Costs and Finances
NO TUITION FEES
There are no tuition fees at RWTH Aachen University - this applies for international students as well! All students are, however, subject to a student body and social contribution fee.
Semester Fee Amount
You can use Campus Officeto find out which current semester fee you need to pay.
| Breakdown of 239.75 euros Semester Fee | ||
| Student Body Fee |
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| AStA Student Representative Body | 4.60 Euros |
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| University Sports | 1.10 Euros |
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| Childcare at RWTH Aachen | 1.50 Euros |
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| Student Hardship Fund | 0.01 Euros |
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| Aachen University Radio Station | 0.50 Euros |
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| Queerreferat of the Universities of Aachen | 0.19 Euros |
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| Student Councils of the Faculties | 1.00 Euro |
| Semester Ticket Mobility Fee and NRW Ticket) | 113.25 Euros | |
| NRW Ticket | 49.50 Euros | |
| Mobility Hardship Fund | 0.10 Euros | |
| Social Contribution for Student Services | 68.00 Euros | |
International Students
How much does it cost to study at RWTH Aachen University? Are there any scholarships, or are international students allowed to work to support themselves? We have put together the most important information for you.
Costs
In this section we provide an estimate of the minimum costs for accommodation and living expenses for students at RWTH Aachen University:
| Monthly Expenditure | Minimum Costs per Month |
| Accommodation | € 160 |
| Food and general expenses | € 350 |
| Health insurance | approx. € 80 |
| University fees (social security contribution, semester ticket), approx. €200 per semester | approx. € 38 |
| Book and materials | € 70 (may be significantly higher, according to subject studied) |
| Total | approx. € 700 per month |
Please note that single persons have to give proof of a minimum income of 659 € (as set by the local BaföG agency*) in order to be eligible for an extension of their residence permit.
Financial Matters
Work Opportunities for International Students
International students may take up work in the private sector during the semester or the semester break for up to four months without having obtained a work permit. Students thus may take up full time work for 120 days or part-time positions (up to 4 hours per day) for 240 days. This regulation is also stated on the residence permit.
In term-time, students are allowed to take up jobs with working hours of up to 19 hours a week. During the semester break, students may work full-time but only for a maximum of 13 consecutive weeks. To give an example: A student takes up a job at a restaurant. He is to work for 19 hours per week. According to the above stated regulation, the student is allowed to work for 48 weeks of the year. The student's employer is advised to register the number of working days of the student in order to avoid difficulties with the Immigration Office.
Student assistants are more flexible as regards working hours, as the 120/240 full and part-time regulation does not apply. As a student assistant - the so-called HiWi -, you are allowed to work up to 19 hours per week throughout the year.
Scholarships
Generally, it is quite rare that international students are awarded with a scholarship by a German funding institution. If you are participating in the German language course or the Preparatory Course for International Students - the so-called Studienkolleg -, you are typically not eligible for a scholarship. Usually, applicants who have not as yet obtained their preliminary diploma or passed the intermediate exam are also not taken into consideration. If you have passed the intermediate exam or received your preliminary diploma, however, you might want to apply for a scholarship.
Grants and Allowances
The International Office does not have any funds at its disposal to award grants or offer allowances to international students in financial distress. There is however an International Students Hardship Fund to aid students who are facing a sudden financial emergency. Applications for financial support in these case are to be made to the International Office. A student committee decides on whether or not financial support can be granted.
