Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen

Why this works

• Public university charging only €600 per year in fees — among the lowest tuition costs for non-EU students in Germany.
• 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.

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: 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).