Germany is one of the most popular countries for study abroad, and with good reason. In fact, it has been cited as one of the most supportive countries for international students. For one, it tends to be a very inexpensive country to study abroad in, as overseas students pay the same tuition fees as local students, and many universities do not charge any tuition fees at all.
Furthermore, English is becoming more and more common as the primary language for courses in Germany universities across the country, to the point where it is possible to earn your entire degree or complete your entire course in Germany without having to take a single class in German. However, if you are a student of German, there are still plenty of classes offered in the local language. You can even find programs specific to German language immersion if you're up for it!
There are hundreds of universities in Germany, located across the country, and more than 10 of them rank in the top 200 worldwide. Wherever you want to study abroad in Germany, and whatever you want to study, you can likely find a university that is a good fit. To help you out in your selection, here's a list of eight of the best universities in Germany for international students.
Are you NOT American?: We've gotten a lot of questions from non-American students on this article about additional information on studying in Germany. For you, we'd recommend heading over to our partner, studyabroad.com to learn more about studying or getting a full degree in Germany.
Universities in Berlin
Study abroad in Berlin
Berlin is home to some of the greatest universities in all of Europe, and students who study abroad in Berlin can take advantage of a wide variety of different course options. Many courses here can be taught in English as well as German, which is good news for our friends who don't sprechen Deutsch!
1. Freie University of Berlin
A top-ranking research university and the largest of four research universities in Berlin, Freie Universitat Berlin expects one-third of its student population to consist of overseas students in the future.
The university ranked 87th on the QS World University Rankings last year, and it is particularly strong in arts and humanities and social sciences. The university has branch offices in the United States, Belgium, Russia, China, Egypt, and India, allowing it to form strong partnerships with many universities and better serve students from those countries.
2. Humbolt University of Berlin
More than 10% of the student population of Humboldt University, one of the oldest universities in Berlin, consists of international students. It ranked 99th in the world in 2012-13 in the Times Higher Education World University Ranking.
Humboldt is a hardcore research university with opportunities to work with world renowned faculty in fields such as the history of science, quantitative economics, and climate and sustainability research. Students interested in scientific research are highly encouraged to apply.
Universities in Munich
Study abroad in Munich
As the largest city in the state of Bavaria, Munich (or Munchen as the locals call it!) is a city enriched in German culture and history (and cream filled donuts!). Studying abroad in Munich is an easy choice considering the number of German universities for international students there.
3. Technical University Munich
Germany's highest ranking university, Technische Universitat Munchen, or TUM, comes in 53rd on the World University Rankings, just above Heidelberg University. It excels in the more technical disciplines, like engineering. The university host some 5,000 international students, making up about 16% of its student population.
Because of the university's strength in research and engineering, it has partnerships with a number of prestigious universities, including U.S. schools such as MIT, Stanford, Cornell, and Georgia Tech. The university also has strong partnerships across Europe and Asia.
4. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
One of Germany's oldest universities, LMU ranks 60th in the QS World University Rankings, just below rivals TUM and Heidelberg. Almost 15% of its student population is international students. The university offers more than 100 areas of study, and an increasingly large number of its classes are offered in English to cater to international students, particularly in the fields of business, management, psychology, and physics.
Universities in Smaller German Cities
Study abroad in Baden-Wurttemberg
Baden-Wurttemberg, a state located in southwest Germany, is a popular destination for international students due to its highly renowned universities and its beautiful landscapes. As universities here are in smaller cities with less expats, students in this area are often looking for a more immersive study abroad experience.
5. Heidelberg University
Founded in 1386 and ranking 55th in the World University Rankings, Heidelberg University is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Western Europe. It performs best in the sciences. More than 20% of the student body consists of international students from around 130 countries.
Also, more than one-third of its doctoral students are international students. One thing to note, though, is that many of the university's classes are in German, so make sure to pack that German-English Dictionary if you decide to study here.
