Universities - Thuringia has the most degree programs without restrictions
In no other federal state offers as many tuition-free study programs as in Thuringia. For approximately every fifth subject (around 19 percent), applicants do not need a specific Abitur note or have to go through a selection procedure or an aptitude test. Nationwide, around 35 percent of all study programs are tuition-fees charged, according to an analysis by the Center for Higher Education Development. The analysis refers to the winter semester 2024/2025.
In cities with more than 16,000 students, the proportion of subjects with NC is even lower: In Jena, only 10 percent of study programs have a tuition fee, in Erfurt even only 4 percent. Between universities (around 14 percent), and universities of applied sciences or universities of applied sciences (around 13 percent), there are hardly any differences.
Thuringia is therefore the federal state where it is easiest to obtain a study place in Germany. In contrast, it is the most difficult in Hamburg: Around 62 percent of all study offerings there have a tuition fee, followed by Berlin with an approximate share of 55 percent.
Quota decreased significantly compared to previous years
Compared to the previous year (around 20 percent), the quota in Thuringen has decreased minimally according to the analysis. The Center for Higher Education Development reported that this decline is part of a nationwide trend. Since the winter semester 2018/2019, the proportion of tuition-fees charged study offerings in Germany has continuously decreased from around 41 percent to around 35 percent in this year. "This can largely be attributed to the decline in first-semester enrollments and the simultaneous expansion of study offerings," explained Study Director Cort-Denis Hachmeister.
There are significant differences between Bachelor's and Master's programs in Thuringia: For Bachelor's programs, only about one in ten (around 11 percent) have a tuition fee, while for Master's programs, more than one in four (around 27 percent) do.
Independent of the degree, requirements such as a specific NC or other prerequisites are most frequently required for engineering sciences (around 20 percent). In second place are law-, economics-, social sciences- and humanities (12 percent), followed by mathematics and natural sciences (around 11 percent) and language- and cultural sciences (around 5 percent).
The analysis is based on the entries in the nationwide database Hochschulkompass as of the end of May 2024. In the database, around 22,000 study programs are recorded for the coming winter semester nationwide.
- In Thuringia, students can pursue a majority of Bachelor's degree programs without paying tuition fees, making it easier for individuals seeking a Bachelor's degree in cities like Erfurt, where only 4% of such programs have tuition fees.
- Despite the decrease in quota compared to previous years, Thuringia continues to offer an abundant number of tuition-free study programs, making it one of the top federal states in Germany for education without tuition fees.
- For those interested in pursuing a Master's degree in Thuringia, around 27% of such programs have tuition fees, a significant increase compared to the 11% of tuition-fee-charging Bachelor's programs.
- Universities in Thuringia, including those in Erfurt and Jena, offer a wide range of study programs with minimal tuition fees, making them attractive options for students seeking affordable higher education.
