Tuition & Financing

Three female students working on a laptop

Tuition Fee and Living Expenses

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for the four semesters (two academic years) can be paid either as a whole prior to the start of the program or before each semester starts. 

The MPP tuition fee is:

  • EUR 1,600 per semester for the academic year 2023/24 and
  • EUR 1,800 per semester for the academic year 2024/25.

Fee regulations valid until September 30, 2023 (in German language)

Fee regulations valid from October 1, 2023 on (in German language)

Semester Service Contribution ("Semesterbeitrag")

A student semester contribution, which currently totals EUR 275 must be paid to the university each semester. The student semester contribution includes your student-ID card, entitlement to free public transportation within and around the city of Erfurt and general administration services provided by the university. This amount is subject to change from semester to semester.


Living expenses

With an estimated average cost of living of EUR 934 per month, studying in Erfurt is affordable. It is one of the least expensive university towns in all of Germany.


Further expenses

Please consult our FAQ section for estimates of additional costs such as health insurance, the cost of study materials, and travel to and from Erfurt.

See the 'Financing your Studies' section below for information on which financing options are availble for MPP candidates. For detailed information on scholarships, see our Scholarships page.

Our budget overview (PDF)gives you a detailed overview of the basic costs of the MPP and living in Erfurt.

Financing your Studies

There are several ways for prospective students to obtain financial support in order to help them finance both the tuition fees and the cost of living in Germany.

Since expenses at the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy require a substantial financial commitment from both the student and the Brandt School, MPP candidates are encouraged to start their financial planning several months in advance of applying to the program. This includes a thorough assessment of your costs and a search for possible sources of financial assistance.

International students who need to apply for a student visa must prove that they have sufficient funds before coming to Germany. Further information may be found in the FAQ section under Preparing for Life in Germany.

Scholarships

Scholarships are one way for highly qualified candidates to finance their studies. Our scholarship page offers an overview of different scholarship opportunities for MPP candidates, including scholarships from our partners, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Haniel Foundation.

The Haniel Foundation provides financial support for excellent applicants to the MPP program at the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy. Up to three Stipends per year can be awarded. One of the Stipends per year is co-financed by the Klaus-Tschira-Foundation.

The Willy Brandt School is a partner in the DAAD's Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (Master’s Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance), which offer a limited number of scholarships to highly qualified applicants from Africa, Latin America, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.  Helmut-Schmidt scholarships include stipends for living costs and a tuition waiver from the Brandt School. 

More information about the scholarships and how to apply can be found under Scholarships.

Part-time jobs

Part-time jobs are another possibility to finance your studies. Subject to certain legal regulations and limitations, and depending on your own flexibility, you should be able to find work in Erfurt. German language proficiency can be a major asset in terms of employability.

  • A number of Brandt School students have worked as part-time English teachers in Erfurt
  • A different native language may be an asset in terms of language teaching as well
  • There may be opportunities to work as a research or teaching assistant at the University of Erfurt or at the Brandt School itself

You can find detailed information about working in Germany on our FAQ page under Preparing for Life in Germany.