25 Best Universities In Germany For International Students

If you are looking to study in Germany, you are surely making a great choice. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 359 universities and colleges in Germany, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 359 universities in Germany, Technical University of Munich and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich are the top-performing schools in Germany. This list covers both public and private institutions in Germany.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Germany. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Germany.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Germany?

Applying to the universities in Germany involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Germany to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Germany?

Tuition fees at Germany’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 0 Euros to 31,500 Euros , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 0 Euros to 59,500 Euros. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Germany!

As we cover the best universities in Germany for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Germany for International Students

1. Technical University of Munich

  • Total Number of Students : 48296
  • Total Number of International Students : 18505
  • Percentage of International Students : 38.3 %
  • QS Rankings : # 50 in the World
  • Times Higher Education Rankings : # 38 in the World
  • US News Rankings : # 74 in the World
  • Technical University of Munich Page

Technical University of Munich tops the list for best universities in Germany.

The Technical University of Munich is one of the most prestigious academic institutions in Germany. Founded in 1868, the university has a long history of educational and research excellence, as proven by its 17 Nobel Prizes and standing in international rankings. At present, the university has more than 48,000 students, 38% of which are international students.

Consistently being counted among the top schools in Germany is a great sign for quality education. Technical University of Munich is definitely a great university to consider if you’re planning to study in Germany.

2. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

  • Total Number of Students : 51606
  • Total Number of International Students : 8875
  • Percentage of International Students : 17.2 %
  • QS Rankings : # 64 in the World
  • Times Higher Education Rankings : # 32 in the World
  • Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich Page

Second on this list for best universities in Germany is Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. Because of its strong academic reputation, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich regularly has a sizable student population, 17.2 % of which are international students.

The Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, also known as LMU Munich, is a public higher education institution. It is recognized as one of the top-performing universities in Europe and across the globe. The school delivers well when it comes to both research and teaching, assuring you that you are getting high-quality education and training.

3. Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg

  • Total Number of Students : 29187
  • Total Number of International Students : 5194
  • Percentage of International Students : 17.8 %
  • QS Rankings : # 63 in the World
  • Times Higher Education Rankings : # 42 in the World
  • US News Rankings : # 54 in the World
  • Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg Page

Another great school in Germany is Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg. It is also one of the most widely-recognized names in education around the world and gets high numbers of student applications annually.

The Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg, shortly referred to as Heidelberg University, was founded in 1386, making it the oldest university in Germany. With centuries of academic and research history, the university has become one of the most established in the world. Over 50 Nobel Laureates are associated with the university, introducing modern science, particularly in the field of Psychiatry, Physics, and Sociology. The university is currently home to over 29,000 students.

4. Charity-University Medicine Berlin

It's always a good plan to have several options when choosing your host university abroad. And among your top choices at Germany is Charity-University Medicine Berlin.

The Charity-University Medicine Berlin, founded in 1710, offers an extensive academic and research history in Medicine. Since its inception as a quarantine facility for the bubonic plague, the university has undergone significant improvements. At present, the university has over 9,000 students, 4 campuses, and 17 clinical centers.

5. Humboldt University of Berlin

  • Total Number of Students : 37920
  • Total Number of International Students : 6494
  • Percentage of International Students : 17.1 %
  • QS Rankings : # 128 in the World
  • Times Higher Education Rankings : # 74 in the World
  • US News Rankings : # 78 in the World
  • Humboldt University of Berlin Page

Next on our list of top universities in Germany for international students is Humboldt University of Berlin. This university provides good programs in various fields such as Computer Science, Sport Science, and Scandinavian Studies.

Humboldt University of Berlin is one of the most renowned universities in the world. Since its establishment in 1810, the institution has undergone several redevelopments and improvements that have led them to become a world-class university widely known to students and professionals across the globe. More so, the university is the home of several elite individuals and Nobel laureates such as Albert Einstein, Karl Marx, and Max Planck. A truly exceptional institution that provides the highest standards of education.

6. Free University of Berlin

  • Total Number of Students : 33000
  • QS Rankings : # 127 in the World
  • Times Higher Education Rankings : # 83 in the World
  • US News Rankings : # 95 in the World
  • Free University of Berlin Page

Besides academic and research excellence, extracurricular activities, leadership participation, and career opportunities are also worth it to consider when choosing your host university. All these reasons make Free University of Berlin one of the best universities in Germany.

Home to more than 33,000 students, the Free University of Berlin is a highly-acknowledged institution in Germany. For the past decades, they have been recognized for their quality study programs at all levels and their contribution to various scientific research. They also have a consistent position in global rankings, proving their excellence in the academe.

7. RWTH Aachen University

  • Total Number of Students : 47269
  • Total Number of International Students : 13354
  • Percentage of International Students : 28.3 %
  • QS Rankings : # 165 in the World
  • Times Higher Education Rankings : # 108 in the World
  • US News Rankings : # 192 in the World
  • RWTH Aachen University Page

RWTH Aachen University is among the top universities in Germany and is most recognized for its excellence in engineering and natural sciences. The university strongly focuses on research and practical learning, which is why it continues to maintain close ties with its industry partners. The university also takes pride in producing many notable individuals who have received various awards in research and innovation. 

8. Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg

  • Total Number of Students : 24240
  • Total Number of International Students : 4349
  • Percentage of International Students : 17.9 %
  • QS Rankings : # 172 in the World
  • Times Higher Education Rankings : # 108 in the World
  • US News Rankings : # 172 in the World
  • Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg Page

The Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, most commonly referred to as the University of Freiburg, is a public university in Germany founded in 1457. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various disciplines taught in German, English, and French. The university has more than 24,000 students across its 11 faculties.

9. Eberhard Karl University of Tübingen

  • Total Number of Students : 28159
  • Total Number of International Students : 3927
  • Percentage of International Students : 13.9 %
  • QS Rankings : # 177 in the World
  • Times Higher Education Rankings : # 78 in the World
  • US News Rankings : # 180 in the World
  • Eberhard Karl University of Tübingen Page

The Eberhard Karl University of Tübingen, also called the University of Tübingen, was founded in 1477, making it among the oldest universities in Germany. It is also one of the best, having been one of the 11 German Excellence Universities. Besides its academic standing in the international community, the university is known for its research breakthroughs, particularly in Chemistry and Medicine.

10. Rhenish Friedrich Wilhelm University of Bonn

  • Total Number of Students : 35000
  • Total Number of International Students : 4400
  • Percentage of International Students : 12.6 %
  • QS Rankings : # 226 in the World
  • Times Higher Education Rankings : # 112 in the World
  • US News Rankings : # 119 in the World
  • Rhenish Friedrich Wilhelm University of Bonn Page

The Rhenish Friedrich Wilhelm University of Bonn offers more than 200 courses for over 35,000 German and international students. It is known for its academic excellence and innovative research aimed at promoting sustainability and addressing different social and scientific issues. It is also recognized as the university that has produced the most Nobel Prize winners and recipients of other notable awards in Germany. 

11. Georg August University of Göttingen

  • Total Number of Students : 29167
  • Total Number of International Students : 4400
  • Percentage of International Students : 15.1 %
  • QS Rankings : # 204 in the World
  • Times Higher Education Rankings : # 119 in the World
  • US News Rankings : # 149 in the World
  • Georg August University of Göttingen Page

The Georg August University of Göttingen, commonly referred to as the University of Göttingen, is one of the public universities in Germany. Founded in 1737, the university has established a long history of academic and research excellence in various disciplines, such as Humanities and Sciences. At present, the university has a student population of more than 29,000, with over 15% international students.

12. University of Hamburg

  • Total Number of Students : 44185
  • Total Number of International Students : 5689
  • Percentage of International Students : 12.9 %
  • QS Rankings : # 214 in the World
  • Times Higher Education Rankings : # 132 in the World
  • US News Rankings : # 156 in the World
  • University of Hamburg Page

The University of Hamburg, founded in 1919,  is one of the public universities in Germany internationally renowned for academic and research excellence. With more than 44,000 students, the university is also the largest in the region. It offers over 170 degree programs in various disciplines, such as Business, Medicine, Education, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences.

13. University of Bamberg

The University of Bamberg, or Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg in German, is a public institution in Bavaria, Germany. The university’s specialties include humanities, economics, and applied computer science. Such disciplines are covered by four faculties that comprise the University of Bamberg. The university also has several partnerships with foreign universities that offer degree programs.

14. Technical University of Berlin

  • Total Number of Students : 33631
  • Total Number of International Students : 8638
  • Percentage of International Students : 25.7 %
  • QS Rankings : # 159 in the World
  • Times Higher Education Rankings : # 139 in the World
  • US News Rankings : # 330 in the World
  • Technical University of Berlin Page

Located in the nation’s capital, the Technical University of Berlin is a public university known for its world-class quality of education and research in various fields. The university aims to impart not only academic expertise to its students but also independence, creativity, social awareness, critical thinking, and other skills that would make them highly adaptable, competent, and socially responsible individuals. TU Berlin is also dedicated to conducting innovative research to help make society better.

15. University of Würzburg

  • Total Number of Students : 27092
  • Total Number of International Students : 2269
  • Percentage of International Students : 8.4 %
  • Times Higher Education Rankings : # 165 in the World
  • US News Rankings : # 185 in the World
  • University of Würzburg Page

The University of Würzburg is the home of well-known personalities of highly respected public officials, distinguished scientists, and world-renowned scholars. With years in operation, it is considered one of the elite institutions in the world. It is also no surprise that it is highly positioned in the European and world rankings. The university is genuinely world-class in providing exemplary academic programs and research.

16. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), or Karlsruher Institut für Technologie in german, is a leading public institution in Germany. KIT was established in 2009 due to the merging of two prominent schools: Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe and Universität Karlsruhe. With its rich history, it has grown to become a globally recognized institution providing a full range of study programs in the field of applied science. Some internationally recognized courses at KIT are engineering, informatics, humanities, and literature. Moreover, the institute has always supported society’s welfare by contributing significantly to research and teaching.

17. Technical University of Dresden

  • Total Number of Students : 30588
  • QS Rankings : # 194 in the World
  • Times Higher Education Rankings : # 172 in the World
  • US News Rankings : # 185 in the World
  • Technical University of Dresden Page

The Technical University of Dresden is one of the leading academic institutes in Germany. It offers programs across a wide range of disciplines at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Established in 1828, the university uniquely blends tradition and modernity. The university campus features buildings constructed in the post-war era as well as modern laboratories with the most advanced facilities in the world.

 

18. Goethe University Frankfurt

  • Total Number of Students : 42511
  • Total Number of International Students : 6988
  • Percentage of International Students : 16.4 %
  • Times Higher Education Rankings : # 301 in the World
  • US News Rankings : # 226 in the World
  • Goethe University Frankfurt Page

Goethe University Frankfurt, most commonly referred to as simply Goethe University, is a public higher education institution. It is situated in Frankfurt am Main, and was established back in 1914. The school has quite a big student population and a number of faculties, but these are distributed in its 4 major campuses.

19. University of Cologne

  • Total Number of Students : 50792
  • QS Rankings : # 311 in the World
  • Times Higher Education Rankings : # 172 in the World
  • US News Rankings : # 230 in the World
  • University of Cologne Page

The University of Cologne is recognized as one of the well-distinguished and research-focused institutions in Germany. It is one of the oldest schools founded in Central Europe, and it is also one of the biggest institutions in its country. The university has notable alumni that have received awards, such as the Noble Prize and Leibniz Prize.

20. University of Ulm

  • Total Number of Students : 10301
  • Total Number of International Students : 1356
  • Percentage of International Students : 13.2 %
  • QS Rankings : # 365 in the World
  • Times Higher Education Rankings : # 146 in the World
  • US News Rankings : # 314 in the World
  • University of Ulm Page

Decades after its establishment in 1967, the University of Ulm has transformed into one of Germany’s most distinguished research universities. The university is internationally oriented in shaping its curriculum and pushes to continue its strong reputation. The University of Ulm participates in various exchange programs and allows the students to gain additional experience abroad.

21. University of Münster

  • Total Number of Students : 44431
  • Total Number of International Students : 3482
  • Percentage of International Students : 7.8 %
  • QS Rankings : # 411 in the World
  • Times Higher Education Rankings : # 201 in the World
  • US News Rankings : # 227 in the World
  • University of Münster Page

The University of Münster has a profound and rich history that can be traced back to the 16th century. The institution has had a fair share of ups and downs, but it has flourished to become one of the most renowned and well-respected universities in Germany and across the globe. Over the years, it has designed and developed countless cutting-edge programs to accommodate a diverse group of students. And at present, several of its unique programs are considered to be globally acknowledged and desired by a significant number of prospective students.

22. Jacobs University

  • Total Number of Students : 1570
  • Times Higher Education Rankings : # 401 in the World
  • US News Rankings : # 122 in the World
  • Jacobs University Page

Founded in 2001, Jacobs University is a young university that offers quality education and research. They have various study programs in different fields and they are uniquely known for having an English-speaking campus. Students enjoy their stay here as the university provides a well-rounded community for both local and international students.

23. Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg

The Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg may have been founded in 1743, but it still takes pride in being a modern, research-oriented university that highly values equality and diversity. It currently offers 267 degree programs to over 38,000 students from within and outside Germany. FAU is also internationally recognized for being the second most innovative university in Europe. 

24. Ulm University of Applied Sciences

Known for short as THE due to its German translation, the Ulm University of Applied Sciences is one of the youngest institutions established in the country of Germany. Due to its robust teaching methods, Ulm University has high academic rankings in the following subjects: natural sciences, medicine, mathematics, economics, and computer science. Nearly half of the lectures have been performed in English to account for its international students, and many support services have been established to welcome applicants from abroad.

25. Ruhr University Bochum

  • Total Number of Students : 42599
  • Total Number of International Students : 6397
  • Percentage of International Students : 15.0 %
  • QS Rankings : # 416 in the World
  • Times Higher Education Rankings : # 251 in the World
  • US News Rankings : # 354 in the World
  • Ruhr University Bochum Page

Ruhr University Bochum is one of the largest public universities in Germany, with over 42,000 students. The university is also home to more than 6,000 international students and over 6,000 academic and non-academic staff. It offers bachelor’s and master’s programs in Social Science, Theology, History, Engineering, and Sciences.

We know that choosing your dream school in Germany not an easy task. After all, you need to consider other factors like the cost of your education, school background, and population, as it can be overwhelming on your part.

So, to help you out further in weighing your school options for studying in Germany, make sure to visit our list of the best public and private universities in Germany! These articles will surely help you in deciding your next study destination!