Study Cost Calculator
Plan living expenses, semester fees and total costs individually
Calculated in your browser – your inputs are not transmitted and are kept on this device only if you choose
Monthly costs
- €
- €
- €
- €
- €
Spread over 6 months (€58.33 per month)
Parental support, job, BAföG, scholarship – combined
Study costs
per month
€1,288.33
€1,288.33Your studies cost €1,288.33 a month – €46,379.88 in total over 6 semesters.
Where the money goes each month
- Rent & utilities€600.0047%
- Food & household€300.0023%
- Health insurance€120.009%
- Transport & public transit€60.005%
- Leisure & other€150.0012%
- Semester fee (monthly share)€58.335%
- Monthly items
- €1,230.00
- Semester fee (monthly share)
- + €58.33
- Cost per month
- €1,288.33
- Cost per semester6 months
- €7,729.98
- Total cost (6 semesters)
- €46,379.88
What you can do
Without income, €1,288.33 per month is missing
Continue in the student loan calculator with €1,289 over 36 months
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Study costs in Germany: what students should expect
Living expenses, semester fees and hidden costs
The cost of studying in Germany is made up of several components that can vary considerably depending on the university city, lifestyle and type of study. Anyone who plans their budget early avoids nasty surprises and can target savings or choose the right way to finance their studies. Our calculator captures all relevant items and shows transparently how costs add up per month, per semester and over the entire course of study.
The largest item is usually rent. In German big cities, a room in a shared flat or a student apartment costs on average €400–800 per month including utilities. Anyone who can get a place in a student dormitory often pays only €200–450 – but affordable dormitory places are in high demand and require an early application. In smaller university towns such as Greifswald, Flensburg or Magdeburg, rents below €350 are entirely realistic.
The semester fee is a frequently underestimated expense. It consists of administrative charges, the student services contribution and, at many universities, a semester ticket for local public transport. Depending on the state and university it ranges between €50 and €350 per semester. Our calculator spreads this amount over six months, giving you a realistic monthly budget overview.
Besides rent and the semester fee, ongoing costs arise for food (€130–300/month),health insurance (usually covered free of charge under family insurance until age 25, § 10 SGB V; after that, statutory student insurance (KVdS) for about €120–130/month until the 30th birthday, § 5 (1) no. 9 SGB V), mobility (public transport ticket or bicycle), study materials and leisure. Anyone who tracks these items systematically can identify targeted savings – for example through cheaper grocery shopping or doing without a car.
Typical study costs by location
Reference values for monthly living expenses
- Munich / Hamburg: €1,300–1,600
- Rent €700–1,000, high cost of living in major cities
- Berlin / Frankfurt: €1,100–1,400
- Rent €550–800, wide range of shared-flat rooms
- Cologne / Stuttgart: €1,000–1,300
- Rent €500–700, good public transport links
- Medium-sized cities: €800–1,100
- Rent €350–500, cheaper groceries and leisure costs
- Small university towns: €650–900
- Rent €250–400, simple living possible
- Studying abroad: +20–50% surcharge
- Depending on the country; Erasmus grants of up to €600/month possible
Calculation example
- Rent
- €500/month
- Food & household
- €250/month
- Health insurance
- €120/month
- Semester fee share (€300 / 6)
- €50/month
- Other
- €80/month
- Total per month
- €1,000
- Per semester (× 6)
- €6,000
- Total for degree (× 6 semesters)
- €36,000
Frequently asked questions about the study cost calculator
Financing, BAföG and typical expenses explained
How much does it cost on average to study in Germany?
According to the DZHW social survey (2023), students in Germany spend on average between €930 and €1,200 per month – depending on the university city and standard of living. In expensive cities such as Munich or Frankfurt, €1,300–1,600 is not unusual. In medium-sized cities such as Chemnitz or Magdeburg, €700–900 is often enough. The semester fee (€50–350 depending on the university) comes on top of that.
What is included in the semester fee?
The semester fee is a mandatory charge that students pay to their university each semester. It typically includes the administrative fee, the student services contribution (for cafeterias and counseling services) and, in many states, the semester ticket for local public transport. The amount varies by university between €50 and €350 per semester. At public universities in Bavaria, most students do not pay tuition fees; however, since the 2023 BayHIG reform, universities may charge fees for students from non-EU countries, and private universities charge their own fees regardless.
How do most students finance their studies?
The most common sources of financing are: support from parents (about 60% of all students), paid work (part-time job, working student), BAföG (state student support, a combination of a grant and an interest-free loan), scholarships (merit-based foundations such as DAAD or Studienstiftung), KfW study loans, and bank loans. Many students combine several of these sources.
What extra costs does studying abroad involve?
A period abroad (Erasmus, a free semester abroad) causes extra costs through international health insurance (about €50–150/month), flights and travel costs, possibly higher rents abroad, language courses and visa fees. Through the Erasmus+ programme, EU students receive mobility grants. For a semester abroad in Western Europe, expect around 20–50% higher costs compared with a semester at home.
Can I combine BAföG with a part-time job?
Yes, additional earnings are harmless to BAföG up to an exemption threshold. Since 2026 the threshold has been linked to the mini-job limit: the tax-free allowance is around €7,236 gross per year (about €603/month). Income above that is offset against BAföG. Working students (max. 20 hours/week during the semester) can also work exempt from social security contributions. The exact calculation is handled by the Studierendenwerk (student services organization).