Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg

Why this works

• At €700 per year, tuition is among the lowest possible for non-EU students at a German public university.
• As a public university in Niedersachsen, it falls outside Baden-Württemberg's €1,500-per-semester non-EU surcharge.
• A German EU-accredited degree opens the 18-month post-study job-seeker visa across the entire Schengen area.
• The broad field portfolio — education, social sciences, business, law, humanities, STEM, and medicine — suits diverse academic backgrounds.
• IELTS 6.0 entry requirement is accessible for CIS applicants with solid but not elite English proficiency.
• Oldenburg is a mid-size university city with lower living costs than Hamburg or Berlin, easing the tight blocked-account budget.

What to check

• Non-EU students must open a Sperrkonto (blocked account) with approximately €11,904 before applying for a German student visa.
• Many bachelor programmes are taught in German, so daily life and academic integration require B2/C1 German regardless of IELTS.
• Non-EU school leavers whose diploma is not directly recognised by anabin may need to pass a Studienkolleg before enrolling.
• Oldenburg's regional economy is smaller than major German hubs, which limits internship and part-time job options in specialised fields.
• During studies, work rights are capped at 120 full days or 240 half days per year, restricting earnings to supplement living costs.

Accommodation

€400–700/mo private — Studierendenwerk Oldenburg manages 2,200+ places across 15 facilities in Oldenburg, Emden, Wilhelmshaven, and Elsfleth. Monthly rent includes utilities and electricity; internet ~€5/month extra. Room types: single rooms in shared flats (WG), single apartments, double apartments. Broadcasting fee (€18.36/month) billed separately.

Scholarships

DAAD: Master's/PhD, merit-based (RU/BY de-facto restricted post-2022). Deutschlandstipendium: €300/mo, all nationalities, merit + social commitment. Apply via university portal (Apr–Jun).