The University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) summarises its semester fee (Semesterbeitrag) on a single page run by the student administration office. For the winter semester 2026/27, the total comes to 367.80 euros. This guide explains the three components, the increase compared with the summer semester and the re-enrolment deadlines, which end at different times for main-subject students and secondary-enrolled students.
Short answer: The semester fee at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) for the winter semester 2026/27 totals 367.80 euros: 226.80 euros mobility contribution for the Germany Semester Ticket (Deutschlandsemesterticket), 125.00 euros social contribution and 16.00 euros student body contribution. Main-subject students (Ersthörer) re-enrolled from 22 June to 21 August 2026, secondary-enrolled students (Zweithörer) until 18 September 2026.
The Key Points in Brief
- Total according to the university: 367.80 euros for the winter semester 2026/27, 349.80 euros for the summer semester 2026.
- The Germany Semester Ticket accounts for 226.80 euros, the student services organisation (Studierendenwerk) for 125.00 euros and the student body for 16.00 euros.
- Re-enrolment deadline for main-subject students: 22 June to 21 August 2026. For secondary-enrolled students: 22 June to 18 September 2026.
- After the deadline, a payment made within six working days still counts as on time, but an administrative fee of 10 euros applies.
- The university’s exemption rules are not part of this review. They are listed in the FAQ of the student administration office.
How Is the Fee at UDE Made Up?
The page lists a total and three separate items for each semester. The amount depends mainly on the mobility contribution, which is shown as the Germany Semester Ticket. For a comparison with the neighbouring university in the Ruhr area, read Semester fee Ruhr-Uni Bochum 2026/27.
| Item | Winter semester 2026/27 | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mobility contribution (Germany Semester Ticket) | 226.80 euros | about 62 percent |
| Social contribution for the student services organisation | 125.00 euros | about 34 percent |
| Student body contribution | 16.00 euros | about 4 percent |
| Total | 367.80 euros | 100 percent |
The percentages are our own rounding. The page does not mention any additional fees.
Why Is the Fee Higher in the Winter Semester?
In the summer semester 2026, the total according to the university was 349.80 euros. For the winter semester 2026/27 it rose by 18.00 euros, or about 5 percent. The page does not explicitly explain the increase. For other North Rhine-Westphalian universities, it is documented that the ticket share rose from 208.80 euros to 226.80 euros, and at Bielefeld the difference is identical. For the UDE, the earlier ticket share is not stated in our sources.
Until When Do You Need to Re-enrol?
The UDE distinguishes two groups. Main-subject students (Ersthörer) are enrolled at the UDE as their main subject. Secondary-enrolled students (Zweithörer) have their main enrolment at another university and take courses at the UDE as an addition. According to the page, secondary-enrolled students have considerably more time.
| Group | Re-enrolment period | Special rule |
|---|---|---|
| Main-subject students | 22 June to 21 August 2026 | Grace period (Nachfrist): six following working days |
| Secondary-enrolled students | 22 June to 18 September 2026 | Same grace period rule |
According to our own calculation, the grace period for main-subject students ends on 28 August 2026 if Saturdays count as working days, and on 31 August 2026 if they do not. For second-subject students, the dates would be 25 September 2026 and 28 September 2026 respectively. The page does not say which way of counting the university applies. The administrative fee of 10 euros is charged for payments made during the grace period, but the page is unclear about how such payments are booked. If in doubt, ask the student administration office. General consequences are covered in the guide Semester Fee Deadline: Re-enrolment and Consequences.
How Do You Calculate the Total?
Assumption: you are a main-subject student and you pay on time. Then you transfer 367.80 euros. Over six semesters that is 2,206.80 euros, or about 61.30 euros per semester month. The ticket alone adds up to 1,360.80 euros. For comparison, Bochum charges 380 euros and Bielefeld 351.65 euros. Data for further cities is collected in Semester Fees by University: Data for 30 Cities.
How Does Duisburg-Essen Compare Within NRW?
In the winter semester 2026/27, the UDE sits between Bochum and Bielefeld. All three universities charge the same ticket share of 226.80 euros. The differences arise with the student services organisation and the student body. Compared with Bochum, you pay 12.20 euros less per semester, and compared with Bielefeld 16.15 euros more. Over a study year, these differences come to 24.40 euros and 32.30 euros.
| University | Student services organisation | Student body | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruhr-Uni Bochum | 130.00 euros | 23.20 euros | 380.00 euros |
| University of Duisburg-Essen | 125.00 euros | 16.00 euros | 367.80 euros |
| University of Bielefeld | 106.00 euros | 18.85 euros | 351.65 euros |
What Should You Clarify Before Re-enrolling?
- Are you a main-subject or a secondary-enrolled student, and does the correct deadline apply to you?
- Does the amount in the portal match 367.80 euros, or does a different rule apply to you?
- Is there an exemption ground that you would need to document in time?
- How long does your bank take until the money is booked with the university?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do secondary-enrolled students have to pay for the semester ticket?
The page we reviewed does not say. Whether and how much secondary-enrolled students pay is regulated by the university in its notices for this group.
What happens if I pay late?
Payments made within the six working days after the deadline count as on time and cost a 10 euro administrative fee. After that, the outcome depends on the individual case. In that situation, contact the student administration office immediately.
Who sets the social contribution?
The Studierendenwerk Essen-Duisburg sets the social contribution in its fee regulations. The university collects it together with the semester fee.
Does the semester ticket apply across the whole country?
It applies as the Germany Semester Ticket on local public transport. Long-distance trains are excluded. Comparison values from other universities are in Semester Ticket and Germany Ticket: Student Travel Costs.
Where are the exemption rules?
In the FAQ of the student administration office, status 05/2025. The rules are not part of this review and may have changed since then.
What to Do Now
- Open the page on the semester fee of the UDE (Sozial- und Studierendenschaftsbeitrag) and check the semester.
- Check in the portal whether you are a main-subject or a secondary-enrolled student.
- Note the deadline and transfer the money with bank lead time.
- Keep the proof of payment.
Related Articles
- Semester fee TU Dortmund 2026/27
- Semester fee Ruhr-Uni Bochum 2026/27
- Semester Ticket and Germany Ticket: Student Travel Costs
- Semester Fee Deadline: Re-enrolment and Consequences
- Semester Fees by University: Data for 30 Cities
Sources: University of Duisburg-Essen: Social and student body contribution, University of Duisburg-Essen: Re-enrolment and leave of absence deadlines
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
