Best 10 Universities in Germany in 2025 - Rankings, Courses & Fees

Are you planning to study in Germany in 2025? Not sure which university to go for? Don’t worry. We have made a list of the top 10 universities in Germany for you. These universities are known for their world rankings, tuition-free education, and high-quality courses.

Germany is one of the most popular study destinations for international students. Known for its world-class research, Nobel Prize winners, and cutting-edge technology, studying in Germany is a better option which offers high-quality education at little to no cost.

Top universities like the Technical University of Munich, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, and Heidelberg University consistently rank among the best in the world in QS and Times Higher Education rankings. A total of 5 German universities have been ranked among the top 100 universities in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings 2026. The article will include the 10 best universities in Germany 2025, with their rankings, popular programs and more.

One of the many reasons for choosing Germany as a study destination is the presence of German Universities in the global university rankings. The Germans take their education system very seriously and German Universities are largely state-funded public universities.

One of the reasons for the high influx of international students wanting to study in Germany is that public universities do not charge students the otherwise expensive tuition fee but only charge an administration fee at the start of every academic year. However, students wanting to study in Germany would be required to possess a Blocked Account, which is mandatory and would cover their living and miscellaneous expenses while living in the country.

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Top 10 Universities in Germany for 2025-26

Candidates interested in studying in Germany should apply to the top universities in the country.  While German Public universities would have a more detailed admission procedure, admission to private universities is relatively easier. Often, candidates are required to have an understanding or working knowledge of the German language to facilitate their admission more easily. Here is a list of the top 10 universities in Germany 2025 for students who want to pursue their higher education in the country.  Read: Study in Germany: Timeline for September Intake

Know more about the universities in detail, here:

Technical University of Munich (TUM)

The Technical University of Munich is amongst the best universities in Europe having three campuses in Garching, Freising-Weihenstephan, and Munich. The academic faculties of the university are divided into three campuses. The main campus in Munich includes the departments of Architecture, Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Economics, Medicine, and Social Sciences. The second campus is situated in Garching which houses faculties of Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Informatics, and Mathematics. The third campus is situated in Weihenstephan which is just 35 km north of Munich that is home to a number of faculties including Agriculture Science and Horticulture, Biology, Forestry and Resource Management, Nutrition, Landscape Planning and Architecture, and Food Technology.

Technical University of Munich - Courses

Ludwig Maximilians University Munich (LMU)

Established in 1472, Ludwig Maximilian University also known as the University of Munich is an open research university that is associated with LERU, Europaeum, and the German Excellence Universities. The major faculties at the university include the Faculty of Law, Faculty of Economics, Faculty of Business Administration, Faculty of Theology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of History, Faculty of Educational Sciences, and the Faculty of Language and Literature.

These faculties are built within the premises and have a well-maintained academic structure and experienced faculty members that provides students with ample knowledge. Some well-known subjects of the university are Physics, Psychology, Management, and Business among several others.

Ludwig Maximilians University Munich - Courses

Heidelberg University

Heidelberg University is an open research and Germany's oldest university founded in 1836. Like all other public universities in Germany, Heidelberg does not charge students for tuition. The language of instruction is generally German, while a significant number of graduate degrees are offered in English as well as some in French.

Heidelberg University offers undergraduate degree programs, postgraduate degree programs, and doctoral-level programs for students to pursue. The university offers courses in twelve subjects including, Behavioral and Cultural Studies, Philosophy, Modern Languages, Economics and Social Sciences, Biosciences, Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry and Earth Sciences, Math and Computer science, Theology, Law, and two medical faculties.

Heidelberg University - Courses

Humboldt University of Berlin

Established in 1801, Humboldt University of Berlin had a humble beginning with four faculties including medicine, law, theology, and philosophy. The university started operating with just 256 students and 52 staff members. Currently, the university has nine faculties, three central institutes, five central units, and nine interdisciplinary centres.

The research-intensive Humboldt University of Berlin offers 189-degree courses in various fields of education like agriculture, biology, biophysics, business, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, economics, economics, horticulture, theology, management, psychology, medicine, social sciences, and sports. Students are provided with excellent information, counselling services, and job and internship opportunities.

Humboldt University of Berlin - Courses

Free University of Berlin (FU) 

Established in 1948, the Free University of Berlin was formed by students and professors. The initiative was to incorporate a free university and was strongly supported by the masses and gained plenty of financial aid. The university holds membership in various prestigious international and national organizations like the European Universities Association (EUA) and the Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe (UNICA).

Currently, the university has 11 academic departments, four multi-disciplinary central institutes, and one merged medical school with the Humboldt University of Berlin. The university offers 52 doctoral, 105 graduate, and 73 undergraduate degree programs in various fields like social sciences, biology, chemistry, physics, chemistry, medicine, pharmacy, mathematics, languages, cultural studies, law, economics, business, and arts. The Free University of Berlin provides students with outstanding internship and job opportunities through the tie-ups it has developed with well-established firms over the years.

