Costs and funding
The cost of living in Passau
You should budget a minimum of €660 per month for accommodation, food, transport and other activities. The actual costs will vary depending on your lifestyle.
The University of Passau does not charge tuition fees. However, you have to pay a contribution of currently €70 per semester at matriculation and re-registration. Much of this semester contribution goes to the student services association, which runs the refectory, cafeterias and halls of residence, among other things. The semester contribution also includes the fees for a semester bus pass for buses operated by Stadtwerke Passau (SWP).
The use of university facilities and services, such as the library or sitting examinations is free of charge.
Scholarships and student grants
Scholarships are usually awarded on the basis of academic performance; the applicant's financial situation only plays a minor role in the decision. For this reason scholarships (particularly scholarships which are granted by the University of Passau) are not awarded before the start of the period of study.
If you wish to apply for a scholarship before coming to Germany, please contact the German Embassy or German Consulate in your home country well in advance.
Accommodation
University halls of residence
For all students the Student Services Association Bavaria & Upper Palatinate('Studentenwerk') is the main contact point concerning accommodation. It runs thefour University halls of residence in Passau. Rooms there cost €220 to €330per month and are fully furnished, with kitchen and bathroom facilities. Wi-Fi Internet access is also included. Bed sheets and duvets are provided in all University halls of residence except Dr.-Hans-Kapfinger-Strasse andSchönleitnerweg.
Even if you do not know yet if you will receive an offer from the University of Passau for the programme of studies you applied for, you can and should apply for a room. You do not enter into any contractual obligations by applying; it only becomes binding when you accept a room that has been offered to you by the Student Services Association. The deadlines for applications are 15 June for the winter semester and 15 December for the summer semester.
Church-run halls of residence
The Catholic Church's 'Wohnbauwerk' runs two student halls of residence in central and outer Passau, the 'Marienheim' in the city centre and Haus St. Severin atSchönleitnerweg. Together, these two compounds comprise 169 one-bedroom flats and 29 two-bedroom flats.
Searching on the free housing market
Besides the halls of residence, Passau has a big private housing market, where rooms cost about €200 – €350 a month. Landlords usually require a deposit of one or two months’ rent when you move in, which will be returned to you at the end of the rental period, assuming you leave your room in good condition.
If you rent your room through an estate agent, some may charge a commission of one or two months’ rent. However, since June 2015, they can only legally charge the person who instructed them to look for accommodation. If you rent directly from a landlord you will not usually have to pay any additional fees or commission. We recommend that you check very carefully what costs are involved before signing the lease or rental contract.
