Are you interested in studying your undergraduate or master degree in another country? Looking for a welcoming culture and international environment? If so, you should consider studying in Germany! In this article, EDUopinions will list the best universities in Germany for international students and explain what makes them such great options for your higher education abroad.
Is Germany a good place for international students?
Germany is home to dozens of world-class institutions and welcomed nearly 400,000 international students in 2020. The reasons why so many international students choose to study in Germany are numerous. Higher education and the cost of living in Germany is typically more affordable than in other European countries. Next, international students can easily extend their visas in Germany to pursue work after graduation. Finally, an combination of the country’s top-notch programming and English-language opportunities make it a popular student destination.
How expensive is university in Germany?
If you are looking for a low-budget option for university, German universities are definitely worth considering. All public universities in Germany are tuition free and only cost a few hundred euros in administrative fees for a bachelor’s degree. Most of the universities on this list fall into this near-zero tuition fee category. Only a few charge non-European students at a higher rate, around 3,000€. For more specific advice on tuition fees at German universities, reach out to EDUopinions to get free, personalised advice!
EDUopinions’ list of the best universities in Germany for international students:
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich – LMU
The first on our list of the best universities in Germany for international students is Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, located in Bavaria. One of the oldest universities in the country, LMU has a centuries’ long history of provided high-quality education, especially in STEM-related subjects. Another benefit of LMU is its location in Munich, a European hub for culture, technology and innovation and just a short train from the Alps, stunning lakes and historic castles. For so many reasons, LMU is a great option for anyone looking to study abroad in Germany.
I loved my university experience at LMU. The Programme was well thought through and offered many options to personalize and specialize on your personal interests. The uni also offered amazing study abroad opportunities which made my time as a undergrad very special.
Free University of Berlin – FU
Next up, the Free University of Berlin is another one of the best universities in Germany for international students. Offering more than 150 degree programmes at bachelor, master and PhD levels, there is almost certainly something for everyone at the Free University of Berlin. Thanks to the university’s top-five ranking in Germany and top-20 ranking globally, students can be sure their education will be high quality. What’s more, studying in Berlin means plenty of opportunities to explore the incredible food, night light and historical sites on offer in the country’s capital city. All in all, international students at the Free University of Berlin can expect nothing but the best.
Technical University of Munich – TUM
Another university in the Bavarian capital, Technical University of Munich is an excellent option for international students looking to study in Germany. The Technical University of Munich is one of the leading institutions dedicated to the natural sciences in the world. In addition the university was recently ranked as the ‘strongest university in business sciences’ in Germany as well, demonstrating the wide range of study opportunities at TUM. International students will be happy to know that 34% of the student body comes from outside Germany and that the university is committed to making them feel welcomed and included via buddy programmes and specialised support services.
TU Munich is one the most prominent universities in Germany with regards to STEM majors. If you want to be an engineering (mechanical or electrical engineering), informatics, physics – I would consider it to be a prime contender. The university is very much committed to providing a well-rounded education and offers a lot of high-quality, niche lectures. It also quite well connected into the business world and a lot of students profit from being able to participate in developing the technology of tomorrow. The facilities are quite new and well looked after. In terms of negative things – the university is just developing a campus life, as most activities outside of studying happen elsewhere. And the food in the cafeteria could do with some improvement. Apart from that, very much a recommended experience.
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology — KIT
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology is another one of the best universities in Germany for international students. If you are particularly interested in research, then KIT may be just the place for you, as it is one of the largest and most-productive research universities in Europe. Their degrees aim to prepare students for careers in change-making in energy, mobility and information sectors. Thanks to the university’s many societies and clubs, international students find themselves welcomed with open arms and plenty of events to help them settle into life in Karlsruhe.
I love how I can choose basically half of my bachelor’s courses. I don’t know if it’s the same for every field of study or similar in other universities, but I can basically study whatever I want if it just has a little importance to the field of computer science.
University of Stuttgart
International students who want to study in Germany should also consider the University of Stuttgart. The university maintains a vision of “intelligent systems for a sustainable society,” which in more practical terms means that students at University of Stuttgart benefit from a highly interdisciplinary education, incorporating aspects of natural sciences, social sciences, business and engineering into their learning. Even aside from academics, Stuttgart is a lovely place for students, with all the benefits of city life while being nestled between areas of natural beauty like the Jura Mountains and the Black Forest. Without a doubt, the University of Stuttgart is one of the best universities in Germany for international students.
