Universities are the cornerstone of any society that values education. As such, they play an important role in shaping a country. In Germany, universities are known as “Hochschulen” and can be either public or private. They range from specialist colleges to universal institutions. The German university system is quite different to that of other countries. German universities are not only among Europe’s best and oldest institutions of higher education, but also some of the most selective.
On average, only about one in 10 applicants is accepted to a German university every year. Moreover, the level of admission difficulty can vary substantially from university to university. There are some general rules that apply to all German universities when it comes to admission, though.
If you would like to study at one of Germany’s many fine institutions of higher learning, you will need a good high school diploma (preferably with the option of an excellent second alternative), a strong set of relevant secondary school subject exams and ideally some kind of interview or viva on top if your application is particularly competitive.
What you need to know before applying to a German university
Before you start applying to universities in Germany, it is important to know what you are getting yourself into. Students who have never studied at a German university before are often surprised by the rigour and complexity of the application process. The following points are particularly important:
- Many German universities have a numerus clausus, meaning that they cap their annual intake at a certain number of new students. If you apply to one of these universities, you need to be aware that you will be competing with many strong candidates for a limited number of spots.
- The application process at German universities is often quite lengthy and can be quite demanding. It starts with a Bewerbungsunterlagen, which is the application form. It is usually required that you fill out the application form online.
- German universities usually set two deadlines for the application form. The first one is usually in the fall, whereas the second one is usually in February or March.
- You will also need to submit several secondary school-related documents with your application form. These include your secondary school transcript (Zeugnissen), a secondary school graduation certificate (Abschlusszeugnisse) and a copy of your secondary school diploma (if you have one).
- On top of this, you will often be required to submit additional documents, such as a letter of recommendation, a German proficiency test certificate, a personal statement and a set of high school graduation photos.
It is a good idea to look for housing options before you move to Germany. Once you get accepted into a university and are ready to join, you can have a definite place to stay this way. Try to get accommodation in shared rental apartments they can be a good and affordable option.
German universities: The basics
There are more than 400 universities in Germany and they vary greatly in terms of size, reputation, research focus and selectivity. Below are some of the most important general facts about German universities:
- The vast majority of German universities are public institutions, and tuition is usually free for German and EU citizens.
- There are two types of degrees: the Bachelor’s degree (Bachelor) and the Master’s degree (Master). The Bachelor’s degree usually takes three years to complete and can be studied at universities and colleges. The Master’s degree is typically reserved for graduate programs, which last between one and two years.
- Each German university is led by a rector (Rektor), who is traditionally elected by the university’s professors.
Which German university is right for you?
As stated, finding the right university can be tricky. One way to narrow down your options is to create a shortlist of universities that you would like to study at. The next step is to find out more about each university on your shortlist. There are a number of ways to do this:
- Start by looking up the most highly ranked German universities. You can do this by consulting widely-known university rankings or by just Googling the names of the universities on your shortlist.
- Next, learn about the profile of each university. How many students does it have? What subjects does it offer? What is the university’s research focus?
- It is also helpful to read the university’s own description of itself. Many universities have a dedicated page on their website that describes the institution in great detail.
How to get into a German university – Step by step
Now that you know what to expect and what information you will need during the application process, let’s go over the actual steps you need to take in order to be accepted to a German university. The following steps are a general guide to the application process at German universities, but they do vary from university to university:
- Decide which German university you want to apply to. Make a shortlist of the universities that you would like to study at and then do some research about the universities on your shortlist.
- Start preparing for the entrance exams early. You need to have an excellent performance in school in order to get into a German university. The two most important exams are the Abitur and the DS-II.
Top Universities in Germany and why you should apply
We have compiled a shortlist of some of the best German universities, based on our research. If you are unsure about which university to apply to, you can use this list as a starting point. All of these universities are excellent choices, and they are all very competitive, so you will need to make sure that you are prepared. The following universities are listed in no particular order:
University of Hamburg – The University of Hamburg is one of Germany’s oldest and best universities. It is especially well known for its research in the natural sciences, but it also has excellent faculties in the fields of humanities and social sciences.
Free University of Berlin – The Free University of Berlin is one of Germany’s most selective universities. It is one of the country’s top research institutions and has excellent departments in the fields of humanities, social sciences and mathematics.
RWTH Aachen University – RWTH Aachen University is one of Germany’s most prestigious universities for engineering students. It is a high-ranking institution in all fields, but it is especially well known for its research in engineering and computer science.
Humboldt University of Berlin – Humboldt University of Berlin is another top engineering university in Germany. It has excellent departments in a wide range of fields and is one of the country’s most selective universities.
Conclusion
If you want to study at one of the best universities in Germany, you will need to prepare. You need to start early and make sure that you are ready for all the challenges that the application process will throw at you. With enough preparation, you can make your application as strong as possible and maximize your chances of getting accepted to a university of your choice.
