Public Universities in Germany: Rankings, Courses & Cost

The education system in Germany is broadly divided into public and private universities. The public universities in Germany clearly dominate the education market in the country with over 240 functional public universities offering programmes for everyone. The private universities are much smaller in number and offer specialized programmes.

Germany is famous for offering high-quality education at low or no cost. This thing makes Germany one of the best countries to study abroad for Indian students. The education system in Germany is broadly divided into public and private universities. The German public universities are highly preferred by international students. The total number of public universities in Germany is 313 out of a total of 428 institutions in German higher education

Apart from zero tuition fees, Public universities in Germany offer better research opportunities, government support, and a strong academic reputation. The number of Indian students studying in Germany has increased three-fold over the years. Indians make up the second-largest group of international students enrolled at German universities, with around 42,997 students from India currently enrolled in Germany (2024).

Public universities in Germany are funded by the government and form the major backbone of the education industry in the country. The Technical University of Munich, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Heidelberg University, and Free University of Berlin are among the top public universities in Germany, which are also among the top global universities. The article is all about the list of public universities in Germany, their courses, and how to apply there.

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Top 10 Public Universities In Germany for International Students

If you are looking for best place to study abroad, check this list of Top 10 Public Universities In Germany for International Students. These German universities have very high ranking in the world. The best thing is mostly no tuition fees. They are very friendly to international students and offer courses in Engineering and Management with good job opportunities.

Let us know the universities in detail

Technical University of Munich (TUM)

This is number 1 in public universities in Germany list. Every Indian student dream to study here for Masters in Germany. But now big change happened—it is not free anymore. You have to pay tuition fees (around €4,000 to €6,000 per year) for many course. Admission is very tough, they check your GATE score or GRE very strictly.

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU)

If you want to live in Munich city but don't want to pay high fees, LMU is best choice. It is still a free education in Germany option. They are very famous for Data Science and Physics. But remember, the competition is very high here because thousands of student apply.

Heidelberg University

It is one of oldest college in Europe. But careful, it is located in Baden-Württemberg state. In this state, the rule is different; Non-EU students (like Indians) must pay €1,500 tuition fee per semester. It is not zero cost. The town is small and quiet, good for Medicine and research study.

Free University of Berlin (FU Berlin)

As the name say, it offers tuition free education. It is in capital city Berlin. Many Indian students go here for Political Science and Humanities. The biggest problem here is finding room. Finding student accommodation in Berlin is very big headache and take 2-3 months.

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

This is top college for Mechanical Engineering in Germany. If you want job in car companies like Mercedes, this is best place. But like Heidelberg, you have to pay €1,500 semester fee here. They focus too much on your CGPA, so if your marks are low in Bachelor, admission is hard.

RWTH Aachen University

We call this "Mini India" because so many Indian students in Germany study here. It is part of TU9 Universities (best technical group). The best thing is no tuition fee and cost of living in Aachen city is cheap. You can save money on rent here compared to Munich.

Humboldt University of Berlin

This is in center of Berlin. Very good for Arts and History. Now they have good Computer Science course also. Because it is in city center, you can easily find part-time jobs in Germany to pay your monthly expense. It is totally free, you only pay for bus ticket.

Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin)

If you want Engineering degree from big city Berlin without paying fees, choose this. It is famous for Civil Engineering and Architecture. They support students who want to start their own business. Also, they have many English taught programs for Masters level.

University of Hamburg

Hamburg is a rich city with big port. Many big multinational companies have office here, so getting jobs in Germany after study is easy. Education is free but be careful. The living cost and house rent in Hamburg is very expensive. It is almost same as Munich.

University of Freiburg

Located near beautiful Black Forest area. For this public universities in Germany ou have to pay tuition fees (€1,500) here. It is very safe city and weather is sunnier than other parts of Germany.

Many public universities in Germany require or accept TestAS scores as admission process. Learn more about the structure, preparation, and importance of this exam in our TestAS Exam Guide. Germany boasts various top public universities. To understand how these institutions compare to those in the Netherlands, especially regarding tuition fees and academically, check our Study in Netherlands vs Germany analysis.

Public universities in Germany offer quality education at low costs and also provide good job opportunities. Many international students find part-time jobs while studying and full-time jobs after graduation because of Germany’s strong job market.

Why Study at Public Universities in Germany?