I study architecture and this study is structured in a different way in most universities. What I like about the University of Stuttgart is that after obtaining the broad and diverse basics of the study in the first 2 years, you have the freedom to choose your own seminars and projects, concentrating on your point of interest. You can also distribute them as you wish. This is a huge adventure in a field where praxis in an office next to the studies is so important. An international semester is foreseen as well which helps you develop enormously in personal and cultural way.
Humboldt University – HUB
Humboldt University is located in the heart of historic Berlin and has played an important role in education for centuries. (Some of its notable alumni and former professors include Albert Einstein, Angela Davis and the Grimm Brothers!) Offering an impressively wide range of subjects, students at Humboldt can choose from nearly 200 different courses at bachelors, masters and PhD levels. Something that students at Humboldt University especially enjoy is the stimulating, multicultural environment of such a cosmopolitan city like Berlin, leading to a plethora of unique cultural, educational and professional opportunities. With so much to offer, it is no wonder why Humboldt is one of the best universities in Germany for international students.
Frankly speaking, I would definitely recommend this university to others. But keep in mind that ‘The School of Business and Economics’ of Humboldt University is very theoretical. If you want to understand how statistical models such as ‘Random Forest’, ‘Artificial Neural Network’ and so on, in general, work, then this is defintely the place to study. Professors’ possess a good command of English. So, international students will always feel comfortable studying abroad; in Germany. Overall, it is a good decision to consider this university, when deciding where to apply to.
RWTH Aachen University
Next, RWTH Aachen University is another attractive institution for international students in Germany. Thanks to its location in the tri-border region between the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, this university offers a truly unique international experience and has a reputation as the “Silicon Valley of Europe.” Students at Aachen can select from a host of degree programmes ranging from natural sciences or medicine to business or social sciences. What’s more, international students join the Aachen community even before starting classes, with an online orientation week prior to their arrival. Students have great things to say about this method of introduction, which is part of what makes RWTH Aachen one of the best universities in Germany for international students.
Great facilities, diverse resources and knowledge base. The various subjects offers can be taken advantage of to hone your skills. Good tie ups with the industry and amazing student life. The city is affordable to live in and student life is quite vibrant with lots of opportunities for fun as well as learning.
University of Heidelberg
Last but not least, the University of Heidelberg is definitely a strong option to consider for international students looking for an authentic study abroad in Germany. The University of Heidelberg is Germany’s oldest university and is a fully comprehensive university, meaning that they offer top-notch degrees in almost every subject imaginable. This broad approach is part of the university’s mission to build a bridge between tradition and the future through education. For students, this means studying in an environment which celebrates skills like critical thinking and creative problem solving. Along with academic excellence, it is these principles which attract thousands of international students to study at Heidelberg University every year.
I study Molecular Biotechnology M.Sc. at Heidelberg University and I have done the same study as B.Sc. in Heidelberg. The lectures and seminars in both bachelor and master are of very high quality. In the bachelor, all necessary skills in biology, chemistry, physics and maths are thought that is necessary to understand the research field and prepare you for the practical work in the lab. The master gives great opportunities to focus on a specific field of interest, to do many internships and to go abroad. One has to attend lectures and internships in the fields of pharmaceutical research, biophysical chemistry and bioinformatics. One of the three fields is chosen as a major, meaning that one attends more sessions in that field and writes the final thesis in it. The only thing I miss in the study is that opportunities to work in the industry are not communicated so well. In general it would be helpful to get more information about future job perspectives.
Conclusion about the best universities in Germany for international students
We at EDUopinions hope this list of the best universities in Germany for international students has helped you understand what options exist for your study abroad experience. Some other German universities you may want to consider if you are looking for a great business or management schools include the European School of Management and Technology (ESMT), Macromedia University of Applied Sciences, SRH University of Applied Sciences and University of Applied Management Studies. If you have any questions about these universities or want help finding other universities in Germany, feel free to contact EDUopinions for free, individualised advice!
Check out these related articles on the five most affordable MBAs in Germany and the best masters in finance in Germany!
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