Germany’s education system mainly has public and private universities. There are over 240 public universities, making them the most common. Private universities are fewer and usually offer specialized programs.
Public Universities in Germany:
Germany is a top destination for Indian students who want to study abroad, especially for engineering and mechanical studies. The German education system is highly regarded worldwide, and its courses are among the best. Germany’s education system is mainly divided into public and private universities. Public universities dominate the market, with over 240 institutions offering a wide range of courses. Private universities are fewer and usually focus on specialized programs.
The number of Indian students in Germany has tripled over the years, making them the second largest group of international students in the country. Around 35,000 Indian students were enrolled in German universities in 2022. Public universities in Germany are government-funded and are the foundation of the country’s education system. A major attraction is that all public universities in Germany are tuition-free. Germany values education and aims to make quality education accessible to everyone. Each year, the government invests heavily in infrastructure, facilities, and faculty at public universities to keep education free for both international and domestic students.
Public Universities vs Private Universities – 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 | 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 euros. | 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 – €7000 euros 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) Admission starts on July 15th Academic Session: October to March Summer Semester: Admission starts on January 15th Academic Session: April to September | Rolling Admission Deadlines across most courses |
| 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. |
Private Universities: Pros & Cons
Should you study at a private university in Germany? It depends on your personal situation. Here are some of the main pros and cons:
Pros:
- Better services and facilities: Because private universities charge tuition fees, they often offer better services and facilities compared to public universities.
- Smaller class sizes: Classes are usually smaller, allowing for more personalized attention from lecturers and a better learning experience.
- More hands-on learning: Private universities often focus more on practical learning and include projects with partner companies, which can be beneficial for certain careers.
- Help with job placement: Private universities typically offer more support in helping students find jobs after graduation.
- Easier admission process: It is generally easier to get into private universities because they charge fees and have less competition. This can mean more flexibility with language test scores and other entry requirements.
Cons:
- Expensive: Private universities can be quite costly due to tuition fees.
- Less recognition internationally: Many private universities in Germany are not well-known outside the country and may not appear in international rankings. This might matter if you plan to work abroad after graduation.
- Not ideal for academic careers: If you want to become a researcher or stay in academia, private universities might not be the best choice, as they focus more on practical skills rather than research.
💸 Tuition fees at private universities in Germany
Unlike public universities, private universities in Germany charge tuition fees. For a Bachelor’s program, students can expect to pay between €10,000 and €15,000 per year, while a Master’s program usually costs between €10,000 and €20,000 per year. There may be slight differences in tuition fees for students from the EU/EEA compared to those from outside the EU/EEA.
| University | Tuition fees for Bachelors per year | Tuition fees for Masters per year |
| Constructor University (Bremen) | ca. €20,000 | ca. €20,000 |
| EU Business School | ca. €13,500 | ca. €15,000 |
| Hertie School | – | ca. €18,300 |
| IGC International Graduate Center Bremen | – | €10,600 per year on average, ranging from €8,500 to €11,500 |
| IU University of Applied Sciences | ca. €5,000 | From €7,000 to €12,000 depending on the study mode |
| Lancaster University Leipzig | ca. €16,500 | ca. €22,500 |
| Macromedia University of Applied Sciences | ca. €11,000 | From €11,000 to €13,000 depending on the campus |
| SRH Universities (Berlin, Heidelberg) | ca. €8,000 | From €8,000 to €13,000 depending on the campus |
Best Public Universities in Germany 2024
In this section, we are going to list the best public universities in Germany as per leading ranking aggregators.
| Public Universities in Germany | QS World University Rankings 2025: Top Global Universities | World University Rankings 2024 – Times Higher Education (THE) |
| Technical University of Munich (TUM) Shiksha Grade: A++ | 28 | 30 |
| Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich Shiksha Grade: A++ | 59 | 38 |
| Heidelberg University Shiksha Grade: A++ | 84 | 47 |
| Free University of Berlin Shiksha Grade: A | 97 | 102 |
| RWTH Aachen University Shiksha Grade: A+ | 99 | 90 |
| Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) Shiksha Grade: B++ | 102 | 189 |
| Humboldt University of Berlin Shiksha Grade: A | 126 | 140 |
| Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin) Shiksha Grade: B++ | 126 | 87 |
| Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg Shiksha Grade: A+ | 147 | 136 |
| University of Hamburg Shiksha Grade: A | 191 | 136 |
Let us know the universities in detail
Technical University of Munich (TUM):
TUM is one of the top universities in the world and the highest-ranked in Germany, currently placed at #37 in the QS World University Rankings 2024. Founded in 1868, it is a member of the TU9 group, which includes nine top technical universities in Germany. TUM has 15 academic departments that offer more than 200 degree programs, including many courses taught in English, making it popular with international students.
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU):
LMU Munich is a leading research university in Europe with a history of over 550 years, founded in 1472. It is known for its academic excellence and strong connections with research institutions, universities, and businesses. LMU has 18 faculties offering a wide range of subjects, from theology to earth sciences.
University of Heidelberg:
Heidelberg is Germany’s oldest university and a top European research institution, known for its strong focus on academics and research. It is highly ranked worldwide and offers over 160 fields of study, ranging from humanities and social sciences to natural and applied sciences. Students at Heidelberg are encouraged to develop independent research skills early in their studies.
Free University of Berlin:
The Free University of Berlin is a top research university in Germany and a member of the Berlin University Alliance, which is funded by the German government’s Excellence Strategy. It has over 100 international partnerships and offers more than 150 degree programs across 16 academic departments and institutes. It is a popular choice for students and scholars from around the world.
| Bochum | University of Passau Passau | Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin |
| University of Hohenheim Stuttgart | Berlin School of Economics and Law Schöneberg Campus Berlin | Pforzheim University Pforzheim |
| Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg Magdeburg | Reutlingen University Reutlingen | n/a |
Why Study at Public Universities in Germany?
Germany has around 350 public universities, and they are popular because they offer free education to both international and domestic students. The quality of education is very high, with modern facilities, experienced faculty, and a focus on both theory and practical skills. Graduates from German universities are well-regarded worldwide, and there are good job opportunities after completing a degree. These factors make public universities in Germany a great choice for students looking to study abroad.
Popular Courses at Public Universities in Germany:
Some of the popular courses at public universities in Germany include:
- Business Administration/Management
- Computer Science
- Industrial Engineering/Business and Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronics
- Medicine/Health Sciences
- Robotics/Artificial Intelligence
- Social Work
Cost of Studying at Public Universities in Germany:
Public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees, but students do need to pay an administration fee of about 350 euros at the start of each semester. Students must also cover their living expenses. To study in Germany, students are required to open a Blocked Account, which is a special type of bank account that shows they have enough money to support themselves. As of January 1, 2023, students need to have €11,208 in this account for a year, or about €934 per month. Students should also consider other costs like travel and personal expenses.
How to Apply to a Public University in Germany:
Getting into a public university in Germany can be challenging due to high admission standards. For undergraduate programs, students usually need a 90% academic score. For postgraduate programs, a score of 70-75% from a recognized university is often required. Students also need to take English language tests like IELTS or TOEFL, and may need to take exams like GRE, GMAT, ACT, or SAT, depending on the program. Students can get help with their applications from study abroad counselors.