Germany is the world’s most popular non-Anglophone study destination, and the fourth most popular overall – only the US, UK and Australia welcome more international students each year. Find out what motivates so many to study in Germany, and how to choose and apply to a German university.
Germany is a country characterized by variety. Trendy and modern Berlin can seem a world away from the more traditional and conservative Munich. The gleaming skyscrapers of Frankfurt form a stark contrast to quaint Heidelberg. And if bustling and fast-paced Hamburg becomes too much, you can always retreat to the peaceful and picturesque Middle Rhine region.
Universities in Germany
In terms of higher education as well, universities inGermany offer plenty of choice, including some of the most prestigious institutions in Western Europe. Germany’s highest ranked university in the QS World University Rankings® 2014/15 is Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg (ranked 49th in the world), followed by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (52=) and Technische Universität München (54th).
Beyond that, every major German city you can think of has at least one university ranked among the world’s best. A total of 17 German universities make the world’s top 250, and more than 40 are included within the world’s top 650. This establishes Germany well within the world’s higher education elite.
In addition to world-class universities, Germany also offers high quality of life, relatively low tuition fees, extensive support and scholarship schemes for international students, and decent post-graduation employment prospects. So it’s easy to see why so many choose to study in Germany each year.
Discover some of Germany’s top student cities…
Universities in Berlin
Cities don’t get much trendier than Berlin, which competes with cities like London and New York in terms of the cool factor. It goes without saying that this tolerant, multicultural and creative city is known for being a great place to be a student – and it helps that it’s also a relatively inexpensive place to live. Universities inBerlin include three within the world’s top 200 in the QS World University Rankings® 2014/15: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (134), Freie Universität Berlin (150), and Technische Universität Berlin (192=).
Universities in Munich
Thanks to its world-famous Oktoberfest, a huge annual beer festival, Munich will forever be associated with Germany’s beer-brewing tradition. But there’s more to this southern city, which is often voted one of the world’s most livable cities. For one thing, universities in Munich include two of the world’s best: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (ranked 52= in the world) and Technische Universität München (54th).
A sleek modern financial hub, Munich can be a little on the pricey side. But it won’t cost you anything to enjoy the beautiful Bavarian countryside which surrounds it. There’s plenty of history to enjoy too, and no visit to München would be complete without a visit to King Ludwig’s palaces and grottos.
Universities in Heidelberg
Despite being part of one of Germany’s most densely populated areas, Heidelberg manages to retain a certain quaint rustic charm. It is popular with tourists, who come to see its ancient castle and red-roofed town center. Universities in Heidelberg include the famous Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, which is Germany’s oldest and highest ranked university (49th in the world). It boasts a connection with more than 50 Nobel Prize winners, of whom 10 were (or are) professors at the university.
Universities in Cologne
Cologne is known for its dramatic cathedral, Kölner Dom, and its liberal and tolerant nature. It is peppered with museums and art galleries, and does a good line in beer halls and independent stores, particularly in its Agnesviertel district.
Direct trains run to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, and Luxembourg isn’t too far away either, so Cologne could be a good choice for those who want to get further acquainted with Western Europe. Amonguniversities in Cologne you’ll find Universität Köln, ranked just outside the global top 300, which is Germany’s largest and second oldest university.
Universities in Frankfurt am Main
The beating heart of Germany’s financial and business sectors, Frankfurt is also the home of the EuropeanCentral Bank. Accordingly, its city center is a mass of gleaming skyscrapers, and its airport is the busiest in continental Europe.
However, it’s not all work and no play. Frankfurt is known for offering some of the best nightlife in Germany and hosts a number of colorful festivals throughout the year. As for universities in Frankfurt, the most prestigious is Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, ranked 217 in the world, and particularly strong in social science subjects.