Top 10 universities in Germany you should know about!

Germany is becoming a  magnet for students all around the world. A perfect blend of classic and contemporary, Germany is popularly referred to as the student’s paradise. Universities in Germany are known for their top-notch research facilities. Besides this, the affordable living and work opportunities for international students are some major attractions. 

It has a friendly visa policy for non-Europeans. The student and residency visa, allows you to explore the entire Schengen area! The country ranks 3rd (right after US and UK) in the most widely respected rankings for international studies like QS Rankings and THE Rankings. 

So, if you’re interested in having a great study experience, learn about some of the best universities in Germany and why you should apply for them!

Read More: Top scholarships in Germany for international students

1. Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg (Universität Freiburg)

Founded in 1457, Universität Freiburg offers a diverse set of programs. These programs are some of the most innovative disciplines in the world. This puts it on the list of some great universities in Germany. 

You can get a degree in almost all important fields of study. You’ll also find that Universität Freiburg offers some of the best opportunities in research, teaching, and continuing education in an equitable environment. 

Curiosity, open-mindedness, and pluralism define the university and its achievements over the years. Notably, 21 Nobel Laureates are affiliated with this University as alumni, faculty, or researchers!

Read More: 5 steps to get the best jobs in Germany as an international student

2. Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen (Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen)

For over 5 centuries, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen has been a place of outstanding research and excellent teaching. It is a prestigious university, known for its theology, divinity, and also religious studies. It ranked 7th in the QS World University Rankings by Subject in 2023.

The University provides a welcoming environment, modern amenities, advanced programs, and excellent academic staff. These factors make it one of Germany’s top institutions.

Protestant and Catholic Theology is particularly popular among graduates of this university. Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen ranks high on the proxy metric for teaching quality, with a student-faculty ratio of 5:1.

3. Berlin Institute of Technology (Technische Universität Berlin or TU Berlin)

Located in the heart of Europe, this university, with its strong reputation and a broad choice of quality degree programs, is globally renowned. Student’s testimony reflects their satisfaction and the commitment of TU to enable students to realize their dreams. TU Berlin boasts excellent research and training programs and is one of the best university in Germany.

Excellence and quality are the defining parameters of this university. Students enjoy the comfortable and diverse environment and excel in math and natural sciences. Besides this, engineering and Systems Management are some of the most sought-after courses in TU Berlin.

4. RWTH Aachen University (Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen)

RWTH Aachen University is world-renowned for the excellence of its teaching and research degree programs. Consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in Germany, students from RWTH are some of the most innovative folks geared to solve global challenges. 

RWTH Aachen University understands what skills students need to be selected in designated universities. Accordingly, they give their students unique skill sets and even opportunities to succeed in the global job market. Boasting around 11,000 international students, RWTH is a force of drive and innovation.

Math, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Sciences are some of the most selected subjects here.

5. Free University of Berlin (Freie Universitaet Berlin)

Founded in 2007, the Free University of Berlin is relatively new. With its diverse network, it has become one of the leading institutions in science and teaching. The university holds around 13% of international students on campus enrolled in Bachelor’s Programmes and 27% enrollment by international students in Masters programs. 

By providing efficient programs they ensure all student’s futures. It is well-known for the Biology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy courses it offers.

6.  Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

Another name in the list of top universities in Germany is Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. It aims to contribute towards solving some of the biggest challenges faced by society through research and education. KIT is also very well-connected in the industry and offers various opportunities for student’s employment prospects. 

The worldwide exchange of knowledge it offers with the numerous international research projects defines this university. KIT emphasizes integrating students into interdisciplinary programs and international teams early on, thus fostering unique development opportunities. Architecture and Civil Engineering are some of the most popular programs here.

7. Humboldt University of Berlin (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

Humboldt is a well-regarded university, and they hold around 15% of international students. The University has a very well-reputed teaching team, consisting of 420 professors and over 1900 teaching assistants. This allows the University to be highly confident about the quality of its graduates. It enjoys a status in Germany rivaled only by a handful of other universities. 

Over 18% of the academic staff hail from different parts of the world. This further adds to the diversity profile of students as they become accepting of different perspectives. Law, Culture, Social Sciences, and Linguistics are some of the most sought-after courses here.

8. Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg (Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg)

Heidelberg University, Germany, teaches varied disciplines to all their students. Its mission is to broaden the knowledge and skills of its students and prepare them for the future. This university provides quality teaching in addition to its welcoming and comfortable environment.

The university offers equal opportunity and focuses on creating an ambitious and diverse community. Biosciences, Chemistry, Earth sciences, Law, and Modern Languages are some of the top courses at Heidelberg University.

9. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München)

The University is in the heart of Munich and ranks high on the list of Europe’s premier academic and research institutions. 

Founded in 1472, LMU has attracted and inspired scholars worldwide. This is evident from the 15% international student ratio that it has maintained for decades. 

For over 500 years, LMU has embraced a wide variety of fields and provides some of the most excellent faculty and industry connections in all of Europe. Creative thinking, problem-solving, and research are central to LMU’s rigorous academic program. 

LMU’s Medical Center is one of the most prestigious institutions in Germany, only second to Charité in Berlin. This university ranks 64th in the QS World University Rankings for 2023. 

Theology, Law, and Business Administration are some of the most competitive programs that this university offers.

10. Technical University of Munich (Technische Universität München or TU Munich)

Number 1 among the best universities in Germany is the Technical University of Munich (Technische Universität München). Also known as TUM, it was founded in 1868 and is a member of the TU9, which is an association of nine of the most prestigious technical universities in Germany. It has consistently featured as one of the highest-ranked universities in the QS World University Rankings. TUM boasts an international student ratio of over 30%, making it one of the top technical universities in Germany. 

TUM is one of the most entrepreneurial universities in the world as it aims to foster a cooperative environment for budding entrepreneurs. 

Over 550 professors teach various subjects ranging from architecture to chemistry to geo-environment studies and economics. 

Mechanical engineering, Sports and Health Sciences, Aviation, and Computer Science are some of the most sought-after courses in TUM.

Key takeaways

• Referred as a student paradise, Germany ranks 3rd right after the US and the UK in terms of preferred destination.
• Germany is home to multiple top 100 universities in the world.
• It is renowned for its engineering, medicine, and data analytics education. 

Which one to choose, you ask?

Now that you know about some of the best universities in Germany, the next thing to figure out would be what course you want to pursue. Once you have picked your program, check whether you’re eligible for it. 

Prepare for the tests and check the admission criteria. If you need any help with your study abroad process, know that we are just a message away!

Or comment below!

All the best!

FAQs 

1. What are the entry requirements for an international student to study in Germany?

A high-school diploma, standard test scores, or university entrance exam result is sufficient for undergraduate students. For postgraduate students, you need to provide an undergraduate degree certificate and other requirements set by the university.  

2. Do you need to learn German to study in Germany?

As most universities have German as their language of instruction, you should learn basic German. 

3. Can I study in Germany for Free?

Yes, if you can get admission to a public university in Germany, you will have to pay no tuition fee.