The cost of living for students in Berlin is around €1000 per month, although the costs can be lower if you live with parents or relatives. Here is a detailed overview of the monthly costs:

There are several financing options which can be combined:

• Parents/family
• Savings
• BAföG
• scholarships from state or private institutions
• student loans
• Work / Jobs

BAföG (Federal Training Assistance Act) is one of the most well-known options for financing studies in Germany. It is intended to enable students whose parents have limited financial means to access higher education.

• Maximum BAföG rate in 2025: €992 per month

• Funding structure: 50% grant, 50% interest-free loan (maximum repayable amount: €10,010)

• Only first degrees (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or equivalent qualifications) are eligible for funding.

• Eligibility depends on individual circumstances (nationality, age, income, assets, etc.)

• Information on how to apply and details about BAföG consultation sessions for students (available in both German and English)

• BAföG may be available to EU students (under specific conditions – see FAQs), students with refugee status (including Ukrainian students with residence permit under §24), and those with permanent residency.

• Not available for students with a visa or residence permit under §16b of the Residence Act (AufenthG), or for exchange students.

Scholarships are usually awarded for social commitment and special personal achievements in addition to outstanding academic achievements. As it is very difficult to obtain a scholarship, it is advisable to look for alternative sources of funding at the same time.

• based on BAföG :  maximum rate 2025 = €992 per month + additional benefits
• awarded within the standard period of study and usually for the first degree programme
• application before the start of your studies and/or up to the 2nd/3rd semester
• Pay attention to application deadlines and formal criteria!
• scholarships from state foundations, such as party and religion-affiliated foundations of the Begabtenförderwerke
• funding opportunities from private foundations, often specific scholarships, e.g. technical support, support in special life circumstances, etc.
• search engines for scholarships: mystipendium
• questions about the application: contact the person responsible at the chosen foundation, take part in application workshops organised by ApplicAid.org

• for students with visa / residence permit according to § 16b AufenthG - application for scholarships from Begabtenförderwerke only possible at master level - exceptions: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung und Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung also at Bachelor's level
• for students from the EU, with refugee status (including Ukrainian students with §24 residence permit) and with permanent residence: application for scholarships at Bachelor's and Master's level possible (see BAföG §8 Staatsangehörigkeit)
• for all international students without exception: application for a DAAD scholarship is only possible for Master's programmes, 1 to 1.5 years before the planned start of studies (please pay attention to the application deadlines)

StudierendenWERK Berlin offers a one-off scholarship of €1000 for students in particular need when starting and completing their studies.

• Study start aid: Students who are under 25, are taking up a full-time first degree course (i.e. are first-year students) and have received social benefits for the full month before the start of their studies are eligible. You can find more information here (only in German).
• Grant for successful graduation of study: The grant is aimed at students in financial and social need and also takes into account the particular burdens faced by international students. Applications can be submitted online via the application portal from 10 a.m. on 3 November 2025, but you can already register. You can find more information here.

The Information and Advice Centre for Students with Disabilities (IBS) of the Deutsches Studierendenwerk provides information about study scholarships specifically for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Here you can find a list of study scholarships for various impairments (German only).

The website also provides individual assistance for students with disabilities in need.

Heinrich Böll Foundation focuses on equal opportunities when awarding scholarships (first degree) and favours first-generation students among others. 

• The application deadlines are 1 March and 1 September each year.
• Here you can find information about the scholarship and the application requirements.

! Important information for international students:

• International students with a German university entry qualification ("Bildungsinländer*innen") and those with a refugee status can apply for their first degree (BA, Absolvent)
• International students with an university entry qualification acquired abroad ("Bildungsausländer*innen") can only apply at Master's level. 

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The German University Foundation (DUS) offers first-time academics the TANDEM scholarship programme. The scholarship holders can regularly exchange ideas with a university lecturer during a mentoring programme, take part in various networking events and workshops and receive a digital package as well as an annual  budget for study-related costs.

BA students starting in the winter semester 2025/26 (first degree) and who acquired their Abitur in Germany and come from a home without an academic degree can apply until 1 September 2025.
Further information can be found here (German only).

The “Aufstiegstipendium für Berufserfahrene” is a scholarship programme of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research for skilled workers with vocational training and several years of practical experience for a first academic university degree. Prospective and current students can apply for an advancement scholarship for the 2026 selection process from 16 September to 1 December 2025.

• Based on maximum BAföG rate (€992) + additional benefits
• Application possible before the end of the second semester of study
• No age limit and independent of income
• Further information (only in German)

! Important information for international students:

• available for students from the EU, with refugee status and with permanent residency (see BAföG §8 Staatsangehörigkeit) 
• not available for students with visa / residence permit according to § 16b AufenthG

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The Hans Böckler Foundation particularly supports students who access university through the first, second or third educational pathway.

• Funding is provided for the full duration of the initial degree programme (Bachelor's and Master's).
• Applications are accepted up to the third semester of a Bachelor's degree programme.
• Here you can find more information (German only).

! Important information for international students:

• available for European citizens, "Bildungsinländer*innen", recognised asylum seekers, refugees with prospects of remaining in Germany according to BAföG §8, and Ukrainian citizens with §24
• not available for students with a visa or residence permit under §16b of the Residence Act (AufenthG)

The SBW Berlin Scholarship for Refugees supports young talented refugees in Germany who want to get socially involved and use the skills they acquired during their studies in social projects during and after their studies..

