You may have heard that studying in Germany is completely free. Perhaps a friend informed you enthusiastically one day that they have discovered the hidden solution for free quality-education. That too in a first-world country of all places. So what is the catch then? Is it as simple as education= zero cost in Germany, and if so, why is this the case?
Exuberant tuition fees are a significant concern for students worldwide. Moreover, international students, especially those belonging to developing countries, have an even harder time managing costs. Many students from such countries want to pursue post-secondary education from western countries, but the cost factor usually deters them.
This is when Germany can seem like a viable option because everyone knows they don’t have any tuition costs for national and international students. This article will explore how Germany has a zero-cost education model and answer some related questions.
In this Article
How Did Germany Instate a Zero-cost Education Model
Germany’s journey towards free education did not happen overnight, as many believe. Instead, the events responsible for this model span 65 years, beginning soon after WWII. In 1949, The German model focused on a commitment to provide state-funded education nationwide rose from the ashes of war. This resulted in some of the cheapest college tuition fees in Germany at the time.
In 1971, tuition fees were reduced to zero by Germany’s social democrats, who developed a state financial assistance system. The focus of this system was to provide quality education to all classes regardless of their economic status.
Then in 1976, legislation was introduced that legally prohibited the charging of fees at colleges and universities. However, like a game of tug of war, this legislation would go back and forth from being reinstated to being overturned over the next few decades.
Finally, in 2015, after decades of education reforms, the last holdout state – Lower Saxony, abolished its tuition fee, making Germany a free-tuition country.
Where Does the Funding Come From?
Education in Germany is currently public-funded, and higher education institutions are given a budget each year from the ministry of education. This budget allows colleges and universities to provide free education to both national and international students. However, Germany’s education landscape is continuously under pressure from one party or another, and hence policies shift constantly.
Germany’s free education model, lauded by the world, is also a cause for significant friction within state institutions. Education ministries often complain that they have to bear the brunt of zero-cost tuition as state funding is often inadequate.
Does Every University in Germany Provide Free Tuition?
Yes, every public university in Germany provides free tuition. The critical distinction here is between public and private institutions. Public taxes fund public Universities in Germany, whereas Private Universities have the freedom to charge tuition fees at their own will.
However, there is an exception of the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg, which reintroduced tuition fees of 3,000 EUR/year for non-EU/EEA students at the end of 2017.
The other 15 states do offer free tuition in public universities. Following are a few examples of such universities:
- University of Stuttgart
- University of Mannheim
- University of Bremen
- University of Cologne
- University of Hamburg
On the other hand, private universities can be quite expensive, with tuition fees reaching 26,000 EUR/year for a Bachelor’s degree and 40,000 EUR/year for a Master’s Degree.
Are There Other Costs in Public Universities?
Yes. You will have to pay a minimal fee known as “Semester Contribution.” This fee is usually between 150 and 250 Euros per semester. This fee covers various administrative and public transportation costs that fall outside the purview of tuition.
However, since this fee is almost negligible, most people don’t consider it a hassle and pay it happily. After all, you are saving thousands of euros on quality education.
Do I need to learn German to be able to study in Germany?
If you are hoping to do an undergrad degree from Germany, you will have to learn German. All undergrad programs in public universities are offered in the German language. The only way you can avoid this is to seek out English programs in Private Universities, which are costly.
However, at the postgrad level, you can easily find programs that are taught in English. Moreover, there are special international programs taught in English that do not require German language skills. You will need to do your research beforehand to figure out which program is right for you.
If you decide to study an undergrad program from a public university, you will probably need to show German proficiency. This is usually done by taking one of the following four exams:
- DSH (German Language University Entrance Examination for International Applicants)
- TestDaF (Test of German as a Foreign Language)
- GDS (Goethe Institut German Language Diploma)
- DSD (German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs, Level II)
Depending on the university you are applying to and the program, you may be asked to take any of the tests mentioned above.
This is by far the most challenging aspect of studying in Germany, in my opinion. Your German proficiency level would have to be high enough to understand written and spoken German at an academic level.
This practically means that you would need to be fluent in German, which is no easy feat. German is an incredibly complex language to learn if you lack prior exposure. Moreover, learning it on an academic level is an even more significant challenge.
However, if you hope to do a graduate degree, you will likely have to show proficiency in English, depending on the eligibility criteria. The two most common tests for English proficiency are ILETS and TOEFL.