Top Universities in Germany for Masters Programs

Germany is known for its academic prowess in a vast array of fields along with its globally ranked and acclaimed educational institutions. Germany hosts thousands of international students every year, who are drawn to the excellent quality of education, fantastic future career prospects, and comparatively reasonable or zero tuition fees! Students only have to pay nominal enrollment fees along with a few other costs. 

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Eligibility Criteria & Documents Required for Master’s in German Universities

Eligibility Criteria

Here are the eligibility criteria for universities in Germany for master’s programs: 

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant subject
• GMAT/GRE scores (if needed)
• Scores in TOEFL/IELTS and also proof of German language proficiency if the course is taught in German (DSH Level I/II, Goethe C1/C2, TestDaf Level 2-4)

Documents required

• Resume/CV
• LOR (Letter of Recommendation)
• SOP (Statement of Purpose)

Recommended Read: Study MASTERS in Germany

Where to Study Masters Programs in Germany? 

Here are the top universities where you can pursue master’s courses in Germany: 

1. Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich –

Founded in 1472, LMU is one of Europe’s leading academic and research institutions and has 18 faculties offering diverse courses. It has an international student population of around 18%. 

2. The Technical University of Munich –

Established as Royal Bavarian Polytechnic of Munich in 1868, the institution now houses 13 departments, an Olympic Park and university hospitals. It is the alma mater of Carl von Linde, who devised the refrigerator, and Rudolf Diesel, who created the diesel engine. The university has three campuses in the state of Bavaria: Munich, Garching, and Weihenstephaner and 33% international student population. 

3. Heidelberg University –

Founded in 1386, Heidelberg is Germany’s oldest university. Bearing testimony to its academic excellence is the fact that 11 of its professors have been awarded a Nobel Prize. It has a strong industry connection with companies in the Rhine-Neckar and Heidelberg regions. 19% of its student population is from overseas.

4. Humboldt University Berlin –

Established in 1810, the Humboldt University of Berlin is respected for its arts and humanities programs. It has so far produced 29 Nobel winners including Max Born for physics in 1954; Theodor Mommsen for literature in 1902; and Wassily Leontief for economics in 1973. It has an 18% international student population.

5. Charite Universitatmedizin Berlin –

Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin is one of the largest university hospitals in Europe. More than half of German Nobel prize-winners in medicine and physiology originated from the Charité. It has four campuses across Berlin: Campus Benjamin Franklin, Campus Charité Mitte, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Berlin Buch and approximately 100 departments and institutes. It has a 21% international student population.

6. University of Freiburg –

The university offers 180 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs across 11 faculties. There is a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary education with the option to add an interdisciplinary year to a bachelor’s degree. Its long history of teaching sciences and humanities has earned its reputation as one of Germany’s elite universities. Nineteen Nobel Prize winners are associated with the university. It has a 12% international population.

7. The University of Tubingen –

The institute is situated in one of the traditional German university towns of Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, famous for its boat trips and magnificent architecture. The University of Tübingen has 14 schools, which offer 280 courses at all levels. The University of Tübingen maintains close connections with over 150 foreign institutions and has a 14% international student population.

8. RWTH Aachen –

Aachen is Germany’s westernmost city, situated very close to the Dutch and Belgian border. It thus has a vibrant mix of cultures and languages. It is most reputed for natural sciences and engineering. It has a 25% international student population.

9. The University of Bonn –

Home to more than 35,000 students and 4,500 academic staff, the University of Bonn is among the world’s leading research universities. Its strong international spirit is evident from its 16% international student population. The university offers excellent programs in Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy, Economics, Biosciences, and Philosophy. Boasting two Nobel Prize winners: Wolfgang Paul in 1989 for Physics, and Reinhard Selten in 1994 for Economics. Its most notable alumni include Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Robert Schumann. Offering over 90-degree programmes, the university is located across 371 buildings in the city of Bonn.

10. The Free University of Berlin –

The university offers over 150-degree programmes, 17 collaborative research centres, seven international liaison offices in Beijing, Brussels, Cairo, Moscow, New Delhi, New York, and Sao Paulo and partnerships with universities worldwide. The university also boasts five Nobel Prize winners. It has a 23% international student population.

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Application Process 

• Once you have shortlisted the course and university to apply to, you can commence the application process. Ensure that you have all the required documents ready. Most German universities accept applications via ‘uni-assist’, an online application platform. 
• You need to create an account on the portal, choose the course and university you are applying for and upload scanned application documents. 
• Few universities may require you to apply on their own online application platform. You can gain access to this information at the university’s website.
• Once you have completed your application, wait for a response from the institution. 
• You can apply for a German student visa and buy health insurance after securing a seat.

Application Cycle for MS in Germany

Generally, the following deadlines apply for university courses in Germany:

-The application deadline often is July 15 if the course starts during the winter semester.

-The application deadline often is January 15 if the course starts during the summer semester.

It should be noted that the winter semester is the bigger intake period and admission to most study courses is only possible in the winter semester. 

Academic cycle for MS in Germany

The academic year in Germany is split into two semesters – 

Winter –  October 1-March 31

Summer – April 1-September 30

Semester breaks in August/September and in March are reserved for internships and examinations. Details of the precise semester dates, holiday arrangements, etc. can be obtained from the respective university.

Benefits of studying master’s programs in Germany

Here are some of the key benefits of pursuing master’s courses in Germany: 

• The country is home to globally recognized universities that are highly placed in both the Times and QS World ranking lists. 
• Germany offers the best master’s courses with cutting-edge educational infrastructure and industry exposure in varied fields. 
• The country has a flourishing economy with great job prospects in various sectors for skilled master’s graduates. 
• Business, finance, management, engineering, and automotive engineering are top career options in Germany. 
• Students willing to work in the country can extend their visas up to eighteen months after completing their courses. 

Know More About Universities in Germany for Masters

• Universities in Germany for Masters in Data Science
• Universities in Germany for Masters in Computer Science
• Universities in Germany for Aerospace Engineering
• Universities in Germany for Economics
• Universities in Germany for Finance

upGrad Abroad Recommendations

• Master in International Management- Two year program with the first year involving online study at IMT Ghaziabad and the second year covering on-campus study at IU Germany. 
• Master Degree in Data Science- Two year program with the first year being covered online at IIIT Bangalore and the second year covering on-campus study at IU Germany. 
• Master of Business Administration-18-month course with the first two semesters covering online study at IU Germany and the next one being on-campus study at IU Germany. 
• Master in Computer Science- The course covers two years with the first year revolving around online study at IU Germany. The second year will be spent on-campus at IU Germany as well. 

These courses offer significant cost savings on course fees for international students while giving them the best learning frameworks and support with their admissions and applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

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