Free University of Berlin - Courses

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

Established in 1825, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is one of the largest scientific institutions in Europe, the only German university of excellence with national large-scale research that combines a long university tradition with program-oriented cutting-edge research.

At KIT, more than 5000 scientists work together on a broad disciplinary basis in the natural, engineering, economics, humanities and social sciences. Regardless of whether scientists come from the large-scale research section or from the university world, they participate in teaching so that students studying at KIT receive rare insights into the scientific world.

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - Courses

RWTH Aachen University (RWTH)

Established in 1870, the RWTH Aachen University is an open research university and is considered among the top technological universities in Germany. The university offers undergraduate degree programs, postgraduate degree programs, and doctoral-level programs.

It includes a number of subjects that are categorized into nine faculties, namely the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Sciences, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Business and Economics, Faculty of Geo-resources and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering.

RWTH Aachen University (RWTH) - Courses

Technical University of Berlin (TUB)

The Technical University of Berlin is a prestigious research institution in Berlin, Germany. In the year 1879, it was founded and later recognized as one of the most distinguished universities in Europe. The Technical University of Berlin is popular for its engineering programs in the field of computer science, economics and management, mathematics, planning, human sciences, process science, and mechanical engineering.

These seven faculties offer varied courses that include 40 Bachelor's programs and 60 Master's programs for the students to choose from. Apart from this, the university also promotes and gives importance to entrepreneurship and start-ups in science and other subjects of importance.

Technical University of Berlin - Courses

Dresden University of Technology (TUD)

Established in 1828, Dresden University of Technology is a centre for academic excellence in Germany. This prestigious university is a public research university that has its origin in the Royal Saxon Technical School and bridges technical education with humanities. Dresden focuses on interdisciplinary approaches and offers varieties of courses at undergraduate, postgraduate, and certificate levels. The university maintains world-class infrastructure including hi-tech laboratories, art studios, computer labs, and libraries offering research-driven education.

Dresden University of Technology (TUD) - Courses

University of Tuebingen

Established in 1477, the University of Tuebingen is one of the oldest universities in Germany, Tuebingen is acknowledged globally for its research-oriented learning system. The core faculties of the University of Tuebingen include Protestant Theology, Catholic Theology, Law, Medicine, Humanities, Economics and Social Sciences, and Science.

Apart from these, there are several interfaculty institutes in the university such as the Interfaculty Institute for Cell Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, and Inter-faculty Centre for Archaeology. The University of Tuebingen maintains state-of-the-art infrastructure for offering best-in-class education. The hi-tech laboratories, libraries, art studios, and IT centres on the campus constitute the most suitable environment for research and innovation.

University of Tuebingen - Courses

Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg

Founded in 1457, Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg was first set up in Freiburg Cathedral as the 'Albertina'. Initially, the university was established as a comprehensive university with four faculties, including law, theology, medicine, and philosophy. The university was founded to educate young administrators and theologists and the lessons took place in Latin. Currently, the university has 11 faculties and 18 research centers, where the instruction and research take place.

The university has three large campuses and other buildings across Freiburg. The three campuses include the University Centre, located near the historical city Centre, the engineering campus, and the institute quarter. The University Centre also houses Jugendstil Kollegiengebäude I, the old and the current university library, and the university church.

Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg - Courses

The above tabular data has been sourced from Shiksha Study Abroad from an earlier date. The numbers could vary subject to the current economy. 

Top Public Universities in Germany – QS Rankings 2026

Top universities in Germany for Masters

One can check the list of top MS universities in Germany from below.

1. Technical University of Munich
2. Ludwig Maximilians University Munich
3. RWTH Aachen University
4. Heidelberg University - Germany
5. University of Bonn

Top universities in Germany for Engineering

Candidates can check the top universities in Germany for Computer Science from below.

1. Technical University of Munich
2. Heidelberg University - Germany
3. University of Bonn
4. RWTH Aachen University
5. Humboldt University of Berlin

This is a comprehensive list of the top 10 universities in Germany. We have for the benefit of our readers listed several of the most sought-after courses according to university. However, for the entire list of courses offered at the university, candidates are advised to visit the official website.  We advise that you go through the website, understand the German course structure of UG and PG courses, explore the scholarships for Germany, understand the eligibility criteria for undergraduate courses in Germany as well as PG courses as well as understand the application process to German Universities. Once you are clear about the way to reach Germany, we suggest either of the universities would be a great place for you…for when it comes to Germany…it means quality. For more inquiries, feel free to write to us in the comments section below. Candidates looking for assistance with university admissions can get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. 

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