Finances

Expenses

Study fees

• Registration fees: 105€ per semester.

Cost of living

The monthly costs of living amount approximately from 500 to 750 € and include the following:

accomodation: 170 - 300 Euro
health insurance: 55 Euro
food: 150 - 200 Euro
spare time activities: 50 - 100 Euro
other: 50 - 100 Euro
total: 475 - 755 Euro

We would like to stress that it is not advisable to come to Germany for university studies if you do not have a secure source of funding. The job market conditions in Germany make it also difficult for students to find jobs. Apart from that you will not have too much time to spare during the semester as our modularised course structure will require your full attention.

Job opportunities

Overseas students

Overseas students from countries that are not part of the EU or EEA must not work for more than three months a year (90 days full time or 180 days part time) without a work permit. It is very difficult for students to obtain a work permit.

Exceptions are made for students who work as research assistants at the university. In this case students are allowed to work for more than three months a year during the studies. The work department checks up on this and it must be authorised by the foreigners department.

Student research assistants are paid 8 € an hour. Students must not work for more than 83 hours per month.

European students

Students from EU or EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and Switzerland do not need a work permit and there is no limitation to the amount of hours they work. If working as a student research assistant they must not work for more than 83 hours a month either.

More detailed information at: http://www.studentenwerk.uni-freiburg.de/

Scholarships

As the Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences does not give away scholarships, candidates should apply for funding from other institutions

Please note: Finding a scholarship is a time-consuming business. Requirements and application dates vary, but often an extensive application package is required and deadlines may be up to one year before you start your course. Please consider this when applying!

Below you will find a list of scholarship providers and databases:

DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) scholarships

To receive a DAAD-scholarship, previous academic achievements, the references by your university professors and the description of your intended studies are important. The application for a scholarship must be submitted to a DAAD office or the German embassy in the applicant’s home country. Generally, the application deadline is in autumn, about one year before the start of the MSc programme.

Click here for more information about DAAD scholarships in general.

Organisations For Promoting Young Talent (Begabtenförderungswerke)

There are 11 organisations for promoting young talent (Begabtenförderungswerke) in Germany, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Their aim is the individual promotion of responsible elites by giving financial and other support to students and doctoral students.

Each organisation has a slightly different focus and varying requirements. Below, you find a short profile of each and the link to its webpage. A summary of the organisations is also available from www.stipendiumplus.de.

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

Foundation associated with the Social Democratic Party; funds undergraduate and postgraduate students from home and abroad; requirements are above average academic performance and voluntary sociopolitical or social activities. -> Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung

Funds undergraduate and postgraduate students from home and abroad; requirements are a high academic qualification, personal qualities and voluntary political or social activities based on a liberal ideology. Foreign students from countries where the association manages projects are favoured. -> Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung

Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

Foundation associated with the Green Party; funds undergraduate and postgraduate students from home and abroad; requirements are above average academic performance and outstsanding personal qualities, proof of willingness to take over responsibilities. -> Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

Cusanuswerk

Foundation of the Catholic Church; funds students with excellent academic performance and reflective abilities who show serious commitment to faith and dialogue. -> Cusanuswerk

Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst

Foundation of the Protestant Church; scholarships are available for students from Germany and Europe in all subjects; requirements are an affiliation with the Protestant Church, academic excellence and demonstrable religious, social, or political commitment. -> Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst

Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung

Foundation associated with the Christian Social Union; funds German students as well as postgraduates particularly from Third World countries (based on a recommendation by partner organisations of the foundation); requirements are academic excellence, good knowledge of German and socio-political commitment. -> Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung

Hans-Böckler-Stiftung

Foundation of the Confederation of German Trade Unions; target group is candidates with excellent academic performance and socio-political commitment, especially if they have work experience and would not be able to fund university studies otherwise -> Hans-Böckler-Stiftung

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

Foundation associated with the Christian Democratic Union; funds students from Germany and abroad who display academic excellence and willingness for social commitment based on the values of the foundation -> Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung

Foundation associated with the Left-wing Party; funds students from Germany and abroad below an age of 30 based on academic performance and strong social commitment following the ideals of the foundation. -> Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung

Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft

Foundation of German business; supports students from Germany and abroad; besides academic excellence and socio-political involvement candidates should demonstrate clear goals for their own development. -> Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft

Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes

Other scholarship options

Scholarship for candidates from Eastern European countries

The Alfred Toepfer Scholarship, funded by the Alfred Toepfer Foundation, is aimed candidates from eastern European countries under 30 years, who finish their studies at a German university. The scholarship programme funds only the final phase (2nd year) of a master program. For more information, visit Alfred-Toepfer-Scholarship.

KAAD (Katholischer Akademischer Austauschdienst)

Funds undergraduate and postgraduate students from abroad. Funding is based on the need for specialists in the applicant’s home country; catholic laymen with religious beliefs who are actively involved in church are supported. In exceptional cases non Catholics may be supported.; requirements: above average academic qualifications, personal integrity, willingness to share knowledge to serve society and the church in the applicants home country, good knowledge of the German langauge or the ability to improve the language skills within an acceptable period of time. For more information, visit KAAD.

Support offered by the International Office of Freiburg University

Limited funding for international students in financial distress / in emergency situations as well as contributions towards the final phase of study is availble from the International Office at the University. -> Studienbeihilfe / Studienabschlussbeihilfe 

Scholarship databases

Various other organisations and associations give away scholarships. All of them require excellent academic performance and/or outstanding voluntary activities.

DAAD-Database:

• http://www.daad.de/deutschland/foerderung/stipendiendatenbank/00462.en.html

• http://www.daad.de/deutschland/foerderung/stipendiendatenbank/00462.en.htmlhttp://www.e-fellows.net/de/public/show/detail.php/5789

Database of the Science Support Center at Freiburg University

• http://www.ssc.uni-freiburg.de/foerderprogramme/forschungsstipendien

BMBF (Federal Ministry of Education and Research)

• www.stipendienlotse.de

Please check the scholarship databases and scholarship providers in your home country. Several countries offer joint scholarships with DAAD.