Study in Germany. Germany is one of the most popular destinations in the world for international students because the cost of studying is low and the quality of education is high. Many students prefer to come study in Germany when searching for a school. Here is list of the best and most prestigious German universities for international students.
1. Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Founded in 1868, the Technical University of Munich, a member of TU9—an association of Germany’s most prestigious universities—ranks 49th globally and holds the top position in Germany. It has 15 academic departments and about 40,000 students on campus, with over 30 percent being international students.
The university, considered one of the most student-friendly cities globally, offers 182-degree programs across various levels and streams, with its base in Munich. Back in 2019, Reuters ranked TUM the 46th best innovative university in the world. Students are required to pay for rent, food, and the basic semester fee across the four campuses in Germany, with no tuition fees charged.
You must transfer the semester fees, comprising the basic student union fee and fees for the basic semester ticket, in time for each semester in which you wish to begin or continue your studies. Semester fee varies from 62 euros to 138 euro per semester.
Apply here: Technical University of Munich
2. Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) of Munich
Founded in 1472, this premier public-funded research and academic university across Europe has been committed to the highest international standards of excellence. Its research and academic excellence span a wide diversity of fields from the humanities and cultural studies through law, economics and social sciences to medicine and natural sciences.
According to The World University Rankings 2022, LMU has maintained its rank at 32 among the best universities in the world for the past four years. It has over 51,000 students and boasts on being one of the best medical college in Germany. This university also does not charge tuition, but has other expenses such as living expenses.
Apply here: Ludwig Maximilian University
3. Heidelberg University (Ruprecht Karl University Heidelberg)
Heidelberg University, also known as Ruperto Carola, is one of Europe’s most research-focused and oldest universities in Germany. In 2019 Reuters ranked the public university 11th for most innovative varsity in Europe. As per Shanghai Ranking of World Universities (2019), Heidelberg University is the number three in Germany and 57 worldwide. Its broad subject spectrum in 12 faculties includes the humanities, law, the social and behavioural sciences, the life sciences, medicine and the natural sciences.
With approximately 160 degree programmes, the university caters to over 29,000 students and research scholars including 5,200 international students. According to the official website of the university, at least 11 Nobel Prize winners taught or conducted their research as professors at Heidelberg University. And 45 other Nobel laureates’ names are associated with “either Heidelberg University or the city of Heidelberg”.
Apply here: Heidelberg University
4. Freie Universität Berlin
Professors and students founded Freie Universität Berlin in 1948 in response to the persecution faced by students who critically examined the system at Universität Unter den Linden, which was then located in the Soviet sector of the divided city, according to the university’s official website.
It comprises of twelve departments and three central Institutes that together offer more than 150 different academic programs in a broad range of disciplines including engineering, medicine, economics, computer science and informatics, politics, archaeology history, languages, law and legal studies and earth and marine sciences.
In 2007, Freie Universität Berlin was selected in the Excellence Initiative jointly sponsored by the German federal government and the governments of the federal states. It was one on nine universities in Germany to receive distinction in all three lines of funding, a Step that enabled them to solidify and further expand as an “international network university”. In the second funding round of the Excellence Initiative in 2012, it was once again selected and now stands as one of eleven universities of excellence in Germany.
Apply here: Freie Universität Berlin
5. Humboldt University of Berlin
Founded in 1810, it currently ranks at 131 in World University Rankings 2023 by the Qs. It is a public research university catering to almost 38,000 students including almost 6500 foreign students. The university has identified areas like quantitative economics, life sciences with a focus on theoretical biology, neuroscience and immunobiology; mathematics, material and optical sciences, studies of the ancient world and history of science, philosophy, as well as climate and sustainability for its research activities.
Apply here: Humboldt University of Berlin
Read also: 3 important things you need to have to gain admission easily as a student in Germany
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