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Tuition-free Universities in Germany taught in English

All you need to know about free universities in Germany that have degree programs in English - not only for international students

I’m sure you've heard by now that Germany has a multitude of tuition-free study programs which are available not just only to German citizens, not just only for EU citizens, but also for all international students! Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, wait, what if you don't speak German?! Great, looks like you'll have to miss out. Wrong!

Germany's public universities have tuition-free study programs that are in English! You don't have to be fluent or even have ever studied German to come study in Germany.

International students have 240 universities in Germany with more than 2,000 English-language bachelor's and master's programs to choose from!

It can be daunting to get up and move to a different country with a completely different culture and language, but having your study program taught in a foreign language shouldn't be another added stress, especially if you are a beginner or have no German skills. Having the comfort of studying in a more familiar language eases the transition of going to a new place for your studies. We understand that searching for the perfect university can be overwhelming, so let us break down the many options you have available to you to study in Germany, in a language you're comfortable with, for FREE!

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More than 180 German Universities offer English degree programs with no tuition fee

You can study in Germany using the English language

If you have been honing your German skills for some time and are not limiting your search to English-language programs, then you have more options open to you as Germany has more than 400 universities in total! There is a great range of universities from large universities to smaller ones, should you be looking for a more one-on-one style approach to learning with your academic adviser. However, for those of us who haven’t quite mastered (or even started to learn) the wonderful and complex German language, there is no need to worry because there is something for you in Germany!

 

Over 200 universities in Germany offer English-language study programs to give international students opportunities to pursue a postgraduate degree though they don't speak German. The English degree programs available all have English-speaking faculty and staff as well. A variety of study programs are available to you, from film studies to political science to chemistry! Universities in Germany are aware that being able to study in a German-language program requires a lot of work and is near impossible for international students to achieve outside of Europe. So don't be discouraged in thinking you need to be fluent in German to study at these great programs. Additionally, once here, there are German-language courses available to you which you can take alongside your studies.

Public Universities in Germany are free for international students

In Germany, public universities are tuition-free, and not just for German or EU citizens! You don't have to have ever been to Germany or speak German to apply to universities in Germany. International students are welcome and encouraged to apply to universities in Germany, and with so many tuition-free English programs, there is a lot to choose from.

Why would Germany do such a crazy thing you ask?

Well, the general idea is that international students come to study in Germany and integrate into society here during their studies, and upon graduation, they join the German workforce, creating cultural bridges between their home country and Germany. Since Germany has the strongest economy in the EU, it's safe to say that they might be onto something!

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Further Reading

Public Universities in Germany

Exception: Professional Degrees at Public Universities

On the other hand, there are study programs (approx. 15-20%) which require tuition, though they are at public universities which include:

  • most of the professional or executive master's degrees, e.g. LL.M. (Master of Law), MBA (Master of Business Administration) or MPA (Master of Public Administration),

  • some very specialized study programs, such as those which include laboratory components or highly specialized technology as equipment may counter into an extra cost,

  • some international degree programs, like double degree programs that collaborate with other universities outside of Germany or joint master's programs (e.g. Erasmus Mundus).

However, this is not a specialized fee directed at international students, but rather a general fee for ALL students who wish to apply to these specialized study programs.

Our helpful StudyFinder can filter these programs out for you so that you can make sure you find the perfect program for you.

  • If you are interested in checking out some of these specialized degree programs, you can use special filters, e.g. for MBA or LL.M. programs or double-degrees.
  • Otherwise, just keep your eye on those tuition-free programs which are always offered at public universities by filtering for "no tuition fees".

Special case for Non-EU students: Baden-Württemberg

There is a special case which you should keep in mind on the hunt for your university program in Germany. In the state of Baden-Württemberg, located in the Southwest region of Germany, there is a small tuition fee (1,500 €/semester) for students coming from outside of the EU. 

If your top-choice universities are in Baden-Württemberg, the most popular cities being

don't let this non-EU tuition rule discourage you.

Many universities offer reduced tuition or tuition waivers to non-EU students who come from certain countries.

For more information on this non-EU tuition fee, refer to the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research, and Art's page which discusses this tuition-fee in detail.

map of germany showing the location of the city of berlin and the state of Baden-Württemberg

Baden-Württemberg is the only federal state in Germany that charges general tuition-fees for Non-EU students

Study for free in Germany - even at Top Universities

Front of the Humboldt University in Berlin.

