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12 min read
Updated On 19th Dec 2022

Best Courses and Best Universities in Germany for 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 -

Top 10 Universities in Germany 2025

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 NameCityWorld Ranking (2025)
Technical University of Munich (TUM)Munich26
Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU)Munich38
Heidelberg UniversityHeidelberg47
Humboldt University of BerlinBerlin84
University of BonnBonn89
RWTH Aachen UniversityAachen92
Charité – Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlin93
University of TübingenTübingen100
Free University of BerlinBerlin104
University of GöttingenGöttingen121

Technical University of Munich (TUM)

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.

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich)

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

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 of Berlin

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.

University of Bonn

The University of Bonn is ranked 89th globally. It is known for its science and mathematics courses.

RWTH Aachen University

RWTH Aachen is ranked 92nd globally. It is a top university for engineering and technology.

Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Charité is a top medical university in Berlin. It is ranked 93rd globally. Many students come here to study medicine and health sciences.

University of Tübingen

This university is ranked 100th globally. It is known for its courses in the humanities, social sciences, and medicine.

Free University of Berlin

Free University is ranked 104th in the world. It offers a wide range of courses in English and is highly popular among international students.

University of Göttingen

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.

 

 

Best Courses in Germany

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.

Best Universities in Germany for MBBS

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Eligibility Criteria for MBBS in Germany:

  • High GPA
  • Requisite language test scores and entrance scores

The course duration for MBBS in Germany varies between 4 to 6 years.

Best Universities in Germany for Engineering

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Eligibility Criteria for Engineering in Germany -

  • 13 years of formal education prior to application
  • A minimum of 67% in senior secondary diploma/degree
  • Requisite language test scores and entrance scores

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

Best Universities in Germany for Business Management

Eligibility Criteria for Business Management in Germany -

  • GMAT/GRE or relevant entrance
  • Requisite language test scores
  • Specifically for MBA, 4-year Bachelor's Degree or a 3-year degree with a 1-year Master's Degree in Business Administration.

The course duration for MBA/BBA in varies between 2-4 years.

Admission and Eligibility Requirements

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.

Living and Tuition Fee Structure in Germany

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 -

  • Shared apartment: 300-700 euros per month
  • One-bedroom apartment: 500-1,200 euros per month
  • Food and groceries: 150-250 euros per month
  • Public transport: 70-100 euros per month
  • Health insurance: 80-160 euros per month

Many universities also offer part-time work options for students. This helps students earn some extra money and manage their expenses.

German Student Visa: Application Methods and Fee Structure

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.

Scholarships in Germany for Indian Students

Scholarship NameOffered ByEligibilityCoverage
DAAD ScholarshipGerman Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)Indian students applying for Master's or PhD programsTuition fees, monthly stipend (€850–€1,200), travel allowance
DeutschlandstipendiumFederal Government + Partner InstitutionsHigh academic achievers across UG & PG programs€300 per month (for 2 semesters, renewable)
Erasmus+European CommissionStudents in joint degrees or EU exchange programsTuition waiver, travel, and monthly living costs
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung ScholarshipKonrad-Adenauer FoundationPG students in political science, law, economics, journalismMonthly stipend + travel + health insurance
Heinrich Böll Foundation ScholarshipHeinrich Böll FoundationPG students in STEM or social sciences with civic engagementFull tuition, €850–€1,200 monthly stipend
University-specific ScholarshipsIndividual German UniversitiesVaries – academic excellence, need-based, course-specificTuition discounts, merit awards, and assistantships

Germany Post Work Permit

Once you have graduated in Germany, you are eligible to apply for a post-study work permit.

  • Upon completing the degree, students are awarded an 18-month job-seeking visa.
  • In the process, you can work under any job until you find something in your field of discipline.
  • After your employment on a full-time basis, you will be able to request an EU Blue Card or a working visa.
  • After some time, you will be able to qualify to become a permanent resident (33 months, or 21 months with B1 German).

Part-Time Options as International Students

International students in Germany are permitted to work part-time during their studies.

  • This gives them the right to work 120 full days, or 240 half days a year/
  • Typical jobs include those at coffee shops, grocery stores, labs, or university departments.
  • Campus employment tends to offer higher wages and does not require you to be free at a specific time during the day.
  • The pay is approximately 10-15 Euros an hour, which helps meet living expenses.

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.

Conclusion

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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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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