A Guide for International Students
The cost of study has been a major discouraging factor for international students. As we know, individuals with great intellectual abilities seek growth academically. This article looks to explain what the cost of study in Germany looks like and gives plausible suggestions on how to capitalize on its privileges.
Germany has become an increasingly popular study destination, with almost 374,583 applications for the 2018/2019 winter semester session from over 180 countries. This increasing influx of students into Germany for study might be for several reasons. But the most reasonable as identified by the Kampus Konnekt49 is because Germany has about 50 universities with a global reputation as it concerns studying abroad. Along with the perceived low cost of living, little or no tuition fees and a comfortable environment. All this is well suited for dedicated study, not to talk about the fun-filled environment.
Is College Study In Germany Free?
As of 2014, 16 states in Germany abolished tuition fees for undergraduates and some selected postgraduate students from public universities. This implied that both domestic and international students at public German Universities paid absolutely nothing for tuition. Save only a small fee for administration and semester registrations.
There may be additional charges for the purchase of “Semester-tickets” which cover public expenses for 6 months. The price, however, varies with different Semester-ticket options. These are reasons the Kampus Konnekt49 confirms that the low cost of living is one of the major attractions for prospective international students.
With the drastic change in the global economy, however, this may not last forever. The southwest state of Baden-Württemberg reintroduced the payment of tuitions for all non-EU students as of autumn 2017. There is a great likelihood that other states would follow suit in the coming years.
Cost of Living in Germany
We bear in mind that even though studying in Germany might be free of cost or very low, one cannot avoid the essentials of living expenses. They can vary from city to city with Munich as the most expensive, having a living cost of €12,000 (~US$13,900) per year.
Rent is mostly the largest expense when considering living costs, although this is cheaper if you live in a shared flat or a student hall of residence. Their average rent is €280 (US$340).
According to statistics from DAAD, average monthly costs are estimated:
Food: €168 (~US$205)
Clothes: €42 (~US$52)
Transport: €94 (~US$115)
Telephone, internet and TV license: €31 (~US$38)
Work/study materials: €20 (~US$25)
Leisure activities: €61 (~US$75)
How Much Deposit Would You Need to Study in Germany?
It is a known fact that for you to get a student visa to study in Germany, you will need to show proof you have, or have access to, a certain amount of money. Now, this is for students that would require a visa only. If you are an EU citizen or citizen of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you would not need a visa.
Other citizens, however, expect to pay €75 for a visa and have proof of fund or access to funds of €10,332 per year. This extra amount of money suffices to cover all expenses while studying (of course if spent wisely). But the application process can be sometimes tedious to even require a loan for low earners.
In conclusion, Germany is ranked 4th in universities with the greatest attraction for international students. This is because of several reasons, with free tuition being the most considered. Living expenses are very affordable compared to other European countries with a shared meal costing as low as €8-14. But the cost of living greatly depends on the area. Rent can also be very cheap when compared to other European countries. With these said; Germany is assumed to be of great attraction to prospective international students hoping to school abroad with a low budget.
Kampus Konnekt49 provides translation services for individuals who wish to study abroad or simply become a nurse. We also offer German classes for prospective students, support and consultations.
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