Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
About
FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg is a public Bavarian university charging no tuition (just a ≈€310/year semester contribution) across a rare breadth of fields — science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), medicine, law, business, humanities, and theology — with IELTS 6.0 entry. Its EU-recognised degree and Bavaria's strong industrial economy support the 18-month post-study job-seeker visa.
Nuremberg is a mid-sized Bavarian city with medieval charm, affordable living, a lively student presence, and strong links to tech and manufacturing firms across the region. The city balances cultural history with modern industry, making it practical for both study and hands-on work experience.
Application deadlines
- WiSe (BSc restricted)Jul 15
Direct via campo portal — FAU does NOT use the central application service (uni-assist). Window opens May 4. Non-EU recommended to apply by Mar 31 for visa. Processing fee €100 (new from WiSe 2026/27)
- WiSe (MSc)Jan 15
Typically Jan 15 (early) or programme-specific — check campo per faculty. No central application service (uni-assist)
- SoSe (BSc)Jan 15
campo portal. Most BSc programmes winter-start only
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg as a non-EU student?
Tuition for non-EU students at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg is €0 per year. A mandatory semester contribution of ≈€310 per year (administration and transport, not tuition) is charged on top. Living costs in 90403 Nürnberg are separate.
What IELTS score do you need for Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg?
English-taught programmes at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg 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 Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg 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 Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg located?
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg is in 90403 Nürnberg, Germany. Maxtormauer, 90403 Nürnberg
What can you study at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg?
Fields offered include: STEM, Medicine, Arts, Social Sciences, Humanities, Business, Law, Education, Theology, Engineering.
Accommodation
Studierendenwerk Erlangen-Nürnberg — 3,700+ housing places across Erlangen and Nuremberg. Shared bath/kitchen from ~€200; studio up to ~€400. New 600-place initiative launched Apr 2026
- Studierendenwerk Nürnberg · regional student services — it allocates the halls, not the university
- 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
- Tuition is €0 — the only compulsory payment is a semester contribution of ≈€310 per year covering administration and student services, one of the lowest rates in Germany.
- Bavaria applies no extra non-EU semester surcharge, unlike Baden-Württemberg where non-EU students pay €1,500 per semester.
- FAU covers a rare breadth of fields — science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), medicine, law, business, humanities, theology — giving you flexibility to change focus.
- A German university degree is an EU-recognised qualification, opening graduate job markets across all 27 member states.
- After graduation, Germany grants an 18-month job-seeker visa, letting you convert your degree into local work experience in Bavaria's strong industrial economy.
- Erlangen-Nürnberg sits in the Nuremberg Metro, one of Germany's leading engineering and tech hubs, with Siemens headquarters and dense small and mid-sized companies (Mittelstand) employers for internships.
What to check
- Most bachelor programmes at German public universities are taught in German; daily life and lectures require at least B2–C1 level, which takes years to reach.
- Non-EU school leavers typically must complete a preparatory year (Studienkolleg) before admission, adding one year and entrance-exam pressure to your timeline.
- Germany requires proof of funds via a blocked account (Sperrkonto) of approximately €11,904 before a student visa is issued — a significant upfront capital requirement.
- Nuremberg has a tight student housing market; finding affordable accommodation near campus requires early planning and local-language searches.
- Students may work only 120 full days or 240 half-days per year, limiting earned income and making the blocked-account requirement harder to offset through part-time work.
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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.
We break down figures like these in the channel — each one with a source and a date. Open the channel