Choosing a university in Germany – guide

Germany has over 400 universities and higher education institutions (Hochschulen) and more than 20,000 degree programmes. For international students, that makes it difficult to pick the right university and the right degree programme.

The institution you choose affects not only your studies, but also your career prospects, your life in Germany, and your overall experience as a student.

In this guide you will learn:

• which types of higher education institution exist in Germany
• which criteria matter when choosing a university
• how you can compare degree programmes
• which mistakes international students should avoid

Understand types of higher education institution in Germany

Before you select a university, you should be familiar with the different types of institution.

Universities (Universitäten)

Universities place greater emphasis on research and theory.

They offer:

• bachelor's programmes
• master's programmes
• doctoral programmes

Typical subject areas:

• natural sciences
• medicine
• engineering
• humanities

Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen)

Universities of Applied Sciences are more practice-oriented.

Advantages:

• close links to industry
• smaller classes
• applied, workplace-relevant training

Typical subject areas:

• economics and business
• engineering
• computer science
• design

Colleges of art and music

These institutions specialise in creative degree programmes.

Students often have to submit an entrance examination or a portfolio.

Choose the right degree programme

The degree programme is often more important than the university itself.

First, think about:

• which subject you want to study
• whether you want to study in German or English
• what your career goals are

Many degree programmes are now offered entirely in English.

Check the language of instruction

Degree programmes are offered either in German or English.

Programmes taught in German

You will usually need one of these certificates:

• TestDaF
• DSH
• telc C1 Hochschule

More information:

➡️ Language certificates for Germany

Programmes taught in English

Universities often require:

• IELTS
• TOEFL
• Cambridge Certificate

Choose a university by location

The city where you study has a major impact on your life in Germany.

Large cities

Examples:

• Berlin
• Munich
• Hamburg
• Frankfurt

Advantages:

• an international atmosphere
• more jobs and internships
• a wide range of cultural activities

Disadvantages:

• higher rents
• more competition for housing

Smaller university towns

Examples:

• Heidelberg
• Freiburg
• Jena
• Göttingen

Advantages:

• lower cost of living
• a quieter environment for studying
• a strong student community

More on costs:

➡️ Cost of living for students in Germany

Take rankings and reputation into account

Many students pay attention to international rankings.

Well-known rankings include:

• QS World University Ranking
• Times Higher Education Ranking
• Shanghai Ranking

However, rankings are not everything. Often more important are:

• the quality of the degree programme
• how practice-oriented it is
• collaborations with companies

Compare admission requirements

Not all universities have the same requirements.

Typical criteria:

• school-leaving certificate or bachelor's degree
• language certificates
• letters of motivation
• letters of recommendation

An overview of documents:

➡️ Required documents for studying in Germany

Understand application systems

There are different application routes in Germany.

Direct application to the university

Many institutions use their own online portals.

Application via uni-assist

uni-assist checks international applications and forwards them to universities.

More on this:

➡️ uni-assist explained

Factor in cost of living

What students spend varies greatly from city to city.

Average monthly costs:

900 to 1,200 euros

The biggest expenses are usually:

• accommodation
• health insurance
• food

More on this:

➡️ Cost of living for students in Germany

Visa and preparation before your studies

International students often have to prepare additional steps.

These include:

• student visa
• blocked account
• health insurance

More information:

➡️ Student visa for Germany

➡️ Blocked account in Germany

➡️ Health insurance for students in Germany

Tips for choosing a university

Compare several universities

You should ideally apply to 3–6 universities.

Scrutinise the course content

Different universities can offer very different modules.

Visit the university if you can

Some universities offer virtual campus tours.

Read what other students say

Student forums and experience reports can be helpful.

Common mistakes when choosing a university

Many international students make similar mistakes.

Paying attention only to rankings

A good degree programme matters more than a high ranking position.

Underestimating the city

Quality of life and the cost of the city are decisive.

Missing application deadlines

The most important deadlines are:

• 15 July (winter semester)
• 15 January (summer semester)

More on this:

➡️ Timeline: studying in Germany

Conclusion

Choosing the right university in Germany calls for careful planning.

Important factors are:

• degree programme
• language of instruction
• location
• admission requirements
• cost of living

If you take these factors into account and compare several universities, you can find the institution that best matches your goals.

Plan your studies in Germany

The path to a degree involves many steps:

• finding a suitable university
• submitting your application
• receiving admission
• applying for a visa
• completing enrollment

Germany for Students helps you plan every step in a structured way and prepare for the start of your studies as well as possible.