9 Free and Cheap Universities in Thuringia for International Students

Search Courses:

In Thuringia, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in Germany without paying a lot. These institutions also provide well-rounded academic programs and curriculums, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in Thuringia, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 11 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Thuringia, make sure to read more!

Apply for 2025 Intake!

Applications for 2025 Intake are open. Search through the degrees around the world!

Apply Now

Cheap Bachelor's Colleges and Universities in Thuringia for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Thuringia ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor's students.

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Bauhaus University, Weimar 0 Euros 100%
Friedrich Schiller University Jena 0 Euros 100%
Ilmenau University of Technology 0 Euros 100%
University of Applied Sciences Jena 0 Euros 100%
University of Applied Sciences Erfurt 0 Euros 100%
University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar 0 Euros 100%
Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences 0 Euros 100%
University of Erfurt 0 Euros 100%
Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences 0 Euros 100%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 0 Euros for universities in Thuringia.

Search Bachelor's Courses for International Students!

Search through the bachelor's courses that are currently open for international students!

Apply Now

1. Bauhaus University, Weimar

The Bauhaus University at Weimar, Germany specializes in offering engineering, architecture, design, and media courses. It also provides various facilities and services that boost students’ academic experience. Interestingly, the university is among the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Germany with its historic buildings.

2. Friedrich Schiller University Jena

The Friedrich Schiller University Jena, simply known by most as the University of Jena, is a public center of learning in Germany. It is situated in the lovely state of Thuringia. Additionally, it is popular for being one of the oldest universities in the country as it was founded in the year 1558.

3. Ilmenau University of Technology

The Ilmenau University of Technology was established in 1894. As a public research university. The Ilmenau University of Technology has focused on the area of engineering while having a strong background as well as natural sciences and economics. The Ilmenau University of Technology also offers degrees in other areas such as economics, technology, media, mathematics, and management, among others.

4. University of Applied Sciences Jena

University of Applied Sciences Jena offers a wide range of courses focusing on the fields of economics, social affairs, and technology. The university greatly relies on research and experience to magnify the capabilities of its students. University of Applied Sciences Jena works closely with businesses and foreign institutions to heighten its internationalization.

5. University of Applied Sciences Erfurt

A young higher education institution of applied sciences in Thuringia is the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt, more widely known as FH Erfurt. One thing to know about the university is it implements a practice-based learning approach. This is incredibly beneficial, especially for a specialized university like FH Erfurt. Moreover, it has countless possibilities for every student. Training, seminars, workshops, and internships are highly prioritized and explicitly designed to meet the students’ interests.

6. University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar

University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar, or Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt Weimar in German, is a specialized public institution in Thuringia, Germany. Named after the famous Hungarian pianist Franz Liszt, one of his students founded the university and ensured it stands on three pillars: practical music training, teacher training, and research. These pillars help provide a holistic and high-quality musical education and training.

7. Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences

Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences, or Hochschule Schmalkalden in German, is a public institution in Thuringia, Germany. Although relatively small, the university offers several programs, including dual studies and English-taught programs. Students enjoy many benefits, such as free tuition and a high employment rate, as most of its programs include a practical semester when students get to work with companies.

8. University of Erfurt

The University of Erfurt, or Universität Erfurt in German, is a public institution in Thuringia, Germany. Its roots are ancient, established in 1379, but it did experience temporary closure from 1816 to 1993. Upon reopening, the university focused on religion, culture, humanities, teaching, and social studies. It is home to one of the country’s most extensive manuscript collections. Both bachelor’s and master’s programs are available at the University of Erfurt.

9. Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences

Situated near a local mountain range, the Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences is a young institution that was established in the year of 1998. Over time, nearly 30 academic programs were created, and courses related to sustainable tech, top-tier research, and nature conservation are all waiting for your arrival. If you want a family-like environment filled with modern-day technology, this university might be the right choice for you.

Cheap Master's Colleges and Universities in Thuringia for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Thuringia ordered by their tuition fee for international master's students.

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Bauhaus University, Weimar 0 Euros 100%
Friedrich Schiller University Jena 0 Euros 100%
Ilmenau University of Technology 0 Euros 100%
University of Applied Sciences Jena 0 Euros 100%
University of Applied Sciences Erfurt 0 Euros 100%
University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar 0 Euros 100%
Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences 0 Euros 100%
University of Erfurt 0 Euros 100%
Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences 0 Euros 100%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 0 Euros for universities in Thuringia.

