STUDY IN GERMANY

Overview

Continental Europe's financial heart is also its most popular study destination. Read our guide to find out more about studying abroad in Germany.
Germany is a country characterized by variety. Trendy and modern Berlin can seem a world away from the more traditional and conservative Munich; the gleaming skyscrapers of Frankfurt form a stark contrast to quaint Heidelberg; if bustling and fast-paced Hamburg becomes too much, you can always retreat to the peaceful and picturesque Middle Rhine region.
Perhaps this range of variety is not too surprising for a nation that only came into being in the mid-19th century, and spent nearly half of the following century split in two.

Universities in Germany

One area in which Germany’s is more consistent is higher education. It boasts one of Western Europe’s oldest and most prestigious universities in Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg (55 in the 2012/13 QS World University Rankings), while its highest ranking institution,Technische Universität München, ranks 53rd.
Beyond that, every major city you can think of has at least one ranking university – and with 11 universities in the top 200, and a total of 42 making the rankings overall, you won’t struggle to find a quality institution. Many of these are newer establishments, which have climbed to the top in no time at all, demonstrating the strength of the German system.
Top it all off with a famously friendly and tolerant population, and decent prospects on graduation, and it’s easy to see why Deutschland is one of the most popular study abroad destinations in the world.
Studying at master’s or PhD level? Read our graduate-level guide to Germany >

Fast Fact

• Federal republic split into 16 states, known as Länder
• Parliamentary democracy with bicameral legislature headed by chancellor (currently Angela Merkel),
• Head of state is the largely ceremonial president (currently Joachim Gauck)
• Population: 81.5 million
• Area: 357,022 sq km (slightly smaller than Japan)
• Borders with: France, Poland, Czech Republic, Denmark, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium and Austria
• Capital city: Berlin
• Official language: German
• Germany has the world’s fourth biggest GDP
• There are no speed limits on German motorways (autobahn)
• Central European Time (UTC+1), switching to Daylight Saving Time in summer (UTC+2)
• International dialling code: +49
• Member state of the European Union
• Currency: Euro (€)

Lifestyle

Discover some of Germany's top student cities...

Study in Berlin

Cities don’t get much trendier than Berlin, which competes with cities like London and New York in terms of cool. It goes without saying this tolerant, multicultural and creative city is known for being a great place to be as a student – and it helps that it’s famously inexpensive.

And like any capital city worth its salt, it has quality institutions to back this up: three of Berlin’s universities make the QS World University Rankings: Freie Universität Berlin (87), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (130) and Technische Universität Berlin (207).

Study in Munich

Thanks to Oktoberfest, Munich will forever be associated with beer. But there’s more to this southern city, often voted one of the world’s most liveable cities. For one thing, in Technische Universität München (ranked 53) and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (60), it is home to two of the world’s best universities. For another, it is a sleek modern financial hub.

The downside of this is that it can be pricey, but it won’t cost you anything to enjoy the beautiful Bavarian countryside in which the city is built. There’s plenty of history to enjoy too, and no visit to München would be complete without a visit to King Ludwig’s palaces and grottos.

Study in Heidelberg

Despite being part of one of Germany’s most densely populated areas, Heidelberg manages to retain a certain quaint rustic charm. It is popular with tourists, who come to see its dilapidated castle, and red roofed town centre. It is also famous for its university, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, which is Germany’s oldest (55) and most traditionally prestigious university. Need more proof of its reputation? Well, hopefully the eight Nobel Prize winners who have been through it will go some way towards convincing you...

Study in Cologne

Cologne is known for its dramatic cathedral, Kölner Dom, and its liberal and tolerant nature. It is peppered with museums and art galleries, does a good line in independent stores, particularly in its Agnesviertel district, and beer halls.

Direct trains run to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, and Luxembourg isn’t too far away either, so it can be a good choice for those who want to get further acquainted with Western Europe. Universität Köln, ranked 247, is Germany’s largest (and second oldest) university.

Study in Frankfurt am Main

The beating heart of Germany’s financial and business sectors, Frankfurt is also the home of the European Central Bank. Accordingly, its city center is a mass of gleaming skyscrapers, and its airport is the busiest in continental Europe.

However, none of this means that it lacks in other characteristics; for instance it is known for offering some of the best nightlife in Germany and hosts a number of colorful festivals throughout the year. Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main is ranked 201= in the world, and is particularly strong in social science subjects.

