15 Best Universities in Germany for International Students

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15 Best Universities in Germany for International Students
15 Best Universities in Germany for International Students

Students who are planning to study abroad should consider applying to study in any of the best universities in Germany for international students. It is true that Germany is one of the most affordable places to study abroad, yet, education quality is top-notch regardless.

Most of the public universities in Germany are tuition-free for both domestic and international students. This is one of the top reasons why most international students are attracted to Germany.

There is no doubt that Germany is one of the best countries to study. In fact, two of its cities are ranked among QS Best Student Cities 2022 ranking. Berlin and Munich rank 2nd and 5th respectively.

Germany, a western European country host more than 400,000 international students, making it one of the most popular study destinations for international students.

The number of international students studying in Germany keeps increasing because of these reasons.

7 Reasons to Study in Germany

International students are attracted to Germany because of the following reasons:

1. Free Education

In 2014, Germany abolished tuition fees in public institutions. Higher education in Germany is funded by the government. As a result, tuition is not charged.

Most public universities in Germany (except in Baden-Wurttemberg) are tuition-free for both domestic and international students.

However, students will still have to pay semester fees.

2. English-taught Programs

Even though German is the language of instruction in universities in Germany, international students can study completely in English.

There are several English-taught programs at German universities, especially at the postgraduate level.

3. Part-time Job Opportunities

Even though education is tuition-free, there are still other bills to settle. International students who are looking for ways to fund their education in Germany can work while studying.

International students from Non-EU or Non-EEA countries must have a work permit before they can apply for any job. Working hours are limited to 190 full days or 240 half days per year.

Students from EU or EEA countries can work in Germany without a work permit and working hours are not limited.

4. Opportunity to stay in Germany after studies

International students have the opportunity to live and work after graduating.

Students from Non-EU and Non-EEA countries can stay in Germany for up to 18 months after graduating, by extending their residence permit.

After getting employed, you can decide to apply for an EU Blue Card (the main residence permit for university graduates from non-EU countries) if you wish to live in Germany for a long period of time.

5. High-quality education

Public German universities are usually ranked among the best universities in Europe and also in the World.

This is because top-quality programs are delivered in German universities, especially in public universities.

6. Opportunity to Learn a New Language

Even if you choose to study in Germany in English, it is advisable to learn German – the official language of Germany, in order to communicate with other students and residents.

Learning German, one of the world’s most spoken languages comes with a lot of benefits. You will be able to blend well in a lot of EU countries if you understand German.

German is spoken in more than 42 countries. In fact, German is the official language of six countries in Europe – Austria, Belgium, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.

7. Availability of Scholarships

International students are eligible for several scholarship programs either funded by organizations, government, or universities.

Scholarship programs like DAAD scholarship, Eramus+, Heinrich Boll foundation scholarship e.t.c.

List of the Best Universities in Germany for International Students

Below is a list of the best universities in Germany for International Students:

15 Best Universities in Germany

1. Technical University of Munich (TUM)

The Technical University of Munich is the best university for the 8th time in a row – QS World University Ranking.

Founded in 1868, the Technical University of Munich is a public research university located in Munich, Germany. It also has a campus in Singapore.

Technical University Munich host about 48,296 students, 38% come from abroad.

TUM offers about 182 degree programs, including several English-taught programs across different fields of study:

  • Art
  • Engineering
  • Medicine
  • Law
  • Business
  • Social Sciences
  • Health Sciences.

Most study programs at TUM are generally free of tuition fees, except master’s degree programs. TUM doesn’t charge any tuition fee, however, students are supposed to pay only the semester fee (138 Euros for students at Munich).

2. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU)  

The Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich is a public research university located in Munich, Germany. Founded in 1472, it is Bavaria’s first university and also among the oldest universities in Germany.

LMU has about 52,451 students, including nearly 9,500 international students from more than 100 countries.

Ludwig Maximilian University offers more than 300 degree programs, including English-taught master’s degree programs. Study programs are available in these areas:

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Law
  • Social Sciences
  • Life and Natural Sciences
  • Human and Veterinary Medicine
  • Economics.

There are no tuition fees for most degree programs. However, all students must pay for the Studentenwerk (Munich Student Union).

3. Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg

Heidelberg University, officially known as Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg, is a public research university located in Heidelberg, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

Founded in 1386, Heidelberg University is the oldest university in Germany and one of the world’s oldest surviving universities.

