What are the best universities in Germany? In recent years, studying abroad in Germany has gained more and more recognition and attention. Top universities in Germany are spread across the country. It’s popular for students to study in Munich, Berlin, and 40 other cities. Overall, there are 49 universities in Germany ranked among the world’s top universities. Those top universities in Germany offer over 500 degrees (bachelor’s and master’s programs) taught in English. So what are the top 10 universities in Germany? And which university is your dream?
Private & Public Universities in Germany
Before we start, let’s check the difference between private and public universities in Germany.
- Most universities in Germany are funded by the state, and some are funded by the Christian or Catholic Church. These are public universities. The best public universities in Germany include Technical University of Munich, Heidelberg University, Humboldt University of Berlin, and more. Most public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees. Students only need to pay registration fees and miscellaneous fees, which is very attractive for international students.
- In addition, there are currently nearly 120 private universities whose academic qualifications are recognized by the state. Most of them are universities of applied sciences. Currently, the vast majority of students in Germany choose to enroll in public universities and only about 10% choose private universities. Why is this? The main reason is the high tuition fees.
If you are interested in academic research and want to learn theoretical knowledge in depth, public universities may be more suitable for you. If you pay more attention to the cultivation of practical skills and hope to adapt to the workplace more quickly, private universities may be a good choice.
References for the Best Universities in Germany
When choosing a target university to study abroad in Germany, it is important to understand the global rankings and academic reputations of different universities. Every year, the university rankings data released by major global ranking agencies provide students with a clear reference. The following are several authoritative ranking systems that most people refer to when analyzing and recommending the best universities in Germany:
| Authoritative Ranking System | Main Basis | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings | Academic reputation, employer reputation, staff-to-student ratio, internationalization, academic citations/paper citations, international student ratio | With large global sample and authoritative survey. Measure a university’s position in the global academic and job market |
| Times Higher Education (THE) | Teaching quality, research influence, internationalization and industry income | Pay more attention to teaching quality and internationalization |
| Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) | Number of Nobel Prize and Fields Medal winners, number of highly cited researchers, number of papers published and cited, international academic collaboration | Research-oriented, especially suitable for students who want to engage in scientific research or academic fields |
✅ If you focus on academics, then your reference order should be: ARWU > Times > QS
✅ If you pay more attention to employment, you can refer to the list of universities in Germany in this order: QS > Times > ARWU
Overview: Best Universities in Germany
The best universities in Germany include both young technical universities and prestigious old comprehensive universities. Among the top 200 universities in the world, Germany occupies 20 places, second only to the United Kingdom and the United States. Below, we have listed the top 10 universities in Germany, referring to the QS and Times rankings.
| Universities in Germany | QS Ranking | Times Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Technical University of Munich (TUM) | 28 | 26 |
| Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich) | 59 | 38 |
| Heidelberg University | 84 | 47 |
| Free University of Berlin | 97 | 104 |
| RWTH Aachen University | 99 | 92 |
| Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) | 102 | 166 |
| Humboldt University of Berlin | 126 | 84 |
| Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin) | 147 | 140 |
| University of Hamburg | 191 | 132 |
| University of Freiburg | 212 | 128 |
In addition to the top 10 universities in the table above, Germany has many other excellent universities, such as the University of Tübingen, University of Bonn, University of Göttingen, etc. Germany has attracted increasing attention from international students in the past few years due to its top academic atmosphere, economic status in Europe and relatively low study abroad costs.
Top 10 Universities in Germany
1. Technical University of Munich (TUM)
🏫 German name: Technische Universität München
📍 Location: Munich
💶 Fees for international students:
– Bachelor: €2,000-€3,000/Semester
– Master: €4,000-€6,000/Semester
🧑 Number of students: 44,000
📚 Acceptance rate: 8%-10%
TUM is one of the best universities in Germany. It is a top European research university, considered a symbol of German universities in the world today, and is consistently ranked 1st among universities in Germany. Its academic achievements have a great influence all over the world, especially in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, etc. In cutting-edge technology fields such as automotive engineering, robotics, and artificial intelligence, TUM is a world-leading source of innovation.
TUM has close cooperation with many world-famous companies and industries. It maintains partnerships with top automobile manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Bosch, as well as top IT companies around the world. Students have a wide range of internship and employment opportunities. If you have a strong interest in engineering, computer science, automation and robotics, TUM is undoubtedly one of the best universities in Germany to apply to.
2. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich)
🏫 German name: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
📍 Location: Munich
💶 Fees: €126/Semester for registration, tuition-free
🧑 Number of students: 50,000
📚 Acceptance rate: 10%
Founded by Duke Ludwig in 1472, the University of Munich is one of the most outstanding and culturally rich universities in Germany and Europe. It is also a member of the German Elite University and the European Research University Alliance. The University of Munich is an internationally leading research university, ranking 13th in the global university Nobel Prize rankings with 34 Nobel Prize winners. Among its graduates are scientists and politicians such as Max Planck, Werner Heisenberg, and Konrad Adenauer.