Search universities in Germany >

Practical Information

Admissions, entry and visa requirements

The fees charged at German universities depend on where you are studying. Universities in most Länder (regions) don’t charge fees, but some do (Bavaria, Lower Saxony and Hamburg – all which are home to popular universities); though at a maximum of €500 (around US$660) a semester, they are hardly the highest.

The application process you have to go through depends on a few factors. If you have a European qualification, such as a baccalaureate or A-levels, then you will only need to prove you can speak German (unless you’re enrolling on a course taught in English) and can apply directly for a university level course.

Students with other qualifications may have to sit the Feststellungsprüfung entrance examination after attending a preparatory Studienkolleg. High-achieving students may be able to bypass this.

Your subject will also play a part. For most, you can apply directly to the international office of the university. Alternatively, you can use uni-assist, a centralized admissions portal for international students.

For some subjects, though, there is a nationwide cap on the number of students who can enrol. For these subjects –mostly life sciences – students from the EU (and Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) need to apply through the Foundation of Higher Education Admission. Students from outside of the EU should apply as normal.

Visa restrictions depend on your country of origin.

Applicants from the EU (and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein):

• Do not need a visa or a residence permit to study in Germany.
• Must get a residence permit from the Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt (registration authority).
• Will need to prove you have or will have enough money for the first year of your stay (€659 – around US$870 – a month) and have purchased statutory health insurance if you’re under 30. Certain countries have bilateral agreements with Germany, which mean that insurance policies in the student’s home country will be applicable in Germany.
• If your course is in German, you will need to prove your proficiency at the application stage, for which a TestDaF or DSH score will be required. If your course is in English, as some are (though mostly at graduate level) then you’ll need to come up with an IELTS or TOEFL score.

Applicants from outside the EU:

• If you are from Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland or the US you will not need a visa to enter the country but you will need to register at the local Residents’ Registration Office and the Aliens’ Registration Office (Ausländeramt) in order to obtain a Residence Permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis).
• If you are from Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco, San Marino or Taiwan you will only need a visa if you want to work before or after your degree. You will need to apply for a residence permit.
• If you are from any other country you will need to obtain a visa from your local German embassy before you enter Germany, as well as a residence permit. Ensure that you apply for a National Visa for the purpose of study rather than a Schengen Visa which will only allow you to stay in Germany for three months.
• In order to get a residence permit you will need to present confirmation that you’ve registered at the Residents’ Registration Office, proof you have health cover (your university will help with this), proof of your financial means (see above), your passport (with visa if you need one) and a tenancy agreement which shows you have found somewhere to live. It will be valid for two years, after which time you must get in renewed.
• To obtain a visa, you will need to present the same list of things as you would for a Residence Permit. You may also have to provide proof that you don’t have a criminal record and are free of certain diseases. The specific list will depend on the embassy.
• The same language requirements apply as specified in the requirements for EU students. You may also need to produce this evidence at the visa stage.

Got questions about studying in Germany? Get advice in our international student forum >

Universities in Germany

Rank  Universities    Locations

1  Freie Universität Berlin

Berlin

2  Technische Universität Berlin

Berlin

3  Universität München

München

4  Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Berlin

5  Universität Leipzig

Leipzig

6  Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen

Aachen

7  Universität Hamburg

Hamburg

8  Universität Heidelberg

Heidelberg

9  Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn

Bonn

10  Technische Universität Chemnitz

Chemnitz

11  Universität zu Köln

Köln

12  Universität Freiburg

Freiburg

13  Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Bochum

14  Universität Stuttgart

Stuttgart

15  Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main

Frankfurt am Main

16  Westfälische Wilhelms-Universitat Münster

Münster

17  Technische Universität München

München ...

18  Technische Universität Dresden

Dresden

19  Universität Tübingen

Tübingen

20  Universität Bremen

Bremen

21  Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

Erlangen ...

22  Leibniz Universität Hannover

Hannover

23  Georg-August-Universität Göttingen

Göttingen

24  Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz

Mainz ...

