Studying Abroad vs. Studying Locally: Study in Germany at the Cost of Studying in Malaysia [updated 2025]

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Updated on: Feb 2025

TL;DR:

Thinking about studying abroad but concerned about costs? Studying in Germany might be more affordable than you think, especially compared to foreign university branch campuses (FUBCs) in Malaysia. While FUBCs can be expensive, Germany offers public universities with no tuition fees for international students.

You’ll still need to budget for accommodation, food, transportation, and health insurance in Germany. But with part-time work opportunities and lower living costs in many cities, studying in Germany could be a smart choice. Plus, learning German opens up more opportunities for work and social life.

Considering studying in Germany? The investment in a preparation programme can help you transition smoothly. Studying in Germany might be within your reach after all!

Are you thinking about studying abroad? You might dream of experiencing life overseas but don’t want to burden your parents with high costs.

If you’re considering studying at a foreign university branch campus (FUBC) in Malaysia, pause for a moment and think about studying in Germany instead.

What are Foreign University Branch Campuses (FUBCs)?

FUBCs are campuses of foreign universities that have set up branches in Malaysia. There are currently 10 FUBCs in Malaysia, from countries like Australia, the UK, China, and Ireland. Well-known FUBCs include Monash University Malaysia (Australia), the University of Nottingham Malaysia (UK), Heriot-Watt University Malaysia (UK), and Xiamen University Malaysia (China).

FUBCs are a great option for students who want an internationally recognised degree but can’t afford to study abroad.

However, did you know that for a similar cost, you could study in Germany, get a world-class education, and experience life abroad?

Let’s Compare the Costs of Studying at a FUBC in Malaysia vs. Germany

We compared the costs of studying at a FUBC in Malaysia and studying in Germany, including tuition, living expenses, and more. Here’s what we found.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are usually the biggest expense for students, but that’s not the case in Germany. In the infographic above, we looked at the cost of studying a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering at Monash University Malaysia, since many Malaysian students choose engineering courses in Germany.

At a FUBC in Malaysia, tuition fees vary widely depending on the course. For instance, a medical degree could cost over RM100,000 per year, while a business or social sciences degree could cost under RM40,000 annually. Some students can reduce their costs with scholarships or financial aid.

In contrast, public universities in Germany offer tuition-free education, including for international students. This means that studying in Germany can be cheaper than studying at a FUBC in Malaysia.

There are two exceptions: the state of Baden-Württemberg and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) charges tuition fees for non-EU international students.

Accommodation

In both Malaysia and Germany, students typically need to rent accommodation. For this comparison, we’ve included the cost of renting a room at the Sunway Monash Residence in Malaysia. If you can stay with family and avoid renting a room, your costs will be lower.

In Germany, students usually rent single rooms. In most cities, the cost is around €400 per month. However, rent can go up to €700 in major cities like Munich, Stuttgart, Berlin, and Hamburg.

Food & Groceries

Your food expenses depend on how you choose to eat. In Malaysia, students spend about RM800 a month on meals, especially if they eat out regularly. If you eat at home, you might save some money.

In Germany, students are encouraged to cook at home, eat at campus cafeterias, or visit student-friendly cafes to save money. Eating out at a restaurant can cost up to €20 for a meal. On average, students spend between €170 and €200 a month on food.

Transportation

In Malaysia, if you live close to campus, you might not need to spend much on transportation. However, if you own a car or use ride-hailing services, your costs could add up to around RM200 per month for fuel, parking, tolls and car maintenance.

In Germany, students pay a semester contribution of about €300 per semester, which covers public transportation within the university area. So, you won’t need to budget separately for transportation.

Insurance

In Malaysia, it’s not compulsory for students to have insurance, so we won’t count that as part of your study costs.

However, in Germany, health insurance is mandatory for all students. This costs around €120 per month and covers doctor visits, treatments, medication, rehabilitation, and even basic dental care.

Other Expenses

On top of the main costs, you’ll have other expenses like your mobile plan, Wi-Fi, personal care, entertainment, and hobbies. How much you spend depends on your personal lifestyle.

Additional Costs for Studying in Germany

In addition to the living expenses above, the investment for our University Preparation Programme should be considered as part of the total cost of studying in Germany.

1. University Preparation Programme

Our University Preparation Programme (UP Programme) is a 15-month programme for students who want to study in Germany. It includes:

German language classes and exams (from beginner to advanced)
University selection and application workshops
Visa application assistance
Intercultural and pre-departure workshops
Local support in Malaysia and Germany

2. Living Expenses in Germany for the Final 6 Months of the Programme

The first 9 months of the UP Programme take place in Malaysia, while the final 6 months are in Germany (Aachen). Our students generally spend around €200 per month on food and personal expenses. Accommodation and insurance are included in the programme fee.

3. Flight ticket to Germany

A one-way flight to Germany costs around RM3,000.

In Summary

It might be surprising, but with the same investment as studying at a FUBC in Malaysia, you could study in Germany. Not only do you get a world-class education, but you’ll also experience life abroad.

Also, most students work part-time while studying in Germany. You’re allowed to work up to 140 full days or 280 half-days per year, earning around €12 per hour. This can help reduce your living costs while studying in Germany.

So, studying in Germany might not be as out of reach as you thought, right?

Ready to make your decision?

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