Live in Germany is relatively expensive. Before you decide to study in Erlangen or Nuremberg, you must be certain that you can support yourself financially. Please do not rely on finding a part-time job as soon as you arrive in Germany, which will provide you with enough money to cover the costs of living. This is not usually the case.


Costs

Tuition fees

Higher education in Germany, as in most other countries across the world, does not come free of charge. All students at the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg pay tuition fees of approximately 500 euro per semester (as of April 2009).

General information on tuition fees can be found at:
www.stmwfk.bayern.de/studienbeitraege.html only available in German
www.uni-erlangen.de/studium/studienbeitraege only available in German

NB!!! Please note that most students are required to pay tuition fees. Exemptions are only given in a very limited number of cases.


Cost of living

You should expect the following fixed costs per month:

  • Rent
    • Hall of Residence (depending on the size of the room and the age of the accommodation): € 120 - € 250,
    • Individual apartment (depending on size, location and the age of the accommodation): € 200 - €350,
  • Health Insurance ca. € 60, unless you have an exemption in which case there are no costs,
  • Travel costs,
  • Food - approx. € 200,
  • Study materials - approx. € 50-€ 100.



Finances

Grants

Universities in Germany are not able to offer students grants. There are, however, other organisations to which students can apply for funding. Several private foundations offer a variety of scholarship schemes.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has put together a database which you can search for possible sources of financial support.

Details of the DAAD scholarship database can be found at: www.daad.de/deutschland/foerderung/stipendiendatenbank/00462.en.html

NB!!! Please note that there are very few scholarships available to students who are just starting their studies. It is usually only possible to apply for a scholarship once you have reached the midway point in your studies onwards.

Student jobs

In Germany many students work whilst at university (at the weekend, in the holidays etc.). International students can also find part-time work, but there are some rules that are different from those which apply to German students.

In general, students from non-EU countries and new EU-Countries are permitted to work in Germany. Foreign students do not receive a work permit but are, nevertheless, permitted to work 90 whole days per year or 180 half-days. In addition to this, foreign students are permitted to work as student assistants at a university. In order to undertake any other work, a foreign student must apply to the appropriate office for a work permit (the Foreign Nationals’ Authority and the Employment office - “Arbeitsamt”). Such a permit will be issued only if it is clear that the work proposed will not substantially affect a person’s studies.

A half-day is defined as a working day of 4 or 5 hours. Whether a half-day is defined as 4 hours or defined as 5 hours depends on the length of the working day for full-time workers in the particular work place in which the student intends to work. If the regular working day is 8 hours
long, a half-day is defined as 4 hours work. If a full working day is 10 hours long, then half a working day is defined as 5 hours.

If employment is not over a longer period of time, but instead concentrated into a shorter period of time (for example, during university holidays) then only those days on which the student actually works count towards the total number of hours. Weekends are not counted in the case
of such concentrated periods of employment.

To be permitted to work you will require an income tax card (“Lohnsteuerkarte (LStK)”). This can be obtained from your local residence registration office (“Einwohnermeldeamt”) in Germany. In order to obtain this card you will need to show your residence permit.

NB!!! It is very important to take the 90-day rule seriously. The regulations concerning working rights for international students are very strict. You may be deported from Germany if you break these rules!


Finding a Job

There are several ways in which you can go about trying to find a job in Erlangen or Nuremberg. Many jobs are advertised in newspapers or on the Internet or through the Employment Office’s student-job scheme called ‘SERVIS’ (which can be contacted at: Breite Gasse 13–15,
90403 Nürnberg, Tel: +49 (0) 911-2422-530, Monday - Friday 09.00-12.30, Thursdays also from 13.30-18.00).

At the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg there is a Careers Service organised by the Student Advisory Centre and Careers Service (IBZ). This advisory office gathers together the various jobs available for students and posts them on the Internet.
More information about the Careers Service can be found at: www.uni-erlangen.de/studium/career-service only available in German

Useful links related to finding a job in Erlangen and Nuremberg:

Loans

Another possible way to finance your studies is to take out a loan. The decision regarding whether to take out a loan should be made very carefully. A loan is not a gift but creates debt which you will be obliged to pay off when you have finished your studies. This can amount to a substantial burden if you do not find a job quickly after completion of your studies. Please note that a variety of conditions apply to the granting of a loan.


Tuition fee loans

University tuition fees were only introduced in Germany in autumn 2007. Since these fees can present a significant financial burden for students, the federal states have made it obligatory for the state banks to offer loans to students which can cover the costs of these tuition fees. In Bavaria the banks in question are the LfA Förderbank and the KfW Förderbank.
Further information on student loans can be found at: www.uni-erlangen.de/studium/studienbeitraege only available in German

You should print out the form which can be found via the link above, complete the details and take it, unsigned, to the Student Records Office of the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg. You will also need to take your identity card or passport. You must then sign the application in the presence of a member of the office staff. The application will be sent from the Student Office to the appropriate bank. The University will then receive your tuition fees directly from the bank for the duration of the loan contract.

NB!!! Only German students and EU citizens can apply for a student loan. Non-EU students are not eligible for these loans.


Student loans

The KfW Förderbank also offers a general student loan. This loan is designed to cover a student’s living costs whilst at university.

NB!!! German citizens and other citizens of the EU may apply for such loans but only if they have been legally resident in Germany for at least 3 years.

More information about study loans can be found at: www.kfw-foerderbank.de/DE_Home/Bildung/Wissenskredite_fuer_Studenten/KfW_Studienkredit/
index.jsp only available in German


Educational loans (“Bildungskredit”)

A further method of financing your studies is an educational loan. More information about these can be found at: www.bildungskredit.de only available in German

NB!!! Special conditions apply here to international students. Please read through the information available online very carefully.


Student loans from banks

Some private banks offer loans to students to cover living expenses. Please ask at your local bank for about the conditions of such a loan and whether you are eligible.