Friedrich Schiller University Jena

Friedrich Schiller University Jena is a public, research-intensive university in the compact science city of Jena, Thuringia, with around 17,000 students and approximately 10,000 employees. Its research profile centres on the themes 'Light. Life. Liberty.', with internationally visible strengths in optics and photonics, life sciences and physics, and it works closely with leading research institutes and companies in the region.

The university charges no tuition fees for consecutive bachelor's and master's degrees — students pay only the semester contribution (currently €333.05 per semester, or €353.05 for new students including the one-time €20 thoska card fee). The International Office supports international students from application through enrolment, with contact points for incoming students, a Welcome Buddy programme and orientation events.

Most bachelor's programmes are taught in German, while a growing number of master's programmes are taught in English — particularly in economics, photonics, physics, mathematics and the life sciences. Degree-seeking students from outside the EU must show a blocked account for their residence permit.

Why it suits South Asian students

• No tuition fees for consecutive degrees — only the semester contribution of €333.05 per semester (€353.05 in the first semester including the €20 thoska card).
• English-taught master's programmes in popular STEM fields (e.g. M.Sc. Photonics / Quantum Science & Technology, M.Sc. Mathematics, M.Sc. Computer Science) — check each programme's language of instruction in the study programme finder.
• APS guidance for Indian applicants published on the university's official application pages (Chinese, Indian and Vietnamese applicants submit the original APS certificate).
• Direct, fee-free application via the university's own Friedolin 2.0 portal — no uni-assist handling fee, and no hard copies or certified documents required.
• Dedicated international-student support through the International Office (incoming@uni-jena.de) and a Welcome Buddy programme.

Full tuition detail (verified): Friedrich Schiller University Jena charges no tuition fees for consecutive bachelor's and master's degrees, including for non-EU students; students pay only the semester contribution of €333.05 per semester (€353.05 for new students, including the one-time €20 thoska card fee). €500 long-term study fees apply only to students who substantially exceed the standard period of study.

Applications for master's programmes are submitted directly to the university through its online application portal, Friedolin 2.0. Applications for the winter semester intake open from 1 April (the closing date depends on nationality and programme); summer-semester applications run from 1 December to 15 January or 15 February, and not all programmes admit in the summer semester.

Admission requirements vary by programme — check each programme's entry in the university's study programme finder. Typical documents include the bachelor's degree certificate and transcript of records (with official German or English translations if issued in another language), a CV in tabular form, a letter of motivation, the school-leaving certificate and proof of the required language proficiency. Chinese, Indian and Vietnamese applicants must submit the original APS certificate from the Akademische Prüfstelle. No hard copies or certified documents are required — scans suffice.

For German-taught programmes, international applicants prove German at DSH-2 / TestDaF level; English-taught programmes set their own English requirements (e.g. 'good English language proficiency'). Non-EU degree-seeking students must open a blocked account before arrival, and the semester fee is transferred only once arrival in Jena (visa) is certain.

Bachelor's programmes at the University of Jena are generally taught in German, requiring German language proficiency (DSH-2 or equivalent). English-taught options are concentrated at master's level; each programme's page states its language of instruction and exact requirements.

Verified English-taught or English-friendly master's programmes include: M.Sc. Economics (the faculty's only English-taught programme); M.Sc. Photonics and M.Sc. Quantum Science & Technology (Abbe School of Photonics — taught entirely in English, no German needed); M.Sc. Biogeoscience of the Anthropocene (new English-taught programme); M.A. English and American Studies (English); M.Sc. Mathematics (taught in English and German); and M.Sc. Computer Science (English and German — international applicants additionally need German at DSH-2). Always confirm the language of instruction in the study programme finder before applying.

The main university-wide scholarship is the Deutschlandstipendium: advertised once a year for the winter semester, it is open to students of all nationalities and subject areas, including prospective students who will be enrolled by the start of the funding period. Holders receive €300 per month, usually for one year, based on academic achievement, social commitment and personal circumstances.

Scholarships are not automatic — the university advises applying 6 to 12 months before the funding period starts. The Abbe School of Photonics additionally points international applicants to the DAAD scholarship database for programme-specific funding. Details and deadlines are published on the university's Deutschlandstipendium application page.