160 Best Universities for MS in Germany for International Students 2026

Germany attracts international Master’s students because over 300 public universities charge no tuition fees and it is Europe’s largest economy. 

Here is a detailed explanation of why pursuing a Master’s in Germany makes sense:

• QS Top-Ranked Universities in Germany: Germany has 49 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Technical University of Munich, LMU Munich, and Heidelberg University always rank in the top 3 for Germany.
• Low or No Tuition Fees: The public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees for international students. Students only pay a small semester fee, which makes studying in Germany much cheaper than in many other countries.
• Wide Range of English-Taught Programs: Germany offers many Master’s courses in English in engineering, science, business, and IT. This means students can study in Germany without knowing the German language so well.
• Post-Study Work and Job Market: After finishing their degree, international students can stay in Germany for up to 18 months on the German Job Seeker Visa to look for a job related to what they studied.

A total of 49 universities in Germany feature in the QS Rankings 2026, as mentioned below. Out of these 5 top universities rank among the 100 best universities globally.

Here is the list of the top universities for MS in Germany:

Now that you know the best universities for an MS in Germany, let's look at each one closely. We will cover their popular programs, fees, duration, and other important details.

Technical University of Munich

TUM ranks first (22 globally) in the top 10 universities for MS in Germany. It was founded in 1868 and is famous for fields like Engineering and Computer Science. TUM ranked 13th in the Global University Employability Ranking. 

• Popular MS Programs: Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Electrical Engineering
• Avg Tuition Fees: €0 to €22,500 per year (₹0 to ₹24 L per year)
• Application Deadline: Jan-Mar for winter intake and Jul-Sep for summer intake
• Useful Link:https://www.tum.de/

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich has an academic reputation score of 97.1. The university has an international student ratio of around 20 to 22%. Graduates have an employment outcomes score of 76.8, and the acceptance rate is about 10%.

• Popular MS Programs: Data Science, Economics, Computer Science, Business Analytics
• Average Tuition Fee: €0 to €1,500 per year (₹0 to ₹1.6 L per year)
• Application Deadline: Varies by program (Jan-Mar for winter & Jul-Sep for summer intakes) 
• Useful Link:https://www.lmu.de/

Heidelberg University

Heidelberg University has an acceptance rate of about 17%, making it moderately selective for Master’s programs. It is particularly famous for Medicine and Life Sciences, which attract the highest number of students.

• Popular MS Programs: Medicine, Life Sciences, Computer Science, Environmental Science
• Average Tuition Fee: €0 to €1,500 per year (₹0 to ₹1.6 L)
• Application Deadline: Varies by program (Jan-Mar for winter and Jul-Sep for summer intakes)
• Useful Link: https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/

Free University of Berlin

Free University of Berlin has around 38,500 students and a significant international presence. About 34% of doctoral candidates study here, and the university has 2,851 academic staff. It ranks #59 in U.S. News Best Global Universities, and 56.7% of programs have restricted admission based on GPA.

• Popular MS Programs: Political Science, Economics, Computer Science, Psychology
• Average Tuition Fee: €0 - €1,500 per year (₹0 - ₹1.6 L per year)
• Application Deadline: Jan-Mar for winter and Jul-Sep for summer intakes
• Useful Link: https://www.fu-berlin.de/

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

KIT has around 20,000 students, and 24% of them are international. The university has a student-faculty ratio of 13:1, with 12,434 undergraduates and 8,042 graduate students. For admission, students are usually expected to have a minimum GPA of 3.0, IELTS 6.5, or TOEFL iBT 88.

• Popular MS Programs: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science
• Average Tuition Fee: €0 to €1,500 per year (₹0 to ₹1.6 L)
• Application Deadline: Varies by program
• Useful Link: https://www.kit.edu/

RWTH Aachen University

RWTH Aachen University was established in 1870 and is one of the best universities for MS in Germany. It has a total of around 29,217 students, out of this 49% are postgraduate students. The acceptance rate for many programs is around 10%.

• Popular MS Programs: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering
• Average Tuition Fee: €0 - €1,500 per year (₹0 - ₹1.6 L)
• Application Deadline: Varies by program
• Useful Link:https://www.rwth-aachen.de/

Humboldt University of Berlin

Humboldt University of Berlin is ranked around #47 globally by US News. The university has produced 57 Nobel Laureates and is part of important groups like the German Universities Excellence Initiative, U15, UNICA, and Erasmus. 

• Popular MS Programs: Computer Science, Political Science, Economics, Life Sciences
• Average Tuition Fee: €0-€1,500 per year (₹0 to ₹1.6 L)
• Application Deadline: Jan to Mar for winter and Jul to Sep for summer intakes
• Useful Link:https://www.hu-berlin.de/

Berlin University of Technology

Berlin University of Technology has around 32,000 to 34,000 students, including over 9,000 international students. The university is known for strong STEM programs and has an acceptance rate of about 52%. Students need a minimum GPA of around 2.5 on the German scale for admission.

• Popular MS Programs: Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Data Science
• Average Tuition Fee: €0-€1,500 per year (₹0 to ₹1.6 L)
• Application Deadline: Jan to Mar for winter and Jul to Sep for summer intakes
• Useful Link: https://www.tu-berlin.de/

University of Hamburg

University of Hamburg is a German "University of Excellence" with successful research clusters. It has over 42,000 students, with around 14% being international. The university has 8 to 10 faculties offering employs nearly 700 professors and over 3,600 other academic staff.

