschule University of Applied Sciences (campuses are located in Hamburg and Düsseldorf).

All levels of higher education on a fee-paying basis are provided by state and private schools (universities) in Baden-Württemberg, which have a large number of foreign students. These include the oldest universities:

• Ruprecht Karls University of Heidelberg;
• University of Freiburg;
• University of Stuttgart;
• Karlsruhe Institute of Technology;
• Mannheim University of Applied Sciences and others.

Foreign students must pay tuition fees (€1,500) and a mandatory fee each semester (€153-200).

• ​​​​​​​At the private IT & Business School Oldenburg IBS, tuition is €520 per month.
• At the University of Applied Sciences Media and Communication (Munich), you can study for a master's degree by paying €880 per month and an admission fee of €750.

Education in Germany is organized in such a way that everyone can develop comprehensively and freely choose an educational institution according to their preferences. The main goal of state policy in this area is to provide every individual with high-quality free education and to train highly qualified specialists. Regulatory and supervisory functions are performed by the relevant ministries.

The German education system consists of several stages.

1. Formally, there is no preschool education in the country, and kindergartens are not controlled by the Ministry of Education. Parents are primarily responsible for preparing their children for school, and they can also use various specialized clubs for this purpose.
2. School education in this country:
   • begins at the age of six;
   • free of charge;
   • mandatory for all for 9-10 years;
   • at the request of students, it can be extended for three to four years for subsequent admission to the university.

The school system consists of several stages.

• The first stage is primary school, covering the first four to five years of education: it is comprehensive. At the second stage, education continues in various types of schools — Hauptschule, Realschule, Gymnasium, or Gesamtschule. After real (comprehensive) school, graduates enter vocational schools (colleges).
• The second type is specialized secondary schools (up to grade 13), after which graduates have the opportunity to enter university. This system also includes schools for people with disabilities (Sonderschule).

3. Higher education in Germany is based on the Bologna system and consists of a bachelor's degree (four years), a master's degree (four semesters), and postgraduate studies. A distinctive feature of the German system is that students:
   • create their own study schedule;
   • find future employers;
   • undergo long-term practical education.

Recently, dual education (Duales Studium) has become popular here, combining theoretical studying at a university with paid practical training.

In order to study in Germany, applicants need to follow a sequence of steps.

1. They need to carefully study the requirements for a specific country (they vary). The length of study, the year of obtaining the educational document and its status, and the educational programs completed are important here.
2. You need to decide on a specific method of admission: pre-university preparation through a Studienkolleg (college); various short-term introductory courses at universities such as Propedeutikum and Foundation Fast-track; direct admission to a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral program.
3. Choose a field of study (specialization): decide on the number of educational programs.
4. Choose the type of educational institution: study the curricula and select, for example, several universities or colleges, as this increases your chances of admission.
5. Read the requirements of educational institutions regarding: the list of documents; level of German language proficiency (take language courses in advance if necessary); deadlines for submitting documents.
6. Decide on accommodation: submit an application to the Studentenwerk organization six months in advance and get in line for a room in a dormitory or find rental accommodation.
7. Register and take an exam in German or English. Colleges require a language certificate of at least B1 (Goethe, OSD, Telc, or DSD1); for German-language departments, a language level of C1 (TestDaF, Telc C1 Hochschule, DSD II) is required; for English-language departments, English at a level of B2 (IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 90).
8. Submit the prepared documents to the admissions committee by the deadline.
9. Apply for a national student visa through the German embassy (consulate).
10. Arrive in the country: depending on point 2, you will either need to take entrance exams (for colleges) or register and start studying. Here you will also resolve issues with housing (if there is no dormitory), registration at your place of residence, extension of your initial entry visa, etc.

Alternative preparatory programs (modules) aimed at preparing foreign applicants for admission to German universities are usually fee-based. The cost of Fast-Track and Foundation programs depends on the content of the educational program, its duration, and the requirements of the specific university.

Since the Foundation programs offered include a large number of services (German and English language courses, specialized subjects such as mathematics, economics, and others, as well as a range of cultural events), the costs for students to pay for them increase significantly. The cost of such programs ranges from €3,500 to €23,000 per course. Most often, this amount does not include student expenses for accommodation, meals, transportation, etc.

Some universities offering Foundation programs limit themselves to semester fees (up to €400). Considering that the duration of these programs can be up to a year and a half, students need to have at least €1,200 at their disposal. It should be remembered that the cost of living in Germany for one year is about €10,000.

