There are more than 400 universities in Germany and 54 of them are ranked in the top 1000 universities in the world according to the 2023 lists. But when choosing a school, you should consider many different criteria before the ranking of the schools. If you ask me, the most important criteria should be the city where you will study and therefore the city where you will live during this period and the transport facilities. In addition, the research focus of the school you choose on the programs of your choice will give you an idea about the quality of education.
The rankings of international rating agencies are more proportional to the intensity of research outputs. However, German universities conduct their research in independent research institutes rather than in schools. For this reason, you may not see German universities very high in the rankings. I have written an article about this before, so check it out if you are interested. (Why German universities perform poorly in international rankings)
Having explained this, I would like to draw attention to another method of ranking that I have always advocated: the way HR managers in the real sector view German university graduates is different from the way academia ranks them. I have written many articles on these rankings, which you can access via the links below.
- Germany’s 17 best universities in the perspective of employers 2023
- Best Universities for Industrial Engineering in Germany 2023
- Top 10 Best Universities to Study Electrical Engineering in Germany and Fachhochschule 2023
- Top 10 Best University and Fachhochschule to Study Mechanical Engineering in Germany 2023
- Top 10 Universities to Study Informatics in Germany 2023 New List
- Top 10 Universities to Study Medicine and Dentistry in Germany
- List of Germany’s Top Medical Schools 2023
Germany University Map
In the map below, I have prepared a short guide on the location of the schools in the top 1000, transportation conditions, prominent programs and research topics. Since the state of Baden Württemberg charges international students 1500 Euros per semester, I have colored this state in a different color.
You can read short explanations by clicking on the icons on the map. The Fachhochschule (Universities of Applied Sciences), which I have mentioned before, are not on this map, but almost all of the locations on the map have these schools. You can find more detailed information on this subject and the differences of these schools here.
You can access the articles where I share my own observations and experiences about the schools from the “universities” menu.
I recommend holding your phone horizontally to see the map properly.
Stuttgart
Universities
Technical Universities
Airports with More Frequent Flights
Airports with Fewer Flights
Münster
Saarbrücken
Leipzig
Zurich
There is only one private university in the list above (Jacobs University Bremen). All other schools are public universities and you do not pay additional fees as a foreign student, except for the state of Baden Württemberg. ( Update: Technical University of Munich announces that from 2024 it will charge fees for foreign students ) When choosing the school you want to study in Germany, I think that besides the reputation of the school, the location and the city where it is located is also an important factor. Especially if you live in a big city, many cities in Germany will give you the feeling of a small provincial town.
List Of Best Universities in Germany
| University | Study Fee | About University and Access |
| University of Erlangen-Nuremberg | N/A | Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, FAU for short, is the largest university in northern Bavaria and is known for its research achievements. Two thirds of the students study in Erlangen and one third in Nuremberg. It stands out for its research in “Advanced Materials Engineering”, which bridges the gap between engineering and natural sciences. You can find my article about Erlangen here and my article about the Erlangen-Nuremberg University here. There are direct flights to Nuremberg from some European cities |
| University of Regensburg | N/A | The University of Regensburg specializes in Eastern European languages and cultures. Due to its geographical location, the school sees itself as a bridge between Eastern and Western Europe. It also stands out in the field of medicine due to the region’s largest hospital. Regensburg is roughly 1.5 hours from Nuremberg and Munich. |
| Technical University of Munich | Visit Web Site | The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is the only technical university in Bavaria and one of Germany’s universities of excellence. It is renowned for excellent research and award-winning teaching. It always ranks high in international rankings. Although Munich is the most expensive city in Germany, the school is very popular. Technical University of Munich announces that from 2024 it will charge fees for foreign students. The study fee for a program is based on the field of study and will be announced in November 2023 for each Bachelor’s and Master’s program. The study fee per semester will usually be 2,000 or 3,000 euros for Bachelor’s programs and 4,000 or 6,000 euros for Master’s programs. You can find my article of Munich here and my article of TUM here. Transportation to Munich is very convenient and there are many direct flights |
| Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich | N/A | Ranked as one of the best universities in Europe in almost all rankings, LMU is the largest face-to-face university in Germany. The extremely wide range of programs and the attractiveness of the city make it popular with international students. However, I should remind you that the city is the most expensive in Germany. You can find my article about Munich here and my article about LMU here. Munich is very easy to get to and there are many direct flights. |
| University | Study Fee | About University and Access |
| Albert Ludwig University Freiburg | 1500 Euro / Semester | The Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg is considered one of the most prestigious educational institutions in Germany and the world. The education started only 4 years after the conquest of Istanbul. To date, it has produced ten Nobel Prize winners and thirteen Leibniz Prize winners. The school has made a name for itself especially in the fields of theology, medicine and law. However, it does not only offer education in these fields. In recent years, thanks to its favorable location, it has also been at the forefront of research in renewable energy (especially solar energy), biotechnology and forestry. However, I would like to remind you that the state of Baden Württemberg charges foreign students 1500 euros per semester. You can find my article about Freiburg here and my article about Freiburg University here. Freiburg is a bit out of the way, so to speak, but is known for its mild climate. Transportation is about a 1-hour drive via Basel, Switzerland. |
| University of Konstanz | 1500 Euro / Semester | Founded in 1966, the university uses the motto “Science in paradise!”. Studying in the beautiful mountain scenery of Lake Constance is great. But the university is also scientifically advanced, as it is one of the 11 universities of excellence in Germany. It is one of the youngest universities in Germany and focuses on medical and natural sciences. Note that the state of Baden Württemberg charges international students 1500 euros per semester. Transportation to Konstanz is easier than Zurich with a 1-hour train ride. |
| University of Würzburg | N/A | Founded in 1402, the University of Würzburg has maintained an excellent reputation for centuries: Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, the discoverer of X-rays, and 13 other scientists have been awarded the Nobel Prize. At the Julius Maximilians University, you can study a wide range of subjects, from traditional subjects such as medicine and law or exotic subjects such as Far Eastern cultures to future-oriented interdisciplinary subjects such as digital humanities or nanotechnology. You can find my article about Würzburg here and my article about the University of Würzburg here. Würzburg can be reached by train from Frankfurt or Nuremberg in around 1-1.5 hours. |
| University of Ulm | 1500 Euro / Semester | One of the youngest universities in Germany, it focuses on medicine and natural sciences. Despite being a young university, it is considered to be in a very good position in university rankings. However, let me remind you that the state of Baden Württemberg charges international students 1500 Euros per semester. Getting to Ulm is roughly 2 hours via Stuttgart or Munich. |
| University of Bayreuth | N/A | One of Germany’s smaller universities. In addition to many business and law students, health and sports economists, materials scientists, theater students, geoecologists and other exotic people (I use exotic because we don’t have such adjectives) hang out on the large campus. The university is particularly known for its language center, which also offers courses in Bambara, Swahili and Indonesian. You can find my article about Bayreuth here and my article about the University of Bayreuth here. Transportation takes roughly 1 hour via Nuremberg. |
| University | Study Fee | About University and Access |
| European University of Flensburg | N/A | Germany’s northernmost campus – and probably the greenest! Founded by the British in 1946, Flensburg University was a teacher training college until 1994. Therefore, the subject of education/pedagogy, teaching or interdisciplinary educational sciences is still the most important focus. In addition, it is known for its master programmes on energy and sustainability. To get to Flensburg, you should probably fly to Hamburg and take a train journey of about 2 hours from there. |
| Christian Albrechts University Kiel | N/A | CAU is the only full research university in Schleswig-Holstein. In recent years, it has become particularly prominent in the fields of marine sciences, life sciences (society, environment and culture in transition), nanosciences and surface research. Kiel can be reached via Hamburg, 1 hour 20 minutes by RE7 or RE70 |
| University of Lübeck | N/A | Its motto is: “Focus on life”, the University of Lübeck was founded in 1964 as a medical academy. Today it offers programmes in the fields of human medicine, computer science, molecular life science, mathematics and life sciences in medicine and medical engineering. The intensive transfer of knowledge and technology with companies in the region is the most important factor. You can reach Lübeck from Hamburg by train RE8 or RE80, a journey of around 50 minutes. |
