Top 12 Universities in Germany

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Studying in Germany is attractive to citizens of other countries for many reasons. This is the highest level of education, minimal costs, and wide opportunities that open up after receiving a diploma. There are relatively few universities in this country – hardly more than a hundred, and almost all educational institutions provide good training for specialists. However, the best are also among the best. We have selected 12 universities that are superior to other educational institutions in a number of indicators. These are not only high places in the ratings, including international ones, but additional options that distinguish the university from the rest.

Ranking of the best universities in Germany

Nomination	a place	university name	cost of bachelor's degree per year
Ranking of the best universities in Germany	1	Munich Technical University (TUM)	128 $
	2	Karlsruhe Institute of Technology	$ 3,200
	3	Rhine-Westphalian Technical University of Aachen	540 $
	4	University of Mannheim	1,000 $
	5	Berlinsky Humboldt University (HU)	663 $
	6	Free University of Berlin (FU)	661 $
	7	Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich	$ 241
	8	University of Cologne	540 $
	9	Technical University of Dresden	$ 258
	10	Johann Wolfgang Goethe University of Frankfurt	554 $
	11	Technical University of Berlin	663 $
	12	Kaiser Wilhelm II University of Westphalia in Münster	575 $

Munich Technical University (TUM)

Rating: 4.9

The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is one of the most prestigious higher education institutions in Germany. This university ranks high in the rankings among German technical universities and is consistently recognized internationally.

Founded in 1868, the Technical University of Munich has earned an excellent reputation both in academia and among students. The latter is confirmed by numerous positive reviews on the Meine uni website, where students evaluate universities according to various parameters. According to students, this is one of the best universities in Germany in terms of teaching level. However, this is not surprising, because the Munich Technical University focuses not only on teaching technical specialties, but also on the development of business thinking. As a result, graduates become not only in-demand technical specialists, but also successful businessmen who know how to best monetize the knowledge gained at TUM.

Advantages

• High quality education (among the graduates there are six Nobel laureates, the founder of Siemens, the chairman of the board BMW and other well-known personalities in the world of science and business).
• Large selection of training courses (132 programs, of which 29 are taught in English).
• Low tuition costs (there is no tuition fee and administration fees do not exceed 300 Euros per semester).
• The availability of scholarships for foreigners in some programs.

disadvantages

• When entering a master's program, it is impossible to change the direction – a bachelor's degree is required exclusively in the chosen specialty.
• Limited number of places in hostels.

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

Rating: 4.8

This university is one of the oldest technical educational institutions in Europe. It is second only to the Polytechnic Universities of Prague, Paris and Vienna in the age 'palm'. He began his activity back in 1825. Notable alumni include the auto inventor Karl Benz, Heinrich Hertz, who discovered electromagnetic waves, and Edward Teller, who created the hydrogen bomb in the United States.

Today the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology is a union of a university and a research center. More than 25 thousand students study at 11 faculties, including about 15% from other countries. There are also many representatives of other states among the teaching staff.

The university is listed in TU 9 (a list of the nine best technical educational institutions in Germany) and is included in the list of the top 100 European universities.

Advantages

• The highest level of training in a number of disciplines (engineering, physics, chemistry, computer science, etc.).
• Encouraging student projects.
• Practical orientation and the possibility of acquiring skills on the basis of various enterprises and organizations.
• Active participation in international exchange programs.
• There is a bachelor's program in English.

disadvantages

• Paid tuition for foreign students (about 3000 Euro / year plus administrative fees).
• Testing for admission to some specialties.

Rhine-Westphalian Technical University of Aachen

Rating: 4.8

The Rhine-Westphalian Technical University of Aachen is another representative of the prestigious nine TU9. About 30 thousand students study at 10 faculties of this university. Approximately 20% of them are foreigners from various parts of the world – the student geography of RWTH Aachen University covers 130 countries.

The list of famous students includes not only Nobel laureates and outstanding entrepreneurs, but also high-ranking politicians, such as the former President of Indonesia, the Prime Minister of Turkey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan.

