Studying at the best universities in Germany is no longer difficult if students have the academic credentials and the desire to thrive in a competitive environment. Universities in Germany are acclaimed for their innovative curricula, and excellent academic standards.
Students usually prefer applying to top MBA universities in Germany or the best engineering universities when they seek for overseas education in Germany. Along with these two courses, they also apply to the top universities in Germany for master’s courses in diverse disciplines. Germany is one of the world’s biggest educational hubs, offering highly acclaimed degrees and a flourishing economy that is in need of skilled professionals. The country has 46 names on the global list while 12 of them made it to the top-200 list as well.
Table of Contents
Top Universities in Germany
Below is the list of top universities in Germany in 2022 that are ranked by the Times Higher Education(2022):
Rank in Germany |
Global Ranking | Name of Institution |
1 | 50 | Technische Universität München |
2 | 63 | Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München |
3 | 64 | Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg |
4 | 117 | Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin |
5 | 130 | Freie Universität Berlin |
6 | 131 | KIT, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie |
7 | 145 | Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen |
8 | 148 | Technische Universität Berlin |
9 | 173 | Technische Universität Dresden |
10 | 175 | Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen |
10 | 175 | Universität Freiburg |
11 | 195 | Georg-August-Universität Göttingen |
12 | 228 | Universität Hamburg |
13 | 240 | Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn |
14 | 267 | Technische Universität Darmstadt |
15 | 282 | Universität Köln |
16 | 307 | Universität Mannheim |
17 | 311 | Universität Frankfurt am Main |
18 | 317 | Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg |
19 | 323 | Universität Jena |
20 | 333 | Universität Stuttgart |
21 | 344 | Universität Ulm |
22 | 356 | Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster |
23 | 403 | Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz |
24 | 437 | Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg |
25 | 439 | Ruhr-Universität Bochum |
26 | 443 | Universität Konstanz |
27 | 451 | Universität des Saarlandes |
28 | 470 | Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg |
29 | 483 | Universität Leipzig |
30 | 501-510 | Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel |
31 | 521-530 | Universität Bayreuth |
32 | 531-540 | Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen |
33 | 541-550 | Universität Bremen |
34 | 551-560 | Technische Universität Braunschweig |
35 | 601-650 | Universität Regensburg |
36 | 651-700 | Leibniz Universität Hannover |
36 | 651-700 | Philipps-Universität Marburg |
36 | 651-700 | Universität Hohenheim |
39 | 701-750 | Universität Rostock |
40 | 751-800 | Universität Duisburg-Essen |
40 | 751-800 | Universität Düsseldorf |
42 | 801-1000 | Technische Universität Dortmund |
42 | 801-1000 | Universität Bielefeld |
42 | 801-1000 | Universität Potsdam |
1. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
LMU Munich has a 500-year tradition of producing some of the world’s best teaching and research professionals. Approximately 7,000 international students attend this university, accounting for 15% of the overall student body.
Courses Offered:
- Financial and Insurance Mathematics
- Geobiology and Paleobiology
- Geomaterials and Geochemistry
- Geophysics
- Human Biology
- Insurance, Executive Master
- International Health
- Logic and Philosophy of Science
- Management – European Triple Degree
- Management – International Triple Degree
- Management and Digital Technologies
- Meteorology
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Neuro-Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Physics
- Plant Science
- Psychology Master’s Program in the Learning Sciences
- Quantitative Economics
- Software Engineering
- Statistics and Data Science
- Theoretical and Mathematical Physics
2. Technical University of Munich (TUM)
The Technical University of Munich is widely recognized as one of Europe’s most renowned universities, with a reputation for research, teaching, and talent development.
Courses Offered:
- Engineering & Technology
- Natural Sciences & Mathematics
- Business & Management
- Agriculture & Forestry
- Applied Sciences & Professions
- Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences
- Medicine & Health
- Social Sciences
- Arts, Design & Architecture
- Education & Training
- Hospitality, Leisure & Sports
- Computer Science & IT
3. Heidelberg University
Through research and education, the university is dedicated to advancing and disseminating knowledge about all aspects of humanity and nature. The university upholds the principle of research and education while also realizing its responsibility to mankind, society, and the environment.
Courses Offered:
- Social Sciences
- Computer Science & IT
- Education & Training
- Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences
- Humanities
- Engineering & Technology
- Natural Sciences & Mathematics
- Medicine & Health
- Business & Management
- Law
4. Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Charité is one of Europe’s most prestigious academic hospitals. Their clinical treatment, research, and education are all provided by internationally recognized physicians and researchers.
Courses Offered:
- Social Sciences
- Medicine & Health
- Natural Sciences & Mathematics
5. Humboldt University of Berlin
It is well-known for its teaching and research, with over 420 professors and more than 1,900 assistants.
