At public universitiesTuition fees in Germany
This article only covers the situation at public universities. Studying at private universities always involves tuition fees. In certain cases (e.g. „dual“ studies) the tuition fees may be paid by the employer. But such study models are not open to those who only come to Germany to study.
Fees for studying „too long“ were already established in some federal states in 1997. Between 1970 and 1997 no fees were demanded. The new decision implies that, now, the federal states are allowed to resolve tuition fees starting with the first term.
Please bear in mind that students in Germany have to pay for their student union and for social affairs. These contributions aren't mentioned here. I'm only talking about tuition fees at public universities.
The following table shows you planned or stopped tuition fees and what has already been implemented. All costs are meant for a semester. For more information (only in German) there is a link to the federal states.
All federal states which had general tuition fees (Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hamburg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia and Saarland) already stopped tuition fees again at least 2014. Special fees still exist – or are planned.
| Tuition fees | Other costs1 | |
| Baden-Württemberg | A [500 € only 2007-2011/2012] O ~2500 € Z 650 € I 1500 € (the abolition of fees has unfortunately been cancelled) | 70 € |
| Bavaria (Bayern) | A [500 € only 2007-2013] O up to 2000 € I up to 6.000 € | - |
| Berlin | - | 51 € |
| Brandenburg | - | 51 € |
| Bremen | L 500 € | 50 € |
| Hamburg | A [375 € 2008/2009-2012; 500 € 2007/2008] | 50 € |
| Hesse (Hessen) | A [500 € only 2007/2008] | 50 € |
| Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) | - | <=50 € |
| Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) | A [500 € only 2007-2014] L 500 € | 75 € |
| North Rhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen) | A [500 € only 2006/2007-2011] | - |
| Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz) | Z+S 700 € | - |
| Saarland | A [500 € only 2007/2008-2009/2010] L+Z <=400 € S 50-500 € | - |
| Saxony-Anhalt (Sachsen-Anhalt) | L 500 € Z+S <=500 € O („cost-covering“) | „admin. costs“ X €2 |
| Saxony (Sachsen) | L 500€ Z+I 0-? € | intended: 25-150 €3 |
| Schleswig-Holstein | - | 60 € (2026?) |
| Thuringia (Thüringen) | L 500 € S 125-500 € | 0 - 50 € |
Comments
(X) Anything in parentheses means that these fees are planned but not yet decided.
A Tuition fees starting with the beginning of university education („general tuition fees“).
A General tuition fees already stopped.
I Tuition fees for international students from outside the EU/EWR. 0-X € means each university can decide for itself whether and if so, how much it wants to charge tuition fees.
L Surcharge for students studying for more than 5-7 years (according to the field of study chosen). All terms count including even former fields of studies.
O Tuition fees for occupational studies.
S Tuition fees for senior citizens.
Z Tuition fees for post-graduates starting a new and different subject.
1 In this column you find charges for enrolment and administration. I mention these costs because in the past you didn't have to pay for that.
2 Optional charges for learning aids, libraries and other facilities of the university.
3 Examination fees
Notice
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