| University of Hamburg | N/A | With around 44,000 students, the University of Hamburg is one of the largest universities in Germany. It is particularly known for climate research. The university has been awarded the German Cluster of Excellence “Photon and Nanosciences: Advanced Imaging of Matter”, “Mathematics, particle physics, astrophysics, cosmology: Quantum Universe”, “Manuscript Research: Understanding Manuscripts” and “Integrated Climate Analysis and Forecasting” are funded as part of the Excellence Initiative. You can find my article about Hamburg here and my article about the University of Hamburg here. Hamburg can be reached by regular flights from different cities around the world. |
| Technical University of Hamburg | N/A | “Technology for people” is the motto of the Hamburg University of Technology. It stands out with programmes in which technology and sustainability are a common focus. Green Technology, Life Science Technology, Aviation and Maritime Systems are the main topics that define the profile of TU Hamburg. You can find my article about Hamburg here. You can reach Hamburg with regular flights from different cities around the world. |
| University | Study Fee | About University and Access |
| University of Lüneburg | N/A | The Leuphana University of Lüneburg was established by a special law of the Lower Saxony state parliament to rethink the university and create a model university for the Bologna Process. Sustainability is not just a faculty at the University of Lüneburg. “Sustainable Sustainability” is also their motto. In this context, most of the electricity on campus is generated in-house. Lüneburg can be reached in 40 minutes via Hamburg. |
| University of Rostock | N/A | Founded in 1419, the university stands out especially in educational sciences and teaching. However, it is also highly respected in the field of medicine, especially due to the importance it attaches to practice. As with all universities on the German seaside, marine sciences are among the leading disciplines. It takes approximately 2.5 hours to reach Rostock from Hamburg or Berlin. |
| University of Greifswald | N/A | Founded in 1456, Ernst Moritz Arndt University Greifswald is one of the oldest universities in Central Europe. Today it is known as an international university with good relations with its Scandinavian and Baltic neighbours, as well as with the USA and Western Europe, especially through its language programmes. The school specialises in natural sciences, which originate from Greifswald’s natural environment, and technology (e.g. biotechnology and nuclear fusion), which originates from its research institutes. You need to reach Greifswald from Berlin. This will take approximately 4.5 hours by train or bus. |
| Freie Universität Berlin | N/A | The Freie Universität Berlin is one of the 20 largest universities in Germany and one of the eleven elite universities included in the “Excellence Initiative” program with the concept of “International Distinguished University”. The Freie Universität Berlin is currently in direct cooperation and partnerships with 114 universities worldwide on all continents. Compared to other German universities, FU Berlin has by far the most international connections. You can find direct flights to Berlin from almost anywhere in the world. |
| Humboldt University | N/A | Founded in 1810, the Humboldt University of Berlin is still considered the “mother of all modern universities”. Wilhelm von Humboldt’s ideas – the unity of research and teaching, freedom of science and the all-round education of students – are still relevant today. The city of Berlin and the school’s wide range of programs are an attraction for international students. You can find my article about Humboldt University here There are direct flights to Berlin from almost anywhere in the world. |
| University | Study Fee | About University and Access |
| Technical University of Berlin | N/A | Located in the heart of Berlin, within walking distance of the famous Kurfürstendamm, the Technical University Berlin is one of the largest, renowned technical universities in Germany. TU Berlin has proven itself internationally and is ranked among the top 150 universities by rating agencies. For this reason, it is very popular with international students. You can find direct flights to Berlin from almost anywhere in the world. |
| University of Potsdam | N/A | Founded in 1991 after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the University of Potsdam is a sought-after university in the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan area with 20,000 students. Located just 30 minutes from the capital, the school offers the full range of programs you would expect from a university, with the exception of medicine. Although the main focus is on educational sciences, the school also makes a name for itself in computer science, earth sciences and life sciences. Potsdam is half an hour from Berlin and 1 hour from Berlin Brandenburg Airport. |
| Leipzig University | N/A | It was founded in 1409. This makes it one of the oldest universities in the world and the second oldest in Germany. The school’s motto is “crossing borders by tradition” and it offers a wide range of programs covering almost all disciplines. Leipzig is easier to reach during the summer months, but alternatively you can reach Leipzig via Berlin, Hanover or Nuremberg, a drive of about 2.5 hours. |
