Money

Bank Account

It is absolutely necessary to have a German bank account when you live in Regensburg for a longer time. Rents, insurances etc. are paid through an account. Please remember that to take care of all your expenses you need to open a “Girokonto“ (checking / current account).

Which documents do you need to open a bank account?

International students will need the following documents in order to open an account:

your passport.
your student ID (at some banks, students do not need to pay bank charges)

International guest researcher should bring a copy of their work contract or a letter from their German advisor plus their passport.

Studying in Regensburg - How much money do you need for your living expenses?

Two financial components have to be considered when planning your studies in Germany:

Tuition fees and
Cost of living

Tuition

Tuition Fees

P1110913 As of summer semester 2007, tuition fees ("Studienbeiträge" or "Studiengebühren") have been imposed on all Bavarian universities. With the fees, the study conditions on the universities should be improved (for example through intensive student guidance, better library facilities, etc.).

At the University of Regensburg, students must pay tuition fees amounting to € 500,- per semester. This fee must also be paid by international students.

Under certain conditions, students can apply to be granted an exemption from paying the fees (for example, if they are raising a child under 10 years old). Upon application, international students studying for one or two semesters in Regensburg under the framework of an exchange programme between their home university and the University of Regensburg are exempt from the fees. PhD students are likewise exempt from the fees for a maximum period of six semesters.

More details on tuition fees, procedures, etc. are available here (only in German!).

The following links will inform you of the exact rules of the Bavarian university laws and the corresponding legal regulations of the University of Regensburg:

For German students as well as their family members and for students from EU-countries and their family members, it is possible to take out a loan from the KfW-Förderbank to pay the tuition fees. The loan must be paid back after completion of studies. You can also receive additional information from the homepage of the Bavarian Ministry of Science .

Living Expenses

Cost of Living

Image Draussen As _51_ To receive a residence permit to study at the University of Regensburg, you must demonstrate to the Municipal Immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde) that you have enough money available to live in Germany. As a general orientation, at least € 600,- per month would be accepted as proof that you have sufficient means to support yourself.

Each month you should count on the following fixed costs:
Rent: approximately € 150,- to € 250,-
Health Insurance: approximately € 80,-

Broadcasting fee: approx. 18,- Euro per month.

For a meal in the cafeteria at the University you pay around € 4,-.

Each semester you should reckon on expenditures amounting to approximately €150, - to € 350, - for materials for your studies (books, etc).

Each semester at the University, you additionally must pay student service fee (Studentenwerksbeitrag) in the amount of € 114,- (as of: 12/2012). The student service fee serves as a "semester ticket" with which you can ride the buses and trains in Regensburg and within a radius of about 50 km without extra costs.

The University of Regensburg assumes that international students can bear all costs themselves. When applying, you confirm in a financial declaration (Finanzierungserklärung ) that you have the necessary funds available. The financial declaration also is a requirement (for non-EU citizens) to be issued a residence permit for studying.