StudyInFocus
Step 3 of the method · choosing a university

Universities in Germany and Austria

436 universities: public universities, technical universities, universities of applied sciences (Hochschule) and private universities. The type of university shapes both the requirements and the cost: public universities in most federal states charge no tuition even for international students, private ones charge a fee but often have no competition of grades.

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Worth knowing before you choose
  • ·Choose the university for the programme, not the other way round: requirements and deadlines differ between programmes of the same university
  • ·Universities of applied sciences (Hochschule) focus on practice and are usually less competitive; universities focus on research and lead to a doctorate
  • ·Apply to 3–5 universities: the competition of grades is unpredictable
Filters Reset
Country
Germany 119Austria 0
University type
University 41Technical 10Applied sciences 53Art and music 15
Ownership
Public 119Private 0Church-run 0
Language of programmes
German 119English 89
Tuition for international students
Tuition-free 119Up to €1,500 per semester 30
Has a Studienkolleg
At the university 16Refers to a partner college 33Foundation 0

Filters change the page address. Ready-made selections have their own pages.

119 universities German Tuition-free
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Osnabrück University
UniversityPublictuition-free for international students

Osnabrück University

Osnabrück · Lower Saxony · Germany
Programmes2
In English1
Fee / semester€366.33
Collegevia Hanover
Tuition€0including international students
University details
University of Lübeck
UniversityPublictuition-free for international students

University of Lübeck

Lübeck · Schleswig-Holstein · Germany
Programmes2
Fee / semester€264
Collegevia Hamburg
Tuition€0including international students
University details

We will pick universities and programmes for your future profession

The catalogue shows every university but does not tell you where to apply. We start from the profession and your details — school certificate and grade on the German scale, language, budget, dates — and leave a short list of programmes you can realistically get into.

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Düsseldorf Art Academy
Art and musicPublictuition-free for international students

Düsseldorf Art Academy

Düsseldorf · North Rhine-Westphalia · Germany
Programmes1
Fee / semester€365
Tuition€0including international students
University details
University of Vechta
UniversityPublictuition-free for international students

University of Vechta

Vechta · Lower Saxony · Germany
Programmes1
Fee / semester€222.66
Collegevia Hanover
Tuition€0including international students
University details

Ready-made selections

Popular combinations of filters — each with its own page and a short explanation.

Frequently asked questions about choosing a university

What is the difference between a university and a Hochschule?
A university offers academic education, research and the right to award doctorates. A university of applied sciences (Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften, formerly Fachhochschule) focuses on practice: projects with companies and usually a compulsory practical semester. The bachelor's degree is equivalent, and competition at universities of applied sciences is usually lower. A doctorate after a Hochschule takes an extra step — as a rule, via a university.
How much does it cost to study at a public university?
Most federal states charge no tuition fee, including for international students: you only pay the semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag), usually €100 to €400 per semester and often including a public transport ticket. Baden-Württemberg charges international students €1,500 per semester; in Bavaria and Saxony universities may set such fees themselves — the university's page says so. The main cost is not tuition but accommodation.
How many universities should I apply to?
Three to five. The grade competition changes every year and is not known in advance. Applying via uni-assist costs €75 for the first programme per semester and €30 for each further one — cheaper than losing a year.
Do I need a Studienkolleg?
That depends on your country and school certificate, not on the university. If your certificate does not give direct access, you first need a Studienkolleg and the Feststellungsprüfung — a year more in your plan. The university card shows whether it has its own college and which colleges it accepts graduates from.
Is a private university worse?
Not worse, but different: usually no grade competition, more frequent intakes and more programmes in English, but tuition is charged. Check that the university is state-recognised (staatlich anerkannt) and the programme accredited — otherwise the degree may not be recognised.

A university is chosen for the programme

Requirements, language and deadlines differ even within one university. Start with the programme — the catalogue shows which universities offer it.

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