| Technical University of Dresden | N/A | The Technical University of Dresden is one of the largest and most dynamic technical universities in Germany. Although it is called “Technical University”, it has a wide range of programs. One out of every seven students enrolled at TUD is foreign. The fact that it attracts so many foreign students is seen as a symbol of its international reputation. Air transportation to Dresden is via Leipzig. Alternatively, you have to travel around 2 hours by high speed train or 3 hours by bus from Berlin. |
| Halle University | N/A | Dating back to 1502, the University of Halle-Wittenberg is the largest and oldest university in Saxony-Anhalt. The law program is popular as it ranks high in Germany. The university usually specializes in social sciences. However, with its unusual programs, it can offer a variety of options for many students. It is easier to get to Halle by plane in the summer months, but in the winter months there is a high-speed train alternative via Berlin. It is possible to reach Halle with a comfortable journey of 1 hour and 15 minutes. |
| University | Study Fee | About University and Access |
| Saarland University | N/A | Located in the border triangle of Germany, France and Luxembourg, the school is a 2-hour train ride from Paris. Its campus is home to a number of specialized research institutes, some of which are affiliated with independent research communities and private companies. These include the Max Planck Institute for Computer Science; the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems; the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence; and the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering. Saarland can be reached in 3 hours from Frankfurt airport and 2 hours from Paris train station. In summer, there are direct flights from many European cities. |
| Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | 1500 Euro / Semester | Founded in 2009, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is one of Europe’s leading technical universities, a merger of the Karlsruhe Research Center and the University of Karlsruhe. The school combines university and large-scale research, offering you a unique link between research and teaching. While studying here you will be involved in cutting-edge research in areas such as artificial intelligence, climate, energy, mobility and smart technologies. However, international students in Baden Württemberg are charged 1500 euros per semester. You can find my article about Karlsruhe here and my article about the KIT here. Karlsruhe is approximately 1.5 hours drive from Stuttgart |
| University of Stuttgart | 1500 Euro / Semester | The main focus is clearly on technical and natural sciences. However, you can also study humanities and social sciences subjects at the University of Stuttgart. It has a global reputation in fields such as automotive engineering, automated manufacturing and aerospace engineering. But let me remind you that the state of Baden Württemberg charges international students 1500 euros per semester. Transportation to Stuttgart is easy. There are regular flights every day. |
| University of Hohenheim | 1500 Euro / Semester | Hohenheim is Germany’s number 1 for agricultural research and food science. It is Germany’s largest agricultural university in terms of area, with many experimental farms, fields, meadows and greenhouses. For students, this means, above all, many opportunities for practical application. The Bachelor’s degree in “Agricultural Biology”, which combines biology and agricultural sciences, is unique in Germany. The common focus of all departments is “Bioeconomics”, which researches the production of new food and feed, means of energy production, chemicals and plastics from plants. Here, you can set a focus during your foundation studies and create one of the three profile courses yourself. Let me remind you that the state charges international students 1500 euros per semester. Transportation to Stuttgart is easy. There are regular flights every day. |
| University of Tubingen | 1500 Euro / Semester | The University of Tübingen is one of the oldest universities in Europe and still remains popular today, with renowned researchers and academics over the centuries, with fields such as history and economics at the forefront. However, international students in the state of Baden Württemberg are charged 1500 euros per semester. Tubingen is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes from Stuttgart. |
| University | Study Fee | About University and Access |
| University of Magdeburg | N/A | Founded in 1993, the Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg is one of the youngest universities in Germany. It offers programs in engineering and natural sciences, medicine, humanities, social and economic sciences, but about half of the students choose a technical degree. The journey to Magdeburg is via Hanover and takes 1 hour and 20 minutes by high-speed train. |
| Technical University of Braunschweig | N/A | The Technical University of Braunschweig is the oldest technical university in Germany and has a history of over 275 years. The school is ranked in the top 10 in many fields throughout Germany and is highly praised in the fields of architecture, electrical engineering, civil engineering and mechanical engineering, especially computer science. You can reach Braunschweig via Hanover in around 50 minutes by RE and 35 minutes by high-speed train. |