25  Universität Würzburg

Würzburg

26  Universität Regensburg

Regensburg

27  Universität Trier

Trier

28  Universität zu Kiel

Kiel

29  Karlsruher Institut für Technologie

Karlsruhe

30  Universität Bielefeld

Bielefeld

31  Universität des Saarlandes

Saarbrücken

32  Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena

Jena

33  Heinrich-Heine-Universitaet Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf

34  Technische Universität Darmstadt

Darmstadt

35  FernUniversität in Hagen

Hagen

36  Philipps-Universität Marburg

Marburg

37  Universität Mannheim

Mannheim

38  Universität Potsdam

Potsdam

39  Universität Giessen

Giessen

40  Universität Duisburg-Essen

Essen

41  Universität Ulm

Ulm

42  Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg

Oldenburg

43  Technische Universität Kaiserslautern

Kaiserslautern

44  Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg

Halle

45  Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Berlin

46  Universität Konstanz

Konstanz

47  Universität Bayreuth

Bayreuth

48  Universität Kassel

Kassel ...

49  Universität Osnabrück

Osnabrück

50  Universität Paderborn

Paderborn

51  Universität Rostock

Rostock

52  Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg

Magdeburg

53  Universität Augsburg

Augsburg

54  Bergische Universität Wuppertal

Wuppertal

55  Technische Universität Ilmenau

Ilmenau

56  Universität Siegen

Siegen

57  Technische Universität Braunschweig

Braunschweig

58  Universität Passau

Passau

59  Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald

Greifswald

60  Technische Universität Clausthal

Clausthal-Zellerfeld

61  Fachhochschule Köln

Köln ...

62  Fachhochschule Aachen

Aachen ...

63  Technische Universität Dortmund

Dortmund

64  Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften Hamburg

Hamburg

65  Universität Bamberg

Bamberg

66  Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin

Berlin

67  Bauhaus-Universität Weimar

Weimar

68  Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg

Freiberg

69  Universität Hohenheim

Stuttgart

70  Hochschule der Medien

Stuttgart

71  Leuphana Universität Lüneburg

Lüneburg

72  Hochschule Augsburg

Augsburg

73  Technische Universität Hamburg-Harburg

Hamburg

74  Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur Leipzig

Leipzig

75  Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften München

München

76  Hochschule Wismar

Wismar

77  Universität Erfurt

Erfurt

78  EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht

Wiesbaden ...

79  Medizinische Hochschule Hannover

Hannover

80  Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus

Cottbus

81  Universität der Künste Berlin

Berlin

82  Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt

Eichstätt

83  Hochschule Bremen

Bremen

84  Universität Hildesheim

Hildesheim

85  Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin

Berlin

86  Fachhochschule Bielefeld

Bielefeld ...

87  Universität der Bundeswehr München

Neubiberg

88  Fachhochschule für Oekonomie & Management

Essen

89  Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Dresden (FH)

Dresden

90  Hochschule Karlsruhe - Technik und Wirtschaft

Karlsruhe

91  Fachhochschule Dortmund

Dortmund

92  Fachhochschule Potsdam

Potsdam

93  Jacobs University Bremen

Bremen

94  Hochschule Osnabrück

Osnabrück

95  Universität Koblenz-Landau

Koblenz ...

96  Hochschule Furtwangen

Furtwangen ...

97  Fachhochschule Mainz

Mainz

98  Pädagogische Hochschule Ludwigsburg

Ludwigsburg ...

99  Helmut-Schmidt-Universität

Hamburg

100  Kunsthochschule für Medien Köln

Köln

101  Hochschule Bremerhaven

Bremerhaven

102  Hochschule Darmstadt

Darmstadt ...

103  Universität zu Lübeck

Lübeck

104  Fachhochschule Wedel

Wedel

105  Fachhochschule Kiel

Kiel ...

106  Hochschule für Bankwirtschaft Frankfurt am Main

Frankfurt am Main

107  Hochschule Esslingen

Esslingen

108  Fachhochschule Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf

109  Hochschule Pforzheim

Pforzheim

110  Hochschule Konstanz

Konstanz

111  Universität Witten/Herdecke

Witten ...

112  Fachhochschule Kaiserslautern

Kaiserslautern

113  Hochschule RheinMain

Wiesbaden

114  Fachhochschule Worms

Worms

115  Fachhochschule Jena

Jena

116  Fachhochschule Stralsund

Stralsund

117  Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen

Giessen ...

118  WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management

Vallendar

119  Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart

Stuttgart

120  Universität Flensburg

Flensburg

121  Hochschule Mittweida (FH)

Mittweida

122  Hochschule Niederrhein

Krefeld ...

