Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen
About
Justus Liebig University Giessen charges no tuition (just a ≈€600/year semester contribution) for humanities, natural sciences, law, medicine, economics, agriculture, and veterinary studies, IELTS 6 — with no Baden-Württemberg-style surcharge on top. Graduates get an EU degree, the 18-month job-seeker visa, and up to 120 work days a year in a compact, affordable student city.
Giessen is a mid-sized university town in Hesse, with a compact historic centre and a strong student culture. The cost of living is decidedly lower than Frankfurt or Munich. Student bars and cafés cluster around the old town, and the city has the earnest, unpretentious feel of a place where study matters.
Application deadlines
- WiSe (UG/MSc restricted — standard)Jul 15
Opens Jun 1. Via uni-assist for non-EU foreign qualifications
- WiSe (UG/MSc restricted — specialised)Jun 15
Environmental Sciences, Global Food Systems, Agrobioinformatics, Advanced Materials etc. Opens May 1
- WiSe (unrestricted UG/MSc)Aug 15
Opens Jun 1. Via uni-assist
- WiSe (Medicine/Dentistry/Vet)Jul 15
For recent graduates
Accommodation
Studierendenwerk Gießen — 3,475 places. Eichendorffring (815 students): single rooms €262–354, apts €346–440/month. Unterhof (753 students): single rooms €313–393, apts €345–453/month. Friedrichstraße: single rooms from €307/month. All-inclusive (utilities + internet)
Scholarships
- 🏛DAAD
- 🏛Deutschlandstipendium
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).
National funding for this destination
Honestly
Why this works
- Tuition is €0 for non-EU students; the only compulsory payment is a semester contribution of ≈€600 per year, which funds administration and student services rather than teaching.
- Hessen levies no high non-EU semester surcharge unlike Baden-Württemberg, keeping total study costs predictable and low.
- Wide field coverage — humanities, natural sciences, law, medicine, economics, agriculture, and veterinary — suits diverse academic backgrounds.
- An EU degree opens access to Germany's 18-month post-study job-seeker visa and up to 120 full days of annual work rights during studies.
- Giessen is a compact university city with a large student population relative to city size, keeping rent and living costs below major German metros.
- Germany's Schengen membership means freedom of movement across 27 countries for travel and short-term professional mobility.
What to check
- Most bachelor programmes are taught in German; students without C1 level face a significant language barrier from day one.
- Non-EU school leavers without a recognised Abitur equivalent typically must pass a Studienkolleg entrance course before university admission.
- Germany requires proof of funds via a blocked Sperrkonto account — approximately €11,904 for one year — which must be locked before the visa is issued.
- Giessen's mid-size economy offers fewer internship and part-time job opportunities in corporate or tech sectors compared to Frankfurt or Berlin.
- Medicine and law are highly restricted-admission programmes (Numerus Clausus) with very competitive grade thresholds, even at lower-tuition public universities.
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Figures are indicative and change by academic year. Always confirm tuition, deadlines and visa requirements on the official institution and government sources before applying.