Germany has emerged as one of the most popular study destinations for international students — and with good reason. Public universities in Germany charge little to no tuition fees, the quality of education is world-class, and the country is home to some of Europe’s most innovative research institutions. For students who may not be fluent in German, there is excellent news: hundreds of degree programmes in Germany are taught entirely in English in 2026.
This guide covers the best universities in Germany that teach in English, the top English-taught programmes available, what you need to apply, typical admission requirements, and how to fund your studies through DAAD and other scholarships.
Why Study in Germany in English?
- Near-zero tuition fees at public universities — most charge only a semester fee of EUR 150–350
- World-ranked engineering, science and business programmes
- Strong post-study work opportunities — Germany’s 18-month post-study work visa is one of the most attractive in Europe
- Large international student community — over 350,000 international students studied in Germany in 2024
- High quality of life and affordability compared to the UK and USA
Best Universities in Germany with English-Taught Programs 2026
1. Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Ranked #1 in Germany and consistently in the global top 50, TUM offers over 80 master’s programmes in English across engineering, computer science, business, and life sciences. Popular English-taught programmes include:
- MSc Management (full-time, 2 years)
- MSc Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
- MSc Computer Science
- MSc Aerospace Engineering
Tuition: No tuition fees at the public TUM campus (small semester fee ~EUR 160). The TUM School of Management charges fees for some business programmes.
IELTS requirement: 6.5–7.0 for most programmes.
2. Heidelberg University
Germany’s oldest university and one of Europe’s most prestigious research institutions, Heidelberg offers English-taught master’s programmes in:
- MSc in Medical Biophysics
- MA in American Studies
- MSc in Physics
- Various summer schools and short programmes
Tuition: No general tuition fees.
Application deadline: Typically January 15 for summer semester (April start) and May 15 for winter semester (October start).
3. Ludwig Maximilian University Munich (LMU)
LMU is ranked among the top 100 universities globally and offers dozens of English-taught graduate programmes including:
- MSc in Data Science
- MSc in Neuro-Cognitive Psychology
- Various joint programmes with TUM
Tuition: No tuition fees.
English requirement: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 88.
4. RWTH Aachen University
Globally renowned for engineering and technology, RWTH Aachen offers English-taught master’s programmes including:
- MSc in Computer Science
- MSc in Mechanical Engineering
- MSc in Automation Engineering
- MSc in Computational Engineering Science
Tuition: No tuition fees (semester fee ~EUR 320).
5. Free University of Berlin (FU Berlin)
FU Berlin offers strong English-language programmes particularly in social sciences and humanities:
- MSc Global History
- MA North American Studies
- MSc Political Science
6. University of Mannheim
Mannheim is Germany’s top business school and consistently ranks among Europe’s best for management and economics. It offers fully English-taught MBA and master’s programmes with strong connections to corporate Germany.
7. Jacobs University Bremen
A private, English-only university in Bremen, Jacobs offers bachelor’s and master’s programmes entirely in English. Unlike public universities, Jacobs charges tuition fees (approximately EUR 20,000/year) but also offers substantial merit scholarships.
Admission Requirements for English-Taught German Universities
| Requirement | Typical Standard |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | Equivalent to German Bachelor’s (180 ECTS credits), GPA 3.0+ or 60%+ from India/Nigeria/Ghana |
| English Proficiency | IELTS 6.5–7.0 or TOEFL iBT 88–100 |
| GRE/GMAT | Required by some business and science programmes; check individual requirements |
| Motivation Letter | Required by all programmes — typically 1–2 pages |
| Letters of Recommendation | 2 LORs from academic supervisors |
| CV/Resume | Academic and professional background |
DAAD Funding for International Students in Germany 2026
The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) is the world’s largest scholarship organisation and offers multiple funding opportunities for international students to study in Germany:
- DAAD Scholarship for Development-Related Courses: Full funding (EUR 861–1,200/month stipend + tuition) for master’s students from developing countries
- Helmut Schmidt Programme: For master’s in public policy and good governance — EUR 1,200/month stipend
- DAAD Research Grants: For PhD research stays at German universities
- Deutschland Stipendium: A merit-based scholarship partially funded by private donors — EUR 300/month, available at many German universities regardless of nationality
Application Timeline for German Universities 2026
- Winter Semester (October start): Applications typically open February and close May 15–July 15
- Summer Semester (April start): Applications typically open August and close January 15
- DAAD Scholarships: Most deadlines fall October–November 2025
Life in Germany as an International Student
Monthly living costs in Germany range from EUR 800–1,200 depending on the city. Berlin, Hamburg and Munich are more expensive; smaller university cities like Aachen, Mannheim and Heidelberg are more affordable. International students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during semester breaks, which can significantly offset living costs.