123  HAWK Hochschule Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen

Hildesheim ...

124  Hochschule Merseburg (FH)

Merseburg

125  Handelshochschule Leipzig

Leipzig

126  Hochschule Ravensburg-Weingarten

Weingarten ...

127  Fachhochschule Flensburg

Flensburg

128  Fachhochschule Schmalkalden

Schmalkalden

129  Staatliche Hochschule für Gestaltung Karlsruhe

Karlsruhe

130  Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle

Halle

131  Hochschule Heilbronn

Heilbronn ...

132  Hochschule Harz (FH)

Wernigerode ...

133  Alice Salomon Hochschule Berlin

Berlin

134  Zeppelin University

Friedrichshafen

135  Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover

Hannover

136  Fachhochschule Brandenburg

Brandenburg an der Havel

137  Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg

Sankt Augustin ...

138  Europäische Fernhochschule Hamburg

Hamburg

139  Hochschule Vechta

Vechta

140  Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde

Eberswalde

141  Bucerius Law School

Hamburg

142  Hochschule Anhalt (FH)

Köthen

143  Hochschule Rosenheim

Rosenheim

144  Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft des Saarlandes

Saarbrücken

145  Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal (FH)

Magdeburg ...

146  Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Umwelt Nürtingen-Geislingen

Nürtingen ...

147  Fachhochschule Frankfurt am Main

Frankfurt am Main

148  Hochschule für Bildende Künste Hamburg

Hamburg

149  Fachhochschule Münster

Münster

150  Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler

Berlin

151  Hochschule für Technik Stuttgart

Stuttgart

152  Hochschule Regensburg

Regensburg

153  Europa-Universität Viadrina

Frankfurt (Oder) ...

154  Westsächsische Hochschule Zwickau (FH)

Zwickau ...

155  Hochschule für Bildende Künste Braunschweig

Braunschweig

156  Ostfalia - Fachhochschule Braunschweig/Wolfenbüttel

Wolfenbüttel ...

157  Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig

Leipzig

158  Hochschule Bochum

Bochum

159  Fachhochschule Lübeck

Lübeck

160  Nordakademie Hochschule der Wirtschaft

Elmshorn

161  Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf

Freising ...

162  Hochschule Trier

Trier ...

163  Hertie School of Governance

Berlin

164  Hochschule Coburg

Coburg

165  Beuth Hochschule für Technik Berlin

Berlin

166  Hochschule Fulda

Fulda

167  Macromedia Hochschule für Medien und Kommunikation

München

168  Steinbeis-Hochschule Berlin

Berlin

169  Hochschule für Film und Fernsehen Konrad Wolf

Potsdam

170  Pädagogische Hochschule Karlsruhe

Karlsruhe

171  Hochschule Fresenius

Idstein

172  Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover

Hannover

173  Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln

Köln

174  Hochschule Reutlingen

Reutlingen

175  Fachhochschule Bingen

Bingen

176  Fachhochschule Nordhausen

Nordhausen

177  HFH Hamburger Fern-Hochschule

Hamburg

178  Hochschule Aalen

Aalen

179  Fachhochschule Südwestfalen

Iserlohn

180  Hochschule Hannover

Hannover

181  Private Fachhochschule Göttingen

Göttingen ...

182  Fachhochschule Erfurt

Erfurt

183  Alanus Hochschule für Kunst und Gesellschaft

Alfter

184  Mediadesign Hochschule

Berlin

185  Deutsche Universität für Weiterbildung

Berlin

186  Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt Weimar

Weimar

187  Pädagogische Hochschule Heidelberg

Heidelberg

188  Hochschule Landshut

Landshut

189  Fachhochschule Würzburg-Schweinfurt

Würzburg ...

190  Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock

Rostock

191  Fachhochschule Koblenz

Koblenz ...

192  Hochschule für Musik und Theater Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Leipzig

Leipzig

193  Pädagogische Hochschule Freiburg

Freiburg

194  Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg

Hamburg

195  Hochschule Ingolstadt

Ingolstadt

196  SRH Hochschule Heidelberg

Heidelberg

197  Hochschule Mannheim

Mannheim

198  Hochschule für Philosophie

München

199  Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Stuttgart

Stuttgart

200  European School of Management and Technology

Berlin

201  Fachhochschule Ludwigshafen

Ludwigshafen

202  Deutsche Hochschule für Verwaltungswissenschaften Speyer

Speyer

203  Internationale Hochschule Bad Honnef

Bad Honnef ...