• For example, the universities of Cologne and Saarland offer alternative Foundation programs in the humanities and technical subjects, charging only a semester fee of €272-283 (excluding the cost of accommodation, insurance, and other additional expenses).
• Aachen Technical University is one of the universities offering paid foundation programs. Here you can study subjects related to all aspects of mechanical engineering. The cost of tuition per semester is €3,500 + a semester fee of €280.
• The preparatory program at Jacobs University (Foundation Year) is conducted in English. This program lasts one year and prepares applicants for the entrance exam to a German university with an English-language program. Students must pay €23,000 for tuition (the cost includes accommodation in a dormitory, meals, a social card, and other utilities).

The cost of studying and living in Germany depends on factors such as:

• citizenship;
• duration, level and intensity of studying;
• location and type of educational institution;
• price dynamics for consumer goods and transport;
• other additional expenses.

The country's education system includes schools, colleges, and universities. Kindergartens (for children aged three to six) are not part of the educational system. Preschool education is optional and not regulated by the state. However, foreigners with young children should be aware that half a day at a nursery/kindergarten costs between €200 and €700 per month + around €50 for meals + €10-15 for visiting clubs and museums.

Education in Germany begins a year before school: from the age of five to six, children are prepared for school through a special program. Some primary schools have kindergartens for this age group. Education in the country's public schools and universities is free, but foreign applicants will need to pay for accommodation and educational materials.

To calculate the cost of studying and living in the country, consider the following payments.

• Prospective students are recommended to apply for a long-term national D visa, which costs around €90 to obtain.
• The price for a flight starts at €65.
• Housing costs range from €350 (a room in a dormitory) to €500 (renting an apartment), plus the cost of purchasing furniture (€500-1000) and monthly utility bills (€50-200).
• Mandatory health insurance: for students, it costs around €90 per month (there are also private insurance policies, which are significantly more expensive).
• Student fees are €200-500 per semester.

Depending on the level of education, type of educational institution (language courses, school, college, university), and duration of study, the approximate cost of studying in Germany ranges from €520 (per week) to €30,000 per year.

Most schools in Germany accept students with a German language level of B2 or higher. In principle, you have enough time to reach this level. A fairly effective option for preparation would be to participate in a language preparation camp directly at the school where you plan to enroll. Some schools may also accept children for short-term programs during the year, which will help the child prepare for their studies as effectively as possible.

Admission to state universities for the first year of a bachelor's degree program is only possible after completing the Studienkolleg preparatory program, as only applicants who have completed 12 or 13 years of schooling can apply directly for the first year. Studienkolleg lasts two semesters and can be either humanities or technical in focus. Obtaining a Studienkolleg certificate allows you to apply for admission to the first year of any university in Germany.

Due to COVID restrictions, most educational institutions are conducting exams online. Information on deadlines and exam registration can be found on the official websites of the universities.

Yes, some private schools in Germany offer education entirely in English. Teaching is based on the International Baccalaureate (IB) system, which is currently considered the most advanced international education program and is widely recognized by higher education institutions around the world. German state universities also accept the IB diploma, but you will need to provide an additional certificate confirming that your German language proficiency is at least B2 (C1 for medical fields).

• In most schools in the country, education is free. Education is available to everyone, including foreign children, who, however, must have a high level of English/German and meet certain admission criteria.
• In private secondary schools, everyone pays for education.
• Education at vocational colleges in the country is free, and students in the dual system even receive a salary during the academic year.
• In Germany, higher education is free for everyone who enrolls in a public university, both for German and foreign students. The only necessary expenses are a semester fee of €50-300, which covers membership in the student union, and a monthly pass for public transportation. The fee is mandatory and provides many benefits: access to the library, discounts on meals in the cafeteria, and lower rent for dormitory accommodation.
• If a student wishes to pursue higher education for a second time, they will have to pay for it.The country's universities offer scholarships to students who demonstrate high academic performance and personal achievements.

While students can save money on tuition, living in the country is quite expensive, depending on the city — monthly expenses can range from €700 to €1,000.

Students have the right to work part-time during their free time.

The cost of education in German schools depends on the purpose of your stay.

• The price for preparation at a summer language camp at a school starts at €2,000/2 weeks.
• School courses to improve your German language skills start at €800/week.
• Tuition at top private schools costs €9,000 per term, or about €33,000 per year.
• School preparation programs for foreign students after grades 9, 10, and 11 for university admission cost between €10,000 and €17,000 per term.

Prices vary widely. The cost of education in Germany is lower than in the UK or the US, but the quality of education is very high.

The cost of education in schools, camps, and courses depends on the prestige of the school, the services provided, and the number of programs offered.

