Expensive Education

"Foreign students are increasingly coming to student unions for advice because they don't know how to finance their studies anymore," Isabelle Kappus of the German Student Union Organization said. "But there isn't much we can offer foreign students."

Foreigners who got their university entrance qualification abroad generally do not have the same opportunities that German students do. They do not receive federal support, and few scholarships are available. Academic loans are dependent on security guarantees that most foreigners cannot afford.

Few exchange programs for poor countries

"Coming to Germany to study has become more expensive," said Johannes Glembek, head of the Federal Association of Foreign Students.

But it's not the tuition fees that were recently introduced by some federal states that burden foreign students the most. Rather it is the rising costs for language courses, placement tests and application fees that have been in place for three to four years that are the highest hurdles for foreign students with limited financial means.

"Those fees discourage them," he said.

Those wanting to study at a German university should expect initial costs equivalent to two to three months' living expenses. This is especially applicable to "freemovers" -- the students who have not come to Germany as part of a particular exchange program at their colleges or the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

This hits students from the developing world especially hard, since Germany has few exchange programs with poorer countries.

Fewer freshmen from abroad

"When I started my studies seven years ago, a German course cost me about 40 euros ($55.50) per level -- for photocopies and other organizational costs," said Erick Tambo de Gankam, an African student in Dortmund.

These days, a German course consisting of three basic levels and two advanced levels will set students back around 1,250 euros ($1,736). Additionally, universities often have application fees and some subjects, such as medicine, can require from 20 to 30 separate applications.

In many cities, foreigners are given work permits only after the application fees are paid. They are only allowed to work for 90 days during semester breaks, and the jobs are generally poorly paid. Normally they get between five to eight euros per hour, Tambo said.

Because of the tough financial situation, the number of "freemovers" has sunk.

In 2003, there were 60,000 foreign freshmen in Germany's higher education programs. In 2005, that number has sunk by 5,000. The number of freshmen from China has fallen dramatically -- from 7,000 in 2002 to 4,000 in 2005.

Are fees the main reason?

But consultants at the DAAD student exchange service doubt that the rising fees are the main reason for the student decline. They see it as a natural slowing after an earlier boom in the number of new foreign students.

According to DAAD, improved higher education possibilities in China are behind the declining number of students from that country, as well tougher entrance requirements and more safeguards against falsified documents.

"The numbers will rise, and we now will have better students," said Klaus Birk, a DAAD expert on China.

But according to Cheng Ni, assistant director of the German Association of Chinese Students and Graduates, more and more Chinese students wishing to study abroad are simply choosing to go to countries besides Germany.

According to official Chinese statistics, more people are choosing to study abroad, but fewer are choosing Germany. The preliminary examination for students wanting to study in Germany itself costs 250 euros, and must be taken in Beijing. Traveling expenses, of course, are not included.

"The highly qualified don't always have the money"

When new university fees were introduced, they were accompanied by student protests all over Germany. Yet the effect that these new fees will have on foreign students is still uncertain. According to a survey conducted two years ago by the Student Union, money, or a lack thereof, is one of the biggest issues for foreign students.

"Germany's argument has always been that the studies are not expensive," Tambo de Gankam said. "If somebody asks me today if they should study in Germany, I try to discourage them."

Belgium or France are more expensive but they don't require learning a new language. Popular places for studying for his fellow countrymen are Nigeria, Senegal, Mali, Ghana, South Africa, Morocco and Russia.

The German Student Union worries that Germany could become less attractive for foreign students.

"The internationalization of higher education can't be achieved just by marketing," Isabelle Kappus said. "The social interests can not be forgotten."

Glembek of the foreign students association warned: "Highly qualified students are not always the richest."