204  Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber

Dresden

205  Hochschule für Gestaltung Schwäbisch Gmünd

Schwäbisch Gmünd

206  Pädagogische Hochschule Schwäbisch Gmünd

Schwäbisch Gmünd

207  Weissensee Kunsthochschule Berlin

Berlin

208  Hochschule Lausitz

Senftenberg ...

209  Technische Hochschule Wildau

Wildau

210  Hochschule Nürnberg

Nürnberg

211  Hochschule Deggendorf

Deggendorf ...

212  Hochschule Kempten

Kempten

213  Akademie Mode & Design GmbH

Hamburg

214  Rheinische Fachhochschule Köln

Köln

215  Akademie der Bildenden Künste München

München

216  International School of Management

Dortmund ...

217  Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft

Paderborn ...

218  Katholische Hochschule Freiburg

Freiburg

219  AKAD Privathochschulen

Pinneberg ...

220  Hochschule Ulm, Technik, Informatik und Medien

Ulm

221  Hochschule für Musik Detmold

Detmold

222  Pädagogische Hochschule Weingarten

Weingarten

223  Hochschule für Künste Bremen

Bremen

224  Musikhochschule Lübeck

Lübeck

225  Europäische Fachhochschule

Brühl ...

226  Hochschule Hof

Hof

227  Hochschule Neubrandenburg

Neubrandenburg

228  Cologne Business School

Cologne

229  Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe

Lemgo ...

230  Fachhochschule Westküste

Heide ...

231  Hochschule für Musik Saar

Saarbrücken

232  Staatliche Hochschule für Bildende Künste - Städelschule

Frankfurt am Main

233  Fachhochschule des Mittelstands

Bielefeld

234  Kunstakademie Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf

235  Hochschule für Musik Freiburg

Freiburg

236  Staatliche Hochschule für Musik Trossingen

Trossingen

237  Katholische Stiftungsfachhochschule München

München ...

238  Hochschule Albstadt-Sigmaringen

Sigmaringen

239  Hochschule Aschaffenburg

Aschaffenburg

240  Fachhochschule Gelsenkirchen

Gelsenkirchen

241  Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule Sankt Georgen

Frankfurt am Main

242  Katholische Hochschule für Sozialwesen Berlin

Berlin

243  Munich Business School

München

244  Hochschule für Bildende Künste Dresden

Dresden

245  Theologische Hochschule Friedensau

Möckern OT Friedensau

246  Hochschule Emden/Leer

Emden

247  Folkwang Universität der Künste

Essen ...

248  Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf

249  design akademie berlin

Berlin

250  Hochschule für Fernsehen und Film München

München

251  HafenCity Universität Hamburg

Hamburg

252  Berliner Technische Kunsthochschule

Berlin

253  Fachhochschule Ansbach

Ansbach

254  Akademie der Bildenden Künste Nürnberg

Nürnberg

255  Technische Fachhochschule Georg Agricola zu Bochum

Bochum

256  SRH Hochschule Berlin

Berlin

257  Hochschule Zittau/Görlitz

Zittau ...

258  Hochschule für Soziale Arbeit Dresden

Dresden

259  APOLLON Hochschule der Gesundheitswirtschaft

Bremen

260  BiTS - Business and Information Technology School

Iserlohn

261  Augustana-Hochschule

Neuendettelsau

262  SRH FernHochschule Riedlingen

Riedlingen

263  Hochschule für Musik und Theater München

München

264  Evangelische Hochschule Freiburg

Freiburg

265  Fachhochschule des Bundes für öffentliche Verwaltung

Brühl

266  Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Karlsruhe

Karlsruhe ...

267  Hochschule Offenburg

Offenburg ...

268  Fachhochschule für öffentliche Verwaltung Nordrhein-Westfalen

Gelsenkirchen

269  Hochschule für Jüdische Studien

Heidelberg

270  Internationales Hochschulinstitut Zittau

Zittau

271  Evangelische Fachhochschule Rheinland-Westfalen-Lippe

Bochum

272  Merz Akademie

Stuttgart

273  hochschule 21 gemeinnützige GmbH

Buxtehude

274  Hochschule der Bildenden Künste Saar

Saarbrücken

275  Karlshochschule International University

Karlsruhe

276  Hochschule Rhein-Waal

Kleve

277  FHWT Vechta / Diepholz / Oldenburg

Vechta ...

