What are the COSTS for studying and living in Jena?
There are no tuition fees. There are only charges for sports and language courses, which you can attend by choice. However, you have to pay a semester contribution, mainly for the student ticket. Students need approx. €700/month for rent, food, health insurance, books and personal items. Bring at least €500 in cash for the first month.
Semester ticket; semester contribution
Each semester, students have to pay their semester contribution( EUR 210,80) in order to stay enrolled and get their semester ticket.
For regular courses in German as a Foreign Language:
Please transfer the course fees only after you personally enroled in the courses. Please also make sure to give your instructor a copy of your account balance sheet (Kontoauszug) as proof of your payment within the first 2 weeks after the beginning of the courses. Only proofs of payment indicating the proper name and course titel will count as proof that you paid the course fee.
| Status | Course fee (per course) |
| Students | course with 2 hrs/week : 20€ |
| Students | course with 2 hrs/week : 20€ |
| Doctoral candidate/PhD Students | course with 2 hrs/week : 20€ |
| Doctoral candidate/PhD Students | course with 2 hrs/week : 95€ |
| Employees | course with 2 hrs/week : 95€ |
| Guests | course with 2 hrs/week : 115€
|
For intensive courses in German as a Foreign Language:
Please transfer the course fee after your registration and hand in a copy of your account balance sheet (Kontoauszug) or remittance order (Überweisungsauftrag) as proof of your payment. Only proofs of payment indicating the proper name and course titel will count as proof that you paid the course fee.
| Status | Course fee (per course) |
| Students | Intensive course (60 h): 60€ |
| tudents | Intensive course (60 h): 60€ |
| Doctoral candidate/PhD Students | Intensive course (60 h): 60€ |
| Doctoral candidate/PhD Students | Intensive course (60 h): 160€ |
| Employees | Intensive course (60 h): 160€ |
| Guests | Intensive course (60 h): 180€ |
How can I find a rom or an apartment?
You can use the following resources:
Residence halls belonging to the student union
There are 21 residence halls in Jena. There are individual apartments or individual roms in living communities in which two to eight men and women live together and share a kitchen and bathrom. Rent is between €180 and €300 a month. You can find out more about the residence halls here.
You must apply for a spot between 1 January and 31 July.
Please do not forget to confirm your application and, later, your housing offer via email. Due to the high demand, there is no guarantee that you will receive a place; please also consider private housing.
Private roms and flats
You can also lok for a rom, flat of your own, or a spot in a flat share.
On this web site, there are a number of links to other providers.
Please keep in mind that it is very difficult to find private accommodation in Jena and that it is often very expensive. We recommend loking in nearby cities (Weimar, Erfurt, Kahla, Gera, Apolda). With your temporary student ID and later, your Thoska, your officlal student ID, you can use local trains in Thuringia for free. Please remember that you will need to show your personal ID or passport along with your temporary ID.
Stipends, Jobs and Financial Matters
Before applying for, and starting with, your studies, you should make sure that you will be able to finance this. Even without having to pay fees, you will need approx. 650€ - 700€ per month. International students are also required by the Immigration Office to be able to prove that they have got sufficient means.
Jobs
There are only few job opportunities in Jena. You should have some basic knowledge of the German language. Please also note that Non-EU-citizens, Romanians and Bulgarians must not work more than 120 days per year without work permit; this does not apply for part-time jobs as student aides. You should insists on getting a proper employment contract and that your employer pays social security for you - working illegally may endanger your visa.
Stipends
Applications for stipends must ususally be made 1 year in advance. Please note all criteria which must be fulfilled when applying.
Financial Support in Case of Emergency / End-of-Study Subsidy
International students without German Abitur who pursue a degree programme at FSU Jena may apply for a subsidy in case of financial emergency or for their last exam semester. Please note the criteria and deadlines in the publication.
The Student Social Services may also award short-term loans.
