The most popular destination for students who prefer the German language, Germany is home to more than 370 universities offering more than 16,000 study programs. Obviously a popular choice for international students, it is ranked as the 3rd most popular university destination worldwide, behind only the UK and USA. It is not surprising that 357,000 foreign students are currently studying there.
Why Study in Germany
Germany offers a wide variety of experiences to its international student body, depending on the choice of study major. From Berlin to the metropolis of Frankfurt and the towering mountains of Bavaria, Germany has something beautiful to offer everyone.
However, the real and biggest reason for studying in Germany is free education! German government policy is to provide free university education for both domestic and international students. Many, if not all, German universities do not have tuition fees.
There are few private universities with fees. In 2017/18, there were only 19 private universities and 93 private Universities of Applied Sciences receiving these fees, making up less than 10% of universities in Germany.
Fee-free public universities are still the best choice, although some international students choose to attend private universities.
Germany is also highly respected for teaching and learning. Known as the ‘land of poets and thinkers’, many great scientists such as Einstein, Planck and Born came from the German higher education system.
It is known for its ongoing modernization of learning, with the most up-to-date and effective approaches to teaching and research being consistently applied. With their excellent reputation, employers accept the high-quality teaching and research approach that students at German institutions will experience, making them an attractive choice for employment.
The most well known universities in Munich – as well as the highly competitive ones – dominate the German higher education system by any standing (international rankings, national rankings, etc.). The Ludwig-Maximilian University (LMU) of Munich and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) are both “Universities of Excellence” and host world renowned study programs, from bachelor’s to master’s, to Ph.D. programs.
LMU offers study programs in just about every topic, except those that focus on tech topics, that’s where TUM comes in, covering everything tech and business as well. Both universities are public, meaning that most programs are free of tuition, and both have great and long established networks with Munich firms and companies (e.g. Allianz, Siemens, BMW, etc.).
The Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) is located in the heart of Munich and in Germany’s second largest university (in terms of student population) dating back to 1472. It is one of the leading research universities in Europe and is associated with 42 Nobel laureates, including Wilhelm Röntgen, Max Planck, Otto Hahn, and Thomas Mann, among many others.
LMU has one of Europe’s largest medical complexes with 46 clinics, institutes, and departments, as well as 46 interdisciplinary centers covering all branches of medicine. In 2006, it was named a University of Excellence which is the same year the Excellence University classification in Germany began. LMU has 18 different faculties covering almost all topics from theology to law and geosciences.
In addition to LMU and TUM, Munich is home to a number of other excellent institutions which have an array of study programs, one of them may be yours! Because they are located in Munich, they also have close relationships with Munich-based companies and well-known research institutions in the area. Additionally, they hold a close relationship to larger universities in the area which may be a great resource during your studies.
The Bundeswehr University Munich is one of two federal research universities that belong to the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr). The other university is located in the north of Germany in Hamburg (Helmut-Schmidt-Universität). Both federal universities were founded in 1973. Though the majority of students are military officers, today the university has a continually increasing number of civilians and international students. The Bundeswehr University Munich offers a diverse range of studies including engineering, business, political science, and education.
The Munich Intellectual Property Law Center (MIPLC) is both a center for research as well as education in intellectual property. The Center was founded in 2003 as a project of the George Washington University Law School, the Max Planck Institute for Intellectual Property and Competition Law, the University of Augsburg, and the Technical University of Munich. Currently, the Munich Intellectual Property Law Center offers only a Master of Laws program in Intellectual Property and Competition Law.
There are even more great universities in the Munich metropolitan area which are great options for international students who maybe don’t want to live in a big city or who don’t find their dream study program above but want to be in the Munich area. Because Munich is such a large city, the metropolitan area means that these universities may be more than 100 kilometers from the Munich central area, but thanks to Germany’s great public transport system, everything is just a short train ride away!
The University of Augsburg, founded in 1970, is a public university located in Augsburg, Germany, just 75km from Munich. The university is organized into eight faculties and has a wide range of studies, the faculties are as follows: Economics and Business; Law; Catholic Theology; Philosophy and Social Sciences; History and Philology; Mathematics and Natural Sciences; Applied Computer Science; and Medicine. Approximately 14% of its students come from abroad, comparably larger than other German universities.
The University of Regensburg is a public research university located in the medieval city of Regensburg, 125 km from Munich. The university was founded in 1962 and houses eleven different faculties and was also one of the first German universities to introduce modularized study programs following the Bologna model. In addition to quality education, students can enjoy living in the beautiful city of Regensburg which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.