278  ECLA of Bard

Berlin

279  Hochschule für Schauspielkunst Ernst Busch

Berlin

280  Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach am Main

Offenbach

281  Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule Vallendar

Vallendar

282  Hochschule für Musik Würzburg

Würzburg

283  Fachhochschule Amberg-Weiden

Amberg

284  EBC Hochschule

Hamburg ...

285  Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Mannheim

Mannheim

286  Evangelische Fachhochschule Ludwigsburg

Ludwigsburg

287  German Graduate School of Management & Law

Heilbronn

288  Kunstakademie Münster

Münster

289  Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule Benediktbeuern

Benediktbeuern

290  Katholische Hochschule Nordrhein-Westfalen

Köln ...

291  Fachhochschule für Angewandtes Management

Erding ...

292  Hochschule für Telekommunikation Leipzig

Leipzig

293  Muthesius Kunsthochschule

Kiel

294  ESMOD Internationale Kunsthochschule für Mode

Berlin ...

295  Katholische Fachhochschule Mainz

Mainz

296  Hochschule der Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe

Bonn

297  Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule Münster

Münster

298  Palucca Hochschule für Tanz Dresden

Dresden

299  Hochschule für Musik Nürnberg

Nürnberg

300  Psychologische Hochschule Berlin

Berlin

301  Hochschule für öffentliche Verwaltung Kehl

Kehl

302  IB-Hochschule Berlin

Berlin ...

303  Kirchliche Hochschule Wuppertal/Bethel

Wuppertal ...

304  Hochschule der populären Künste FH

Berlin

305  Fachhochschule der Diakonie

Bielefeld

306  nta Hochschule Isny

Isny im Allgäu

307  Hamburg School of Business Administration

Hamburg

308  bbw Hochschule

Berlin

309  Hochschule der Bundesagentur für Arbeit

Mannheim

310  Berufsakademie Eisenach

Eisenach

311  Fachhochschule für Rechtspflege Nordrhein-Westfalen

Bad Münstereifel

312  GISMA Business School

Hannover

313  SRH Hochschule Calw

Calw

314  Hochschule für Evangelische Kirchenmusik Bayreuth

Bayreuth

315  Evangelische Fachhochschule Nürnberg

Nürnberg

316  Fachhochschule Schwäbisch Hall

Schwäbisch Hall

317  International Psychoanalytic University

Berlin

318  Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln

Köln

319  Hochschule Neu-Ulm

Neu-Ulm

320  Baltic College

Schwerin ...

321  Evangelische Hochschule Berlin

Berlin

322  Hochschule für Kunsttherapie Nürtingen

Nürtingen

323  Fachhochschule für die Wirtschaft Hannover

Hannover

324  Evangelische Hochschule für Kirchenmusik

Halle

325  Hochschule Hamm-Lippstadt

Hamm

326  DEKRA Hochschule Berlin

Berlin

327  Hochschule Ruhr West

Mülheim an der Ruhr

328  Hochschule für Wirtschaft, Technik und Kultur

Berlin

329  SRH Hochschule für Logistik und Wirtschaft

Hamm

330  SRH Fachhochschule für Gesundheit Gera

Gera

331  H:G Hochschule für Gesundheit und Sport

Berlin

332  Hochschule für Öffentliche Verwaltung Bremen

Bremen

333  Freie Theologische Hochschule Giessen

Giessen

334  EBZ Business School

Bochum

335  Hochschule Neuss für Internationale Wirtschaft

Neuss

336  Hochschule für Gesundheit

Bochum

337  Adam-Ries-Fachhochschule

Erfurt ...

338  Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt am Main

Frankfurt am Main

339  Touro College Berlin

Berlin ...

340  Quadriga Hochschule Berlin

Berlin

341  Evangelische Hochschule für Soziale Arbeit und Diakonie

Hamburg

342  Evangelische Fachhochschule Darmstadt

Darmstadt ...

343  Hochschule für öffentliche Verwaltung und Finanzen Ludwigsburg

Ludwigsburg

344  Business School Potsdam

Potsdam ...