Search Master's Courses for International Students!

Search through the master's courses that are currently open for international students!

Apply Now

1. Bauhaus University, Weimar

The Bauhaus University at Weimar, Germany specializes in offering engineering, architecture, design, and media courses. It also provides various facilities and services that boost students’ academic experience. Interestingly, the university is among the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Germany with its historic buildings.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, Bauhaus University, Weimar should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 0 Euros annually for their master's degree.

2. Friedrich Schiller University Jena

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is Friedrich Schiller University Jena. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at Friedrich Schiller University Jena is 0 Euros.

The Friedrich Schiller University Jena, simply known by most as the University of Jena, is a public center of learning in Germany. It is situated in the lovely state of Thuringia. Additionally, it is popular for being one of the oldest universities in the country as it was founded in the year 1558.

3. Ilmenau University of Technology

The Ilmenau University of Technology was established in 1894. As a public research university. The Ilmenau University of Technology has focused on the area of engineering while having a strong background as well as natural sciences and economics. The Ilmenau University of Technology also offers degrees in other areas such as economics, technology, media, mathematics, and management, among others.

The tuition fee at Ilmenau University of Technology for incoming international master’s students is 0 Euros. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. University of Applied Sciences Jena

Another affordable university to consider in Thuringia is University of Applied Sciences Jena.

University of Applied Sciences Jena offers a wide range of courses focusing on the fields of economics, social affairs, and technology. The university greatly relies on research and experience to magnify the capabilities of its students. University of Applied Sciences Jena works closely with businesses and foreign institutions to heighten its internationalization.

The tuition fee in University of Applied Sciences Jena for master’s program for foreign students starts from 0 Euros.

5. University of Applied Sciences Erfurt

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, University of Applied Sciences Erfurt has some of the lowest tuition fee prices for foreign students who are planning to take a master's degree here. International master's students only pay as low as 0 Euros yearly.

A young higher education institution of applied sciences in Thuringia is the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt, more widely known as FH Erfurt. One thing to know about the university is it implements a practice-based learning approach. This is incredibly beneficial, especially for a specialized university like FH Erfurt. Moreover, it has countless possibilities for every student. Training, seminars, workshops, and internships are highly prioritized and explicitly designed to meet the students’ interests.

6. University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar

University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar, or Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt Weimar in German, is a specialized public institution in Thuringia, Germany. Named after the famous Hungarian pianist Franz Liszt, one of his students founded the university and ensured it stands on three pillars: practical music training, teacher training, and research. These pillars help provide a holistic and high-quality musical education and training.

7. Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences

Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences, or Hochschule Schmalkalden in German, is a public institution in Thuringia, Germany. Although relatively small, the university offers several programs, including dual studies and English-taught programs. Students enjoy many benefits, such as free tuition and a high employment rate, as most of its programs include a practical semester when students get to work with companies.

8. University of Erfurt

The University of Erfurt, or Universität Erfurt in German, is a public institution in Thuringia, Germany. Its roots are ancient, established in 1379, but it did experience temporary closure from 1816 to 1993. Upon reopening, the university focused on religion, culture, humanities, teaching, and social studies. It is home to one of the country’s most extensive manuscript collections. Both bachelor’s and master’s programs are available at the University of Erfurt.

9. Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences

Situated near a local mountain range, the Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences is a young institution that was established in the year of 1998. Over time, nearly 30 academic programs were created, and courses related to sustainable tech, top-tier research, and nature conservation are all waiting for your arrival. If you want a family-like environment filled with modern-day technology, this university might be the right choice for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get admission to affordable universities in Thuringia?

Applying to cheap universities in Thuringia requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in Germany for a more comprehensive guide!

2. What can I study at Best affordable universities in Thuringia?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Thuringia. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Thuringia is the Bauhaus University, Weimar, which offers Architecture, Product Design, and Visual Communication to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Bauhaus University, Weimar offers Media Architecture, European Urban Studies, and Product Design.

It's important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in Thuringia, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in Thuringia as well if you're looking for affordable education!

We hope that this article on free and affordable institutions in Thuringia for international students was helpful!