Top Public Universities in Germany for International Students 2025

Germany is one of the popular countries for Indian students looking for affordable study abroad options, as many public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Studying in one of the best public universities in Germany 2025 helps students to access world-class education at zero tuition fees, opening doors to career opportunities in the global industry. Currently, there are around 42,997 Indian students enrolled in German universities as per the latest data from 2024. This shows that Indian students are a significant part of the international student body in Germany, and the country is quite popular for study abroad. Are universities in Germany actually free? Although pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate courses at public universities in Germany for international students is free, students must budget for the living costs during their intended stay.

This Story also Contains

1. Top 10 Public Universities In Germany 2025
2. Are Public Universities In Germany Free?
3. Is It Hard To Get Into Public Universities In Germany?

Also, these top public universities in Germany 2025 are tuition free for international students. Students are required to pay a semester fee typically ranging from EUR 150 to 350 to cover administrative fees and other additional service costs, such as public transportation tickets, unlimited access to campus facilities, and many more. Impressively, there are 313 public universities in Germany out of the total 428 educational institutions in the country. Although the living expenses in Germany are more affordable than in other popular study abroad destinations like USA, UK, and Canada. Students need to budget at least EUR 992 per month for staying in Germany. Let us delve further into the top 10 public universities in Germany for international students in 2025, having zero tuition fee or low cost.

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• Affordable Universities in Germany

• German Universities With Easy Admission Requirements

• Private Universities in Germany with Low Tuition Fees

Top 10 Public Universities In Germany 2025

Choosing a public university in Germany is one of the best decisions for Indian students looking to study in Germany for free or no tuition fee. These educational institutions not only provide quality education at an affordable cost but also offer English-taught courses, a wide range of specialisations, a simplified online application process, and professional benefits in the globalised economy. Many public universities in Germany are also ranked among the top universities in the world, as per QS WUR 2025. Hereby, students can consider studying in one of the best public universities in Germany, which also offers some of the best ROI courses in the world. Let us now discuss some of the most popular public universities in Germany.

Top Public Universities in Germany For International Students 2025

Technical University of Munich (TUM)

Looking for a public university in Germany that offers the highest global recognition, rigorous courses, with the best rank in Europe, TUM is for you. It is known for its high academic standards, especially for Engineering, AI, and Technology courses. Here is an overview of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) as one of the best public universities in Germany for international students.

Technical University of Munich

Humboldt University of Berlin

Known for its research and teaching excellence, Humboldt University of Berlin is one of Germany's oldest and most prestigious universities. It is one of the top public universities in Germany for international students in 2025 famous for its courses in political science, humanities, and social disciplines. It was established back in 1810, and now the educational institution offers courses both in German and English.

International students might require additional German proficiency through German language tests such as TestDaf to get admitted in Humboldt University of Berlin. Let us now check an overview of the Humboldt University of Berlin as one of the best public universities in Germany for international students:

Humboldt University of Berlin

Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU)

Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) is famous for its strong focus on academic research and interdisciplinary studies for centuries; hence, considered to be one of the oldest and best public universities in Germany for Indian students. It offers a wide range of courses for international students from medicine, business, to humanities.

The institution was established in 1472 and has produced several Nobel laureates and distinguished scholars since then. Also, Ludwig Maximilian University offers international students with double-degree, allowing them to earn 2 degrees within the same duration. Here is an overview of the Ludwig Maximilian University as one of the top public universities in Germany for international students:

Ludwig Maximilian University

RWTH Aachen University (RWTH)

RWTH Aachen University is one of the popular public universities in Germany for Indian students, as the institution is renowned for its strong emphasis on research and global networking. The courses at RWTH are available in both German and English. Students looking to study in Germany for free can consider this public university as a viable option in 2025. Check the table below for more understanding of RWTH Aachen University (RWTH) as one of the best public universities in Germany for international students:

RWTH Aachen University

Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin)

TU Berlin is one of the leading public universities in Germany, renowned for strong research in technology, rigorous courses, and a global reputation among its peers. The educational institution offers over 150 course specialisations for international students with an option for them to study in English. With a high reputation for study disciplines such as engineering, natural sciences, and technology, it is one of the best public universities in Germany in 2025.

The institution offers a highly skilled and updated course curriculum at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. One such benefit of studying at TU Berlin is access to structured PhD programs. Let us now check an overview of the Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin) as one of the top 10 public universities in Germany 2025:

TU Berlin

Are Public Universities In Germany Free?

Many students often wonder whether they can study in Germany for free or not. For those wanderers, we have an answer. Yes, you can study for free in Germany for international as well as domestic students, however, public universities charge a semester or admin fee ranging from Euro 100 to 350. These universities are perfect for those on a tight budget.

Studying in these tuition-free public universities in Germany allows international students a chance to access world-class education and take advantage of the robust economy after graduation. Also, these zero-cost universities in Germany offer tuition-free courses to both local and international students.

Also Read: Ground Reality of Free Universities in Germany

Is It Hard To Get Into Public Universities In Germany?

It solely depends on the chosen public university in Germany. For example, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) is one of the highly selective universities in Germany with an acceptance rate of a mere 8%. Hence, the educational institution is considered one of the hardest universities in Germany. On the other hand, the University of Heidelberg is one of the top public universities in Germany, with an acceptance rate of more than 75% for international students. This makes it easy for international students to get into the university.

So, is it hard to get into public universities in Germany? Yes, it is difficult for international students to get into German public universities for some courses, given that there is no tuition fee with some exceptions. It is highly recommended for international students to demonstrate a high academic profile with a good GPA and excellent standardised test results.