345  ISS International Business School of Service Management

Hamburg

346  Gustav-Siewerth-Akademie

Weilheim-Bierbronnen

347  Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe

Karlsruhe

348  BEST-Sabel Hochschule Berlin

Berlin

349  Fachhochschule für öffentliche Verwaltung

Mayen

350  Provadis Hochschule

Frankfurt am Main

351  Fachhochschule für Finanzen NRW

Nordkirchen

352  Medical School Hamburg

Hamburg

353  Hochschule Biberach

Biberach

354  Hochschule für Katholische Kirchenmusik und Musikpädagogik

Regensburg

355  Theologische Hochschule Reutlingen

Reutlingen

356  Hochschule für Kirchenmusik Herford

Herford

357  Fachhochschule Ottersberg

Ottersberg

358  Hochschule für Medien, Kommunikation und Wirtschaft

Berlin

359  Lutherische Theologische Hochschule Oberursel

Oberursel

360  Hochschule für Forstwirtschaft Rottenburg

Rottenburg am Neckar ...

361  Hochschule der Deutschen Bundesbank

Hachenburg

362  Katholische Hochschule für Soziale Arbeit

Saarbrücken

363  MSB Medical School Berlin

Berlin

364  Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule SVD St. Augustin

Sankt Augustin

365  akkon Hochschule für Humanwissenschaften

Berlin

366  Fachhochschule für Finanzen Edenkoben

Edenkoben

367  Fachhochschule Schwetzingen

Mannheim

368  Euro Business College Hamburg

Hamburg

369  FH KUNST Arnstadt

Arnstadt

370  Internationale Hochschule Calw

Bad Wildbad

International study in Germany

Why study abroad in Germany?

Germany has always packed a punch when it comes to academia. Its long list of Nobel Prize winners dates back to 1901 and includes one of the world’s most famous scholars, Albert Einstein. It is also home to many highly-rated institutions that feature prominently in international rankings.

• The Technische Universität München is Germany’s highest rated institution at 53 in the 2012 QS World University Rankings. Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg is next at 55, followed by Freie Universität Berlin at 87. In total there are 12 German universities in the top 200 of the QS rankings.
• There are more than 350 institutions offering higher education in Germany, with in excess of 14,000 degree courses on offer.
• Germany is split into 16 Länder (regions) and each is responsible for setting its own university fees and registration fees.
• More than 800 courses are offered at degree level in English in Germany, though many of these are above undergraduate level.

Entry and visa regulations

EU students do not need a visa to study in Germany, but will need to apply for a residence permit from the local resident registration office.

• There are two different methods of applying to university in Germany. In some cases, you apply directly to the institution, while other universities require you to use the centralised UniAssist system. Check with your chosen provider in the first case. Applications generally need to be in by mid-January for courses beginning in September.
• For subjects such as medicine, pharmacy and dentistry, there is a nationwide cap on the number of students who can enrol and students need to apply through the Foundation of Higher Education Admission.

Funding your study

In most Länder tuition is free, however even in regions where fees are charged these are modest at about £800 per year.

• Though Germany does have a system of providing grants and loans to students, these are not available to foreign students unless they have lived in the country for five years prior to beginning study.
• There are some scholarships available to foreign students and the German Academic Exchange Service maintains a database of current opportunities.
• Most Germany universities do provide some student accommodation, but the number of beds provided is very small compared to their student population. Because costs are low, waiting lists can be very long and at some universities students have little chance of securing a place in their first year. Many students therefore opt to live in private shared accommodation instead, but this also needs to be arranged well in advance of the semester start. Students who arrive late without anywhere to live often stay in hostels upon arrival and then search for a shared flat. Accommodation costs range from about £120-£320 per month, depending on location.

According to a HSBC survey, Germany is the least expensive study destination for UK students, with annual costs of just above £4,200 per year. Some typical costs include:

• Loaf of bread: £1.20+
• Cinema ticket: £6.50
• Coffee in a café: £2
• Small beer in a restaurant: £2
• Pair of Levis jeans: £40-£50
• One litre of milk: £0.60
• One way bus ticket: £1.80

As a student from an EU country, you are allowed to work part-time without any extra permit so long as you don’t work more than 19 hours per week during term-time. Many students work in hospitality and customer service roles, but to secure this type of job you’ll need good German language skills. Hourly rates are likely to be at least on par with the UK, and in some cases slightly higher.

Health and safety

EU students are entitled to use Germany’s healthcare system in the same way as nationals so long as they have a European Health Insurance Card.