© Christian Wolf. Type of license: CC BY-SA 3.0 DE.

In Germany, all public higher education institutions are free, even the highest ranked universities in the country! Unlike other countries that charge crazy tuition fees due to the high demand of students who wish to attend them, the top-ranked German universities charge the same tuition price as the rest: nothing. That's right, you don't have to limit your university search just because of tuition prices since even the most prestigious German Universities are free, e.g.

While these are some of the many top-ranked universities in Germany, there are also other institutions that are well-known and have great programs that also are public and therefore do not charge tuition fees.

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Further Reading

Germany in University Rankings

Private Universities: moderate fees, great options

In addition to public universities, Germany has a vast selection of private universities with great study programs as well. Maybe you might have heard of one of these private Universities that offer degrees taught in English:

While private universities charge a tuition fee to their own discretion, the fees are still significantly lower (average of 5,000 € - 7,000 € per semester) than at private universities in other countries.

Private universities charge a tuition fee to all students, not just international students.

In spite of these fees, private institutions are still very popular in Germany and many students prefer to attend these, sometimes looking for a very specialized program or option for a smaller student size in courses. Whatever the reason may be, should you be interested in looking at the different private universities which Germany has to offer, click here to view the programs and institutions that our StudyFinder has for you.

No German needed - more than 2,100 Degree programs in English

So, you aren't fluent in German? No problem! There are more than enough study programs available in English for you to choose from. By now you know that studying in Germany doesn't mean studying in German. If you are pursuing a degree program abroad that is affordable and in a language you are comfortable learning in, then Germany is the place for you. The variety of English-language study programs available for international students ensures that there is a study program for everyone!

 

Additionally, these universities also have staff and faculty which speak English and can answer any questions you may have. This can be particularly useful throughout the application process. However, MyGermanUniversity can also fill you in on the ins and outs of applying to a university once you find your dream study program. Sign up for our email list where we send tips and information or join one of our weekly webinars to have your questions answered by one of our study counselors!

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Summary Box

Tuition-free Universities in Germany taught in English
  • International students have more than 140 tuition-free universities in Germany that offer more than 1,200 English language degree programs with no tuition fees.

  • Public universities in Germany are tuition-free for ALL students, whether you're an EU citizen or not (except for the special case of Baden-Württemberg where Non-EU students must pay 1,500 € per semester).

  • While private universities charge a tuition fee to their own discretion, the fees are still significantly lower (average of 5,000 € - 7,000 € per semester) than at private universities in other countries.

For more specific questions, sign up for our email list where we send tips and information or join a weekly webinar to learn more about studying in Germany and to have your questions answered by one of our study counselors.

List of tuition-free universities in Germany with English degree programs

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Aalen University

public University of Applied Sciences · No. of Students: 5,700

Program Fees: € 0 - € 1,500

M.A. (Master of Arts)

M.Sc. (Master of Science)

Academy of Fine Arts in Nuremberg

public Academy of Fine Arts · No. of Students: 300

Program Fees: € 0

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Albstadt-Sigmaringen University

public University of Applied Sciences · No. of Students: 0

Program Fees: € 0 - € 1,500

M.Sc. (Master of Science)

Anhalt University of Applied Sciences

public University of Applied Sciences · No. of Students: 4,100

Program Fees: € 0

B.A. (Bachelor of Arts)

M.Eng. (Master of Engineering)

M.Sc. (Master of Science)

Ansbach University of Applied Sciences

public University of Applied Sciences · No. of Students: 3,800

Program Fees: € 0

M.A. (Master of Arts)

M.Eng. (Master of Engineering)

M.Sc. (Master of Science)

Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences

public University of Applied Sciences · No. of Students: 3,300

Program Fees: € 0

B.Sc. (Bachelor of Science)

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Augsburg University of Applied Sciences

public University of Applied Sciences · No. of Students: 6,600

Program Fees: € 0

B.Sc. (Bachelor of Science)

M.A. (Master of Arts)

M.Sc. (Master of Science)

Bard College Berlin

private (state-approved) University · No. of Students: 300

Program Fees: € 0

B.A. (Bachelor of Arts)

Barenboim-Said Akademie

private (state-approved) Academy of Fine Arts · No. of Students: 100

Program Fees: € 0

B.Mus. (Bachelor of Music)

Bauhaus-Universität Weimar

public University · No. of Students: 3,700

Program Fees: € 0

M.F.A. (Master of Fine Arts)

M.Sc. (Master of Science)

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