Top Universities in Germany

Four steps, in this order. Pick a course you meet the entry requirements for. Sit the English test the university asks for. Apply to the university and get an offer. Then apply for the funding and the visa — in that order, because almost every scholarship wants proof of a place first.

The nine best universities in Germany for international students are listed on this page.

The nine on this page. TUM, LMU and Heidelberg lead the list, ranked by QS 2027 position, best first. Each card names the subjects the university is known for, its city, and its QS 2027 world rank.

Where we could verify a QS World University Rankings 2027 position we show it. Where we could not, we leave the number off instead of guessing.

Public universities charge no tuition in almost every state — you pay only a semester contribution of €150–€350, which usually includes a public transport pass. The exception is Baden-Württemberg, which charges non-EU students €1,500 per semester.

Living costs: €11,904 a year is the blocked-account figure you must show for a student visa (€992/month).

Yes. DAAD EPOS Scholarships fund study in Germany, and all of them cover tuition plus living costs rather than a partial fee discount.

There are three separate things people mean by scholarships to study in Germany: a Germany government scholarship, a Germany university scholarship awarded by the institution itself, and international awards that happen to fund study here. University entrance scholarships are usually the easiest to win and the least competed for, so ask each of the nine above directly.

Both. A masters in Germany is the more common route for international students, partly because more funding exists at postgraduate level and partly because it is shorter. Bachelors in Germany take longer and attract less scholarship money, so plan the budget carefully.

All nine universities above run both. If you are looking specifically at Germany universities for masters, check whether the course is taught in English before anything else.

The three at the top of the list above — TUM, LMU and Heidelberg. That is the Germany top universities list as far as reputation goes, and it is the order employers outside the country will recognise.

Better still, there is free tuition for international students in Germany at public universities, so prestige here does not carry a price tag.

No — nine. Past that, the differences stop mattering for most applicants, and a longer list mostly makes the decision harder. What separates the places below that is usually research output, which affects your supervisor rather than your degree.

Public universities in Germany for international students are generally the better value, because their fees are regulated. Private ones charge what they like.

Sometimes — ask before you pay for a test. Most universities will waive an English test if your previous degree was taught in English, and many accept TOEFL, PTE or their own internal test instead of IELTS.

It is decided university by university, never nationally — so check the admissions page of each of the nine above. A blog listing "universities in Germany without IELTS" will be out of date. Your visa may still require a test even when the university does not.

Cheapest by tuition is rarely cheapest overall. Public universities charge no tuition in almost every state — you pay only a semester contribution of €150–€350, which usually includes a public transport pass. The exception is Baden-Württemberg, which charges non-EU students €1,500 per semester.

Rent usually moves your total bill more than the fee does, so a lower-ranked university in a smaller city often costs far less than a famous one in the capital. The city is named on every card above for exactly that reason.

140 full days or 280 half days per year. An 18-month residence permit to look for work after graduating.

This is worth checking before you choose a country, not after. Post-study work rights change with the government of the day.