• A consultation fee of about £8 applies to most visits to medical professionals and prescriptions cost about £4.  
• Germany is a relatively safe destination and violent crime is rare. In 2010, the number of annual crimes in Germany fell to its lowest level in 20 years, but despite this, pickpocketing and bike theft can be a problem in some areas so remain vigilant.

Helpful links

The German Academic Exchange Service provides a very helpful website for international students called Study in Germany.

Germany: Graduate Level Country Guide

Germany is one of the world's most popular destinations for international graduate students. And for good reason, as our guide explains.

Germany’s universities combine groundbreaking research with a centuries old tradition of higher education. Germany boasts one of the world’s oldest systems of higher education, its roots lying in the 14th century with the founding of Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg. Since then, Germany’s universities have always played a key part in the life of the country. 

Martin Luther proposed the central tenets of the Reformation from the University of Wittenberg, the German philosophical giants of the 17th and 18th centuries, such as Kant, Schopenhauer and Nietzsche, were tenured at universities in their home country, and in the modern age, Germany’s position as the major economic power of Europe is facilitated by the groundbreaking work in the field of engineering done at its universities.

Unsurprisingly, given the role they play in the country’s life (Germany hands out more PhDs annually – 25,000 – than any other European nation), the modern system is one of the world’s strongest. The top 500 of the 2012/12 QS World University Rankings features no less than 42 German institutions, 11 of which are in the top 200.

Resultantly it is very popular with international students, with the figures showing that over 250,000 are enrolled in German universities. Research conducted by QS has also shown that, amongst prospective graduate applicants, Germany only lags behind the US and the UK in terms of popularity as a study destination, having leapfrogged Australia and Canada.

See which German cities appear in the QS Best Student Cities >

International impetus

Aside from the strength of the system, and the cutting edge nature of the research being conducted, particularly in the sciences, a large part of Germany’s allure is the result of a conscious drive towards internationalization.

As well overt policies of cooperation, this is manifested in the adoption in of a higher educational structure more in line with the rest of Europe in recent years, as opposed to the previous system which made entry into the system a bit more of a challenge due to its incongruity. Students – doctoral ones in particular – will still have to have their previous qualifications validated.

You will also find that, in line with its prominence as a second language, a sizeable proportion of graduate courses in Germany are taught or conducted in English. If this is the case for the course on which you wish to enrol, there will be no language test if you’re from an Anglophone country. If you’re not, an IELTS or TOEFL score will be required.

If the course is in German, a TestDaF or DSH score will be required. But even if your course isn’t in German, learning the language while or before you’re there will be greatly beneficial if you wish to become better acquainted with the country in which you’ll be living and studying.

And acquainted you’ll probably want to be, as Germany boasts a rich cultural heritage, both historical and contemporary, as well a rich vein of natural beauty.

Top ten things to do while studying in Germany >

Costs and scholarships

While undergraduate degrees in Germany are free in most regions – though notably the regions with the most universities are those where (low) tuition fees are still charged – master’s degrees, those in English in particular, will cost you, as will PhDs.

The amount will vary depending on the university and the course, but you can expect fees in the range of €650-€2,500 a semester, though most universities will make provisions for those who struggle to meet the cost.

International students can seek funding from the German Academic Exchange Service (the DAAD) as well as various national (the Max Planck Institute, one of the most renowned scientific research bodies in the world, offers various scholarships, for example) and international bodies. Direct funding from universities is relatively rare. 

QS scholarships for graduate study >

Visa information

Students from EU countries, and those from Lichtenstein, Norway and Iceland, are free to study in Germany without any sort of visa restrictions, though they must report to the Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt (registration authority) within the first two weeks of their stay.

The registration office will give the student a certificate confirming their right to study in Germany if they can prove that they have enough money to fund the first year of their studies – reckoned to be around €659/month – and that they have statutory health insurance if they are under 30. Certain countries have bilateral agreements with Germany, which mean that insurance policies in the student’s home country will be applicable in Germany.

Other students, depending on their country of origin, will either have to apply for a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) from the local aliens’ authority, or a get a visa for the purpose of study (not a Schengen Visa!). Residents of certain countries only have to get a visa if they want to work before or after their studies. You can check which applies to you on the DAAD website. 

• Top ten things to do while studying in Germany >
• Studying abroad in Cologne: PhD profile >
• See which German cities appear in the QS Best Student Cities >