| University of Göttingen | N/A | Founded in 1737, Georg-August University Göttingen is one of Germany’s leading research universities. The University of Göttingen, an internationally recognised university, is ranked 4th among the top 10 best universities to study in Germany according to students’ evaluations. The school is very popular with Chinese students. The school is a leader in physics research and has direct links with more than 40 Nobel Prize winners, including physicists Max Born, Werner Heisenberg, Max Planck and Otto Stern. Getting to Göttingen is easy and takes 40 minutes by high-speed train from Hanover. |
| Hannover Medical University | N/A | Medical University of Hannover (known as MHH for short), which was officially founded in 1965 and started education with 41 students, is one of the best medical schools in Germany with its position in medical research today. The school, which is famous for being extremely research-oriented, is “Germany’s only Medical University” with only medical programs, which I know and follow well because my son is studying here. You can find my article about Hannover here and my article about the MHH here. You can reach Hannover with regular flights. |
| Leibniz University Hannover | N/A | Leibniz University Hannover was founded in 1831. Known as “Hannover Technical University” until a few years ago, you can actually receive education in almost every field (except medicine). However, it has particular strengths in technical and scientific subjects. Seven institutes are conducting joint research in the Centre for Production Technology, including the factory of the future. At the end of 2015, lasers, with which gravitational waves were measured for the first time, were developed at the Albert Einstein Institute 100 years after Albert Einstein’s theoretical prediction. You can reach Hanover with regular flights. |
| University | Study Fee | About University and Access |
| University of Bielefeld | N/A | Bielefeld University is a new university, founded only in 1969. Originally focusing on history and sociology, it now also has a very good reputation for law, biology and robotics. Bielefeld can be reached by high-speed train from Hanover in around 50 minutes. |
| University of Osnabrück | N/A | Founded in 1974, the University of Osnabrück has nine departments: humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, law and economics. Although it is still a very small university, it has found a place in the top 1000 universities. To ensure that teaching is not too theoretical, the school offers numerous opportunities for students to get involved in practice at an early stage. Osnabrück can easily be reached in around 1.5 hours from Hanover |
| University of Bremen | N/A | It is one of the leading research universities in Germany and Europe, offering around 100 undergraduate/graduate programmes. The university, which maintains close cooperation with non-university research institutions in the region, carries out research on many topics from the depths of the seas to outer space in cooperation with many research institutions within the “Research Alliance” established in 2016. You can find my article about Bremen here and my article about the University of Bremen here. You can reach Bremen with regular flights. |
| Jacobs University | Visit Web Site | Germany’s most internationally recognised private university. The school in Bremen, whose English-language undergraduate programmes are very popular, ranks between 400-500th among the top 1000 universities. More than 1,450 students from more than 110 countries study at the school. You can reach Bremen with regular flights. |
| University of Oldenburg | N/A | Oldenburg is a small town in the north of Germany with a beautifully preserved historical structure, which I particularly like. The Carl von Ossietzky University, founded in 1973, is particularly prominent in the fields of wind energy, medicine and hearing technology. Its innovative approach has a good reputation far beyond Lower Saxony. You can find my article about Oldenburg here and my article about the University of Oldenburg here. Oldenburg can be reached quite easily from Bremen in 30 minutes. |
| University | Study Fee | About University and Access |
| University of Münster | N/A | The Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster (WWU) is one of the largest universities in Germany with more than 45,000 students. It is often considered some of the best universities in the country. The University of Münster has a reputation for excellence in interdisciplinary research in medicine, business, mathematics and chemistry. There are direct flights to Münster, more frequent in the summer months, but mostly it is a 1.5 hour journey via Düsseldorf. |
| Technical University of Dortmund | N/A | Since its foundation in 1968, the Technical University of Dortmund has acquired a special profile with 16 faculties in the fields of natural and engineering sciences, social and cultural sciences. In particular, the school focuses on materials science, production technology and logistics, chemical biology, active ingredients and process engineering, data analysis, modeling and simulation. You can find my article about Dortmund here and my article about the TU Dortmund here. If you do not have a direct flight to Dortmund, you can reach Düsseldorf via RE1 or RE6, a journey of around 1 hour |