Heidelberg University has more than 29,000 students, including over 5,194 international students. 24.7% of the newly enrolled students (Winter 2021/22) are international students.

The language of instruction is German, but a number of English-taught programs are also offered.

Heidelberg University offers more than 180 degree programs across different fields of study:

  • Mathematics
  • Engineering
  • Economics
  • Social Sciences
  • Liberal Arts
  • Computer Science
  • Law
  • Medicine
  • Natural Sciences.

At Heidelberg University, international students have to pay tuition fees (150 Euros per semester).

4. Humboldt University of Berlin (HU Berlin) 

Founded in 1810, Humboldt University of Berlin is a public research university in the central borough of Mitre in Berlin, Germany.

HU Berlin has about 37,920 students including nearly 6,500 international students.

The Humboldt University of Berlin offers about 185 degree courses, including English-taught master’s degree programs. These courses are available in different study areas:

  • Art
  • Business
  • Law
  • Education
  • Economics
  • Computer Science
  • Agricultural Sciences e.t.c.

Tuition is free but all students are required to pay for standard fees and dues. The standard fees and dues amount to €315.64 in total (€264.64 for program exchange students).

5. Free University of Berlin (FU Berlin) 

The Free University of Berlin is a public research university located in Berlin, Germany.

More than 13% of students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs are international students. About 33,000 students are enrolled in bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.

The Free University of Berlin offers over 178 degree programs, including English-taught programs. These programs are available in different study areas:

  • Law
  • Mathematics and Computer Science
  • Education and Psychology
  • History
  • Business and Economics
  • Medicine
  • Pharmacy
  • Earth Sciences
  • Political & Social Sciences.

The Free University of Berlin does not charge tuition fees, except for some graduate programs. However, students are required to pay certain fees each semester.

6. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is a public research university located in Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. It was established in 2009 after the merger of the Technical University of Karlsruhe and Karlsruhe Research Center.

KIT offers more than 100 degree programs, including English-taught programs. These programs are available in these areas:

  • Business and Economics
  • Engineering
  • Natural Sciences
  • Social Sciences
  • Arts.

At Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), international students from non-EU countries will have to pay tuition fees of 1,500 Euros per semester. However, doctoral students are exempted from paying tuition fees.

7. RWTH Aachen University 

RWTH Aachen University is a public research university located in Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is the largest technical University in Germany.

RWTH Aachen University offers several degree programs, including English-taught master’s programs. These programs are available in different study areas:

  • Architecture
  • Engineering
  • Arts & Humanities
  • Business & Economics
  • Medicine
  • Natural Sciences.

RWTH Aachen University is home to about 13,354 international students from 138 countries. In total, RWTH Aachen has more than 47,000 students.

8. Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin)

Founded in 1946, the Technical University of Berlin, also known as the Berlin Institute of Technical, is a public research university located in Berlin, Germany.

The Technical University of Berlin has more than 33,000 students, including more than 8,500 international students.

TU Berlin offers more than 100 study programs, including 19 English-taught programs. These programs are available in different study areas:

  • Natural Sciences and Technology
  • Planning Sciences
  • Economics and Management
  • Social Sciences
  • Humanities.

There are no tuition fees at TU Berlin, except for continuing education master’s programs. Each semester, students are required to pay a semester fee (€307.54 per semester).

9. Technical University of Dresden (TUD)   

The Technical University of Dresden is a public research university located in the city of Dresden. It is the largest institution of higher education in Dresden and one of the largest technical universities in Germany.

The Technical University of Dresden has its roots in the Royal Saxon Technical School which was founded in 1828.

About 32,000 students are enrolled at TUD. 16% of students are from abroad.

TUD offers a lot of academic programs, including English-taught master’s programs. These programs are available in different study areas:

  • Engineering
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Natural Sciences and Mathematics
  • Medicine.

The Technical University of Dresden doesn’t have tuition fees. However, students have to pay an administrative charge of about 270 Euros per term.

10. Eberhard Karls University of Tubingen

The Eberhard Karls University of Tubingen, also known as the University of Tubingen is a public research university located in the city of Tubingen, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. Founded in 1477, the University of Tubingen is one of the oldest universities in Germany.

Around 28,000 students are enrolled in the University of Tubingen, including nearly 4,000 international students.

