Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg
About
Public university in Oldenburg, teaching education, social sciences, business, law, humanities, science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and medicine — no tuition (≈€700/year semester contribution only) and an IELTS minimum of 6. An EU-recognised degree comes with Germany's 18-month post-study job-seeker visa.
Oldenburg is in northern Germany (Niedersachsen), a region of flat farmland and maritime history. The city is quiet, student-friendly, and historically cultured — it was an independent duchy. Living costs are low; student flats are easy to find. The pace of life suits people who want focus without city overwhelm.
Application deadlines
- Winter semester — Master's, open-admission (zulassungsfrei), all applicants15 July
Recommended target date for practical reasons (course registration, accommodation), not a hard legal cutoff. Does not cover Master of Education. Source: https://uol.de/en/study-in-oldenburg/application/deadlines
- Summer semester — Master's, open-admission (zulassungsfrei), all applicants15 January
Recommended target date for practical reasons (course registration, accommodation), not a hard legal cutoff. Does not cover Master of Education. Source: https://uol.de/en/study-in-oldenburg/application/deadlines
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study at Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg as a non-EU student?
Tuition for non-EU students at Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg is €0 per year. A mandatory semester contribution of ≈€700 per year (administration and transport, not tuition) is charged on top. Living costs in 26129 Oldenburg are separate.
What IELTS score do you need for Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg?
English-taught programmes at Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg typically require IELTS 6 or equivalent. Confirm the exact requirement per programme on the official admissions page.
How much money do you need to show for a student visa to Germany?
For a student residence permit in Germany you must prove €11,904 per year (2026, DAAD / Study in Germany — proof of financing (blocked account, 992 EUR/month for 12 months): https://www.study-in-germany.com/en/plan-your-studies/requirements/proof-of-financing/).
Does Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg offer scholarships?
DAAD: Master's/PhD, merit-based (RU/BY de-facto restricted post-2022). Deutschlandstipendium: €300/mo, all nationalities, merit + social commitment. Apply via university portal (Apr–Jun).
Where is Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg located?
Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg is in 26129 Oldenburg, Germany. Uhlhornsweg 99, 26129 Oldenburg
What can you study at Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg?
Fields offered include: Education, Social Sciences, Business, Law, Humanities, STEM, Medicine, Political science, Natural Sciences, Engineering.
Accommodation
Studierendenwerk Oldenburg manages 2,200+ places across 15 facilities in Oldenburg, Emden, Wilhelmshaven, and Elsfleth. Monthly rent includes utilities and electricity; internet ~€5/month extra. Room types: single rooms in shared flats (WG), single apartments, double apartments. Broadcasting fee (€18.36/month) billed separately.
Source- Studierendenwerk Oldenburg · apply for a place in halls here
- WG-Gesucht
- HousingAnywhere
- ImmobilienScout24
Scholarships
- 🏛DAAD
- 🏛Deutschlandstipendium
DAAD: Master's/PhD, merit-based (RU/BY de-facto restricted post-2022). Deutschlandstipendium: €300/mo, all nationalities, merit + social commitment. Apply via university portal (Apr–Jun).
National funding for this destination
Honestly
Why this works
- No tuition is charged, even for non-EU students — the university collects only a semester contribution of ≈€700 per year for administration and student services.
- As a public university in Niedersachsen, it falls outside Baden-Württemberg's €1,500-per-semester non-EU surcharge.
- A German EU-accredited degree opens the 18-month post-study job-seeker visa across the entire Schengen area.
- The broad field portfolio — education, social sciences, business, law, humanities, science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), and medicine — suits diverse academic backgrounds.
- IELTS 6.0 entry requirement is accessible for CIS applicants with solid but not elite English proficiency.
- Oldenburg is a mid-size university city with lower living costs than Hamburg or Berlin, easing the tight blocked-account budget.
What to check
- Non-EU students must open a blocked bank account (Sperrkonto) with approximately €11,904 before applying for a German student visa.
- Many bachelor programmes are taught in German, so daily life and academic integration require B2/C1 German regardless of IELTS.
- Non-EU school leavers whose diploma is not directly recognised by anabin may need to pass a preparatory year (Studienkolleg) before enrolling.
- Oldenburg's regional economy is smaller than major German hubs, which limits internship and part-time job options in specialised fields.
- During studies, work rights are capped at 120 full days or 240 half days per year, restricting earnings to supplement living costs.
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These fields in the country
Tuition and deadlines change with each academic year — the date beside the figures says when we last confirmed them on the official source. Visa rules are set by governments and can change between our checks.
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