The German state of Baden-Wurttemberg has reintroduced tuition fees for international students. From autumn 2017, non-EU students will pay 1500 Euros per semester – totaling 3000 euros per year. However, students pursuing a second degree will pay a fee of only 650 euros per semester. All German universities have provided free education since 2014.

The move has been made to reduce Germany’s 48 million euros higher education deficit. Re-introducing tuition fees is a means of helping universities cover operational costs. Earlier this year, we wrote about how, in spite of a robust economy, German universities were clamoring for funding in order to be competitive internationally.  Now, the higher education ministry of Baden-Wurttemberg has decided that it can no longer afford free education for all students.

A spokeswoman from the University of Konstanz told media. “While the Baden-Wurttemberg Ministry of Education & Research has to do its part in reducing costs, it wants to avoid drastically damaging the reputation and growth of science and research at state universities along with their high student numbers.”

Therefore, exceptions have been made for some categories. Students who will be exempted from tuition fees will include those -

• with a right to stay in Germany
• who earned their higher education entrance qualification in Germany
• from Erasmus member states
• with a permanent resident status in Europe
• already enrolled in affected universities.

According to media reports, affected universities might make more scholarship opportunities available for non-EU students in Germany. These include: Freiburg, Heidelberg, Konstanz, Mannheim, Stuttgart &Tubingen. It is expected that other German states will follow suit.

Germany is not the only European country to make these changes. Finland announced earlier this year that non-EU students would now pay tuition fees, following, Denmark in 2006, and Sweden in 2011.

All said, however, Germany remains one of the most economical places for students to gain an international education.

How do you feel about the change? Let us know in the comments below.