Tuition fees for a second degree

If you have already completed a university degree in the Federal Republic of Germany, you will be required to pay fees to enrol in a second or further degree programme in an undergraduate course (state examination or bachelor’s degree programme) or a second or further consecutive master’s degree programme.

Students enrolled in teacher training programmes and continuing education, part-time master’s programmes are exempt from tuition fees.

Students who are enrolled in two programmes simultaneously will also be required to pay fees upon completion of one programme (legal basis: Section 8 (5) of the State Higher Education Fees Act). The obligation to pay fees begins at the start of the semester following the date of the first degree certificate.

In accordance with Section 8 (1) of the State Higher Education Fees Act, the tuition fee is 650 euros per semester. The tuition fee must be paid in addition to the regular semester fee upon enrolment and re-registration.

Changing subjects within a degree programme or changing the entire degree programme without completing it will not result in a second degree fee being charged.

Re-registration

Enrolment

650 euros

Tuition fees for second degree per semester

Due in addition to the semester fee upon enrolment and re-registration.

Re-registration deadlines
For the winter semester:
1 June to 15 August

For the summer semester:
15 January to 15 February

Exemptions from tuition fees for a second degree

The following students are exempt from paying tuition fees for a second degree:

Students who are already required to pay fees as international students. University degrees obtained abroad are not taken into account.
Students in a second degree programme that is required by professional regulations for obtaining a professional qualification (e.g. oral surgery). The requirement to complete a second degree programme is laid down in the legal regulations for practising the profession. The same applies to the study of an additional subject as part of a teacher training programme and postgraduate studies in special education in accordance with the Framework Regulation for Teacher Training Programmes.
Students who are taking up teacher training.

Framework Regulation for Teacher Training Programmes [de]

Exemption from tuition fees for a second degree

The following students may be exempted from paying tuition fees for a second degree:

Students on leave of absence, provided that the application for leave of absence was submitted before the start of the lecture period.

Leave of absence

Students in a semester in which the practical year is completed in accordance with Section 1 (2) sentence 1 number 1 of the Approbation Regulations for Doctors. The application must be submitted before the start of the lecture period.

Students in a practical semester which, in accordance with Section 29 (3) sentence 2 LHG, is an integral part of the study regulations and the standard period of study. The application must be submitted before the start of the lecture period.

Students whose disability within the meaning of Section 2 of Book Nine of the Social Code significantly impedes their studies.

Application for exemption from fees for a second degree [de]

PDF

Applicants and students are required to submit the data and documents necessary for an exception or exemption by the time of enrolment or re-registration at the latest.

Legal basis

State Higher Education Fees Act [de]