Financing your studies and working for international students

All enrolled students must pay a semester contribution that covers administrative and student services fees. The semester fee is approx. 100 EUR for exchange students and approx. 180 EUR for degree-seeking students.

The tuition fee for degree-seeking students from non-EU countries is 1,500 EUR per semester at all state universities in the state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Exceptions and exemptions of the tuition fees are rare and mostly apply to students with a refugee background, with a disability, or in a sudden, unexpected financial emergency. Click here for detailed information on fees and charges.

The living costs in Stuttgart are rather high. You will need at least 992 EUR per month for living costs and as a degree student an additional 1,700 EUR per semester for tuition and semester fees.

• Rent for a room in a shared flat (per month; plus additional costs for electricity, water, and heating): approx. 350 -600 EUR 
• Health insurance (per month; compulsory for all students): approx. 130 EUR  for students up to the age of 30
• Public broadcasting fee (per month; compulsory for all households in Germany): 18.36 EUR 
• Semester contribution (per semester): approx. 100 EUR (exchange students) or approx. 170 EUR  (degree-seeking students)
• Tuition fee (per semester): 1,500 EUR (for degree-seeking students from non-EU countries) 
• Public transportation: approx. 30 EUR 
• Additional costs (per month): personal liability insurance, personal expenses like food, entertainment, sports, etc.

Scholarships

Program and exchange students who stay at the University of Stuttgart for 1-2 semesters should inquire about scholarships with their home universities.

For international degree students, the most important scholarship provider is the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The DAAD scholarship database also includes scholarships from other organizations. Please note that:

• The University of Stuttgart is not involved in the DAAD selection process.
• The conditions of scholarship programs (eligibility criteria, duration, amount,…) may vary. Some programs may not cover all subjects and areas of origin.
• The DAAD scholarships do not cover the tuition fee of 1,500 EUR for non-EU students.
• Start looking for a scholarship while still in your home country! The scholarship's application deadline may well pre-date the application deadline at the University of Stuttgart.

Various political foundations also award scholarships to international students; however, the application process usually requires a good command of German. The Federal Foreign Office offers an overview of such scholarships. Both national and international degree students may apply for the Germany scholarship (Deutschlandstipendium) at the University of Stuttgart.

As is usual in Germany, the University of Stuttgart does not offer scholarships for degree studies. Make sure to plan well in advance how you want to finance your studies!

Temporary financial support

International degree-seeking students who are facing an unexpected, temporary financial emergency or special challenges during their studies may consider the options for financial support listed below. The joint application form is only available after personal consultation at the International Office. Please send us an e-mail beforehand. Usually, applicants will learn about the results of the selection within four to six weeks after the application deadlines.

The joint application deadlines are:

• June 30, 2024
• November 15, 2024

See below for more detailed information on scholarships and temporary financial support.

Students who are citizens of EU countries may work within the same regulations as local students (maximum 20 hours/week). Please note: If you get a student job or a paid internship, you have to apply for German public health insurance! The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not enough. Further information on insurance can be found on our website.

Non-EU students with a residence permit for studies (§16b AufenthG) may work up to 20 hours per week or 140 full days or 280 half days per calendar year. Working days of less than 4 hours count as half days.

• Jobs as a student assistant (studentische Hilfskraft) do not count towards the 140/280 days rule. The maximum of 20 hours per week (for all jobs combined) applies.
• During the lecture-free period, you are allowed to work full-time.
• Online work, remote work, work for employers outside of Germany, etc., must also stay within the limits of your working permit as a student.
• Freelance work is only permitted with the consent of the Foreigners' Registration Office.

Compulsory internships do not count as work in the sense of a work permit. Additionally, the minimum wage does not apply to them. Voluntary internships are considered regular jobs and underlie the same regulations.

Before starting your first job, make sure that you meet the following requirements:

• The work permit is explicitly stated on your visa / residence permit (eAT or Fiktionsbescheinigung).
• You have German health insurance.
• You have a German tax identification number (ID-Nr.). This will be sent to you automatically after your residence registration. If not, please contact your nearest tax office (Finanzamt).
• You have a German social security number (Sozialversicherungsnummer). You can get one from your German health insurance provider. In many cases, your employer will request it from your health insurance provider. Discuss with your employer whether you need to do it yourself.

Students with a side job usually work 5-10 hours a week, amounting to a monthly income of roughly 350 to 600 EUR per month. The minimum wage in Germany is 12.41 EUR per hour in 2024 and will be 12.82 EUR in 2025.

