Study in Russia or in Germany?
"Studying in Germany is free." That is true in most Länder, and yet the plan often falls apart — not on tuition, but on the Studienkolleg, the level of German required and the blocked account you must fund before you even get the visa. Here is the full comparison.
The comparison, criterion by criterion
| Criterion | Russia | Germany |
|---|---|---|
| Annual tuition | From €2,200 to €3,500 depending on the programme | Often none at public universities, with a semester contribution; some Länder do charge non-EU students |
| Direct entry after the Tunisian baccalaureate | Yes, direct admission on your school record | Generally not: a Studienkolleg year followed by a final exam is required before university |
| Language of instruction | Russian after a preparatory year built into the programme | German at a high certified level before enrolment; English-taught tracks mostly at master level |
| Proof of funds for the visa | Not required in the form of a blocked account | A blocked account covering a full year must be funded — a non-negotiable visa condition |
| Access to medicine | Admission on school record, with no entrance competition | A highly selective numerus clausus, with a limited number of non-EU places |
| Accommodation | University dormitory booked in advance, €30 to €90 per month | Chronic shortage in university cities, with long waiting times for halls |
| Degree recognition | Russian state degree, with an established equivalence procedure in Tunisia | German degree, very widely recognised across Europe |
The Russian figures are those charged by our partner universities. On the German side, the blocked account amount, semester contributions and Studienkolleg rules vary by Land and are revised regularly: check with the consulate and the institution you are targeting.
Where Germany remains the better choice
- • If you are aiming for a career in Germany or the European Union, the degree is directly usable there
- • If your family can tie up the blocked-account sum for a full year
- • If you already have a good level of German, or the time to reach it before leaving
- • If you accept the Studienkolleg year as an investment rather than a lost year
Where Russia has the edge
- ✓ No blocked account to fund — this is often the point that actually stops applications to Germany
- ✓ Access to medicine with no numerus clausus and no eliminating competition
- ✓ Direct admission after the baccalaureate, with no imposed bridging year
- ✓ Guaranteed university accommodation, where the German shortage is a genuine problem
- ✓ A February session alongside the September intake
How to decide
Start with the blocked-account test: if your family can tie up the required sum for a year, Germany is worth trying, especially outside medicine. If not, or if you are aiming for medicine, Russia offers the same academic seriousness without that financial barrier to entry.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Studienkolleg exist in Russia?
The Russian preparatory year plays a comparable role, but with one major difference: it covers the language and the subject-specific groundwork, and it is part of the path agreed at admission, with no entrance exam to pass beforehand.
How much must be deposited in a German blocked account?
The amount corresponds to one year of living costs and is revised regularly by the German authorities. Check with the German consulate in Tunisia for the figure in force when you apply: it is a condition for the visa to be issued.
Is Germany really free?
Tuition is nil at most public universities, but a semester contribution remains, and above all the German cost of living is far higher than the Russian one. What is free is the tuition, not the total budget.