Funding your studies as an international student

Study costs

Fees (€300 - 400 per semester)

Most of the HAWK’s programmes are free of charge: There is no Tuition fee. The overall cost of living means studying in Germany is still not cheap.
Students who study for at least seven semesters more than the standard period of study must pay a fee of €500 per semester in addition to the Semester fee. The semester fee is a contribution paid by students at universities. It allows you to access a range of services and facilities at the university. The semester fee also includes the costs of the Semester ticket , which allows regional trains throughout Lower Saxony and in certain areas buses to be used free of charge.

There are exceptions to the semester fee requirement (in German).

Accommodation and subsistence costs (approx. €992 per month)

Most of the costs of studying in Germany arise from accommodation and subsistence costs, i.e. the amount you need for housing, food, clothing, leisure time, etc. The precise amount will depend on your individual lifestyle, but also for example on the varying cost of accommodation in different cities.
International students in Germany need an average of around €934 per month (including health insurance). To be granted a study visa you must demonstrate (e.g. through a blocked bank account) that you are able to pay a monthly sum of €992 for at least one year or an annual sum of €11,904.
Further information on accommodation and subsistence costs is available from the video Tips for International Students - How Do I Finance My Studies in Germany by the German Student Services (organisation for the social support of students).

Health insurance (approx. €110 per month)

Broadcasting licence fee (€18.36 per month)

Other costs

You may encounter further costs depending on your circumstances, for example for study materials, medical examinations, hobbies and similar activities.

A sample calculation of monthly expenses is below:

Food	250 €
Accommodation	430 €
Health insurance	110 €
Broadcasting licence fees (GEZ)	18,36 €
Other costs	183,64 €

Total: 992 €

Student finance

There are many ways to finance your studies. In addition to support from your family, the following options in particular are open to you:

Part-time jobs
State support
Grants

Further information is available on the Eastern Lower Saxony Student Services website (organisation for the social support of students in the northern German region of eastern Lower Saxony).

Tips for International Students - How do I finance my studies in Germany?

Part-time jobs

Many students, both German and international, cover part of their accommodation and subsistence costs with part-time jobs.

A subject-specific job at the university or a part-time job outside the university (as a ‘Werkstudent*in’) is a good way to earn money. HAWK students can register directly on the notice board in the StudIP Study information system (in German) to get information about student assistantship vacancies at the university and with the faculty job and internship databases (in German).There are a number of portals and boards for part-time jobs; ask us, and we will be happy to provide details.

If you have a visa for study purposes (Section 16b of AufenthG (Residence Act) (in German)), you are permitted to work for a maximum of one year as follows:

140 full days (more than 4 hours)
or 280 half days (less than 4 hours)

State support for students

Some students receive BAföG (in German), a state subsidy, some of which has to be paid back after graduation.

In certain circumstances, students with permanent residency in Germany can receive BAföG. These include

EU citizens
Refugees
Individuals with a German spouse
Individuals with a permanent residence permit

Whether you can receive BAföG depends on many factors, for example age, family income, study programme, place of study, etc. You can obtain individual information from the BAföG Student Advisory Service (in German).

Note: Individuals who have been granted a visa for study purposes (section 16b of AufenthG (Residence Act) (in German) may not receive BAföG.

Further welfare benefits

Some individuals who do not receive BAföG may be eligible for other types of welfare benefits. We will be happy to provide details of potential options and people to contact.

Advice is also available from the Eastern Lower Saxony Student Services (for the Hildesheim and Holzminden campuses) and the Göttingen Student Services (for the Göttingen campus).

Note: Students will not receive state support from the Jobcenter.

Grants

Another funding option is grants, which often do not have to be repaid.

Many HAWK students, for example, are in receipt of the Deutschlandstipendium, which provides €300 per month for 1 year.

There are many other grant programmes throughout Germany. You can search for appropriate grants at the German Academic Exchange Service. Some grants require you to have submitted your application from your home country before you attend university.

The HAWK also offers a “rolling grant” from the E.W. Kuhlmann Stiftung (in German). This grant must be repaid once you have completed your studies.

Please find further nformation on other scholarship and grant opportunities below.

Further funding opportunities for international students and graduates can be found in the DAAD scholarship database.

The HAWK International Office has compiled information on the requirements, funding amounts and application deadlines of some selected funding organisations in the document Scholarship overview for international students (in German):

Stipendienmöglichkeiten für internationale Studierende

PDF-File (267.78 KB)

11/2024

Advice in the event of financial difficulties

Advice can often be useful in the event of financial difficulties: