All You Need to Know about Study in Germany – Abroadvice
All You Need to Know about Study in Germany – Abroadvice

European countries have always been great destinations for higher studies, and Germany is one of the best Europe can offer. German education system offers a unique blend of top universities, excellent faculties, and a balanced work life. German Universities can easily rival some of the most prestigious campuses across the UK and is now a hot destination for thousands of students. Moreover, if you are planning to study in Germany, you can do it for free. Students usually have a lot of queries before moving out to study abroad.
Here we tried to answer most of those questions that you seek an answer for –
Can Anyone Study in Germany for Free?
Yes! Any student can be eligible to study in Germany for free! There are universities in Germany that waive off any tuition fees from students, both European and Non-European. You can apply for your preferred course. However, there is just one catch.
If you don’t belong to any of the countries listed under the European Union, you have to obtain a residence permit. However, it is not very difficult to get a permit residency if one plans to move to Germany for overseas education. They just need to tick off a few criteria like –
- They must have a valid travel and health insurance
- Students must have financial stability
- They must be proficient in German
- Students must be familiar with German cultures and way of life
- They must not have any prior criminal records
Moreover, the student must also complete their studies in Germany.
Why Don’t German Universities Charge Tuition Fees?
Germany has over a hundred universities all over the country. While all of them might not waive your tuition fees, you can still get free international education from the public universities in Germany.
Germany is also the only European country that doesn’t distinguish students based on their nationality. This is because all Germans believe that education is not a commercial product but a basic right. So, the German government heavily subsidises their public universities. With adequate government backup, German public universities can ensure free access to higher education for all students. However, traditionally, these universities used to charge a modest 1000 Euros annually as tuition fees. This led to years of public protest, and the German government finally decided to abolish the fees. Currently, barring a few exceptions, most of the public universities in Germany are free.
Another reason Germans allow free education is that they have the foresight to understand what immigrants can bring to the country. Germany is a developed nation, and they try to brain-drain the smartest minds for their economic and social benefit. This is why they encourage students taking residence permits to stay back and work on German soil after graduation.
Do They Compromise on Education Standard due to Waived Fees?
Most believe that the quality of education is directly proportional to the fees. However, despite being free, German Universities regularly rank among the top 100 list of universities and always deliver truly world-class education.
Even if you overlook the rankings, you can remain assured of receiving a high-quality education. This is because Germany has a strict accreditation standard, and every university abides by it. Moreover, the government took the decision to make education free of cost as a political move. So, the quality of education is not related to the standard of education.
So, if you opt to pursue an abroad education from a German university, you don’t have to fear about its relevance in another country. Most countries respect a higher education degree from Germany and leave you with a lot of career choices.
Do They Compromise on Education Standard due to Waived Fees?
Most believe that the quality of overseas education is directly proportional to the fees. However, despite being free, German Universities regularly rank among the top 100 list of universities and always deliver truly world-class education.
Even if you overlook the rankings, you can remain assured of receiving a high-quality education. This is because Germany has a strict accreditation standard, and every university abides by it. Moreover, the government took the decision to make education free of cost as a political move. So, the quality of education is not related to the standard of education.
So, if you opt to pursue an abroad education from a German university, you don’t have to fear about its relevance in another country. Most countries respect a higher education degree from Germany and leave you with a lot of career choices.
Do They Compromise on Education Standard due to Waived Fees?
Most believe that the quality of education is directly proportional to the fees. However, despite being free, German Universities regularly rank among the top 100 list of universities and always deliver truly world-class education.
Even if you overlook the rankings, you can remain assured of receiving a high-quality education. This is because Germany has a strict accreditation standard, and every university abides by it. Moreover, the government took the decision to make education free of cost as a political move. So, the quality of education is not related to the standard of education.
So, if you opt to pursue an abroad education from a German university, you don’t have to fear about its relevance in another country. Most countries respect a higher education degree from Germany and leave you with a lot of career choices.
Are There Any Other Costs Students Must Know About?
Students must remember that if they move to Germany, only the tuition fees will be free. So, you need to make arrangements for other expenses like rent, food, or conveyance. Refer to the table below for a detailed estimation –
ITEM | AVERAGE COST/MONTH (EUROS) |
Rent and Utilities | 300-500 |
Food | 200-250 |
Phone and Internet | 30-40 |
Leisure and Hobbies | 50-100 |
Health Insurance | 100 |
Parting thoughts:
Opting for international education is costly. Many other factors, like availability, past results, etc., decide whether you can get into a public university. So, if you plan to study in Germany, plan years ahead. Ensure good academic records so that you can get a scholarship as a backup plan before boarding the flight to Germany.