Cost of a first year
Germany vs United Kingdom: what a year of study costs
Germany is the cheaper of the two: about EUR 32,000 to 54,300 less for a first year.
fromup to Tuition, 12 months of living costs and the visa fee.
Side by side
| Figure | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tuition a year | EUR 200 to 700 | EUR 26,800 to 47,900 |
| Living costs, 12 months | EUR 9,600 to 18,000 | EUR 14,400 to 24,400 |
| Student visa fee | EUR 75 | EUR 669 |
| First year, all in | EUR 9,900 to 18,800 | EUR 41,900 to 73,100 |
| Money to show for the visa | EUR 11,900 | EUR 12,630 |
| Work during term | 20 hours a week | 20 hours a week |
| Stay to work after | 18 months | 2 years |
| Figures checked | 2026-09-24 | 2026-09-24 |
Every figure is from the Germany and United Kingdom guides, where each one links to its official source with the date we checked it. Living costs are the published monthly range times twelve. Converted at the day's rate (2026-11-08). Rates by Exchange Rate API.
Questions
Is it cheaper to study in Germany or the United Kingdom?
Germany is the cheaper of the two: about EUR 32,000 to 54,300 less for a first year. A first year in Germany costs about EUR 9,900 to 18,800 and in the United Kingdom about EUR 41,900 to 73,100, counting tuition, twelve months of living costs and the visa fee, from each country's official sources.
How much money do I need to show for a student visa in Germany and United Kingdom?
Germany: EUR 11,900 a year. United Kingdom: EUR 12,630 a year.