Germany is one of the best places for international students to study electrical engineering affordably because most public universities do not charge regular tuition fees, so students usually pay only a semester contribution, often up to €300 per semester rather than full tuition. The main exception is Baden-Württemberg, where many non-EU students at public universities pay €1,500 per semester, and private universities can also charge full tuition.
For students who want to compare courses in Germany before applying, the page can help you explore programs by degree level, subject, and tuition. For electrical engineering, international students can find options in areas such as electrical engineering, electrical and information engineering, power engineering, and embedded systems, with many programs offered in English or bilingual formats, especially at the master’s level.
In this article, we will be looking at the free electrical engineering schools in Germany for international students.
| University | Tuition & Fees | Electrical Engineering Highlights |
|---|
TU Darmstadt
|
Semester Contribution: €370. |
Research- and practice-oriented Electrical Engineering and Information Technology studies with lab internships built into the program. Strong coverage of modern electrical and information engineering.
|
Leibniz University Hannover
|
Semester Contribution: €434.91.
|
Strong specialization areas such as automation and robotics, energy and mobility, communications engineering, microelectronics, and machine learning.
|
FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
|
Semester Contribution: €72 |
The bachelor’s program runs for 6 semesters in the Faculty of Engineering. The master’s program offers broad specialization options, including automation technology, energy and drive technology, high-frequency technology, photonics and sensor technology, information technology, power electronics, microelectronics, and applied quantum technologies.
|
Paderborn University
|
Semester Contribution €325.50.
|
Practical EE study environment with modern labs and focus areas such as automation, communication technology, and renewable energies.
|
TU Ilmenau
|
Semester Contribution €313.80
|
Practice-oriented training in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology with strong industrial contacts, close supervision, and research relevance.
|
Free Electrical Engineering Schools in Germany
1. TU Darmstadt
TU Darmstadt is a good choice for students looking for a free electrical engineering school in Germany. Its Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology covers modern electrical and information engineering broadly, and the department offers a full range of related study options, including bachelor’s and master’s programs in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. The university also states that most programs are tuition-free, which makes it especially attractive for cost-conscious students pursuing engineering in Germany.
For applicants interested in electrical engineering, TU Darmstadt combines academic depth with practical orientation. The program is research- and practice-oriented, with laboratory internships built into the course of study, while the admissions process for international applicants is handled through the TUCaN portal with published document and deadline guidance. This makes TU Darmstadt a practical and academically solid option for students seeking affordable electrical engineering education in Germany.
2. Leibniz University Hannover
As a public university, Leibniz University Hannover offers Electrical Engineering and Information Technology through its Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and the program is built around both theory and practical training. Students can develop in areas such as automation and robotics, energy and mobility, communications engineering, microelectronics, and machine learning.
For affordability, Leibniz University Hannover is especially appealing because regular study is generally tuition-free, with students mainly covering semester-related fees, while long-term tuition only applies after exceeding the normal study period plus additional tolerance semesters. The university also offers support for international students through orientation programs, pre-courses, counseling, and scholarship information, which makes it a practical and accessible option for aspiring electrical engineering students in Germany.
3. FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg offers an Electrical Engineering – Electronics – Information Technology bachelor’s program that sits in the Faculty of Engineering, runs for 6 semesters, starts in the winter semester, and has no admissions restrictions for first-semester entry. FAU also states that it does not charge tuition fees for regular study programs, although students still pay a semester contribution, and some special program types are exceptions.
Academically, FAU’s electrical engineering offering is broad and practical: the bachelor’s program is described as application-oriented and supported by a department with 15 chairs, while the master’s program adds advanced study in areas such as automation technology, energy and drive technology, high-frequency technology, photonics and sensor technology, information technology, power electronics, microelectronics, and applied quantum technologies. The master’s degree lasts 4 semesters, is taught in German and English, and uses a qualification assessment for admission, which makes FAU especially attractive for students looking for a tuition-free pathway into both foundational and specialized electrical engineering study.
4. Paderborn University
Paderborn University offers various Electrical Engineering courses including both bachelor’s and master’s study paths, and the department emphasises practical training, modern laboratory work, and current engineering areas such as automation, communication technology, and renewable energies. The university also notes that the Electrical Engineering degree programme was reaccredited for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 2024.
For affordability, Paderborn University states that it does not charge tuition fees, so students mainly pay a semester contribution instead. The official re-registration page lists the semester fee for the summer semester 2026 as €325.50, which helps keep overall study costs relatively low for domestic and international students seeking Electrical Engineering in Germany. This makes Paderborn a practical option for applicants who want a public German university with solid engineering training and no regular tuition charges.
5. TU Ilmenau
TU Ilmenau is a public technical university in Ilmenau, Germany, and it is a strong option for students looking for electrical engineering studies at no cost. Its Electrical Engineering and Information Technology program is designed to connect theory with practical engineering work, covering areas that support modern technologies such as automation, energy systems, communication, and industrial applications. The university’s engineering focus and dedicated Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology make it especially appealing for students who want a specialized technical environment.
For students searching for free electrical engineering schools in Germany, TU Ilmenau stands out because it does not charge general tuition fees. Instead, students usually pay a semester contribution, which keeps overall study costs much lower than at many universities in other countries. This makes TU Ilmenau a good fit for both domestic and international students who want an affordable engineering education while still gaining access to structured degree programs, research-oriented teaching, and industry-relevant training.
FAQs: Free Electrical Engineering Schools in Germany
Can international students study electrical engineering in Germany for free?
Yes, several universities in this article clearly support international students. Leibniz University Hannover states that regular study is tuition-free for domestic and international students, while Paderborn University and TU Ilmenau are presented as tuition-free for all students.
What costs do students pay if tuition is free in Germany?
Even when tuition is free, students should still budget for semester contributions, administrative costs, accommodation, food, health insurance, and transportation. These costs are much lower than full tuition, but they still shape the real cost of studying in Germany.
What electrical engineering specializations can students study at these German universities?
Students can find strong options in automation and robotics, energy and mobility, communications engineering, microelectronics, machine learning, renewable energies, photonics, sensor technology, power electronics, and applied quantum technologies. This makes Germany attractive for both broad and specialized electrical engineering study.
Are there English-taught electrical engineering programs in Germany?
It depends on the university and the degree level. FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg specifically notes that its master’s program is taught in German and English, so applicants should always verify the language of instruction on the official program page before applying.
Are these electrical engineering programs practical or research-oriented?
They are designed to be both practical and academic. TU Darmstadt is described as research- and practice-oriented with laboratory internships, while Paderborn University emphasizes practical training, modern laboratory work, and current engineering fields such as automation, communication technology, and renewable energies.
Are scholarships still useful if German public universities already have free tuition?
Yes. Scholarships such as Deutschlandstipendium and DAAD Scholarships can still help cover living expenses, insurance, books, and other non-tuition costs.
I hope that this article on free electrical schools in Germany was helpful! If you are interested, check out the Study in Germany Guide and Open Courses Page for International Students.
