8 tuition-free universities in Germany for int’l students

Germany is without doubt one of the most favoured countries for international students, and this is with good reason. Tuition-free universities in Germany attract international students looking to earn a degree.

What makes studying in Germany so appealing? For starters, it is an inexpensive country to study in Europe. Foreign college students pay the same amount for tuition as local college students, and several institutes in fact offer tuition-free university education. Scholarships to study in Germany are also readily available.

English has become a lot more widespread as the principal medium of teaching for courses in universities across the country. Edugist highlights eight tuition-free universities in Germany for international students.

1. Free University of Berlin

A top-ranking research university and the largest of four research universities in Berlin, Free University of Berlin expects one-third of its student population to consist of overseas students in the future. The university ranked 87th on the QS World University Rankings last year, and it is particularly strong in arts & humanities and social sciences. Free University of Berlin also has branch offices in the United States, Belgium, Russia, China, Egypt, and India, allowing it to form strong partnerships with many universities and better serve students from those countries.

2. Humboldt University of Berlin

More than 10 per cent of the student population of Humboldt University, one of the oldest universities in Berlin, consists of international students. It ranked 99th in the world in 2012-13 in the Times Higher Education World University Ranking. Humboldt is a hardcore research university with opportunities to work with world renowned faculty in fields such as the history of science, quantitative economics, and climate and sustainability research. Students interested in scientific research are highly encouraged to apply.

3. Technical University Munich

Germany’s highest ranking university, Technical University Munich or TUM, comes in 53rd on the World University Rankings, just above Heidelberg University. It excels in the more technical disciplines, like engineering. The university hosts some 5,000 international students, making up about 16% of its student population. Because of the university’s strength in research and engineering, it has partnerships with a number of prestigious universities, including U.S. schools such as MIT, Stanford, Cornell, and Georgia Tech. The university also has strong partnerships across Europe and Asia.

4. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

One of Germany’s oldest universities, LMU ranks 60th in the QS World University Rankings, just below rivals TUM and Heidelberg. Almost 15% of its student population is international students. The university offers more than 100 areas of study, and an increasingly large number of its classes are offered in English to cater to international students, particularly in the fields of business, management, psychology, and physics.

5. Heidelberg University

Founded in 1386 and ranking 55th in the World University Rankings, Heidelberg University is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Western Europe. It performs best in the sciences. More than 20% of the student body consists of international students from around 130 countries. Also, more than one-third of its doctoral students are international students. One thing to note, though, is that many of the university’s classes are in German.

6. Schiller International University

Schiller International University is a true international university, with campuses in the US and Europe. While the main campus is actually in Florida, the first and largest campus is in Heidelberg, Germany. The university actually began as a study abroad program in Germany for Americans. It now serves students from over 100 countries. Many study abroad programs utilise the university because it is accredited in the United States and based on the American system of education. All classes on all campuses are taught in English. The programmes on offer are generally more career-based, including two-year and four-year programmes.

7. Hochschule Furtwangen University

Hochschule Furtwangen University is a small university located in Baden-Wurttemberg, focused on the applied sciences. Despite its size, its International Business Management programme is ranked second in the country, and it is well known for its computer science and engineering programmes. most favorably with its competitors. The university, which comprises about 13% international students, ranked first among all universities in Germany in one survey of international student satisfaction, and it has more than 100 partner universities.

8. University of Freiburg

With 16 per cent of its student body coming from 120 nations besides Germany, University of Freiburg in Baden-Wurttemberg aims to please international students. The university also offers popular intensive German language courses at its Language Teaching Center, which draws students from more than 50 countries during semester breaks to learn German. The Global Studies Programme, a distinguished international master’s programme in English, is also a big draw for international students. 

Final thoughts

Germany has been cited as one of the most supportive countries for international students. For one, it tends to be a very inexpensive country to study abroad in, as overseas students pay the same tuition fees as local students, and many universities do not charge any tuition fees at all. Whether you choose to go with a study abroad programme or to directly enroll yourself, whether you go for a semester or for your entire degree, you’re sure to have an amazing experience studying at any of the above universities. 

Tuition-free universities in Germany offer you much more than a certificate. You’ll receive an excellent education while being immersed in German culture, and having a ton of international students from around the world to network with as well.