Although the university has humanitarian directions, their promotion is not a priority. First of all, attention is focused on the most demanded industrial specialties, electrical engineering, information technology.

Advantages

• Free tuition for foreign students (only an administrative fee of about 260 Euro / semester is paid).
• The possibility of acquiring practical skills, thanks to the close relationship of the university with enterprises.
• Huge selection of specialties (almost 100).
• Scholarship programs (university and from various foundations.

disadvantages

• The complex structure of the educational institution, which includes many departments.
• There are no undergraduate programs in English. The number of English-language master's programs is also limited.

University of Mannheim

Rating: 4.8

Founded in 1967, the University of Mannheim in a fairly short period has managed to become one of the best educational institutions in the economic direction not only in Germany, but also in Europe. Although the university has a rather extensive list of specialties (history, psychology, politics, philosophy, mathematics, philology, etc.), it is in the field of economics that this university has become a leader and confidently competes with the University of Bonn, another leader in the field of economic education.

The educational institution is popular among foreign students. The number of students from other countries is from 15% to 18%. Interest in this university is caused not only by the high level of teaching, but also by triple accreditation. This makes it possible to obtain a double degree, studying at the same time at partner universities (Bocconi University, Queen`s University, University of South Carolina).

Advantages

• High level of education – the university is included in the TOP 50 best universities in Europe.
• Providing a large number of scholarships (state, from funds, for orphans, etc.)
• There are many Master's degree programs in English.
• The university and campus are considered the most beautiful in Germany in terms of architecture. Most of the university buildings are located in the Mannheim Palace, built in 1760.
• There are many international programs, and students have the opportunity to go to study in other countries, in parallel to receive a diploma from another university.
• Among the bachelor's programs, modern English linguistics and literary studies can be studied in English.

disadvantages

• High competition for most specialties.
• Tuition for foreign students is paid (about 3000 Euro / year).

Berlinsky Humboldt University (HU)

Rating: 4.7

The Humboldt University in Berlin (HU) is one of the most famous educational institutions in Germany, known far beyond the borders of the country. For more than 200 years of history, the university has experienced many events, including tragic ones, such as the burning of the library during the reign of Hitler. But there are many more glorious pages. 29 professors at different times became Nobel laureates. Among the graduates are such outstanding personalities as Einstein, Heine, Bismarck, Feuerbach, Koch, Marx, Mendelssohn.

Now more than 30 thousand students study at the university. The structure of the institution includes the world famous Charite, which includes the Faculty of Medicine, a research center and a clinic. With a relatively small number of faculties, here you can get professions in 190 specialties.

Advantages

• The university is included in the five best universities in Germany (4th place) and ranks 16th among the best universities in Europe. Also enter the TOP-100 of the best universities in the world.
• Possibility of internships in many partner universities, including universities in Toronto, Queensland, Princeton, Waseda.
• Free training (you only need to pay an administrative fee).
• A special guardianship program has been developed for foreign students.
• International orientation of the institution.
• Double degree programs.

disadvantages

• The grants and fellowship programs are exclusively for graduate, doctoral and postdoctoral students.
• There are no bachelor's programs in English.

Free University of Berlin (FU)

Rating: 4.7

This is the largest university in the capital of Germany, which is ahead of even the Humboldt University in terms of the number of students. Founded only in the middle of the 20th century (1948), FU by this time had become the largest center of natural sciences and humanities not only in Germany, but also in Europe, which is confirmed by high places in all kinds of ratings. Notable alumni include five Nobel laureates, writers, philosophers, and politicians.

From the moment of its creation, the university declared the principles of freedom, opposing itself to the unfree communist world and educational institutions, which turned out to be controlled by the communist government. These principles of freedom are reflected in the management model, in which the student body receives broad powers.

The Free University has become the main rallying point of Dahlem, the Berlin district with numerous research institutes, which is called 'German Oxford'.