Secondary education in Germany is provided by gymnasiums, real schools, and main schools. The cost of education in them depends on the chosen program, living conditions, and the prestige of the educational institution. Schoolchildren who have completed grades 9, 10, or 11 can study under the Studeinkolleg program, which allows them to catch up with the German curriculum and adapt to their new environment. The cost of tuition is €2,000. Alternatively, there is a Foundation program available, with tuition fees ranging from €10,000 to €17,000 per year.

The 5 Best Schools in Germany in 2022

• Schule Schloss Salem – from 42,800€/year
• Zinzendorfschulen – from 48,000€/year
• Berlin Brandenburg International School – from 15,600€/year
• Gymnasium Stift Neuzelle – from 37 000€/year
• St George's International School Cologne – from 47 000€/term
• CJD International School Braunschweig Wolfsburg – from 30 000€/year.

Schoolchildren in Germany complete their education at the age of 19. They start school at the age of 6 and complete their secondary education at the age of 19. To enter university, students must study for 12-13 years and graduate from high school. Secondary education in Germany is divided into several stages.

• In primary school, children receive basic classical knowledge in a playful way for 4 years. After graduation, students can transfer to a basic, real, general education school or a gymnasium.
• Education at a basic school provides students with basic knowledge up to the 10th grade. Over the course of five years, students prepare for admission to college.
• The program at a real school (lasting six years) is focused on training in specialized disciplines. After graduation, students enter a technical school or college. Students with the best grades move on to the 11th grade of gymnasium.
• While studying at the gymnasium for 9 years, students choose the subjects necessary for admission to a university. After grades 12-13, high school students can apply to higher education institutions in Germany.
• A general education school is similar to a real school and a gymnasium combined. Education there lasts for 6 (or 9) years, after which students can enter a vocational technical school or college, transfer to senior classes, and prepare for university education. However, this type of school does not exist in all states of the country.

In secondary schools (Hauptschule), students study for nine years and acquire knowledge in core subjects. If they wish to complete their schooling at this point, students receive a school certificate and find employment in a working specialty. In other words, children can complete their secondary education at one educational institution.

Graduates of Hauptschule cannot enter university. In the country's education system, at the basic level of Hauptschule, students can study for only 5-6 years if they wish, and after the 6th grade, they can change the type of school.

Students often transfer to Realschule and study there until the 10th grade, receive an extended secondary education, take exams, and receive a Realschulabschluss certificate. Students can also transfer to a vocational technical school to study for a profession.

If a high school student chooses to study at a university, they must transfer from a Realschule to a Gymnasium, study there until the 12th grade, obtain an Abitur certificate, and only with this diploma can the student be admitted to a university.

Conclusion: after basic (Hauptschule) and Realschule schools, students can only pursue a profession. Admission to universities is available after graduating from Gymnasium.

German secondary education has three main stages (Hauptschule, Realschule, Gymnasium), and the learning process itself lasts up to 13 years. German children are required to attend school from 6 to 19 years old, and in different states and schools, the learning process generally lasts 12-13 years.

Students start in elementary school (Grundschule) at the age of 6-12, where they receive general knowledge in basic subjects. Then, after completing elementary school, teachers and parents decide how to proceed with the student's school life. The following types of schools exist in the country:

• Grundschule — elementary school,
• Orientierungsstufe — orientation stage,
• Hauptschule — basic secondary school,
• Realschule — real secondary school,
• Gymnasium — high school,
• Gesamtschule — comprehensive (general) school.

The most popular is education at a Gymnasium up to grade 13. Here, subjects in the humanities, technical, and social sciences are studied in depth. Then, high school students receive an Abitur certificate, which allows them to enter the university of their choice.

Students can enroll in German secondary schools starting in grades 5, 6, or 7 in private schools and after grades 8, 9, or 10 in both public and private schools (the language of instruction is English or German).

In German schools, children study for 9-13 years. By law, all minors must complete at least 9 grades, and at the age of 10, students must decide on their future profession. This determines which school they will transfer to.

The country has public, free, and fee-paying private schools, which children start attending at the age of 6.

• Elementary school (Grundschule) covers grades 1-4 (ages 6-10), after which a decision is made based on academic performance about whether to transfer to a secondary school (Realschule).
• In general secondary school (Hauptschule), children are taught only basic general subjects (grades 5-9). After graduating, students can begin to study working professions.
• Realschule offers more in-depth training: foreign languages, exact sciences, and the basics of programming are added (grades 6-10). Students take tests and exams, receive certificates, and can begin training for a profession.
• At the Gymnasium, the most prestigious secondary school, students study up to grade 13 and receive an Abitur certificate upon graduation, which allows them to enter university.