Hi.

There are general and advertised discounts and promos, as well as others that require some effort to discover and claim. But it depends a bit on which programme and provider (public vs private) you choose.

1) “Discounts / promos” (most common at private distance universities)

In Germany, private distance universities often run time-limited promotions (early-enrolment discounts, country-specific promos, “women in tech” campaigns, etc.). These offers can change monthly/quarterly.

• What you typically need to provide: proof of eligibility (e.g., employment status, prior degree, sometimes income/hardship documentation, or belonging to a target group for a scholarship campaign).
• What usually doesn’t matter: being non-EU by itself rarely gives an automatic discount. More often, discounts are tied to an intake period or a specific campaign.

2) Fees at public providers (cheap by default, fewer “promos”)

Public distance options (especially state universities) are often already very low-cost compared to private providers — so they typically don’t do marketing-style promos. Example: FernUni Hagen has a low fee model per semester/module.

3) Scholarships / financial aid: what’s realistic for international distance learners

• Deutschlandstipendium: Non-EU students can receive the Deutschlandstipendium (€300 monthly), even if studying via distance learning, and is awarded by state-recognized German universities. The main requirements are that your study program is classified as full-time or at least designed to correspond to a traditional on-campus timeline, and you can provide proof of substantial social commitment and/or personal achievements.
• Provider scholarships (private universities): realistic, but often campaign-based or competitive. Prominent examples of this would be (as of the time of writing) IU Scholarships and SRH Scholarships for English language degree programmes.
• Employer sponsorship: in Computer Science, this is often the most realistic “funding” — many students get partial or full reimbursement if the degree is job-relevant.

4) A practical way to hunt promos without wasting time

1. Pick 3–5 programmes you’d actually study (don’t start with discounts).
2. Compare the total cost (not just monthly rate) and check for hidden costs (translations, exam logistics, retake fees, etc.).
3. Start with advertised promotions — but do not stop there: Many private distance-learning universities advertise current promotions quite openly, for example early-enrolment discounts, seasonal tuition reductions or limited-time campaign offers. These can be useful, but they are usually only one part of the real price comparison.
4. Check for/Inquire about scholarships and less visible funding options: Scholarships, hardship-based reductions or profile-based funding programmes are not always advertised as prominently as marketing discounts. This is where a direct request is especially useful.
5. Payment arrangements: Does the university offer a discount for paying the full tuition upfront? Is there a cash discount for one-time payment? Can this be combined with an advertised promotion? Are there cheaper total-cost models if you choose a faster study plan? These details are often not as visible as the headline discount and might require you to get in touch with the universities' advisory services or international offices.

5) Prepare the documents universities may ask for

If you want a scholarship or special payment arrangement, it helps to ready the following documents before contacting the university:

• CV or résumé
• previous school or university certificates
• proof of English language skills if the programme is taught in English
• short motivation letter explaining why you want to study Computer Science
• proof of income or financial situation if applying for hardship support
• employment confirmation

Our virtual study advisor, Sophie, can help you create and send inquiries to the universities' services, if needed.

You can shortlist suitable Computer Science distance programmes here and then compare providers side-by-side:

• Coursefinder (AI search)
• All distance universities in Germany
• Bookmarks (save your shortlist)

Further reading from fernstudi.net that matches your question:

• How to fund a German online degree as an international student
• The true cost of a German online degree (incl. hidden costs)
• Online Computer Science degrees in Germany (overview)

Kind regards