Advantages

• High ranking of the university (5th place in Germany and 23rd – in the pan-European TOP).
• International atmosphere – up to 20% of students came from other countries.
• Mentoring programs for international students.
• Free training (only administrative fees are paid).
• The ability to combine academic disciplines.
• A large selection of specialties (more than 170), among which are quite rare – Sinology, Judaism, Byzantine studies, etc.
• Extensive international connections.

disadvantages

• The complex structure of the university.
• According to students' reviews, there is not enough practical training – most of the courses are occupied by theory.
• There is only one bachelor's program in English, and the English-language master's programs are predominantly medical and in the field of international specializations.
• Upon admission to master's specialties, additional requirements for language proficiency are put forward for most specialties.

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

Rating: 4.7

The oldest Bavarian university was founded in 1472. As conceived by the founders, the university was to become an elite educational institution for the nobility. The institution is named in honor of the founder – Duke Ludwig IX, as well as King Maximilian I of Bavaria, who freed the university from under church jurisdiction and made it secular. But 'secularism' did not prevent elitism. Throughout history, this university was considered one of the strongest and most privileged educational institutions in Germany. Kings and presidents, famous philosophers and writers, economists and politicians studied here.

Today LMU is one of the largest training centers not only in Germany but throughout Europe. More than 50 thousand students study at 20 faculties. According to the results of the research of the journal Spiegel, the German professors consider the Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich the best educational institution for the training of physicians, biologists, psychologists and historians.

Advantages

• The University occupies the highest places in the ratings: No. 1 in the ranking of German universities, No. 9 in the European ranking, and 30th in the world.
• Excellent scholarship programs including scholarships from the Humboldt (in terms of their number, the university ranks first).
• A large selection of specialties (more than 150), with the possibility of their combinations.
• Free tuition for everyone, including foreign students (only an administrative fee of 128 Euro / semester is paid).
• The teaching staff includes more than 700 professors.
• Close international relations with all major foreign universities, including the CIS countries.

disadvantages

• Very high competition.
• The admission of foreign students is limited – no more than 10%.

University of Cologne

Rating: 4.7

One of the oldest educational institutions in Europe, the University of Cologne was founded in 1388. Soon the number of students exceeded a thousand, and the university became one of the largest in Europe. But four centuries later, a black streak came: the educational institution was closed due to the unwillingness to obey the French who captured Cologne. The revival, despite repeated attempts, did not take place until 120 years later.

Now it is the third largest university in Germany, with almost 50 thousand students. There are only 6 faculties here, but each of them is a subject of special pride for the university. And although the Faculty of Economics is considered to be the strongest, which occupies high places in the German and European ratings, but other departments do not lag behind at all, such as the architecture department, which is included in the world TOP-50. Also, the University of Cologne is the largest forge of teaching staff not only in Germany, but also in Europe.

Advantages

• Free education (only administrative payments are made – 263 Euro / semester).
• Support for young scientists, graduate students.
• Innovative programs.
• Possibility of obtaining a double degree.
• Partnership agreements with many universities in other countries, international student exchange.
• An extensive list of specialties.
• Mentoring and assistance in adaptation.

disadvantages

• Lack of bachelor's programs in English.
• According to reviews, there may be too many students in the seminars.

Technical University of Dresden

Rating: 4.6

The Technical University of Dresden is one of the most prestigious educational institutions in Germany. This largest polytechnic university, with a history approaching two centuries, is included in TU9.

The university has 14 faculties. In addition to engineering and natural sciences, social sciences and humanities and medicine are studied here. This is the only university in Germany where you can study by correspondence in the specialties of civil engineering and mechanical engineering.

Considerable attention is paid to the leisure of students. The university has a large sports center, which includes almost three hundred associations of various sports. There are two stadiums and many sports grounds on the territory. Also, all conditions have been created for the development of talents in the field of art (student theater, orchestra, choir, dance ensemble).