If you are confused about which country to choose, let me tell you why studying in Germany is becoming popular. It is not just about beautiful cars and football; the education system is very strong. There are close to 350 public universities in Germany. Apart from offering free education to international and domestic students alike. What makes public universities in Germany for Masters popular among international students can be attributed to the quality of education German universities provide.

• Save Huge Money: This is the biggest reason. In countries like USA or UK, you pay lakhs of rupees for college. But here, Public Universities are mostly tuition free. You save all that money. You only pay for your living and food.

• World Class Degree: German degrees are respected everywhere. Especially if you are an Engineer or doing Science, the quality is top level. The professors are strict and you have to study hard, but you learn real practical skills.

• Work and Earn: While studying, you are not just sitting. You can do part-time jobs for 20 hours per week. This helps you pay your rent. After you finish degree, government gives you 18-month Job Seeker Visa. This is enough time to find a good full-time job.

• English Courses: Many students fear German language. But for Masters, many universities teach in English. So you can study easily even if you don't speak fluent German yet.

• Travel Europe: Germany is in center of Europe. With your student visa, you can travel to France, Italy, or Swiss on weekends. It is amazing experience.

Popular Courses to Study in Public Universities of Germany

While courses are part of the student's decision. However, popular courses across public universities include

• Business Administration/Management

• Computer Science

• Industrial Engineering/Business and Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronics
• Medicine/health science

• Robotics/Artificial Intelligence
• Social work

Cost of Studying at Public Universities in Germany

When planning for Germany, the budget is the most critical part. Everyone knows that Public Universities are cheap, but "cheap" does not mean zero cost. You must plan for these expenses.

• Tuition Fees: In most public universities in Germany, you have to pay 0 Euro for tuition. It is totally free. But, if you go to universities in Baden-Württemberg state (like Heidelberg or Freiburg) or Technical University of Munich (TUM), you have to pay fees. For others, it is free.

• Semester Contribution: This is not tuition fee. It is a mandatory charge every university asks for. It costs around 200 to 400 Euro per semester. This money is for student union and administration. The best benefit is it includes a Semester Ticket for free travel in public transport.

• Blocked Account (Visa Money): This is the heavy amount. For your German student visa, you must show roughly 11,904 Euro (as of 2025) in a German bank account. This is not a fee, it is your own money for living expenses like rent and food for one year.

• Health Insurance: You cannot study without insurance. For students under 30, public insurance costs around 125 Euro per month.

Estimated Cost of Studying in German Public Universities (Per Year)

How to apply to a Public University in Germany?

The admission requirements to study in Germany at Public universities are very high. Universities in Germany ask for a 90% academic score for UG programs for admission. It also has a high acceptance rate which makes it difficult for foreign students to get admission to public universities in the country. International students need to appear for IELTS or TOEFL exam as an English Language Proficiency Exam. For PG courses international students are required at least a 70-75% academic score from a reputed university. They also need to appear in GRE, GMAT, ACT, SAT, etc. as per the programme requirement. Candidates can reach out to our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors for assistance with university admissions.

Admission Requirements at Public Universities in Germany

Getting admission in German Public Universities is strictly based on your merit. They don't ask for money, but they ask for good brains. Here is what you need to be ready with to get a seat.

• Schooling Rule (13 Years): This is the biggest confusion. In Germany, school is for 13 years. If you finished 12th class in India, you generally cannot join Bachelor degree directly. You have to do one year foundation course called Studienkolleg and pass a test called FSP. However, if you have cleared JEE Advanced or finished one year of college in India, you might get direct entry.

• For Master Students: It is simpler. You need a relevant Bachelor degree from a recognized university. Your marks are very important. Usually, a German Grade of 2.5 or better is needed (which is roughly 70-75% in India).

• Language Skills: You cannot skip this. For most Bachelor courses, the teaching is in German. You need C1 level certificate like TestDaF or DSH. For Master's in Germany, many are in English. For that, you need IELTS (usually 6.5 band) or TOEFL score.

• Entrance Exams: Unlike USA, you usually don't need GRE for every university. However, top ones like RWTH Aachen or TUM might ask for GRE or GATE score for specific technical courses.

• Important Papers: You must write a strong Letter of Motivation (SOP) explaining why you are best student. Also, prepare a German style CV and get Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from your professors.

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Candidates looking for assistance with university admissions can get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad counsellors for assistance with university admissions to Germany. You can also mention your queries in the comment section below: