Top Public Universities in Germany

Team Anigdha

Update on - 15 Jan 2026

Are you thinking about studying at the best public universities in the world? Germany has become one of the top choices for international students. It is widely known for its public universities offering advanced courses with real skills that can help them succeed in many fields. These universities focus on practical learning along with the advanced research and global standards. Public universities in Germany charge very less tuition fees to make the education highly affordable and accessible for international students. Along with this, Germany also offers a supportive environment with a safe student area, reliable public transport and several chances to work part time during studies. Scholarships and financial support are also available to make your studying easier and stress free. If you’re ready to begin this journey, our team of Anigdha will be here to guide you every step of the way.

Why Choose Public Universities in Germany?

Here are strong reasons students prefer public universities in Germany:

High quality education: Public universities in Germany provide clear teaching with practical learning that builds strong knowledge and real skills. This helps students feel confident in both studies and future careers.
Affordable tuition fees: Many public universities charge low or no tuition fees. This keeps study costs affordable and allows students to focus more on classes and personal growth.
Wide range of courses: Germany offers many course choices in fields like engineering, science, business, health and technology, so that students can choose programs that match their interests and long term goals.
Part time work opportunities: International students can work part?time while studying in Germany. This provides income for daily needs and a chance to gain useful work experience.
Several internship opportunities: Public universities have links with companies and industries. Students often find internships or training that prepare them for good jobs after graduation.
Student friendly environment: Germany offers safe cities, reliable public transport and good health services. This makes life easier and more comfortable during studies.
English taught programs: Many universities offer programs in English. This makes it easier for international students to study even if they are still learning German.
Scholarship and financial support: Germany provides scholarship options from the government and universities. These support tuition and living costs while making higher studies more accessible and affordable.

Top Public Universities in Germany

Here is a list of well-known public universities in Germany that many international students choose for higher studies:

Technical University of Munich
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Heidelberg University
RWTH Aachen University
Humboldt University of Berlin
Free University of Berlin
University of Freiburg
University of Tubingen
University of Bonn
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
University of Hamburg
University of Mannheim
Technical University of Berlin
University of Stuttgart
Goethe University Frankfurt

Eligibility Criteria to Study in Top Public Universities in Germany

Here is a clear and simple explanation of all the basic requirements students must meet before applying to top public universities in Germany.

Bachelor’s Eligibility Criteria

Academic qualification: A student must complete Class 12 or an equivalent senior secondary education from a recognized board before applying for bachelor’s programs at public universities in Germany.
Required subjects: A student should have studied core subjects like mathematics, science or other relevant subjects at school. These subjects help in following university courses clearly.
Minimum marks: Many top public universities in Germany prefer students with 60 percent or above in main subjects at Class 12 level to show steady academic performance.
Entrance qualification: The school certificate must be recognized as equal to the German university entry standard. Some students may need a preparatory or foundation course if required.
Application process: Students must carefully fill and submit the online application form through the university portal or Uni Assist before the official deadline.
Health insurance: Every student must arrange valid health insurance before enrollment. This insurance needs to stay active throughout the study period in Germany.
Financial proof: Students must show proof of sufficient funds to support living and basic study costs during the course at a public university in Germany.
Language requirement: Students must prove their language ability based on the course language. Here are some accepted language scores:

IELTS: 6.0 or above
TOEFL iBT: 80 or above
Duolingo English Test: 95 or above

Master’s Eligibility Criteria

Degree requirement: A student must complete a recognized bachelor’s degree before applying for a master’s program at a top public university in Germany.
Academic background: The bachelor’s degree should match the chosen master’s field so that students can follow advanced course content without difficulty.
Minimum marks: Most public universities in Germany expect students to have 65 to 70 percent or above in their bachelor’s degree to show a steady record of academic performance.
Course matching: Top universities review the subjects studied during bachelor’s to confirm readiness for the chosen master’s specialization, which strengthens learning success.
Application submission: Students must fill and submit the online application through the university website or Uni Assist portal before the given deadline to start processing.
Supporting documents: The application must include a degree certificate, semester mark sheets, a resume, statement of purpose and recommendation letters.
Study motivation: Students must write a clear explanation of study goals and future plans so universities can understand the reason behind choosing the master’s program.
Health insurance: A valid health insurance must be arranged before enrollment and should remain active during the full duration of the master’s course in Germany.
Financial proof: Students must show proof of sufficient funds to cover living costs while studying at a public university in Germany.
Language requirements: Students must prove language proficiency based on the program language so that they can understand lessons and communicate with professors and peers. Here are some accepted language scores:

IELTS: 6.5 or above
TOEFL iBT: 85 or above
Duolingo English Test: 100 or above

Documents Required to Study in Top Public Universities in Germany

Here is a complete list of all the important documents that you must prepare when applying to top public universities in Germany:

Documents Required for Bachelor’s Studies in Germany:

A valid passport copy showing personal details and expiry date
A recent passport size photographs with clear background
Class 10th and 12th mark sheet issued by the school board.
School leaving certificate from the last attended school
Official academic transcripts showing subjects and marks.
Proof of English or German language proficiency test scores.
Simple motivation letter explaining why you want to study in Germany.
Updated CV showing education and basic details.
Proof of financial support for living and study expenses.
Health insurance proof that is valid in Germany before enrollment.
Blocked account proof showing enough funds if requested.
Official admission or offer letter from the university.
Any additional forms required by the university portal.

Documents Required for Master’s Studies in Germany:

A valid passport copy showing personal details and expiry date.
A recent passport size photograph with a clean background.
Completed and signed application form for the chosen university.
Bachelor’s degree certificate from a recognized university.
All semester wise mark sheets from the bachelor’s program.
Official academic transcripts showing subjects and marks.
Updated curriculum vitae with education and experience details.
Statement of purpose written in clear and simple language.
Academic recommendation letters from professors or employers.
Proof of English or German language test scores accepted by the university.
Proof of financial support for living and study expenses in Germany.
Health insurance proof that is valid for the full duration of study.
Blocked account confirmation showing required funds if asked.
Official admission or offer letter issued by the public university.
Work experience certificate if applicable and required by the course.
Research proposal if applying for research based master’s programs.
Any additional documents requested by the university application portal.

Fee Structure of Top Public Universities in Germany

Name of the University	Bachelor's fees per year	Master's fees per year
Technical University of Munich	Technical University of Munich usually charges €2,000 to €3,000 per semester for international bachelor’s students as tuition fees plus a small semester contribution covering student services and basic support.	Master’s programs at TUM usually cost around €2,000 to €3,000 per semester for international students, plus a small semester contribution for services, transport pass, and administrative support.
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich	Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich generally has no traditional tuition fees for bachelor’s students. Students usually pay a semester contribution of about €100 to €300 per term for services and support.	Master’s programs at LMU also normally have no tuition fees. Students pay a semester contribution of around €100 to €300 per term, which covers student services and transport.
Heidelberg University	Universities usually charge non?EU bachelor’s students around €1,500 per semester as tuition fees. Students also pay a small semester contribution for student services and local travel.	Master’s studies at Heidelberg University also charge about €1,500 per semester for international students. An additional semester contribution applies to support student services and campus activities.
RWTH Aachen University	RWTH Aachen University normally does not charge tuition fees for bachelor’s students. Instead, students pay a semester contribution of around €300 per semester which includes transport and student services.	Master’s programs at RWTH Aachen University are typically free of tuition fees. Students pay a semester contribution of around €300 per semester for public transport pass and student facilities.
Humboldt University of Berlin	The University of Berlin usually does not charge tuition fees for bachelor’s studies. Students pay a semester contribution around €300 to €350 for administrative costs and campus services.	Master’s programs at Humboldt University of Berlin are mostly tuition free. Students pay a semester contribution of about €300 to €350 for student support services and a public transport pass.

Note: Public universities in Germany generally charge little or no tuition fees but may charge semester contributions to support student services and transport.