• No application deadline
• You can find more information about the application process here.

The scholarship programmes for female refugees and refugees from Ukraine offered by Brot für die Welt aims to enable young people with refugee experience to study at a state-recognised university in Germany, thereby stabilising them personally and psychosocially and opening up career prospects for them.

• In consultation with the scholarship department, preparatory language courses can also be financed.
• Further information can be found here .

With the federal programme Garantiefonds Hochschule (GF-H), the Otto Benecke Stiftung e.V. promotes language courses (such as C1) and preparatory courses for obtaining university entrance qualifications, as well as courses to prepare for a general or specialist degree programme. 

• Before being accepted for funding, a consultation with your local educational advisory centre for Garantiefonds Hochschule (GF-H) is required.
• Here you will find further information about the programme and the seminars.

With its Welcome scholarship programme for refugee bachelor's students, the Deutsche Universitätsstiftung (DUS) offers one-to-one support from a university lecturer as well as workshops and coaching.  You can find more information here.

Below you will find a list of the "Begabtenförderwerke" foundations that provide special support to students with a refugee background:

• Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung: Bewerbung um ein "Studienstipendium" | Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung 
• Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung: Stipendien für Geflüchtete | Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung
• Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung: Stipendien für Geflüchtete - Begabtenförderung und Kultur - Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
• Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst e.V.:Informationen für Studierende mit Fluchterfahrung » Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst
• Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung: Stipendienprogramme der Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung und Solidaritätsfonds

DAAD scholarships are primarily aimed at international students with a Bachelor's degree, doctoral students and doctoral candidates and are awarded for study and research stays at universities and non-university research institutions in Germany.

• Based on BAföG maximum rate 2025: €992 per month + additional benefits (higher funding rates for doctoral students and doctoral candidates)
• Pay attention to application deadlines of the DAAD (1-1.5 years before the start of studies) and the UdK
• Application from Germany possible, but max. 15 months stay until application deadline - unless otherwise specified
• Questions about the application: contact the DAAD office responsible for the selected scholarship 
• Please note: without admission no scholarship despite prior confirmation
• Scholarship database and FAQs

You can find a detailed overview of our foundations, scholarships and competitions on the page ‘Funding opportunities at UdK Berlin’ (German only). The most important scholarships and emergency funds are briefly presented below.

The Deutschlandstipendium supports talented students of all nationalities at UdK Berlin (Bachelor, Absolvent, Master) with a monthly scholarship of 300 euros for at least two semesters within the standard period of study. In addition to outstanding academic or professional achievements, the selection process also takes into account social commitment and noteworthy personal achievements, such as overcoming significant challenges in one's educational career. You can find more information about the scholarship programme here.

Here you can find an overview of the funding programmes offered by each faculty of the UdK Berlin.

UdK Berlin has set up a solidarity fund in cooperation with the studierendenWERK BERLIN.

Students of all nationalities in social and financial need are supported in order to finance study-related expenses, which can be used, for example, for a project grant, materials, fees, licences or work equipment. Here you can find more information on the Solidarity Fund.

The Kommission für künstlerische und wissenschaftliche Vorhaben (KKWV) supports in particular interdisciplinary projects by students and lecturers that go beyond the scope of subject-specific work and the actual teaching, study and examination obligations. You can find more information here.

Some financial support may be available for studying abroad for students of all nationalities (exchange semesters, internships, research trips). Please contact the International Office for more information.

Study completion grants are intended for international students who will take their final examinations at UdK Berlin within one year from the application deadline (BA, MA, Absolvent students). They aim to provide talented and financially disadvantaged international students with financial support to help them focus on preparing for their exams.

The scholarship is € 900 in total, paid in two monthly instalments of € 450 each. There are two application deadlines each year: 15 April and 15 September. More information can be found here.

The DAKA (Darlehenskasse der Studierendenwerke e.V.) offers  loans for students of all nationalities who are enrolled at a German university.

Please contact the Social Counselling Service of STudierendenWERK Berlin for advice beforehand!

The KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau) also offers low-interest loans for students enrolled at a German university, but not for students with a visa / residence permit according to § 16b AufenthG.

Please contact the Social Counselling Service of STudierendenWERK Berlin  for advice beforehand!

Most students finance their studies through part-time jobs, for example as a working student in a company, as a student assistant (“studentische Hilfskraft”) at a university or through a job in the catering industry, for example in a café.

Popular job portals for students:
- StellenWerk Hochschul-Jobportal
- Stellenticket UdK Berlin
- Artistic Operations Office / Orchestra Office (Künstlerisches Betriebsbüro/ Orchester der UdK Berlin) – arranging performance opportunities within and outside the UdK Berlin, organising competitions and awarding scholarships

Workshops and training on labour and employment law in German and English:
- Career & Transfer Service Center (CTC) at UdK Berlin
- StudierendenWERK Berlin

Here you will find the work regulations for all international students as well as specific information on part-time study for students with a visa / residence permit for study in accordance with § 16b.

For general questions about financing your studies at the UdK Berlin, please contact the Study Advisory Service or International Student Services.

For professional advice on financing your studies, please contact the Student financial Counselling Service.