In the QS World University Rankings® 2020-2022, 43 universities in Germany are ranked among the world’s top 700– a number beaten only by the US and UK. The highest German placing goes to Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (47th), followed by Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg (57th), Humboldt University of Berlin (61st), and Technical University of Munich (79th). Interestingly, Germany ranks 3rd on the list of countries with the most Nobel laureates, out of which, 56 are from the University of Heidelberg alone. In total, Germany has around 430 higher education institutions. This includes more than 100 universities, more than 200 Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS, or Fachhochschulen) and more than 100 Colleges of Art, Film & Music.

Types of Universities in Germany

University: Studying at a university is a good idea if you are interested in a scientifically-oriented education. Universities offer a broad range of courses and subjects. Some schools specialise in certain disciplines, such as advanced technology, medicine and education. If you would like to enter a doctoral programme in Germany, then a university is the perfect place for you.

Fachhochschulen or Universities of Applied Sciences are ideal if you are looking for a more practice-oriented education. These institutions provide students with a scientifically based education, tailored to the demands of professional life. The degree programmes generally include internships and a practical module. This enables students to apply their knowledge on the job at companies and businesses.

Colleges of Art, Film & Music: If you wish to study an artistic or design-oriented subject, you may be the perfect candidate for a college of art, film or music. There you will find courses in the Fine Arts, Industrial and Fashion Design, Graphic Arts, Instrumental Music, Performing Arts, Voice, etc. They train students to become directors, camera operators, screenwriters, technicians and producers for film and television. Potential candidates must possess a high degree of artistic talent which they are asked to demonstrate in an aptitude test. Therefore, you can expect special admission requirements if you wish to apply here.

Public Vs Private Universities in Germany

Most universities in Germany are Public, i.e., they receive funding from the federal government and do not charge any tuition fee from the students. Then, there are private universities and colleges which confer officially recognised degrees, but they charge tuition fees.  For example, the tuition costs of getting a Master’s degree in Business Administration at the Goethe University Frankfurt (public university) is zero. You’d only have to pay around €350 on semester fees. On the other hand, getting the same degree at Frankfurt School of Finance & Management (private) will cost you around €7,050 per semester. So, you can save a lot of money just by studying at a public university!

Public universities in Germany usually have higher admission requirements than private universities because they are still more popular and receive a lot more applications than their admission capacity. Thus, to a certain extent, getting admission at private universities in Germany is easier. If you have a below-average GPA and can find the means to pay tuition fees at a private German university, then studying at a private university is a promising option. Even though the cost of the tuition fee is higher than public universities in Germany, it is still more affordable than studying in countries such as the US or UK. The quality of education at both types of universities is similar and their degrees are also equally recognized. Also, by studying at a private university in Germany, you will get all the same benefits that you get when you study in a Public German University like equal number of part-time working hours, identical duration of post-study work visa and other benefits.

Top Universities in Germany

Now, let’s look at some of the best universities in Germany, their rankings and major accomplishments. These are arranged as per their overall rankings. To know about subject-wise rankings of universities in Germany or best German universities in a specific subject like Engineering, Computer Science, Natural Science, Humanities, Social Science, etc., click here. (We have posted a separate article on popular courses in Germany and best universities to study them).

1. Ludwig Maximilians University Munich or LMU Munich

LMU Munich is the largest university in Germany. There are approximately 44,000 students engaged in various courses. Historically, LMU is one of the most successful universities in the world with 42 Nobel laureates affiliated to it, which includes stalwarts like Max Planck, William Rontgen and Werner Heisenberg. LMU ranks 1st in Germany and 47th in the world.

2. Heidelberg University or Ruprecht Karls University Heidelberg

Located in Baden-Württemberg, Heidelberg University is the oldest surviving university in the world which was founded in 1386. It is also Germany’s second largest university by size, with 32,000 students enrolled here. It is home to a rich academic background and boasts 56 Nobel laureates’ affiliation, the most of any German educational institution. It achieves a top 100 score for the academic reputation and faculty student ratio indicators. Heidelberg university ranks 2nd and 57th in Germany and the world, respectively.

3. Humboldt University Berlin 

Located in Berlin, the university was founded in 1810 and was given the title “Mother of all Universities”. It was linked to major breakthroughs in physics and other sciences by its professors, which included Albert Einstein. The university has also had an association with no fewer than 55 Nobel laureates. Famous alumni of the Humboldt University were Heinrich Heine, Otto von Bismarck and Karl Marx. Today, Humboldt-Universität with Charité has eleven faculties and about 33,700 students in a total of 258-degree programs. The university’s research profile is characterized by basic research, research-oriented towards social and ecological issues, and research-oriented towards economic usability. Humboldt University of Berlin ranks 3rd in Germany and 61st in the world.

4. Munich Technological University or TU Munich (TUM)

TU Munich is ranked 4th in Germany and 79th in the World. TU Munich is one of the most research-focused universities in Germany and Europe. The university counts as one of the best universities and the only technical university located in the Bavarian state and offers a wide variety of research opportunities. Among bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students alike, the university is celebrated for its entrepreneurial and innovative mindset. The university is also one of the most international universities in Germany as almost one in four students comes from abroad.