Language Requirements for Higher Studies in Germany

Language ability is important when planning higher studies in Germany. Most public universities offer many programs in English. In that case, students must show proof of English language ability with accepted test scores. Some bachelor’s and many master’s programs are still taught in German. However, students should always check the language needed for their chosen course before applying. Language proof also helps students understand lessons, participate in class, and communicate with teachers and classmates more easily. Showing valid language test scores early makes the application process smooth and increases chances of admission.

Here are some accepted language scores:

IELTS: 6.0 to 6.5 or above
TOEFL iBT: 80 or above
Duolingo English Test: 95 or above
TestDaF: Level 4 or above for German programs

Scholarships Available to Study in Top Public Universities in Germany

Studying in Germany can become much easier with the help of scholarships that support both study costs and living expenses. Many public universities offer their own merit?based scholarships to help talented and hard?working students reduce tuition or semester fees. The German government also provides scholarships through programs like the DAAD Scholarship that supports international students with monthly financial aid for study and research. There are Erasmus+ scholarships that help students study part of their program in another European country and return to Germany with financial support. Some foundations and private organizations also offer scholarships based on academic performance, financial need or field of study. Therefore, students who apply early and meet eligibility requirements have better chances of receiving financial support.

Admission Procedure for Top Public Universities in Germany

This section explains every step you need to follow to apply for bachelor’s and master’s programs at top public universities in Germany.

Bachelor’s admission procedure

Search for bachelor’s courses offered by top public universities in Germany that match your interests and future goals.
Read the eligibility criteria for each course, such as academic qualifications, subjects, minimum marks and language requirements before starting the application.
Collect all required documents like passport copy, mark sheets, certificates, language test score reports, motivation letter and resume before filling the form.
Take the English or German language test and get an accepted score before applying to the university.
Visit the university website or Uni Assist portal, fill all thr personal and academic details and upload all required documents before the deadline.
If any university asks for a small application fee, pay it online and keep the receipt safe for future reference.
Double check all the details and documents, then submit the application before the given deadline.
The university reviews your application and documents. If selected, you receive an official offer letter by email or through the university portal.
Confirm your acceptance by following the instructions on the offer letter and pay any required confirmation fees if needed.
Use the admission offer letter to apply for a German student visa. Arrange financial proof, health insurance and other requirements for the visa.

Master’s Admission Procedure

Choose a master’s course in a top public university in Germany that matches your bachelor’s degree subjects and career plans.
Read the eligibility criteria, required marks, language test scores and document list carefully before starting the application.
Prepare required documents such as bachelor’s degree certificate, semester mark sheets, passport copy, English or German language scores, CV, recommendation letters and motivation letter.
Take the required English or German language test and achieve the minimum scores accepted by the university before applying.
Visit the official university website or Uni Assist portal, fill in all personal and academic details and upload the needed documents properly.
If the university asks for an application fee, pay it online securely and save the payment receipt for record.
Check all details and documents carefully, then submit the application on or before the deadline mentioned by the university.
The university reviews your application. If the university finds your profile suitable, you receive an offer letter by email or online portal.
Follow the instructions to accept the admission offer and pay any confirmation fee if required by the university.
Once you have the offer, use it to apply for a German student visa with proof of funds, health insurance and other required documents.

FAQs

What makes public universities in Germany popular for international students?

Public universities in Germany offer quality education with low or no tuition fees, strong research and good job opportunities during and after studies while making them a preferred choice.

Do public universities in Germany charge tuition fees?

Most public universities do not charge tuition fees. Students may pay a small semester contribution for student services, transport pass and administrative support.

Can international students study in English at public universities in Germany?

Yes, many public universities offer bachelor’s and master’s programs in English. Students must check the language of instruction and meet the English language score requirements.

How do I apply to a public university in Germany?

Students need to find the course, check eligibility, prepare documents, fill the online application through the university portal or Uni Assist and submit before the deadline.

Can students work while studying at public universities in Germany?

International students can work part time during studies. This helps manage living costs and gain useful experience while continuing higher education in Germany.

Are degrees from public universities in Germany recognized worldwide?

Yes, degrees from public universities in Germany are respected around the world. Employers and institutions trust these qualifications for jobs, higher education and global career growth.