Semester Fee University of Göttingen 2026/27: What You Pay and Why

The semester fee at the University of Göttingen is one of the costs you should plan for every semester on top of rent and living expenses. On its fees page, the university gives a guide value (Richtwert) of around 500 euros per semester. However, the contribution regulations only document 411.18 euros for the winter semester 2026/27. This guide shows what that sum consists of and which part of the guide value remains open.

The most important points

• The university gives a guide value of around 500 euros per semester.
• Documented: 411.18 euros, made up of 157.00 euros for the Studierendenwerk (from the summer semester 2026) and 254.18 euros for the student body (reading version of the contribution regulations dated 3 April 2026).
• The Germany semester ticket costs 226.80 euros each in the winter semester 2026/27 and the summer semester 2027, and the culture semester ticket (Kultursemesterticket) costs 11.38 euros.
• Around 89 euros between the documented sum and the guide value (our own calculation) cannot be assigned to any item. The regulations we reviewed do not show an administrative share.
• For your amount, the re-enrolment overview counts, not a figure from the internet.
• The fee is due at re-enrolment. The university names June and July for the winter semester and December and January for the summer semester, but no date.

What is included in the semester fee at the University of Göttingen?

The fee is not payment for a single service. The contributions of the student body and the Studierendenwerk are governed by two separate contribution regulations. The overview below lists the documented items for the winter semester 2026/27.

Whether you actually use the ticket does not change the amount of the fee. If you commute daily, you are more likely to get its value back. If you rarely travel, you should still know that this part is included in the amount.

How high is the semester fee in concrete terms?

On its page, the university gives around 500 euros per semester, without a date and without naming a semester. The contribution regulations only add up to 411.18 euros for the winter semester 2026/27. The difference of around 89 euros (our own calculation) may be based on further items that we could not document, or the guide value is older or roughly rounded. We do not know which explanation applies. The amount on your re-enrolment overview is binding.

Assumption: the amount stays at 411.18 euros (documented part) or at around 500 euros (guide value). For one academic year that gives 822.36 euros to around 1,000 euros, for a six-semester bachelor’s programme 2,467.08 euros to around 3,000 euros, and for a four-semester master’s programme 1,644.72 euros to around 2,000 euros.

Is the semester ticket worth it for you?

Whether the ticket share pays off for you depends on how often you travel and where you live. A simple comparison helps: divide the ticket share of 226.80 euros by the six months of the semester (around 37.80 euros per month, our own calculation) and compare that with your usual journeys. The ticket share is included in the fee, even if you rarely travel. Our guide Semester Ticket and Germany Ticket: Student Travel Costs gives an overview of the options for tickets and the Germany Ticket.

How do I pay the semester fee on time?

According to the student body’s contribution regulations, the contributions are due at enrolment (Immatrikulation) or re-enrolment. The university names June and July as the re-enrolment period for the winter semester, and December and January for the summer semester. No date for the winter semester 2026/27 appears on the pages we could access. According to the contribution regulations, a refund is possible if you are deregistered before or within one month after the start of lectures. The following steps will help you get everything done in time.

1. Find the amount and the deadline for the winter semester 2026/27 in your re-enrolment overview.
2. Compare the amount with the documented 411.18 euros and the guide value of around 500 euros, and note any differences.
3. If anything is unclear, check the fee regulations of the university.
4. Pay on time and keep the proof of payment until your re-enrolment is confirmed.

What if payment becomes difficult?

If you cannot pay the amount on time, speak to the university early. Whether and how a later payment is possible is decided by the administration on a case-by-case basis. For questions about living costs and funding, it is worth looking at our overview of BAföG, because the funding also covers living costs if you meet the requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Is the semester fee a tuition fee?

The semester fee is a regular charge, not a tuition fee in the narrower sense. Whether additional fees apply to your degree is set out in the university’s fee regulations. The two should be checked separately.

Does the guide value apply to all subjects?

The university’s figure is a guide value for the semester fee. The contribution regulations show whether there are deviations. If in doubt, check your personal re-enrolment overview before you pay.

Where can I find the contribution regulations?

The reading version of the 2026 contribution regulations is published on the website of the General Students’ Committee (AStA) of the University of Göttingen. We took the student body contributions from it. It contains neither amounts for the Studierendenwerk nor a total. The Studierendenwerk Göttingen sets its contribution in its own contribution regulations.

What if I am planning a semester abroad?

Clarify this with the international office (Auslandsbüro) and the student records office (Studierendensekretariat) before you decide on the semester. There you will learn whether the contribution is due in that semester, how much it is, and what the consequences of a leave of absence (Beurlaubung) are.

Is it worth taking a closer look at the Studierendenwerk?

Yes. Part of the fee funds the Studierendenwerk, which runs canteens and student residences. According to its contribution regulations, the contribution is 157.00 euros from the summer semester 2026 and 167.00 euros from the summer semester 2027. If you use residence places or discounted meals, you see the value directly. You will find services and prices on the Studierendenwerk’s pages.

What to do now

1. Check your re-enrolment overview and the amount for the winter semester 2026/27.
2. Compare the amount with the documented 411.18 euros, the guide value of around 500 euros and the contribution regulations.
3. Budget for the money and pay on time.
4. Clarify open questions about tickets, funding and housing early with the responsible offices.

Related reading

• Studying in Göttingen: Semester Fee, Housing and Costs
• Semester Ticket and Germany Ticket: Student Travel Costs
• BAföG 2026: Eligibility, Amount and Repayment Explained
• Studying in Kassel: Costs, Housing and Semester Fee 2026
• Semesterbeitrag Uni Stuttgart 2026/27: Aufbau und letzte Höhe

Sources: University of Göttingen: Fees and contributions (guide value, accessed October 2026), Contribution regulations of the University of Göttingen, reading version 2026 (student body contributions, version of 3 April 2026), Contribution regulations of the Studierendenwerk Göttingen, § 1 (status 26 June 2025).

Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information and not individual advice.