Specific student jobs:

• Student assistants (studentische Hilfskraft/Hiwi) work at a university or similar higher education institutions, mostly in research and teaching (e.g. tutorials) but also in service areas (e.g. computer pools, libraries).
• Working student positions (Werkstudent) are offered at many companies. They often involve work related to your studies.

All jobs with a monthly income of less than 580 EUR are considered Mini-Jobs (geringfügige Beschäftigung). Employees do not have to pay income tax or contributions to the pension fund etc.. Mini-Jobs are very popular with students and are offered in all sectors of the economy, e.g. in the food service industry, retail, logistics, production, and event management.

There are many online job search portals:

• Stellenwerk - student assistant and working student positions in Stuttgart and the surrounding region
• Jobsuche - nationwide portal of the Federal Employment Agency
• LinkedIn, Stepstone, Indeed, Jobmensa, StudentJob, ...

For positions at the University of Stuttgart, keep an eye on the bulletin boards and mailing lists of your study program. You can also contact the staff you would like to work with directly.

Applying for a job in a new country can be challenging. The University of Stuttgart offers career services as well as job and career counseling at the Student Counseling Center in cooperation with the Federal Employment Agency. In addition, the Welcome Center Stuttgart regularly offers highly recommended information events, also regarding income tax returns!

DAAD STIBET I scholarships are funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

The University of Stuttgart offers the following types of STIBET scholarships for students and doctoral students who will graduate here (Bachelor, Master, PhD) and meet the respective criteria:

DAAD STIBET Commitment

This scholarship supports excellent students who also show outstanding commitment in an international context at the University of Stuttgart. A selection committee at the International Office determines the specific period and the amount of the scholarship.

Who can apply? International degree-seeking students who

1. are at least in their third semester at the time the scholarship begins,
2. have received good grades to date,
3. have demonstrated outstanding commitment in an international or intercultural context at the University of Stuttgart,
4. do not simultaneously receive a full scholarship from a German or foreign organization.

DAAD STIBET Final Stage

This scholarship supports students and doctoral students in the final stage of their studies so that they can concentrate on graduating. A selection committee at the International Office determines the specific period and the amount of the scholarship.

Who can apply? International degree-seeking students who

1. are about to start or are currently in the final semester of their regular study period: Bachelor: 6th semester at the earliest / Master: 4th semester at the earliest / PhD: within the final 12 months and only with a certificate of acceptance from the faculty,
2. have received good grades and a positive prognosis for completion of the degree program by a professor / academic staff member,
3. are in a difficult financial situation or are experiencing a financial emergency,
4. do not simultaneously receive a full scholarship from a German or foreign organization.

DAAD STIBET More equal opportunities

This scholarship supports students who are facing or have faced special challenges during their studies, such as special care situations for children, relatives in need of care, disability or health conditions, or a refugee background. A selection committee at the International Office determines the duration and the scholarship amount.

Who can apply? International degree-seeking students who

1. are facing a difficult financial situation or are experiencing a financial emergency,
2. do not simultaneously receive a full scholarship from a German or foreign organization.

Beihilfe is an emergency financial aid for students and PhD students studying at the University of Stuttgart, sponsored by the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts (Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg). The amount of Beihilfe is determined on a case-by-case basis. A senate committee makes the final decision.

Who can apply? International degree-seeking students who

1. expect to graduate from the University of Stuttgart,
2. are currently enrolled in at least their third or fourth semester (Bachelor's or Master's degree) and,
3. are facing a temporary financial emergency.

This emergency fund at the University of Stuttgart offers short-term financial aid for enrolled international students who are experiencing sudden financial difficulties. The financial aid is sponsored by the Christian Bürkert Foundation. The duration and amount are based on the temporary financial needs of the applicants and are determined by a selection committee at the International Office.

The emergency fund aims at qualified and highly committed international students as well as doctoral students seeking a degree at the University of Stuttgart. Unforeseen political conflicts, natural disasters, inflation, and currency fluctuations can cause the sudden loss of financial support from the country of origin. Likewise, illness, parental unemployment, or the expiration of project funds may contribute to students or doctoral students not being able to pay their living expenses.

Who can apply? International students or doctoral students who

1. are pursuing a degree at the University of Stuttgart and expect to graduate successfully (they should be in the third semester), and
2. are confronted with serious, unexpected short-term financial difficulties.