The University of Ulm is a public university in the city of Ulm in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, about 150 km from Munich. Founded in 1967, it is one of the youngest public universities in Germany. Its programs focus on natural sciences, medicine, engineering sciences, mathematics, economics, and computer sciences. The University of Ulm offers many study programs in English, but keep in mind that the state of Baden-Württemberg requires that all international students pay a tuition fee of 1,500€ per semester. Still, a marginal amount compared to student programs abroad, this is something to keep in mind.
The German higher education system has different classifications for institutions that offer Ph.D. programs in comparison with others. Universities or schools of applied science and colleges of art and music fall under a different category since they do not offer Ph.D. programs. However, this doesn’t mean that the quality of education at such institutions is lesser than a German recognized university. These institutions are even internationally top-ranked and hold prestigious programs in their fields. For this reason, we have dedicated an entire article just to universities of applied science so that you can find the right one for you. Click here for more on universities of applied science in Munich!
German Education In Comparison With The USA
The biggest difference, as mentioned above, is the non-existent tuition fees for international students in Germany. In the USA, Canada, and Australia, international students would expect to pay anywhere between $10,000 to $50,000 per year in tuition. Studying in Germany offers a low cost experience, lowering the amount of debt students will graduate with at the end of their studies.
Top German Universities
German institutions are regarded amongst the higher education elite. Major German cities, such as Frankfurt, Hamburg, Berlin and Cologne, host multiple institutions of which at least a minimum of one is ranked as one of the world’s best.
Germany is home to some of the most prestigious higher education institutions in the whole of Western Europe, which includes both older traditional institutions as well as more newly founded technical institutions.
A total of 30 German higher education institutions are counted among the very best in the world and came within the top 500 of the QS World University Rankings 2021.
Top 5 universities in Germany
Although there are many highly reputable universities throughout the country, here is a quick round-up of the five highest rated German institutions in the QS World University Rankings 2021.
- LMU Munich: Public university. Founded in 1472, it is one of the oldest universities in Germany. It boasts 42 Nobel Prize winners and is widely regarded as a premier academic and research institution. International students make up 13% of the student body and it has the second largest student population in Germany.
- Technical University of Munich: The second public university in Munich, dedicated to science and technology. Three departments within the university offer over 170 degree courses focused on engineering, sciences and technology. 13 Nobel Prizes have been awarded to affiliates of the university since 1927. Over 39,000 students attend the university, of which almost 9,000 are foreign.
- Heidelberg University: The oldest university in Germany, hosting over 30,000 students. This public research university is found in the town of Heidelberg, considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Germany and a popular tourist destination. International students, representing 130 countries, make up 20% of the student body.
- Humboldt University of Berlin: A public university located in Germany’s capital city. The institute is well-known and highly regarded, particularly excelling in studies of the arts and humanities and boasts a library containing around 6.5 million books. Around 33,000 students attend the university, 16% of whom are international.
- University of Freiburg: The fifth oldest university in Germany, it is also a public research university. There are approximately 25,000 students, 16% of whom are foreign students representing 120 different countries. The university is known for its long tradition of teaching humanities and natural sciences and, as well as 19 Nobel Laureates being affiliated to the university, 15 members of staff have won the highest German prize for research. The university is also known for its mountain retreat, which is available to students for outdoor and leisure activities.
Popular Courses in Germany
Public Institutions
It is important to note that most courses taught in universities in Germany will be taught in German. However, with a goal to host 350,000 international students by 2020, degree programs taught in English are becoming increasingly common.
If you are looking to study for a Master’s degree, you will find many English medium courses, particularly in business and the social sciences, available to you.
If you are looking to study at undergraduate level, you would benefit from using the International Program search tool (from the DAAD – German Academic Exchange Service) to help you.
Currently, the tool shows 121 results for bachelor’s degrees taught in English only. However, only 60 of these are at no-fee institutions. So if you want to study in English in Germany, you may need to also consider private institutions.
Although this will mean paying tuition fees, these private universities are able to set their own fees and many charge less than €10,000 per semester, which is still cheaper than international study in other locations around the world.
Another consideration, if you are looking for a business degree, is to study at ESCP Europe. This course allows you to study in three capital cities, including Berlin and London, on its Bachelor of Management program. Whilst this offers a degree program taught completely in English, it will set you back €18,000 per year as a non-EU student (€13,600 for EU students).
