Finances

Compared to other European countries, the cost of living in Germany is quite reasonable. The prices for food, accommodation, clothing, cultural events, etc. are basically in line with the EU average. You will need around 800-1000 Euros a month to cover your living expenses. The largest expense is your monthly rent.  

You should expect to pay the following expenses during your stay in Germany:  

• living expenses (rent, food, clothing, books, telephone, …)
• social activities
• semester contribution
• health insurance

Useful Link:
Study in Germany - cost of living
Costs of education and living (DAAD)
Student financing (Deutsches Studentenwerk)

Tuition and Fees

At Harz University of Applied Sciences you do not have to pay any tuition fees. Ther German Higher Education System is highly subsidised by the government. However, each semester you need to pay a semester contribution. This covers administrative costs and the semester ticket. I It entitles you to use all buses within Wernigerode and Halberstadt for free.

Semester contribution

• Wernigerode: 118,00 €  
• Halberstadt: 109,00 €  

Work Permit

International students from third countries are allowed to work in Germany for 140 full or 280 half working days per year. This is noted in the (supplementary sheet to your) residence title. Additional approval from the foreigners’ registration office is not necessary in these cases.

There are two ways to calculate the permitted working day quota:

1. Only the working days that are actually worked are counted. This
means holidays, public holidays and sick days are not counted.

• Half working days are working days with up to 4 working hours.
• Full days are working days with more than 4 working hours.
• This quota of 140 full working days is available for each calendar year. For example: When starting work for the first time on July 1 of a year, the complete 140 full/ 280 half working days may be worked until the end of that calendar year on 31 December.

2. Alternatively, the permitted working time can also be calculated as per week:

• Up to 20 hours per week are always calculated as 2 ½ days during the lecture period.
• During the lecture-free period, all non-self-employed work –including full-time jobs – is calculated as 2 ½ days, regardless of the actual hours worked.

The calculation method can change on a weekly basis during the year. Students do not have to decide on a calculation method in advance. The foreigners’ registration office applies the most favorable calculation method for students.
Days on which a voluntary internship is undertaken (no matter if it is paid or unpaid) also count as working days.

International students from third countries (§ 16b Residence Act) are only allowed to work as fee-based workers or self-employed persons with the permission of the foreigners’ registration office.
Expense allowances (= trainer allowances) are not subject to approval by the foreigners’ registration office.

In addition to the 140 full or 280 half working days, the following jobs are permitted: academic or student assistant at the university, in the Studierendenwerk (Student Service Organisation, STW) or in the students’ union (STURA), or jobs with a very close connection to your studies, e.g. at a research institute. As long as this does not affect academic performance, this activity can be carried out for an unlimited period of time. Permission from the foreigners’ registration office is required for fee-based work. Information can be obtained from the responsible foreigners’ registration office.