The University of Tubingen offers more than 200 study programs, including English-taught programs. These programs are available in different study areas:

  • Theology
  • Economics
  • Social Sciences
  • Law
  • Humanities
  • Medicine
  • Science.

International students from non-EU or non-EEA countries have to pay tuition fees. Doctoral students are exempted from paying tuition.

11. Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg 

Founded in 1457, Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, also known as University of Freiburg is a public research university located in Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg has more than 25,000 students representing over 100 countries.

The University of Freiburg offers about 290 degree programs, including several English-taught programs. These programs are available in different study areas:

  • Engineering and Natural Sciences
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Medicine
  • Law
  • Economics
  • Social Sciences
  • Sports
  • Language and Cultural studies.

International students from non-EU or non-EEA countries will have to let for tuition, except those enrolled in continuous education programs.

Ph.D. students are also exempted from paying tuition.

12. University of Bonn

The Rhenish Friedrich Wilhelm University of Bonn is a public research university located in Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Around 35,000 students enrolled in the University of Bonn, including about 5,000 international students from 130 countries.

The University of Bonn offers more than 200 degree programs across different disciplines, which includes:

  • Mathematics & Natural Sciences
  • Medicine
  • Humanities
  • Law
  • Economics
  • Arts
  • Theology
  • Agriculture.

In addition to german-taught courses, the University of Bonn also offers several English-taught programs.

The University of Bonn doesn’t charge tuition. However, all students must pay the semester fee (currently €320.11 per semester).

13. University of Mannheim (UniMannheim)

The University of Mannheim is a public research university located in Mannheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

UniMannheim has about 12,000 students, including 1,700 international students.

The University of Mannheim offers degree programs, including English-taught programs. These programs are available in different study areas:

  • Business
  • Law
  • Economics
  • Social Sciences
  • Humanities
  • Mathematics.

International students from non-EU or non-EEA countries are required to pay tuition fees (1500 Euros per semester).

14. Charite – Universitatsmedizin Berlin

Charite – Universitatsmedizin Berlin is one of the largest university hospitals in Europe. It is located in Berlin, Germany.

More than 9,000 students are currently enrolled in Charite – Universitatsmedizin Berlin.

Charite – Universitatsmedizin Berlin is popularly known for training doctors and dentists.

The University now offers degree programs in the following areas:

  • Public Health
  • Nursing
  • Health Science
  • Medicine
  • Neuroscience
  • Dentistry.

15. Jacobs University 

Jacobs University is a private research university located in Vegesack, Bremen, Germany.

Over 1,800 students from more than 119 countries are enrolled in Jacob University.

Jacobs University offers study programs in English across various disciplines:

  • Natural Sciences
  • Mathematics
  • Engineering
  • Social Sciences
  • Economics

Jacobs University is not tuition-free because it is a private university. Tuition costs about €20,000.

However, Jacob University offers scholarships and other forms of financial assistance to students.

Frequently Asked Questions

what is the language of instruction in German Universities?

German is the language of instruction at most universities in Germany. However, there are programs delivered in English, especially master's degree programs.

Can international Students attend German Universities for free?

Public universities in Germany are tuition-free for both domestic and international students, except for public universities in Baden-Wurttemberg. International students attending public universities in Baden-Wurttemberg must pay tuition fees (1500 Euros per semester).

What is the cost of living in Germany?

Studying in Germany is quite cheaper when compared to other EU countries like England. You need a minimum of 850 Euros per month to cover your living costs as a student in Germany. The average cost of living for students in Germany is around 10,236 Euros per year. However, the cost of living in Germany also depends on the kind of lifestyle you adopt.

Can International Students work in Germany while studying?

Full-time international students from non-EU 3 can with for 120 full days or 240 half days per year. Students from EU/EEA countries can work in Germany for more than 120 full days. Their working hours are not limited.

Do i need a Students Visa to study in Germany?

International students from non-EU and non-EEA countries need a student visa to study in Germany. You can apply for the visa vis the local German embassy or consulate in your home country.

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Conclusion

If you wish to study abroad, Germany is one of the countries to consider. Germany is one of the European countries that provide tuition-free education to international students.

Apart from access to tuition-free programs, studying in Germany comes with several benefits like the opportunity to explore Europe, part-time student jobs, learning a new language e.t.c

What is that thing you love about Germany? Which of the best universities in Germany for International Students do you wish to attend? Let us know in the Comment Section.