Financing Your Studies

Semester contribution, living expenses, health insurance – although you do not usually have to pay tuition fees in Germany, studies cost money. However, there are various options to finance your expenses.

Scholarships

The International Office regularly offers scholarships for international students. The call for applications will be sent by e-mail and published on our Scholarships page. 

In addition, there are numerous scholarships from various funding institutions and foundations. Student Advising and Counselling can provide advice on this.

You can also find further scholarship options in DAAD’s scholarship database.

ViSiB emergency aid

Thanks to the Association to Support International Students in Bielefeld (ViSiB), HSBI’s International Office can provide emergency aid for international students, either as a one-off payment or in some cases over several months.

We will discuss your personal emergency situation in a confidential conversation.
Please contact us by sending an e-mail to international.office@hsbi.de.
BAföG

BAföG is a state financial assistance in accordance with the Federal Training Assistance Act. Under certain conditions, people without German nationality, especially refugees, are also eligible for funding. Please contact Studierendenwerk Bielefeld for advice and application.

Working in Germany

Many students finance their studies with a part-time job. If you intend to take up a job, please make sure to observe the legal regulations and to not neglect your studies.

Whether and to what extent international students are allowed to work in Germany depends on their residence status.

International students from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland have free access to the German labour market and are practically equal to German students.

Those who have a residence title for study purposes are generally allowed to work 140 full days or 280 half days per year in Germany. Work as a student/research assistant and compulsory internships are not counted towards this limit. 

Self-employed and freelance work are only permitted in individual cases and after consultation with the immigration authority.

Please find job advertisements for students on HSBI’s job portal or on the noticeboards in the university’s main hallway (Magistrale). 

Cost of living in Bielefeld and its surroundings

Students in Bielefeld need around 900–1000 euros per month to cover their costs. However, actual spending depends heavily on lifestyle.

Museums, theatres, cinemas, etc. often offer student discounts.

In general, you should expect the monthly expenses as per below:

  • Accommodation: €300–400
  • Food: €300
  • Statutory health insurance: €125
  • Public transport: included in the semester contribution
  • Study materials: €50–75
  • Semester contribution: €50–60 (€330 per semester)
  • TV and radio licence fees: €18.36
  • University sports programme: usually free of charge
  • Leisure activities: €50