Germany has stood strong as one of the ideal study destinations for international students for years. From academic programs to affordable costs, the country offers several perks to embark on a great study abroad journey.
Statistics say around 458,000 international students visited Germany for higher education in the 2022-23 academic year. The numbers are predicted to increase as students prefer to study and explore the country for various opportunities.
This article helps you dive deep into the top universities in Germany for international students, their ranks, academic focus, fees, acceptance rates, and many others.
Table of Contents
- Studying in universities in Germany for international students: An overview
- The best universities in Germany
- Top universities in Germany for international students: A walkthrough
- Frequently asked questions
Studying in universities in Germany for international students: An overview
| Courses available | Undergraduate, postgraduate, doctorate, diploma, and foundation |
|---|---|
| Courses duration |
|
| Course fees |
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| German language proficiency |
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| Admission exam requirements | GRE: Above 320, GMAT: 550 to 600, IELTS: Minimum 6.0, TOEFL: Above 80, PTE: Minimum 50, Duolingo: Above 95 |
| Visa |
|
Data updated as of May 2024
Note: It is important to remember that the requirements vary with every location and university in Germany. Ensure to check the university and the course page to verify the criteria.
Also read: 10 tips for choosing the right university
The best universities in Germany
| University name | QS World University Rankings 2024 |
|---|---|
| Technical University of Munich | 37 |
| Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München | 54 |
| Universität Heidelberg | 87 |
| Freie Universitaet Berlin | 98 |
| RWTH Aachen University | 106 |
| KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | 119 |
| Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin | 120 |
| Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin) | 154 |
| Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet Freiburg | 192 |
| Universität Hamburg | 205 |
Data updated as of May 2024
In addition to the overall QS World University Rankings, several German institutions excel in various fields of study. Here are the top universities in Germany for international students in different subjects.
Also read: Top 100 universities in the world
Best German universities for medicine with QS World University Rankings 2024
- Universität Heidelberg - 31st
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München - 38th
- Technical University of Munich - 72nd
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin - 79th
- Universität Hamburg - 126th
- Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen - 128th
- Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet Freiburg - 135th
- University of Cologne - 143rd
- Medizinische Hochschule Hannover - 158th
- University of Göttingen - 161st
Also read: 10 best medical colleges in the world for 2024
Universities in Germany for MBA with QS World University Rankings 2024
- Frankfurt School of Finance & Management - 45th
- Mannheim Business School - 46th
- WHU (Otto Beisheim) - 58th
- HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management - 121-130
- EU Business School - 141-150
- Hochschule Bremen - 251+
Also read: Best MBA universities in the world
Best universities in Germany for engineering with QS World University Rankings 2024
- Technical University of Munich - 19th
- Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin) - 45th
- KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology - 48th
- RWTH Aachen University - 54th
- Technische Universität Dresden - 99th
- Technical University of Darmstadt - 155th
- Universität Stuttgart - 175th
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München - 216th
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - 222nd
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg - 235th
Top universities in Germany for international students: A walkthrough
1. Technical University of Munich
- Technical University of Munich acceptance rate: 46%
- QS World University Rankings 2024: 37
- Starting fees: €4,000
Hosting over 13,000 international students every academic year, the Technical University of Munich leads as the top educational institution in Germany. The university boasts an impressive 15 academic departments with over 200 course programs for students with different fields of interest.
The Technical University of Munich has an acceptance rate of 46% for international students, making the admission process competitive. Known for its fantastic resources and facilities, the university is also praised for its courses in engineering, computer science, biotechnology, medical technology, and many others.
Also read: Which MBA specialisation is best in the world?
2. Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München acceptance rate: 55%
- QS World University Rankings 2024: 54
- Starting fees: €9,300
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München is one of the oldest universities in Germany, dating back over 500 years. Welcoming over 6,000 international students every year, the university strives to lead as a pioneer in higher education.
Ludwig-Maximilians’ academic programs focus on developing students’ skills like creative thinking, critical analysis, problem-solving, communication, and research. Computer science, natural sciences, medicine, economics, law, and social sciences are some famous courses international students pursue.
3. Universität Heidelberg
- Universität Heidelberg acceptance rate: 45%
- QS World University Rankings 2024: 87
- Starting fees: €1,550
Universität Heidelberg leads the universities in Germany as one of the oldest institutions in the entire European continent, founded in 1386. The institution has a competitive admission for international students, with an acceptance rate of 45%.
Universität Heidelberg believes in learning through research and hands-on training so that international students get the required exposure they need in their field of interest. Despite its history dating back centuries, the university stays up to the trend and offers remarkable resources and facilities.
Also read: Extracurricular activities to do at university that can give your CV a boost
4. Freie Universitaet Berlin
- Freie Universitaet Berlin acceptance rate: 15%
- QS World University Rankings 2024: 98
- Starting fees: €2,150
Freie Universitaet Berlin is one of the few institutions in Germany that is highly regarded for its academic programs and research opportunities for international students.
The university is widely praised for its academic excellence, social responsibility, remarkable interdisciplinary approach, state-of-the-art facilities and research opportunities, and international orientation.
Hosting over 4,500 international students every academic year, Freie Universitaet Berlin excels in computer science, immunology, mathematics, earth sciences, cell biology, and many others. The university also provides fantastic internship and placement opportunities for international students during the course or upon graduation.
5. RWTH Aachen University
- RWTH Aachen University acceptance rate: 32%
- QS World University Rankings 2024: 106
RWTH Aachen University boasts global recognition as one of the finest institutions from an academic perspective for international students. With over 11,000 students from different parts of the world, it is also one of the friendliest institutions in Germany.
In addition to the high-quality academics and research opportunities, RWTH Aachen University also offers other opportunities that allow international students to learn, grow, and utilise their time abroad to their full potential.
Prepared to pursue your dream course in Germany? Explore possibilities and apply today!
Frequently asked questions
What are the best universities in Germany for MS?
Here are the top German institutions to pursue an MS degree.
- Technical University of Munich (TUM)
- RWTH Aachen
- University of Leipzig
- University of Stuttgart
- University of Hamburg
- Technical University in Berlin
- The Freie University of Berlin
- Technische Universität Dresden
- The Humboldt University of Berlin
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
What are the best universities in Germany for computer science?
The best universities for computer science in Germany and their QS World University Rankings 2024 are.
- Technical University of Munich - 31
- Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin) - 74
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München - 90
- RWTH Aachen University - 97
- KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology - 105
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - 153
- Universität Heidelberg - 155
- Technical University of Darmstadt - 162
- Freie Universitaet Berlin - 201-250
- Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn - 201-250
What are the best universities in Germany for masters in data science?
Here are the top German educational institutions to pursue a master's in data science.
- University of Gottingen
- University of Mannheim
- Freie University of Berlin
- RWTH Aachen University
- Technical University of Munich
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
What are the best universities in Germany for biotechnology?
The top universities for biotechnology and applied microbiology courses in Germany are.
- Ruprecht Karls University Heidelberg
- Technical University of Munich
- Freie University of Berlin
- Humboldt University of Berlin
- Eberhard Karls University of Tubingen
- RWTH Aachen University
- University of Freiburg
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- University of Gottingen
- University of Munich
- Justus Liebig University Giessen
- University of Bielefeld
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