Semester fees:

The semester fees are a compulsory amount that must be paid as part of the enrolment or subsequently as part of the semester-wise re-registration. You can find a breakdown of the current semester fees on the pages of the Student Secretariat.

Health insurance:

Health insurance is the only compulsory insurance for students. Until the end of their 25th year, students are still insured with their parents (but possibly longer, e.g. via a working spouse). As a rule, from the age of 25 (up to the age of 30 or up to the 14th semester), contributions must be paid into a (statutory or private) student health insurance policy; an extension may be possible. Many insurance companies offer special rates for students, which then also include nursing care insurance. You can find out about the monthly costs of student health insurance from your health insurance company.

Living costs:

Since students have to adjust to different costs, the cost of living can vary greatly from person to person. Rent, food, clothing, leisure activities and teaching materials are usually the biggest cost factors. Costs can vary greatly depending on the location of the university.

Other:

The procurement of teaching materials can also incur very different costs, depending on the degree programme. A good selection of textbooks is generally available in the library at Paderborn University, but it is often sensible or necessary to buy some textbooks yourself. In addition, students may also have to factor in costs for participation in excursions or special "work material" (e.g. lab coats, sports equipment, sports clothing). Furthermore, GEZ fees should also be included in the calculation. GEZ fees are only waived for students who receive BAföG.

BAföG, scholarships, student loans and part-time jobs (in addition to support from parents) are among the most common ways to finance studies. Information on the different types of student financing can be found on the following pages: