How much does it cost to study abroad, and what expenses should I budget for in Germany for a Master's?

Your Master's in Germany is largely free of tuition at public universities. Your real budget instead centres on the mandatory semester fee, the blocked account for your visa, and your monthly living costs, which shift a lot depending on which city you choose.

Monthly Living Cost Breakdown

Tuition and Upfront Costs

• Public universities: €0 tuition for most consecutive Master's programs, except Baden-Wurttemberg's €1,500 per semester for non-EU students.
• Semester contribution: €100 to €400 per semester, usually including a transport ticket.
• Private universities or MBAs: €5,000 to €20,000+ a year, up to €40,000+ for elite MBAs.
• Blocked account: currently €992 a month, totalling €11,904 a year, for visa purposes.
• Visa and biometrics fees: around €75 to €100; deposit for renting: 2 to 3 months' rent.

My Advice

If you study at a public university outside Baden-Wurttemberg, plan on roughly 11,000 to 13,000 euros a year total, and add your specific program's tuition on top only if it charges fees. Get your blocked account set up well ahead of your visa deadline, and ask a Leap counsellor which cities in your target field keep your monthly budget closer to the 900 euro end.