Studying abroad is a dreadful topic. The financial burden is the first thing that comes to mind. Germany is one of the most popular places amongst foreign students. It has around 400,000 overseas students. Indian students rank second in the country. The country has so many merits that it naturally becomes one of top choices for students. Starting with high quality education, recognized degree courses to affordable education and job opportunities the country allures students towards it.
Germany in comparison has a lower cost when it comes to studies. Majority of the institutions either charge low fee or follow the no tuition-fee formula. This offers a wide range of options to the students to choose from, not only in terms of courses but also schools. The range of cost varies according to the nature of the institution as well.
Germany introduced a free tuition fee system which was introduced in 2014. Although it is not implemented by all the institutions, a large number follows this policy which adds to the delight of the foreign students who find it hard to bear the expenses. With the students having to pay for everything else, from transportation to taxes, a little cost-cutting is the needed encouragement.
Here’s a figure to understand the different costs.
Cost type Cost (in Euros)
Course fee 1,500 – 30,000/semester
Accommodation (On-Campus) 300/month
Accommodation (Off-Campus) 400 – 1,100/month
Food 200-350/month
Transportation 70-100/month
Utilities 150-200/month
Health Insurance 40-130/month
The cost for students ranges from 3000 Euros which is around 27,000 INR to a maximum of 3000 Euros per semester which stands roughly at 27,00,000 INR. The cost is dependent upon the course as well. The public universities have a lower cost in comparison to the private universities The general undergraduate and postgraduate courses cost less while the Management Degree, MS or medical degree stand on the higher side of the scale.
Apart from educational cost there are other expenses which need to be managed by the student.
There is the accommodation cost, whether on campus or rent, the food costs followed by transport and utility. The health insurance is another added cost to bear in Germany. It is to be paid mostly on a monthly basis. Students under 23 years of age pay a little more than those who belong to the age group of 30 years and above. The cost can be as low as 40 Euros or as high as 130 Euros a month. However, the cost may vary according to the region. The numbers provided on the figure are a generalized amount.
Thus, in simple words, studying abroad is not so cost-effective. No matter the matter it would cost a larger amount, mostly because of the difference in currency rate between INR and others like Euro and Dollar. Despite all, the cost of Germany is affordable. The living expenses can be managed well even by a student as there are alternatives available to help them save and earn money.
In case of rent, it depends on cities and facilities. The big cities have a higher rent while cities like Cologne or Berlin charge lower rent. Furthermore, there are super-markets which sell good quality products at better rates. Additionally the transportation cost varies according the means of transportation. Balancing between the three means, bus, train and taxi, one can easily save up a few bucks.
Moreover, unlike India where the part-time job field is yet to flourish fully countries like Germany do not only excel but also prefer it. There are part-times jobs available for students with a high hourly wage to help them manage and sustain themselves better.
Apart from these there is the provision of scholarships in the country. A few of the scholarship programs are –
1. Erasmus+ Scholarship Programs – It offers a stipend amount of 49,000 Euros to students who are currently undergoing studies in their home country and are willing to pursue further studies in Germany. It is an offer to study for more than two semesters in a German University.
2. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships – It is a scholarship awarded to those students who have excellent academic record and are interested in the political sector. The eligibility criterion involves a bachelor’s degree, age under 30 years and a B2 level proficiency certificate.
3. DAAD Scholarship Programs – It is a German Academic Exchange Service which intends to promote academic relations on an international level. Any international student enrolled in a full-time program in Germany can apply for the scholarship. It offers a stipend upto 1,200 Euros per month.
To live in a new world requires skills. One cannot be as open as they are at home while living in an unknown land. Additionally the cost of living depends on the person more than the country. While some may manage with the minimum cost, others find it difficult to sustain with the maximum amount of money.
It can be concluded that though living in a new land can be a little on the expensive side, there are always ways available to manage and balance the excess. One can manage within 600 Euros in Germany. In terms of Indian currency it would stand near Rs. 50,000. To let go of an opportunity to study a leading country like Germany would be unwise.
With an amazing education sector and the least recorded unemployment rate, the land has a wide range of offers awaiting the interested students. With an extension of 18 months with the application for a Job-Seeker Visa immediately after graduation, the students may find offers worth settling down the otherwise foreign land.
Hope you find this helpful.
Happy Learning!
