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German universities continue to prove their stellar reputation in global rankings. But, since they attract so many students from abroad, we wanted to dig deeper and find out exactly which universities in Germany offer the best experience for international students.

Our analysis at Studying-in-Germany.org considered factors such as universities’ global reputation, their share of international students, whether they charge tuition fees for non-EU students, and more.

Here are the best German universities for international students for 2025, according to our ranking:

Technical University of Munich (TUM)

Score: 100

The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is Germany’s top-ranked university in three major rankings, so it’s no surprise it also ranks first on our list of best universities for internationals.

In 2025, the university is home to 52,931 students, of which almost 45% are international students—a diverse learning environment for you to be part of. The university also ranks first in Germany and 13th globally in Times Higher Education’s graduate employability ranking.

However, one downside is that TUM charges fees for third-country nationals. In addition to the semester fee, you may have to pay from €2,000 to €6,000 per semester for degree programs.

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RWTH Aachen University

Score: 86.56

Another one of Germany’s largest technical universities—RWTH Aachen ranks second best for international students. Close to 21% of its student population is from outside of Germany, so you’ll have a strong international community. While the lack of tuition fees for non-EU students is certainly a draw, most choose RWTH Aachen simply for its outstanding programs in both English and German.

Plus, the city of Aachen won’t drain your wallet like Germany’s bigger cities. Since it’s more affordable, you can focus on studying (and maybe a little exploring) without stressing so much over costs.

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University of Heidelberg

Score: 79.19

Ranking third is Germany’s oldest university dating back to 1386, the University of Heidelberg. It’s a top research university with a strong international presence—about 20% of its students come from abroad. It also offers a wide range of degree programs, including law, economics, social sciences, medicine, engineering, computer science, and more.

Heidelberg itself is a smaller city with a unique charm and a laid-back, scenic atmosphere you won’t find elsewhere. And, since the university ranks fifth in Germany and 69th worldwide for graduate employability, you might just have a pretty good reason to stay after your studies.

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Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU)

Score: 78.13

Another university from Bavaria’s capital, Munich, makes our list in the fourth place. The Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) ranks highly in higher education rankings, is home to 20.9% international students among its student body, and ranks third in Germany for graduate employability. Students here can choose from over 300 degree programs or be involved in over 39 collaborative research centers as part of the university.

Best of all, despite its top-tier reputation, LMU doesn’t charge tuition fees for non-EU students, making it all the more appealing.

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Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin)

Score: 73.71

Students interested in technical fields have plenty of options in Germany—combine that with the lively capital, Berlin, and you’ll find yourself at the Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin). Despite being a technical university, it also offers excellent programs in humanities, social sciences, economics, and more.

The university ranks high for its proportion of international students—who make up over 30% of all students. Plus, it’s fourth in Germany for graduate employability, and many grads stick around the city to kick-start their careers in one of Europe’s most exciting capitals.

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Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

Score: 72.62

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) takes the sixth spot as one of Germany’s top universities for international students. Around 22% of its students come from abroad, studying across a wide range of programs in engineering, natural sciences, economics, humanities, and more.

While the university charges tuition fees for non-EU students, its seventh position in Germany for graduate employability ensures internationals get a good return on investment.

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Free University of Berlin

Score: 70.10

Next on our ranking is the Free University of Berlin—another outstanding research institution located in Germany’s capital. Whether you’re interested in bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, there’s a vast catalog of over 150 programs to choose from.With more than 22% of its students coming from abroad, the university is a good depiction of Berlin’s multicultural vibe itself.

Among other benefits, FU Berlin ranks among the top 250 global universities for employment outcomes. Students of the university don’t pay tuition fees, only a small semester contribution—something that’s becoming increasingly rare in Western European capitals.

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Humboldt University of Berlin

Score: 68.49

Humboldt University of Berlin takes eighth place on our list, making it the third university from the capital to make the top 10. If you’re into arts, humanities, or social sciences, this is the place to be—Humboldt ranks first in Germany for these fields. Graduates of the university are also quite sought-after in the job market, seeing as the university ranks second in Germany and 45th worldwide for employability.

Humboldt’s strong connections with international organizations, research opportunities, and partnerships mean that students have access to a wealth of career resources. Over 15% of the university’s students are from abroad, as well!

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Technical University of Dresden (TU Dresden)

Score: 67

Affordable cost of living? Check. Among the best 250 global universities for graduate employment? Check. Cutting-edge study programs in technical fields & further? Check! The Technical University of Dresden (TU Dresden) ticks all the boxes.

The university’s spacious campus is home to more than 5,000 international students, making up 18.5% of the student body. Plus, with over 25 research institutes and facilities, it offers plenty of opportunities for students and researchers to thrive.

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University of Freiburg

Score: 65.35

Taking the tenth spot is the University of Freiburg, a prestigious institution with a rich history of education and research dating back to 1457. The university is made up of eleven faculties, which in total offer over 240 degree programs and more than 400 professorships.

Considering that 18% of the university’s student body is from outside Germany, it’s clear that it’s an increasingly popular choice for international students.

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