Tuition fees
The federal state government of Baden-Württemberg has abolished general tuition fees. As of the spring term 2012, the University of Mannheim has waived the collection of tuition fees. However, the semester contribution has to be paid each semester.
Semester fees (degree-seeking students)
All enrolled students must pay a contribution to the Studierendenwerk. These contributions help keep various other costs low for students, such as the price of meals in the university cafeteria. The contribution is currently €73.50 per semester.
In addition to the semester contribution of €73.50 every degree-seeking student is charged an administrative fee in the amount of €60.00 per semester. Finally every student has to pay a fee for the Student Body Representative Committee (AStA) of €5.85.
In total students have to pay semester fees of €139.35.
Cost of Living
In comparison to other German towns, Mannheim is not an unusually expensive place to live. However, you will still probably require more money than you would at home. This will particularly be the case during the first two months when you will need to buy things like crockery, textbooks, etc. Altogether you should plan on spending about €600-700 per month (accommodation €250-300; health insurance approx. €80 and the rest for food and clothing). However, your expenditures heavily depend upon your individual lifestyle.
Language Courses
The Service und Marketing GmbH offers German language courses (as well as courses in other languages) within the Studium Generale. It is compulsory that you take part regularly. If you are absent for more than four teaching units (normally that is 2 times), you need to pay the whole price. One course is currently €59.
Health Insurance
All students in Germany are required to have a health insurance policy. You will not be enrolled at the university without providing proof of your health insurance coverage.
If you are an EU citizen, you probably have the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). By presenting this card, you will be exempted from the necessary German health insurance coverage. Please bring your valid card with you to enrollment.
International students who are not from an EU country may become exempted from compulsory health insurance. The conditions of this exemption will be checked by a representative of a public health insurance company at the place of study (in Mannheim). For this you must bring a German or English translation of your insurance documents from your home country with you. However, we strongly recommend all our international students from non-EU countries to purchase a statutory German health insurance due to the following reasons: if you have international/private insurance, you will be responsible for all treatment costs up front and reimbursement by your insurance company may take several weeks. Hospitalisation can be particularly expensive, which can lead to financial problems. Depending on the illness and on the scope and duration of treatment, this can be several thousand Euro!
You can take out a public German health insurance policy at the International Office at the time of enrollment. It costs approximately €80 each month (student rate offered by all public health insurance companies). The health insurance coverage begins on the day of enrollment.
Please note: the obligation to take out insurance ends after your 30th birthday or after your 14th semester in Germany. In this case, you need to purchase a private health insurance.
Liability Insurance
We strongly recommend that you arrange liability insurance. Liability insurance is designed to offer specific protection against third party claims. Our experience has shown that liability insurance has proven very useful whenever one of our students was involved in some kind of damage causing accident (e.g. hitting a car with your bike). Usually, it is possible to arrange liability insurance in your home country. Be sure, however, that your liability insurance is also valid in foreign countries, especially in Germany.
