At TheGermanyLife.com, most of our foreign readers usually write to us to ask about the best universities in Germany for foreign students. There is usually no best answer since this will depend on a lot of factors such as “what you want to study”, “where you want to live” and so on. Germany has 48 universities that are counted among the very best in the world. It is also home to about 350,000 foreign students scattered throughout various cities in Germany, even in tiny towns.
University education in Germany is very different when you compare it to other highly-developed countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. Education in Germany is almost free. Students don’t pay tuition fees making it one of the top reasons why students want to study in Germany. Nevertheless, there are private universities in Germany that charge exorbitant tuition fees.
When it comes to University ranking, the Germany system is a bit different. Germany has no interest in ranking her universities since almost all the universities provide top-notched education with qualifications/certificates that are accepted everywhere in the world. Unlike the United States or the United Kingdom, you will not see universities with over-hyped fame such as Harvard or Oxford. This does not mean that Germany doesn’t have universities that can compete with Harvard or Oxford University.
There are many prestigious universities in Germany, you just don’t hear of them as often as you hear about Harvard or Oxford University. German employers give the same preference to your certificate as far as you obtained it from a recognized university in Germany. Nevertheless, there are some universities that stood out due to the cities they are located in, their age, and famous students that graduated from these universities. Some of these universities are mentioned below.
Top 7 Universities in Germany:
1. Technical University of Munich (Technische Universität München)
Website: www.tum.de/en
Popularly known as TUM, the Technical University of Munich is home to so many international students. It is known globally and located in one of the most industrialized cities in Germany – Munich. This university has also been awarded 17 Nobel prizes in chemistry, physics, and medicine since it was founded in 1927. About 32% of students here are international students. No doubt, this university has the highest number of foreign students.
TUM is known for its excellence in teaching, research, and promotion of talents. It offers both bachelor’s, masters, and Ph.D. programs both in German and English language. The location of this university also contributed to making it a top choice for international students. In Munich, you can easily speak English without learning German. Companies in Munich are looking to internationalize, it is possible to get a job in Munich without learning German. You can also meet other foreign students and expats in this city.
2. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München)
Website: www.en.uni-muenchen.de
The Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich has a reputation as one of the leading research universities in Europe. It has a good number of foreign students. There are about 7,000 students here with 15% of them internationals. This university corporate with over 400 other universities worldwide.
Since it was founded in 1472, Ludwig Maximilian University has produced about 42 Nobel laureates including Max Planck, Otto Hahn, and Werner Heisenberg. It is located in Munich – a city regarded as a global city. You can easily fit in this city as a foreign student.
3. Heidelberg University
Website: www.uni-heidelberg.de/en
Founded in 1386, Heidelberg University has a reputation as the oldest university in Germany. This university is known for its excellence in research and teaching. Some of the founders of sub-disciplines such as modern sociology, psychiatric genetics, and environmental physics were from this university.
Heidelberg University is associated with 27 Nobel laureates. About 20% of students here are international students. Additionally, a third of doctoral students are foreign students, making it one of the highest in Germany.
Heidelberg is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany. It is also a host to the USA military base. You are likely to meet many Americans here.
4. Humboldt University of Berlin (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)
Website: www.hu-berlin.de/en
The Humboldt University of Berlin is one of the most popular Universities in the world. It is located in Germany capital city known for its international population. The university was founded in the 19th century and serves as a model to other European universities.
The Humboldt University of Berlin is known for its research excellence. It has about 5000 international students. About 18% of the academic staff at Humboldt University came from other countries.
As a foreign student, you will feel at home while studying here. Almost everyone speaks English in Berlin. There are jobs for students you can do to earn money on the side without learning German. There are English restaurants, clubs, and churches.
5. Free University of Berlin (Freie Universitaet Berlin)
Website: www.fu-berlin.de/en/
If you love Berlin, you will love the Free University of Berlin. Just like other universities in Germany, it has a reputation as a leading university in science and teaching. The university has also won many local and international awards.
Located in Berlin, the Free University of Berlin loves to welcome international students. About 13% of bachelor’s students here are foreign students. In the Master’s program, about 27% of the students’ population are international students. You will feel right at home in Berlin. Here, you can easily find someone from your country or make a friend with similar interests.
6. RWTH Aachen University (Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen)
Website: www.rwth-aachen.de/
RWTH Aachen University has been consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in Germany. It also has a global reputation for its excellence in research and teaching. Most international students choose RWTH Aachen University because of the university’s connection to industries in Germany. You can get an opportunity to practice the theories you learned in the classroom while still studying here.
Aachen has a good student population. At RWTH Aachen, there are about 45,000 students with 11,280 from countries other than Germany.
7. Berlin Institute of Technology (Technische Universität Berlin)
Website: www.tu.berlin/en/
TU Berlin needs no introduction. Almost every international students want to study here. It is located in the center of Europe. It offers one of the highest-ranked engineering programs in the world. The university also programs in other fields of study such as Economics, Process Sciences, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science.
With its perfect location in Berlin, you can enjoy quality education with robust city life. In Berlin, you can easily make friends with people from all walks of life.