One of the main factors that brings international students to Germany is the cheap cost of tuition. However, you should know that here affordability doesn’t come at the expense of quality. Some of the highest-ranking universities in Germany offer a quality education that is hard to beat at minimal or no tuition fees.
Here are the cheapest universities in Germany for international students:
- Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
- Technical University of Berlin
- Humboldt University of Berlin
- University of Göttingen
- University of Stuttgart
- Heidelberg University
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- Technical University of Munich
Private Universities in Germany Offering Cheap English Programs
1. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Tuition fees: €85 per semester.
Ludwig Maximilian University was founded in 1472 and has since been committed to international education standards. LMU has a lot of summer courses, exchange opportunities, and over 300 degree programs.
Currently, the university has 52,972 students, 10,715 of them international, 827 professors, and 307 sponsored research funds. LMU Munich’s goal is to become one of the most highly visible universities in the subject groups of Humanities and Cultural Sciences, Law, Economics and Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Medicine.
- In global rankings, LMU ranks 46th by QS Ranking, 53rd by US News, and 50th by Times Higher Education.
Here’s everything you need to know about tuition fees at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich:
- LMU Does not charge tuition fees, only a semester fee of €85.
- Instead of tuition fees, all students pay a fee for the Studierendenwerk (Munich Student Union), which consists of a basic fee and a fee for the semester ticket.
- Visiting students pay from €100 to €300 depending on the number of hours per week per semester.
- Students who complete their studies within the standard length of study and graduate in the top 10% of their graduating class can request a retroactive exemption from tuition fees.
2. Technical University of Berlin
Tuition fees: €299.35 per semester.
TU Berlin was established in 1879, and it is one of Germany’s leading technical institutions. The University offers a wide range of Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. programs, many of which are taught in English. TU Berlin is especially known for its engineering, computer science, and economics programs.
In addition to this, TU Berlin has a strong culture of entrepreneurship and actively supports students and researchers in launching their startups through initiatives such as Centre for Entrepreneurship. The University also has partnerships with universities and institutions worldwide, offering students great opportunities for networking and exchange programs.
- In global rankings, TU Berlin ranks 147th by QS Ranking, 292nd by US News, and 92nd by Times Higher Education.
Here’s everything you need to know about tuition fees at the Technical University of Berlin:
- The Technical University of Berlin does not charge tuition fees, only a semester fee of €299.35.
- If you can’t afford to pay the semester fee, you can request to receive a subsidy for it.
- In the event of a late re-registration, you have to pay an additional late fee of €19.94.
3. RWTH Aachen University
Tuition fees: €304 per semester.
RWTH Aachen University is one of the top universities in Germany. It ranks among the top universities in the world, offers a top-quality education, and is affordable. Aachen University has strong ties with the industry and offers great opportunities for internships to its students.
Plenty of students claim that finding a job after graduating from RWTH Aachen University is guaranteed. The University continues to perform best in the employer reputation indicator, ranking 127th for employability globally by US News.
- In global rankings, RWTH Aachen University ranks 99th by QS Ranking, 218th by US News, and 92nd by Times Higher Education.
Here’s everything you need to know about tuition fees at RWTH Aachen University:
- There are no tuition fees at RWTH Aachen University, and this applies to both national and international students.
- The only fee you’ll be subject to pay is a semester fee of €304.47 per semester which is made up of a social contribution of €108, mobility contribution of €183.64, and student body contribution of €12.83.
4. University of Gottingen
Tuition fees: €403.92 per semester.
Founded in 1937, the University of Gottingen is a research university. It’s renowned for the diversity of its subjects (especially in the humanities), its excellent facilities in the natural sciences, and the quality of its research in all the areas that contribute to its research profile.
The University of Göttingen offers diverse career prospects that open up development opportunities at all levels. Personal development, continuing education, health promotion, and work-life balance are high priorities at the University, making it an attractive choice for prospective students.
- In global rankings, the University of Gottingen ranks 96th by QS Ranking, 223rd by US News, and 121st by Times Higher Education.
Here’s everything you need to know about tuition fees at the University of Gottingen:
- The University of Gottingen charges students with a semester fee of €403.92.
- Long-term students who have exceeded six semesters or more pay an additional fee of €500 per semester.
- Students who have reached the age of 60 pay a total of €1,203.92 per semester.
- Exchange students pay a total of €328.92 per semester, together with international and doctoral scholarship holders with proof of financing from German public funds.
- Students on leave of absence pay a semester fee of €127.
5. University of Stuttgart
Tuition fees: €184 per semester (EU/EEA students); €1,500 per semester (non-EU/EEA students).