• Popular MS Programs: Business Administration, Economics, Computer Science, Life Sciences
• Average Tuition Fee: €0-€1,500 per year (₹0 to ₹1.6 L)
• Application Deadline: Jan to Mar for winter and Jul to Sep for summer intakes
• Useful Link:https://www.uni-hamburg.de/

University of Freiburg

The University of Freidburg is the fifth-oldest and a top university for MS in Germany. It has an acceptance rate of around 30%. Students need a good academic record with a minimum GPA of about 2.5 on the German scale.

• Popular MS Programs: Computer Science, Environmental Science, Engineering, Life Sciences
• Average Tuition Fee: €0-€1,500 per year (₹0 to ₹1.6 L)
• Application Deadline: Jan to Mar for winter and Jul to Sep for summer intakes
• Useful Link:https://www.uni-freiburg.de/

Germany offers many MS specialisations, but engineering, technology, and science courses lead because Germany has strong manufacturing, automotive, and technology industries.

Below are the top 10 MS specialisations in Germany:

The top universities for Master's in Germany focus mainly on project learning and thesis. Most masters degree in Germany take 2 years, which gives students enough time to work part-time and gain industry experience.

Below is a simple overview of how MS courses in Germany are structured:

Getting admission for Masters at top universities in Germany requires mainly a recognised degree of bachelor's, work experience of 1-2 years, and language proficiency (German/English).

Eligibility Criteria

Students must meet the university’s academic and subject-specific requirements.

• Academic Qualification: A recognised 3 to 4-year bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. For technical courses, degrees in engineering, IT, or science are preferred.
• Subject Relevance: Your bachelor’s degree should match your chosen Master’s specialisation (like: IT for Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering for Automotive Engineering).
• Work Experience: 1 to 2 years of experience in fields like Management, Data Analytics, or Business.
• Recognition of Degree: Indian and most international degrees are accepted without extra validation.
• ECTS Credits: Some technical universities also check if your bachelor’s degree includes a minimum number of ECTS credits in related subjects.
• APS Certificate (Academic Evaluation Centre Certificate): Some students from India, China, and a few other countries must submit an APS certificate to verify their bachelor’s degree.

Entrance Exams

Some universities in Germany require entrance exams like the GRE or GMAT, which are recognised worldwide.

• GRE: 300 to 320
• GMAT: 550 to 680
• University-specific Tests: Some German universities may ask for subject tests or interviews (Aufnahmegespräch) depending on the program.

English Language Requirements

Students must prove their English proficiency if the program is taught in English.

• IELTS: 6.5 to 7.0
• TOEFL: 90 to 100
• PTE Academic: 58 to 65

Documents Required

Universities need specific documents to verify eligibility and process the student application.

• Academic Transcripts: Official mark sheets and bachelor’s degree to prove eligibility.
• SOP: Explains your academic background, motivation, and career goals.
• LOR: 1 to 2 references from professors or employers supporting your skills and suitability.
• Resume: Details your education, internships, projects, and relevant work experience.
• Passport Copy: Needed for both admission and student visa applications.
• TestDaF or DSH Certificate: For programs taught in German, students must submit a TestDaF or DSH certificate instead of English tests.
• Proof of Finance: German universities many times ask students to show they can cover living costs, usually €11,000 (approx 11.6L) in a blocked account (Sperrkonto), even during admission, not just for the visa.

In Germany, tuition fees depend on the type of university because there are public (state‑funded) and private universities. Most public universities charge little to no tuition fees, while private universities charge higher fees up to 31.5L annually for MS programs.

The table below shows how tuition fees generally range for Master’s degrees in Germany:

Germany offers several scholarships for international students; DAAD alone awards over 10,000 scholarships annually. Other popular scholarships include the Heinrich Böll Foundation and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.

Here are some of the top scholarships in Germany:

Choosing the right university in Germany for higher education is important because universities vary in tuition, programs, industry connections, and research opportunities.

Here are some specific factors to consider when choosing top universities for MS in Germany: 

• Public vs Private University: Public universities mostly charge no tuition fees and have strong research programs, while private universities charge higher fees but may offer smaller classes and specialised programs.
• Location and Industry Connections: Universities in cities like Munich, Berlin, and Stuttgart are close to automotive, tech, and manufacturing hubs, making it easier to get internships and jobs after graduation.
• English vs German-Taught Programs: Some programs are taught in English, while others require German. Choosing a program in the right language affects your ability to study, network, and work locally. 
• State Tuition Policies: Some German states, like Baden-Württemberg, charge tuition for non-EU students even at public universities. Checking state-specific rules can prevent unexpected fees.

Choosing the right university in Germany can feel overwhelming because there are hundreds of options, different tuition rules, and varied program languages. Many students worry about picking a university that matches their career goals and budget. It helps to focus on your preferred specialisation, city, and whether you want an English or German-taught program.

Yocket Premium can make this process much easier. It helps you compare universities, track deadlines, and connect with students who studied in Germany. With curated tools and verified insights, you can plan your MS journey with confidence and save time.