Advantages

• Tuition is free for everyone (only the obligatory semester fee of 266 Euro is paid).
• Various scholarship programs (short-term, for students working on diplomas, etc.)
• International exchange programs.
• Cooperation with large enterprises, where students have the opportunity to undergo internships, and subsequently find employment.
• Large selection of specialties.
• In comparison with many other universities, a large number of places in hostels (10 thousand places in 30 hostels).

disadvantages

• A small number of English-language programs that are offered only for the master's degree.
• A relatively low percentage of foreign students (up to 13%).

Johann Wolfgang Goethe University of Frankfurt

Rating: 4.6

The official history of the Frankfurt University. Goethe is a little over a hundred years old (founded in 1914). But in fact, the university has existed since the end of the XV century. At the beginning of the 20th century, the educational institution only received the state university status. But as in those days, so now, the university is largely sponsored by non-governmental organizations and individuals, therefore it is considered 'people's'. A huge plus of this is academic freedom and the ability to independently, without agreement with the Ministry of Education, choose the number and topics of new research.

Today this university is one of the five largest and most powerful German universities, and in the TOP-150 European universities. There are 18 Nobel Prize winners and 11 Leibniz Prize winners associated with this educational institution. More than 45 thousand students study at 16 faculties, of which 16% are foreign citizens.

Advantages

• Free tuition (you only need to pay the administration fee in the amount of 363 Euro / semester).
• International Summer School of Economics and Business Management.
• Close cooperation with private business.
• Scholarship programs and government grants for studies.
• Innovative research in the field of medicine (areas of general medicine and pharmacology have the highest rating).

disadvantages

• The high cost of paid master's programs (in some specialties – up to 30 thousand Euro / year).
• The material base, according to the remarks of students, requires updating.

Technical University of Berlin

Rating: 4.5

Another representative of TU 9, the Technical University of Berlin, is one of the leaders not only in Germany, but also in the world. This largest educational and research institution has only 7 faculties. But behind this 'minimalism' lies a huge number of educational programs, including those in the humanities.

The university focuses both on research (there are 40 research institutes in the structure) and in practice. Close ties with businesses allow students to do internships and find work quickly after graduation. According to statistics, most graduates find work in the first year after graduation.

A feature of the Technical University of Berlin is its environmental focus. A course on ecology and environmental issues is compulsory in almost all programs, and research is aimed at developing a 'green economy'.

Advantages

• One of the most reputable universities not only in Germany, but throughout Europe.
• There are many master's programs in English.
• Some engineering programs are unique.
• The university has a campus in Egypt, on the shores of the Red Sea.
• Students can obtain double degrees.
• Free tuition (you only need to pay a semester fee of 307 Euro).
• A large number of foreign students (up to 25%).
• International orientation – an extensive partner network for the exchange of students and teachers has been created.
• Active cooperation with many corporations and enterprises.

disadvantages

• The university has a complex structure.
• There are no undergraduate programs in English.

Kaiser Wilhelm II University of Westphalia in Münster

Rating: 4.5

One of the oldest universities in Germany, the University of Westphalia in Münster is today one of the largest educational institutions in Germany. More than 40 thousand students study at 15 faculties. WWU Munster is among the leaders in the graduation of junior researchers. About 800 applicants receive their doctorate annually.

The strongest faculties are economics and law, which are in the top five among German universities in terms of teaching. The Department of Chemistry, which occupies the 46th position in the world ranking, is also popular among applicants. The departments of mathematics and physics are ranked 101st and 151st respectively in the 'disciplinary' world rankings. There is also a department of medicine with a very wide range of studies.

Advantages

• Active cooperation with universities in Great Britain, France, Canada, as well as partnership agreements with more than 400 educational institutions around the world.
• Scholarships for the highest performing students and other scholarship programs.
• Free tuition (only the student fee is paid – 267 Euro).
• There are two Bachelor's programs in English.
• Students are offered a choice of 130 specialties, including those with a double degree.
• The university has several museums of its own, two theaters, and a botanical garden.

disadvantages

• A small number of foreign students (about 6%).
• Compared to other universities, there is a limited number of English-language master's programs.
• A complex university structure with many departments.

---

Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.