The University of Munich (LMU) is one of the first three “elite universities” of the German government, the other two being the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). The first three universities that stood out are the most outstanding representatives of Germany’s top universities – the German version of the “Ivy League”. Currently, the University of Munich has 18 different faculties and has a global leading influence in the fields of life sciences, medicine, physics, law and social sciences.
3. Heidelberg University
🏫 German name: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
📍 Location: Heidelberg
💶 Fees: €500/Semester for tuition fees, €104/Semester for registration
🧑 Number of students: 30,000
📚 Acceptance rate: 17%
Founded in 1386, Heidelberg University is located in the university city of Heidelberg in Baden-Württemberg. It is the oldest university in Germany and the third university in the Holy Roman Empire after Charles University (1348) and the University of Vienna (1365). It is a member of the 4EU+ Alliance, German Elite Universities, the European Research University Alliance, the Coimbra Group, the U15 University Alliance and the European University Association.
As a traditional research university, it has a very high academic status in the fields of life sciences, medicine, philosophy, and humanities. Heidelberg University pays special attention to interdisciplinary cooperation and internationalization, and its medical research level is particularly outstanding. It is an important research center in the global medical community. If you are interested in medicine, life sciences or biotechnology, Heidelberg University will provide you with the most advanced research facilities and an international academic environment.
4. Free University of Berlin
🏫 German name: Freie Universität Berlin
📍 Location: Berlin
💶 Fees: €50/Semester for registration
🧑 Number of students: 33,500
📚 Acceptance rate: 15%
The Free University of Berlin was founded in 1948 during the Cold War. Some teachers and students of the former University of Berlin established this university in West Berlin in pursuit of academic freedom.
It is a member of several alliances, including the German Elite University and the U15 University Alliance. In terms of humanities and social sciences, the Durham Humanities Center has the largest research breadth in Germany, with regional research covering multiple countries, and leading rankings in disciplines such as archaeology and political science. In the field of natural sciences, life sciences and earth sciences are the focus, and physics and mathematics are also good. It also has the largest pharmaceutical training base in Germany.
5. RWTH Aachen University
🏫 German name: Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen
📍 Location: Aachen
💶 Fees: €305/Semester
🧑 Number of students: 47,000
📚 Acceptance rate: 15%
RWTH Aachen University is the largest technical university in Germany and also a renowned top technical university in Europe. In the university rankings of Wirtschaftswoche, RWTH Aachen University ranked first in Germany in mechanical engineering, economic engineering, and informatics. It is now a member of the strategic alliance of the four top European universities of science and technology (IDEA Alliance).
The engineering disciplines of RWTH Aachen University are the best among German universities of science and technology, especially in mechanical engineering, where they have an overwhelming advantage. The university currently has more than 10,000 professors and full-time lecturers and more than 45,000 registered students. Among them, engineering students account for as high as 57%.
6. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
🏫 German name: Karlsruher Institut für Technologie
📍 Location: Karlsruher
💶 Fees: €1,500/Semester tuition fees
🧑 Number of students: 25,000
📚 Acceptance rate: 25%-30%
KIT is one of the best public universities in Germany, which is known as the “German MIT”, located in the famous city on the border between Germany and France – Karlsruhe. It is recognized as one of the top universities in Germany for science and engineering, and one of the world’s top research universities with a high reputation in the fields of natural sciences and engineering technology.
Among its alumni and professors, there are world-renowned scientists, entrepreneurs and social celebrities. They include Heinrich Hertz, the “discoverer of electromagnetic waves”, Otto Lehmann, the “father of liquid crystals”, Fritz Haber, the “father of synthetic ammonia”, Edward Teller, the “father of the hydrogen bomb”, Hermann Staudinger, the “father of polymer chemistry”, and Karl Benz, the “father of the car”. KIT is mainly involved in STEM fields and currently has 25,100 students. Their main research areas include energy, transportation and information. It operates an Innovation Center and Entrepreneurship, which provides free advice and resources to students and alumni seeking to start a business.
7. Humboldt University of Berlin (HU Berlin)
🏫 German name: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
📍 Location: Berlin
💶 Fees: €200-€300/Semester
🧑 Number of students: 35,000
📚 Acceptance rate: 18%
Humboldt University of Berlin is one of the best public universities in Germany. This comprehensive research university was founded in 1810 and is the oldest university in Berlin, one of the most influential universities in Europe, member of the German elite. It was the first university in the world to integrate scientific research and teaching, and is known as the “mother of the modern university”.
In terms of college facilities and program settings, Humboldt University of Berlin has the largest medical department and the largest open-shelf library in Europe. The Law School of Humboldt University is one of the best law schools. Literature, neuroscience, philosophy, sociology, mathematics, physics and life sciences are all world-renowned.
8. Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin)
🏫 German name: Technische Universität Berlin
📍 Location: Berlin
💶 Fees: €150/Semester for registration
🧑 Number of students: 22,500
📚 Acceptance rate: 52%
The Technical University of Berlin (TUB) was founded in 1879 and is one of the best universities in Germany for engineering. It is also one of the most important research institutions in the fields of engineering technology and natural sciences in the world. In addition to the main campus in central Berlin, there are other campuses across the city and a satellite campus in El Gouna, Egypt.
The quality and scientific research level of TUB has always been in the leading position internationally. Many research fields, such as energy technology, transportation technology, information technology, biotechnology, environmental engineering, architecture and urban planning, enjoy a high reputation worldwide. Moreover, TU Berlin also has many institutes and centers, such as the Institute of Aerospace Technology, the Institute of Energy Technology, and the Institute of Transportation.
9. University of Hamburg
🏫 German name: Universität Hamburg
📍 Location: Hamburg
💶 Fees: €150-€250/Semester for registration
🧑 Number of students: 42,000
📚 Acceptance rate: 18%-24%
Founded in 1919, the University of Hamburg is located in Hamburg, one of the three major state-level cities in Germany. It is the largest academic research and education center in northern Germany and one of the 10 largest universities in Germany. As a comprehensive university, its academic research in humanities, social sciences and natural sciences is renowned worldwide. It has produced 6 Nobel Prize winners and 6 Leibniz Prize winners, and is a member of the German top university alliance “U15”.
The University of Hamburg is an open, international university that aims to become a “gateway to the world of science”. It maintains partnerships with many universities around the world, such as Fudan University, National Taiwan University, Kyoto University in Japan, Seoul National University in South Korea, Johns Hopkins University, etc. Dominant majors include Economics, Journalism and Media, Food Chemistry, Sinology, Asian Studies, Law, Agriculture, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Immunology.
10. University of Freiburg
🏫 German name: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
📍 Location: Freiburg
💶 Fees: €1500/Semester
🧑 Number of students: 25,000
📚 Acceptance rate: 33%
Founded in 1457, the University of Freiburg is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Germany. To date, the university has produced 13 Leibniz Prize winners (Germany’s highest scientific research honor) and 23 Nobel Prize winners, ranking 32nd in the world. The university is located in southwestern Germany, close to the borders of France and Switzerland, with a beautiful environment and convenient living.
The University of Freiburg has advanced research facilities and laboratories, providing students with excellent research and academic resources. Popular majors include engineering (especially environmental engineering and energy engineering), computer science and information technology, life sciences (such as biology, biomedicine, biochemistry), economics and management, and social sciences (such as sociology, psychology, political science).
Why Study Abroad in Germany?
- Complete Education System
The high-quality education in Germany is renowned. It’s home to hundreds of internationally ranked universities and colleges, which are pretty affordable as well! Excellent theoretical teaching and sufficient practice are combined, so that students can quickly adapt to the workplace after graduation.
2. English-Taught Courses
Studying abroad in Germany doesn’t mean you have to speak German very well! You can easily find English-taught courses at most universities in Germany that cater to international students.
3. Affordable Cost of Living
The cost of living in Germany is surprisingly low compared to neighboring countries like France, the Netherlands, and the UK. If you’re a student, the living expenses can be even lower thanks to various student discounts.
4. Scholarship
There are many different options for scholarships to finance your studies in Germany – both from private institutions and from the state government.
5. International Community
Since Germany is such a popular destination for studying abroad, there will be plenty of international students from different countries and regions. You’re in the exact same situation – starting life in a new country where you may not know anyone. So most are always willing to make friends and hang out after class.
Book Accommodation at uhome.com
Finding accommodation is one of the most important things when you’re going to study abroad in Germany. As a professional rental portal, uhomes.com can be your reliable assistant. You can easily find student accommodation in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt am Main, and many other popular cities.
Click the property you’re interested in and check the detailed information. Photos, videos, community amenities, provided room types, fees, house rules, and other information will be shown on the webpage.
Conclusion
In addition to what we’ve discussed above, there are countless other great universities in Germany for foreign students, like University of Tübingen, University of Bonn, University of Göttingen, University of Cologne, and more. The profound cultural heritage, beautiful natural environment, and high-quality education system continue to attract students from all over the world to receive higher education in Germany. And what’s better: it’s really budget-friendly!
FAQ
What is the #1 university in Germany?
The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is the best university in Germany. It ranks 28th in the 2025 QS ranking, and 26th in Times ranking.
What is the Harvard of Germany?
The University of Mannheim. Its business school is the only one in Germany accredited by the world’s three major certification agencies, AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. The economics and management of the University of Mannheim are well-known in Germany. It is known as the “Harvard of Germany”.
What is Germany's oldest university?
Heidelberg University. It was established in 1386 and is the oldest university in Germany.