| Ruhr University Bochum | N/A | Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) is one of Germany’s top universities and offers one of the widest ranges of programs in all of Germany. In recent years, however, it has started to focus on medicine, neuroscience, materials research, plasma technology and IT security. Bochum can be reached in 40 minutes via Düsseldorf; |
| University of Duisburg-Essen | N/A | With 42,000 students enrolled, it is one of the 10 largest universities in Germany. It was formed by the merger of the universities of two different cities. The university focuses on nanosciences, biomedical sciences, urban systems, change in contemporary societies and empirical educational research. In 2009, educational sciences, business administration and mathematics were also recognized as strong research areas. Essen is a 30-minute drive from Düsseldorf |
| Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf | N/A | In addition to the traditionally strong medical and life sciences, the Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf has recently begun to make a name for itself in the fields of law and economics. The university relies on internationally networked research centers and distinguished subjects such as Japanese culture. You can find my article about Düsseldorf here and my article about the University of Düsseldorf here. As Düsseldorf is an exhibition center, direct transportation is very convenient. |
| University | Study Fee | About University and Access |
| University of Wuppertal | N/A | Founded in 1972 as a comprehensive university as part of the NRW education initiative, Bergische Universität Wuppertal is a research-oriented university. University. It offers more than 100 diverse programs, including disciplines and courses not offered at any other university in Germany. Good mentoring rates as well as a wide range of services and funding options make the school stand out among the big mass universities. Wuppertal is 20 minutes from Düsseldorf. |
| University of Siegen | N/A | The University of Siegen is a medium-sized university with 4 faculties with a focus on pedagogy, education and social relations as well as media and social research. Siegen is a 1.5-hour train ride from Cologne. |
| University of Cologne | N/A | Founded in 1388, the University of Cologne is one of the oldest universities in Europe and one of the best German universities. With its six faculties, it offers a wide range of academic disciplines and internationally distinguished profile areas. There is a Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Philosophy, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Faculty of Law and Faculty of Humanities. Cologne is easy to reach with direct flights. |
| University of Bonn | N/A | Founded 200 years ago, the University of Bonn is recognized as one of the most important institutes of higher education, not only in Germany but also in Europe as a whole, and is held in extraordinary esteem. The university has been home to many Nobel Prize-winning researches and prides itself on this at every opportunity. It is especially respected in mathematics all over the world. You can find my article about Bonn here and my article about the University of Bonn here. Bonn is easy to reach with direct flights. |
| RWTH Aachen | N/A | RWTH is Germany’s most internationally recognized engineering school. It is especially legendary for its “Mechanical” and “Electrical” engineering programs and is famous for producing the best engineers in the world. You can find my article about Aachen here and my article about the RWTH here. Aachen is a 1-hour train ride from Cologne. |
| University | Study Fee | About University and Access |
| University of Kassel | N/A | The University of Kassel was founded in 1971 as a reform university and since 2003 more than 24,000 students have been studying at the university. The University of Kassel has positioned itself as an environmental university. More than 60 specializations focus on environmental protection and sustainability. Kassel is a 1-hour high-speed train ride from Hanover. |
| Philipps University of Marburg | N/A | Philipps University of Marburg, founded in 1527, has an excellent reputation in the world of science and teaching. So far, 11 Nobel prizes and 13 Leibniz prizes have been awarded to scientists who have studied or taught here. This reputation brings research scientists and third-party funding to the school. Therefore, the university is extremely well equipped. Marburg can be reached by train from Frankfurt airport in 1 hour and 15 minutes. |
| Justus Liebig University Giessen | N/A | Justus Liebig University Giessen is a school with a history of nearly four centuries. It offers a wide range of programs and is the largest school in Giessen, which can be considered a university city. From medicine to engineering, from natural sciences to social sciences, you have the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects. You can find my article about Giessen here. Giessen is a 1-hour train ride from Frankfurt airport. |
| Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt | N/A | Frankfurt Johann Wolfgang Goethe University is the 4th largest university in Germany with 46,000 students. Founded in 1914, the university stands out with Germany’s first independent faculty of natural sciences, the first business law program, the first sociology department and the first business management department. In addition to natural sciences with these pioneering features (let me tell you that Quantum Physics was born here and won 19 Nobel Prizes), Frankfurt is one of the leading universities in the field of finance and monetary policy all over the world due to its financial center. You can find my article about Frankfurt here and my article about the University of Frankfurt here. There are direct flights to Frankfurt from almost everywhere in the world |
| Technical University of Darmstadt | N/A | Although the Technical University of Darmstadt is known nationwide for its good engineering degrees (the first Chair of Electrical Engineering in the world was established here – 1882. Germany’s first female engineer graduated from the school – 1913), departments such as Psychology and Biology are also of interest throughout Germany. You can find my article about Darmstadt here and my article about the TU Darmstadt here. You can reach Darmstadt by RE from Frankfurt, a comfortable 20 minute drive. |
| University | Study Fee | About University and Access |
| University of Jena | N/A | Founded in 1558, the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena is one of the oldest universities in Germany and still very popular. It is particularly focused on the fields of biology/ecology, biotechnology, humanities and, of course, optics and photonics – as it is the headquarters of the world-famous Carl-Zeiss group. Transportation to Jena can be a bit troublesome. It takes 2.5 hours from Berlin, but you have to change in Halle. It is also possible to reach Jena from Nuremberg, but it takes 3 hours and 20 minutes. |
| Heidelberg University | 1500 Euro / Semester | Heidelberg University, Germany’s oldest and in some areas the best university, is celebrating its 635th anniversary. Since its foundation, the university has offered education in fields such as theology, law and medicine, and is also the best-known German university internationally. The oldest and best-known universities in the country are in the state of Baden Württemberg, but it is said that since 2018, this state has not received as many applications as before, as it charges international students tuition fees (1500 Euros per semester) You can find my article about Heidelberg here and my article about the University of Heidelberg here. Heidelberg can be reached via Frankfurt. It will take around 1 hour 45 minutes by bus or 1 hour by high speed train. |
| University of Mannheim | 1500 Euro / Semester | The University of Mannheim is recognized throughout Europe for its economics and social sciences. It is one of the smaller and younger universities in Germany. Given its impressive academic credentials, Mannheim has educated and employed some of Germany’s leading scientists, including numerous Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize winners. Let me remind you that the state of Baden Württemberg charges international students 1500 euros per semester. You can find my article about Mannheim here . Mannheim can be reached by high speed train from Frankfurt in 30 minutes. |
| University of Mainz | N/A | One of the oldest and largest universities in Germany. Apart from engineering, you can study almost anything you want at the university. Programs range from African and other European languages/cultures to film and media studies, from law and medicine to dentistry. You can find my article about Mainz here and my article about the University of Mainz here. Mainz can be reached in half an hour by city train from Frankfurt airport. |
| Technical University of Kaiserslautern | N/A | Founded in 1970, the twelve departments of the Technical University of Kaiserslautern offer a wide range of courses for all technology enthusiasts. Most courses take an interdisciplinary approach. This way, students can develop an understanding of the relevant disciplines during their studies. The university has a particularly good reputation in mathematics and computer science. Students also benefit from direct links with various research institutes in the immediate vicinity of the university. Kaiserslautern can be reached by train from Frankfurt in just under 2 hours |
We who live in metropolitan cities are so used to reaching everywhere in a short time that when you first go to the city where your school is located or the neighborhood where you stay, Germany will feel like a village. Not finding the comfort you are used to in your home country and having to live in a planned way may make you unhappy at first. It will take time to get used to it. However, big cities offer the advantage of being able to adapt to life there more easily. You will have more options and more time. Please think carefully and make a decision. I will tell you in advance that it is possible to suffer for years because the school has a good name. Your school should be the least of your worries in Germany. The quality of undergraduate education in Germany is almost the same across the country. When it comes to PhDs, specializations, facilities and professors are important. You need to research this well. You can find my articles on observations and living conditions in the “City-Life” section.
Your opinions and motivation are very important for me. Please send your comments and questions to my e-mail address recep[at]recepdayi.com.tr, my social media accounts or the comment section below.
