Germany is popular for courses in Medicine and Health Sciences and Engineering and Technology. Apart from these two, the country is also famous for management studies chosen by international students.
Germany boasts of nearly 350,000 international students and keeps on rising each year. The place offers multitudinous courses, most dealt in the English language. The visa options are also feasible. The most striking and popular feature that attracts students, among other top reasons to study in Germany, is its almost-free education. In the year 2014, 16 states in Germany eliminated tuition fees for both domestic and international students in all German public universities. So students can study in Germany for free. However, a small amount of fees is required to cover administration and other costs per semester.
The best universities in Germany offer a wide range of courses in English, making it easier for international students to study there. In this article, you will learn about the top-ranked universities in Germany, their admission rules, fees, and other vital details.
If you want to know about the top 10 universities in Germany, keep reading -
Germany has numerous universities that are renowned worldwide. These universities are among the top-ranked in Germany. Here is a list of the top 10 universities in Germany for the year 2025.
University Name | City | World Ranking (2025) |
Technical University of Munich (TUM) | Munich | 26 |
Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) | Munich | 38 |
Heidelberg University | Heidelberg | 47 |
Humboldt University of Berlin | Berlin | 84 |
University of Bonn | Bonn | 89 |
RWTH Aachen University | Aachen | 92 |
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin | Berlin | 93 |
University of Tübingen | Tübingen | 100 |
Free University of Berlin | Berlin | 104 |
University of Göttingen | Göttingen | 121 |
TUM is the number one university in Germany. It is ranked 26th globally. The university is in Munich. TUM is renowned for its excellence in science, technology, and engineering. Many students from different countries study here.
LMU Munich is also in Munich. It is ranked 38th globally. LMU is known for its strong research and teaching. It offers many programs in English.
Heidelberg University is ranked 47th globally. It is the oldest university in Germany. It is renowned for its contributions to medicine, science, and the arts.
Humboldt University is in Berlin. It is ranked 84th globally. The university is renowned for its research and is one of the top-ranked universities in Germany.
The University of Bonn is ranked 89th globally. It is known for its science and mathematics courses.
RWTH Aachen is ranked 92nd globally. It is a top university for engineering and technology.
Charité is a top medical university in Berlin. It is ranked 93rd globally. Many students come here to study medicine and health sciences.
This university is ranked 100th globally. It is known for its courses in the humanities, social sciences, and medicine.
Free University is ranked 104th in the world. It offers a wide range of courses in English and is highly popular among international students.
Göttingen is ranked 121st globally. It is famous for its research in science and mathematics.
These are the top 10 universities in Germany. They are spread across various cities, including Munich, Berlin, and Heidelberg. Most of these universities offer more than 500 courses in English. This makes it easy for international students to study in Germany.
The top-ranked universities in Germany are renowned for their state-of-the-art labs, extensive libraries, and dedicated faculty. If you are looking for the top 5 universities in Germany, you can choose from TUM, LMU Munich, Heidelberg, Humboldt University, and the University of Bonn.
Germany is popular for courses in Medicine and Health Sciences and Engineering and Technology. Apart from these two, the country is also famous for management studies chosen by international students.
Eligibility Criteria for MBBS in Germany:
The course duration for MBBS in Germany varies between 4 to 6 years.
Eligibility Criteria for Engineering in Germany -
The course duration for Engineering in Germany varies between 3 to 4 years or 1 to 2 years in the case of master’s degrees.
Read More - How to get a great job in Germany after MS
Eligibility Criteria for Business Management in Germany -
The course duration for MBA/BBA in varies between 2-4 years.
Earning a place in Germany's top-ranked universities is a challenging endeavor. The rules are strict, and students must meet specific requirements.
For undergraduate courses, students usually need at least 90% marks in their school exams. Some universities may ask students to complete one year of college in their home country before applying.
Students must demonstrate their proficiency in English. Most universities accept IELTS or TOEFL scores as proof of English proficiency. The minimum IELTS score needed is between 6.0 and 6.5 for bachelor's and master's courses. Some top universities in Germany may ask for a higher score, especially for popular courses.
For master's courses, students require a minimum of 70-75% marks in their bachelor's degree. Some universities may also ask for a GRE score above 300.
If you wish to study a course in German, you must provide proof of your proficiency in the German language. This can be achieved by passing tests such as TestDaF.
The admission process typically begins in two main seasons: the Summer Semester (March/April) and the Winter Semester (October/November). Some universities also offer rolling admissions, which means they accept applications all year.
To gain admission to top German universities, it is essential to prepare thoroughly . Good marks, strong language skills, and a complete application will increase your chances of admission.
One of the best aspects of studying at top-ranked universities in Germany is the relatively low cost. Most of the top 10 universities in Germany are public universities. They do not charge tuition fees for most courses. Students only need to pay a small administration or semester fee. This fee typically ranges from € 300 to € 500 per semester.
Private universities in Germany are different. They charge tuition fees between € 10,000 and € 20,000 per year. However, most students choose public universities because they are top-ranked and significantly cheaper.
