Tuition fees had no negative effect on participation in higher education in Germany

Following political opposition, all German states have abolished university tuition fees, which were originally implemented in the mid-2000s. Berthold U. Wigger outlines the findings of research on the effect tuition fees had on enrolment levels in German universities. He writes that contrary to expectations, tuition fees did not have an identifiable negative effect on enrolment levels within Germany. He argues that the German experience shows tuition fees will not necessarily deter potential students if they are set at a relatively low level, are combined with an effective student loans programme, and if exemptions are provided to students matching certain social criteria, such as low incomes.