Every year, many international students face the same question: Where can I get a world-class education without declaring bankruptcy? Germany is the answer because it has the most prestigious universities in Europe, which rank among the top worldwide, according to Times Higher Education.

In this guide, we will explore the top universities in Germany for international students, including public universities, English-taught programmes, and the best subjects in each university. Whether you are a German speaker or not, you will find the information that you need in this blog.

Rankings of Universities

To study at German universities, you need to know the best universities in Germany, ranked both nationally and globally, according to THE.

Technical University of Munich (TUM)

Overview of TUM

The Technical University of Munich is one of the top universities in Germany for international students. It was formally built in 1868 by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. He founded it to give the spark of science to industry and business. It is one of the public universities in Germany. TUM has 15 academic departments and schools and around 40,000 students on campus, of which over 30% are international students. There are around 200 degree programmes available, including a wide selection of English-taught courses and programmes.

Best Subjects

In THE rankings by subjects, TUM achieved the following positions, both globally and universally:

English-Taught Programs

LMU is one of the public universities in Germany. According to my German university, TUM is considered one of the English universities in Germany due to English-only taught programmes and English-German programmes being available.

English-only programmes:

• Information Engineering
• Management and data science
• Aerospace
• Sustainable Management and Technology
• Chemical Engineering

English-German programmes:

• Management and Technology
• Political Science
• Sport Science

University Admission Requirements

To apply for a bachelor's degree at the Technical University of Munich, one of the best universities in Germany, international students must have the following:

• A recognised secondary school certificate equivalent to the German Abitur.
• Applicants are also required to obtain a preliminary evaluation (VPD) through uni-assist
• Prove their language proficiency in German or English, depending on the programme.
• Submit all required documents through the TUMonline portal: secondary school certificate, transcript of grades, language certificate, passport copy, and CV or motivation letter (for some programmes).

Note: Some programmes may include an aptitude assessment process, and students must provide proof of health insurance before enrolment.

Tuition Fees

For the 2026/27 academic year, tuition at the TUM for non-EU students remains within the same ranges introduced in 2024/25, plus an extra semester fee.

Tuition fees for non-EU students

• Bachelor’s programs: about €2,000-€3,000 per semester
• Master’s programs: about €4,000-€6,000 per semester

Some programmes may fall within these ranges, but TUM provides exact fees for each degree on its official website.

Semester fee for all students

In addition to the tuition fee, all students should pay a semester fee that covers administration and a basic public transport pass. It is around €97 per semester in 2027.

Who doesn’t pay tuition?

• Students from Germany and the European Economic Area
• Some non-EU students with special exemptions (such as those with certain German qualifications or long-term residency rights)

Tuition fees for international students for some programmes per semester, according to the TUM:

Accommodation Options

We have discussed the essential topics you may be searching for, and now we will provide you with some accommodation options from Casita, as finding the right accommodation is just as important as understanding the university itself.

• Perfect loft (München-Westend)
• Charming studio close to Olympiapark
• Snug single bedroom in Glockenbachviertel
• New! Freshly Renovated 1-Room Apartment – Central, Modern and Fully Equipped

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU)

Overview of LMU

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich is one of the top universities in Germany for international students. In 1472-1800, this university began as the University of Ingolstadt with four main fields: philosophy, medicine, law and theology.

In 1800, during the Napoleonic War, the university was moved to Landshut for safety, and it expanded and improved. In 1862, King Ludwig I moved it again to Munich and gave it its current name to honour its founders.

In the 19th century, LMU became an important centre for research and learning. It attracts many well-known scholars, such as the physicist Max Planck, the chemist Otto Hahn and the philosopher and psychiatrist Karl Jaspers.

During World War II, the university was damaged and has been open since 1946. LMU is one of the top universities, with thousands of students and staff.

Best Subjects

The best subjects at LMU globally, according to THE.

English-taught programmes

LMU is not considered one of the English universities in Germany due to rare English-taught bachelor’s programmes, but many master's programmes are available. The university offers a blended programme comprising English and German subjects. According to my German university:

English-German bachelor’s degree

• Business Administration
• North American studies

English-only master's degree

• Statistics and data science
• Software engineering
• Biochemistry
• Neurosciences
• Psychology learning sciences

Admission Requirements

General Requirements

To apply to LMU to get a bachelor’s degree, you should have the following:

• High‑school leaving certificate recognised as equivalent to the German Abitur.
• If your certificate is not equivalent, you may need to attend a Studienkolleg (preparatory year) before starting your degree.
• Valid passport or ID

For Specific Programmes:

• Aptitude tests or interviews for fields like medicine and the arts.
• Specific subject backgrounds for fields like maths and science for STEM programmes.
• Portfolio or additional documents for arts-related fields.

Accommodation Options

Here are some accommodation options near LMU to stay near the campus:

• Elegant Two-story Loft with Zen Garden
• Kamin Room 6 Standard+
• Zimmer in der Kohlstraße
• Zimmer in der Leopoldstraße
• Zimmer in der Frauenstraße

Heidelberg University

Overview of Heidelberg

Heidelberg University was founded in 1386. It is one of the oldest top universities in Germany for international students. It is also called Ruperto Carola. LMU is one of Europe’s leading research institutions. It was established in Heidelberg by Ruprecht I, Elector Palatine, with the pope's permission.

In the 19th century, Heidelberg gained fame not just for research but also for liberal values, democratic ideas, and openness to new thinking. Its reputation attracted many foreign students. This period saw groundbreaking research across all faculties, with renowned scholars such as Robert Bunsen, Hermann Helmholtz, Gustav Kirchhoff, and Max Weber contributing to its legacy.

Best Subjects

Heidelberg University has achieved the top ranking in various subjects according to the THE rankings:

English-Taught Programmes

Heidelberg University doesn’t have English-only programmes but has some English-German programmes for bachelor's degrees, such as the following:

• Informatik
• Psychology
• Geosciences

English-Only Master’s Degree

• Data and computer science
• Mathematics of machine learning and data science
• Molecular biosciences
• Biomedical engineering
• Computational Linguistics
• Economics

University Admission Requirements

• High school certificate equivalent to the German Abitur. If not equivalent, must attend the foundation year.
• Pass the assessment exam after Studienkolleg.
• Some programmes require:
• Entrance exams or aptitude tests
• Interviews or selection procedures
• Specific subjects in high school, like math, biology, and chemistry.
• Valid passport
• Certified translations if documents are not in German or English
• Proof of German language proficiency
• Motivation letter if required

Accommodation Options

Some accommodation options from Casita near Heidelberg University:

• Quiet and charming apartment in central city location with southside view
• Brand new: 2-room business apartment with a view
• Quiet home located in Heidelberg
• Beautiful, Spacious Home (Heidelberg)
• Spacious apartment in Heidelberg

Essential advice for choosing your university

Germany will always be one of the top destinations for international students seeking a bachelor's degree, thanks to its diverse range of courses and the high quality of education provided by its universities.

If you're unsure about which to choose to study at German universities, consider the following points: Review the university's top majors, check the language of instruction if you are not a German speaker, understand the total cost per semester, and familiarise yourself with the admission requirements. These factors will help you make the decision. For more information about studying in Germany, please read Student Experience: Studying in Germany.