Courses Offered:
- Social Sciences
- Humanities
- Natural Sciences & Mathematics
- Computer Science & IT
- Engineering & Technology
- Medicine & Health
- Agriculture & Forestry
- Business & Management
- Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences
6. University of Tübingen
This university has been a center for excellent research and education for over 500 years. It is also noted for its innovative courses and degree programs, which enroll 27,196 students, 3,779 of them are international students.
Courses Offered:
- Natural Sciences & Mathematics
- Business & Management
- Computer Science & IT
- Humanities
- Social Sciences
- Medicine & Health
- Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences
- Agriculture & Forestry
- Engineering & Technology
- Journalism & Media
7. Free University of Berlin
The university aspires to create a future worth living for its students by offering effective programs and ensuring that they gain the necessary skills to tackle the challenges that society faces today.
Courses Offered:
- Social Sciences
- Journalism & Media
- Law
- Medicine & Health
- Humanities
- Natural Sciences & Mathematics
- Business & Management
- Computer Science & IT
- Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences
- Arts, Design & Architecture
8. Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg
In a welcoming and egalitarian environment, it provides the best circumstances for research, teaching, administration, and continuing education.
Courses Offered:
- Humanities
- Natural Sciences & Mathematics
- Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences
- Business & Management
- Medicine & Health
- Agriculture & Forestry
- Social Sciences
- Engineering & Technology
- Arts, Design & Architecture
- Computer Science & IT
- Education & Training
9. RWTH Aachen University
The university is listed among Germany’s top ten universities. It has a total enrollment of 45,628 students, with 11,280 international students from all around the world.
Courses Offered:
- Engineering & Technology
- Agriculture & Forestry
- Arts, Design & Architecture
- Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences
- Computer Science & IT
- Natural Sciences & Mathematics
- Medicine & Health
10. University of Bonn
Bonn University is one of Germany’s most well-known research and higher education institutes. It is located in the heart of Europe and is known around the world for its research-oriented study programs.
Courses Offered:
- Natural Sciences & Mathematics
- Computer Science & IT
- Applied Sciences & Professions
- Business & Management
- Social Sciences
- Humanities
- Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences
- Agriculture & Forestry
- Engineering & Technology
- Law
- Medicine & Health
Global University Rankings
Below is the list of the top four global rankings:
QS World University Rankings
This ranking compares universities in four major areas such as research, teaching, international outlook, and employability. The International Rating Expert Group (IREG) has approved it as the only international ranking.
Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings
‘THE’ World University Rankings is described as “arguably the most influential”. It is an annual publication of more than 1,000 universities globally. Teaching, research, citations, worldwide orientation, and industry income are the five broad indicators in its methodology.
Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Ranking)
The annual publication by Shanghai Rating Consultancy is the only ranking to originate from Asia, and is frequently praised for the objectivity, stability, and transparency of its methodology. It uses four parameters to rank universities which are: quality of education, quality of faculty, research output, and per capita performance.
CHE University Ranking
This ranking from the Centre for Higher Education (CHE) aids in the selection of the best university for a certain field. The ranking is based on 120,000 students and 3,000 professor evaluations, and it also provides useful facts about the institutions.
Study in Germany with upGrad Abroad
Students can pursue Master of Business Administration, Master in Data Science, Master in Computer Science, and Master in International Management from a leading German university, the International University of Applied Sciences, in collaboration with upGrad Abroad. As part of these advanced courses, students study the course part online with IU Germany and part on-campus in Germany.
Students can avail of the following benefits as part of any of the programs mentioned above:
- Save up to 80% of the tuition fees by studying the first year online. The study abroad programs cost 1/10th of their offline costs.
- Students will be guided by trained instructors to help them prepare for entrance and qualifying exams such as IELTS.
- Fast-track courses that help students learn efficiently in a short span.
- Assistance with visas, scholarships & readying admission documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
All German universities offer degrees that are internationally recognized. The most prevalent undergraduate degrees are the BA and BSc (Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science), which take six semesters (three years) to complete. An MA or MSc (Master of Arts / Master of Science) will take two to four semesters (one to two years) to complete, while a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) will take four to six semesters (two-three years). Germany is a paradise for higher education. Unlike any other country, Germany has a large number of internationally renowned universities, several courses to choose from, globally valued degrees that guarantee students great employability, and low living costs.
For students whose command of the German language isn’t high enough to warrant studying fully in German, there are lots of courses that are taught in English (at least in the first semesters). German language classes are available both before and during the program. Many postgraduate courses (Master’s and Ph.D.) are totally created and delivered in English.
It is always recommended to open a German bank account since you will need it if you want to rent a flat or apply for insurance. You will need to provide your bank credentials so that they can debit your account because you won’t be able to pay cash. Of course, if you have a credit card, you can use it, but cash cards are more common.
Q.What kind of degrees do universities in Germany offer?
Q. Why choose Germany to study as an international student?
Q. Can I study in Germany in the English language?
Q. Do I have to open a German bank account before moving to the country?
Germany continues to hold its own as one of the leading education abroad destinations for international aspirants. The country’s academic prowess and flourishing economy are big plus points for sure!
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