Finances
General
Living in Dortmund is affordable compared to many other cities in Europe. Students may expect a living cost of about 650 € per month including health insurance. This sum would guarantee housing, living and some cultural expenses at a students' level as well as the tuition fee. Funding for the first semester should be secured before coming to Dortmund. There is only limited time to work as well as your opportunities will be restricted by the "Aufenthaltsgenehmigung" (residence permit). The department offers a limited number of part-time employments for the best students after the first semester.
Tuition fee(Master)
There is no tution fee. The adminstrative fee (roughly 230€) includes a free ride on a large public transport network in and around Dortmund. Please consider monthly costs of roughly 500 to 600€. However, living expenses for students in Germany are rather economical. Accommodation is cheaply available, a university cafeteria provides good value meals.
Health insurance
For studying in Germany a health insurance is compulsory. German insurance companies offer health insurance for students at a special rate costing around € 70 per month; for students older than 30 years it will be more expensive. The German health insurance offers an excellent service that is well worth the money. Students do not have to organise the health insurance in their home country. Yet it is possible to do so.
Accommodation
Student accommodation is available either in hostels located not too far from the campus or in other public student houses that are spread around the city. However, it is common for students in Germany to live in private accommodation, often in flat sharing communities, which are widely available.
Monthly rents in dormitories range between about € 180 and € 280, depending on the standard. Cheaper rooms have a shared bathroom and kitchen, whereas more expensive rooms have a separate bathroom and kitchen. Students may apply for their accommodation through the 'Studentenwerk', which operates halls of residence of various standards in and around Dortmund; early application is essential as there is always a long waiting list and success cannot be guaranteed.
Regardless of the type of accommodation, a contract has to be signed, normally for a minimum period of six months. A deposit, normally equivalent to two months rent, will also have to be paid in advance. Rent has to be paid from the first day of the month in which you move in.
After arrival, students have the possibility to independently look for private housing by searching on the internet, daily news paper by checking the notice board on campus.
