Public Universities in Germany: Rankings, Courses & Cost
Talk to Expert
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.
Quick Links
- Public Universities vs Private Universities in Germany - Overview
- Best Public Universities in Germany 2025
- List of Public Universities in Germany
- Why Study at Public Universities in Germany?
- Cost of Studying at Public Universities in Germany
- How to apply to a Public University in Germany?
Public Universities vs Private Universities in Germany - Overview
In this section, we are going to look at the differences between public universities and private universities across Germany.
| Parameters | Public Universities | Private Universities |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Studying in Germany | Public Universities in Germany do not charge students with a tuition fee. These are government-funded study institutions and students are only required to pay a semester fee of €350. | Private Universities in Germany offer specialized courses to students and charge a tuition fee. Students studying at private universities would be required to shell out anywhere between €6000 to €7000 per year. |
| Admissions Requirements | Tuition-free public universities have put Germany on the global education map. Hence, every year, thousands of international and domestic students apply to Public Universities. This is why the admission process is complex and has higher admission requirements. | The admission process to private universities in contrast is less complex. Candidates looking to study across private universities in Germany are required to simply qualify for the minimum admission requirements to go ahead with their admission process. |
| Language Requirements | Candidates looking to take admission to public universities in Germany are required to know German. All public universities in Germany use German as their medium of communication and teaching, hence knowing the German Language - (certificate level) is mandatory. | One of the biggest advantages of studying in private universities in Germany is that students are provided with quality education which is at par with private universities and students are not required to learn the German language. The main mode of communication is English. However, knowing German will only help you manoeuvre through the foreign land. |
| Intake Season | Winter Semester: (popular)
Summer Semester:
|
Rolling Admission Deadlines across most courses |
| Top Courses Offered | Public Universities in Germany offer a large variety of courses as compared to private universities. For example - the Free University of Berlin is a public university in Germany that offers more than 150 academic courses. |
Private universities offer a much smaller number of courses to students looking to study in Germany. However, the courses offered by private universities in Germany are specialized programmes which are targeted towards providing employment. |
| University Rankings | Most German universities ranked among the top universities in the world are public universities. |
Private universities enjoy a much lesser mention across top universities ranking around the world. |
Many public universities in Germany require or accept TestAS scores as part of their 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.
A GRE score of 320 is considered very good for universities in Germany. Most top German universities typically require a GRE score of 315+ for competitive programs. A score of 320 would put you in a strong position for admission and potentially for scholarship opportunities.
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae
Comments
(1)
M
4 years ago
R
4 years ago
Hello John. To know about public universities that teach in English visit: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/universities-in-germany-that-teach-in-english-articlepage-2073 Do keep in mind that this is a select list and does not include all universities. Do note that public universities do not have a
Yes, Schiller International University Germany accepts IELTS exam as a part of English language requirement. SIU Germany offers admissions for international students on a rolling basis. International students whose native language is not English, must submit proof of English proficiency at SIU Germany. Schiller International University Germany also accepts English language test such as PTE, TOEFL, Duolingo, and more. International students must meet the minimum English test score requirement at SIU Germany that are listed below
Test
UG
PG
TOEFL iBT
Minimum score of 80
Minimum score of 89
IELTS
Minimum score of 6.0
Minimum score of 6.0 (MBA and MBA International Business require 6.5 or equivalent)
Duolingo
Minimum score of 95
Minimum score of 105
PTE
GSE score of 59 or higher
GSE score of 67 or higher