Living in Germany is also affordable compared to other countries. The average monthly living cost for a student is between €800 and €1,200. This includes rent, food, transport, and other daily expenses. Here is a simple breakdown -
Many universities also offer part-time work options for students. This helps students earn some extra money and manage their expenses.
Once you receive your offer letter from a German university, you will need to apply for the student visa. The following is how it works -
Step 1 - Obtain an admission letter from a recognized German university.
Step 2 - Open a blocked account with a minimum balance of 11,904 euros to prove funds.
Step 3 - Schedule your appointment to get a visa at the local German consulate or embassy in your city
Step 4 - Prepare your documents, including your passport, photos, admission letter, language skills (IELTS or TestDaF) confirmation, proof of funds, insurance, and visa application form.
Step 5 - Make the payment of the visa fee, which is approximately 75 EUR (approximately 6800 rupees).
Step 6 - Wait to be approved after attending the interview for your visa (it may take up to 4-12 weeks to be approved).
A student visa is typically valid for 3 months initially, and then it needs to be converted into a residence permit upon arrival in Germany.
Scholarship Name | Offered By | Eligibility | Coverage |
DAAD Scholarship | German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) | Indian students applying for Master's or PhD programs | Tuition fees, monthly stipend (€850–€1,200), travel allowance |
Deutschlandstipendium | Federal Government + Partner Institutions | High academic achievers across UG & PG programs | €300 per month (for 2 semesters, renewable) |
Erasmus+ | European Commission | Students in joint degrees or EU exchange programs | Tuition waiver, travel, and monthly living costs |
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship | Konrad-Adenauer Foundation | PG students in political science, law, economics, journalism | Monthly stipend + travel + health insurance |
Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarship | Heinrich Böll Foundation | PG students in STEM or social sciences with civic engagement | Full tuition, €850–€1,200 monthly stipend |
University-specific Scholarships | Individual German Universities | Varies – academic excellence, need-based, course-specific | Tuition discounts, merit awards, and assistantships |
Once you have graduated in Germany, you are eligible to apply for a post-study work permit.
International students in Germany are permitted to work part-time during their studies.
A part-time job will not only contribute to your finances but will also improve your German language and will give you a local experience in your resume.
Germany is a great place to study. The top-ranked universities in Germany offer world-class education, modern research, and low costs. If you want to study at the top German universities, you need good marks, strong language skills, and a clear plan.
The top universities in Germany attract students from around the world. They offer a variety of courses in English and provide a safe and welcoming environment. If you are considering studying abroad, Germany's top universities would be on your list.
Q.1) Which university in Germany is the best for international students?
According to the 2021 QS Rankings, the top university in Germany is the Technical University of Munich, followed by Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Heidelberg University, Humboldt University of Berlin, Free University of Berlin, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, RWTH Aachen, Technical University of Berlin, Technical University of Dresden, and the University of Tübingen.
Q.2) Which study is best in Germany?
Germany is the most preferred option for students for studying abroad due to its various courses offered throughout the year. Some of the best courses in Germany are Medicine, Healthcare, Engineering, Business Management, Law, Humanities, and Earth Sciences.
Q.3) How much does it cost to study in Germany for international students?
Germany eliminated tuition fees for both domestic and international students in all German public universities. So students can study in Germany for free. However, a small amount of fees (€300-€500) is required to cover administration and other costs per semester.
Q.4) Which course is best to study in Germany?
The most in-demand courses are MBBS, Engineering, and MBA. The best universities in Germany for these courses are RWTH Aachen University, Free University of Berlin, Heidelberg University, University of Mannheim, LMU Munich.
Q.5) What is the salary of an MBA in Germany?
The average salary of fresh graduates varies between €50,000-€120,000 per annum, depending upon the skillset and highest paying companies that recruit them. Some of the popular positions include Consultant, Project Manager, Operations Manager, Finance Manager, Brand Manager, Human Resource Executive, etc.
The top 10 universities in Germany for 2025 are: Technical University of Munich, LMU Munich, Heidelberg University, Humboldt University of Berlin, University of Bonn, RWTH Aachen University, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, University of Tübingen, Free University of Berlin, and University of Göttingen.
Most top-ranked universities in Germany require a minimum GPA of 2.5 on their 5-point scale for undergraduate courses. For master's courses, a GPA of 2.0 or higher is often required, especially for popular fields such as engineering and medicine.
Most top-ranked universities in Germany require an IELTS score of 6.0 or higher for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Some top universities in Germany may require a higher score for specific courses.
You can compare top-ranked universities in Germany by examining their world rankings, the courses they offer, the language of instruction, location, and research facilities. Check the university websites for course details and admission requirements. You can also read reviews from other students to help you choose.
To get a German student visa in 2025, you need an admission letter from a recognized German university, proof of funds (blocked account with at least €11,904 per year), valid health insurance, a valid passport, recent passport-size photos, and proof of language skills (like IELTS, TOEFL, or a German certificate).
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