5. Freie Universität Berlin

Referred to as the Free University of Berlin, this state-funded university got established in 1948 and is constituted of 12 academic departments and four interdisciplinary primary institutions. It is also a part of the German Universities Excellence Initiative. Spread across four campuses, the university offers around 190 programs in different fields of study. The University ranks 5th in Germany and 87th in the world.

6. University of Bonn 

The Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn excels with top-level research, science-led studies, and international flair. With 250 buildings spread across the entire city, the university has played a decisive role in shaping the city Bonn since its foundation 200 years ago. With numerous foreign professors, employees, visiting researchers and almost 5,000 students from over 130 different countries, the university contributes significantly to Bonn’s international flair and makes the federal city one of the most sought-after addresses in Germany for foreign guests. The University of Bonn ranks 6th in Germany and 138th in the world.

7. University of Hamburg

Ranked among the top 15 public universities in Germany by THE University Rankings 2020, the University of Hamburg is located in the north of Germany and was established in 1919. Offering a wide range of degree programs in almost every field of study, the university encompasses a total of 8 faculties and has its quintessential focus on research with its affiliation with well-known research institutions like the Max Planck institutions, and the Confucius Institute. University of Hamburg ranks 7th in Germany and 149th in the world.

8. University of Göttingen 

Founded in 1737, Göttingen University is a research-strong university with a focus on research-oriented teaching. The Göttingen Campus offers an attractive environment for research and teaching that attracts outstanding scientists and students from Germany and abroad. With almost 200-degree programs in 13 faculties, the university offers its 31,500 students a broad spectrum of subjects. The University pf Gottingen ranks 8th in Germany and 163rd in the world.

9. University of Freiburg 

Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg ranks 9th in Germany and 178th in the world. 21 Nobel laureates are affiliated with the university as alumni, faculty or researchers. It is a classic comprehensive university that offers the entire spectrum of subjects in the humanities, life sciences and engineering, as well as medicine and law. Located in Baden-Württemberg it is one of the oldest universities in Germany, founded almost 500 years ago. It is internationally regarded as an outstanding research university and ensures that its students can participate in the latest scientific developments. Around 15 per cent of the students currently come from abroad. This internationality is promoted by more than 300 partnerships with universities worldwide.

10. University of Tübingen 

This university is also officially known as Eberhard Karls University Tübingen and ranks 10th in Germany and 182nd in the world. Like many other German universities, the University of Tübingen has a long and rich history. This is reflected in the beautiful, ancient yet modern architecture of the campus. University of Tübingen belongs to the oldest research institutes in Germany with more than 500 years of experience and is dream place for students interested in medicine or high technology. It also offers massive support to students who intend to pursue research in their field of interest.

The remaining top German universities in the top 20 are:

11. TU Dresden – ranked 186th in the world.
12. University of Wurzburg or Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg – ranked 192nd in the world.
13. RWTH Aachen University – ranked 199th in the world.
14. University of Munster or Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster – ranked 219th in the world.
15. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) – ranked 226th in the world.
16. Goethe University of Frankfurt or Universität Frankfurt am Main – ranked 236th in the world.
17. Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz – ranked 241st in the world.
18. University of Cologne – ranked 244th in the world.
19. Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg – ranked 256th in the world.
20. Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel – ranked 280th in the world.

And the rest:

21. Universität Duisburg-Essen – ranked 300 in the world.
22. Technical University of Berlin – ranked 304 in the world.
23. Universität Ulm – ranked 322 in the world.
24. Universität Leipzig – ranked 346 in the world.
25. Ruhr-Universität Bochum – ranked 346 in the world.
26. Universität Jena – ranked 375 in the world.
27. Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf – ranked 405 in the world.
28. Hannover Medical School – ranked 439 in the world.
29. University of Potsdam – ranked 452 in the world.
30. Justus Liebig University Giessen- ranked 475 in the world.
31. Universität Bielefeld – ranked 487 in the world.
32. Leibniz Universität Hannover – ranked 487 in the world.
33. Universität Regensburg – ranked 510 in the world.
34. Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg – ranked 520 in the world.
35. Universität Bremen – ranked 531 in the world.
36. Philipps-Universität Marburg – ranked 547 in the world.
37. Universität Konstanz – ranked 558 in the world.
38. Universität Hohenheim – ranked 605 in the world.
39. Technische Universität Dortmund – ranked 615 in the world.
40. Technische Universität Darmstadt – ranked 615 in the world.
41. Universität Stuttgart – ranked 629 in the world.
42. University of Wuppertal – ranked 633 in the world.
43. University of Lubeck – ranked 653 in the world.
44. Universität Bayreuth – ranked 750 in the world.
45. Universität Mannheim – ranked 776 in the world.
46. Universität Rostock – ranked 779 in the world
47. Braunschweig University of Technology or Technische Universität Braunschweig – ranked 856 in the world.
48. Sarland University or Universität des Saarlandes – ranked 920 in the world.