The University of Stuttgart is technologically oriented and known worldwide. Its scientists conduct high-quality research internationally and continue proving their resolution in funding competitions and Excellence Initiative projects. The University of Stuttgart has positioned itself as a favorite place to study for domestic and international students. It’s also a great place to live.
The University of Stuttgart is a member of the alliance of leading Universities of Technology in Germany. The TU9 universities develop Germany’s standing as a center for science and innovation with their research and teaching.
- In global rankings, QS Rankings ranks the University of Stuttgart 314th, US News 737th, and Times Higher Education 251-300.
Here’s everything you need to know about tuition fees at the University of Stuttgart:
- EU/EEA students at the University of Stuttgart pay a semester fee of €184 per semester.
- Non-EU/EEA students pay a fee of €1,500 per semester.
- If you’re going to pursue a second degree, you’ll have to pay a fee of €650 per semester.
- Doctoral students pay a semester fee of €177.
- Guest auditors pay a fee of €150.
- If you fail to pay your semester fees on time, you will have to pay an additional €20.
6. Heidelberg University
Tuition fees: €161.10 per semester (EU/EEA students); €1,500 per semester (non-EU/EEA students)
Founded in 1836, Heidelberg University is one of the strongest research universities in all of Europe, and the oldest. It’s successful in the Excellence Initiative and international rankings. Heidelberg has research-based teaching and well-structured training for doctoral candidates. The disciplines taught at Heidelberg University include the humanities, the social sciences, law, natural sciences, engineering sciences, life sciences, medicine.
Heidelberg University is dedicated to advancing the careers of scholars by offering many opportunities for independent research. Its motto, “Semper Apertus” (Always Open), shows the university’s open-mindedness and tolerance towards people and ideas, and aspires to generate knowledge for the benefit of today’s and future generations.
- In global rankings, Heidelberg University ranks 84th by QS Ranking, 64th by US News Ranking, and 47th by Times Higher Education.
Here’s everything you need to know about tuition fees at Heidelberg University:
- Heidelberg University charges EU/EEA students with a fee of €161.10
- Non-EU/EEA students pay a fee of €1,500 per semester.
- If you’re completing a second degree program at Heidelberg University, you will need to pay €650 per semester.
- at Heidelberg University have varying fees, depending on the type of course.
- If you’re a guest auditor, you will pay €51 for 1-4 contact hours per week, €76 for 5-6 contact hours per week, and €102 for 7-10 hours per week.
7. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Tuition fees: €190.7 per semester (EU/EEA Students); €1,500 per semester (Non-EU/EEA Students)
From fundamental research to applications, KIT excels in many disciplines, including natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT offers research-based study programs to prepare students for responsible positions in society, industry, and science.
The university also makes contributions to the global challenges of mankind in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. KIT has a high priority of the active promotion of equal opportunities for women and men, and is a cross-sectional task in the entire organization.
- In global rankings, KIT ranks 149th by US News, 48th by QS Ranking, and 64th by Times Higher Education.
Here’s everything you need to know about tuition fees at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology:
- The cost of tuition for students from an EU/EEA country is a small fee of €190.7 per semester.
- Students from a non-EU/EEA country pay a semester fee of €1,500, plus the general fees of €190.7.
- If you’re going to pursue a doctoral program, you’re free from paying tuition fees.
- If you’re an international student that has passed the German Abitur in Germany or at a German school abroad, you don’t have to pay tuition fees.
8. Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Tuition fees: €85 per semester (EU/EEA students); €2,000 to 6,000 per semester (non-EU/EEA students)
TUM is a leading entrepreneurial university and a site of global knowledge exchange, shaping the future with talent, excellence and responsibility. The university inspires talents in all their diversity to become responsible and empowers them to shape the progress of innovation for society with the highest scientific standards and technological expertise.
TUM measures its scientific performance according to the highest international standards and continually raises them. It forms alliances with research institutions worldwide and cooperates with promising partner institutions. Their “Emerging Fields Policy” opens new fields in research, teaching and continuing education that hold potential for international alliances.
- In global rankings, the Technical University of Munich ranks 77th by QS Ranking, 126th by US News, and 65th by Times Higher Education.
Here’s everything you need to know about tuition fees at the Technical University of Munich:
- The cost of tuition at TUM differs slightly depending on which campus your degree is located.
- If you’re going to study in Munich, Garching, Weihenstephan, and Heilbronn, the semester fee is €85.
- If you’re going to study in Heilbronn, the semester fee is €72.
- If you’re a non-EU/EEA student, the cost of tuition at TUM ranges from €2,000 to €3,000 per semester for a bachelor’s program, and €4,000 to €6,000 for a master’s program.
- Payment deadlines for first-time enrollment is March 15 for the summer semester, and September 15 for the winter semester.