International Students
Fees for International Students
As mentioned earlier in the article, tuition is free at public universities in Germany for domestic and international undergraduate students. The only exception to this is at universities in the Baden-Württemberg area, where students pay €3,000 per year for tuition fees (excluding refugees and PhD students). This includes universities in Freiburg, Heidelberg, Hohenheim, Stuttgart and Ulm among others. Some exemptions from this fee are made, for students from Erasmus member states, those with EU permanent residency and students who have a HE entrance qualification from Germany.
Despite universities being tuition-free, all students are required to pay a fee to cover costs, such as enrolment, administration and student support. This fee will differ across institutions but is normally around €350.
Master’s level students sometimes need to pay tuition fees. Fees are charged to those deemed “non-consecutive” students, meaning that the student has not completed a bachelor’s degree in a German university in recent years. If tuition fees need to be paid for a master’s degree, this can cost up to €20,000 per academic year. Those students entering master’s programs straight from an undergraduate degree that was completed in Germany will normally pay little or no tuition fees.
Scholarships
Top Scholarships to Apply for in Germany
There are some government-funded scholarships for study in Germany. These are:
- DAAD Scholarship: Scholarships to study at undergraduate and postgraduate level offered by The German Academic Exchange Service.
- Erasmus+: Available for international students who are participating in a study exchange program in Europe. Grants to support with living costs are available.
Non-government awards also exist for study in Germany. These include:
- Heinrich Böll Scholarships for International Students: Available for undergraduate and postgraduate study at an accredited institution.
- Kurt Hansen Science Scholarships: Available for international students who are looking to become educators in science.
- Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) for Developing Countries:Available for postdoctoral research. Many scholarships available for students from developing countries.
- Deutschland Stipendium: A scholarship of €300/month for highly talented students of any nationality who are studying at German universities.
Many institutions will offer university-specific opportunities to study in Germany. These include:
- Heidelberg University: Many opportunities are available to students. One of these, The Amirana Scholarship, supports students from developing countries who wish to study medicine or dentistry.
- Frankfurt School of Finance and Management Doctoral Tuition Waivers:Doctoral students on English medium courses in finance, accounting, mathematics and business administration will have tuition fees waived with this application .
- Universität Hamburg merit awards: For those students enrolled for a minimum of two semesters, who have demonstrated outstanding ability (any degree level, any subject).
- RWTH Aachen programs: Funding available for international and domestic students.
Living Costs in Germany
Student residences in Germany are an affordable housing option, but these are in high demand and short supply. Shared flats, often with communal areas, coffee shops, laundry areas and bicycle storage, are another good option for students. Rent can cost anywhere between €210 and €360 per month, depending on whether you choose to live alone, with a partner or on campus.
Larger cities will also offer larger rental prices. A student flat in Berlin is likely to cost €430, whilst in Munich, a more expensive German city, rent is likely to be closer to €665 per month.
In addition to rent, students will also need to budget for food, utility bills and social activities. It is recommended to budget €850 per month when studying in Germany, although this should be increased if you will be living in one of the larger cities, such as Munich.
Students in Germany are eligible for a “Semesterticket”, which will help with the cost of travel on buses, trams, subways and trains. The cost of this is normally covered in the administration costs paid to the university at the start of study.
Student Visa
Students from the EU, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland:
- Do not require a visa to study in Germany.
- Must register with the Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt within a week of arriving in Germany.
- Must show proof that you have access to approximately €8700 per year (for living costs).
- Must have purchased health insurance (unless policy from your home country is valid in Germany).
- Must prove proficiency in the language of instruction for your degree course.
Students from outside the EU:
- Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland or the US: Do not require a visa but must obtain a residence permit.
- Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco, San Marino or Taiwan: Only require a visa if you will work before or after your degree. Must obtain a residence permit.
- Other countries: Apply for visa (Schengen Visa – for 3 months of study, National Visa – for over 3 months of study). Visa and residence permit can be obtained from your local German embassy.
- For Residence Permit: Register with the Residents’ Registration Office, prove that you have health insurance policy, prove that you have access to approximately €8700 per year (for living costs), show your passport with visa (if needed) and tenancy agreement.
- For Visa: Same documents as Residence Permit. May also be asked for proof of clean criminal record and medical check.
- All students must prove proficiency in the language of instruction for your degree course.