Germany is one of the most popular study destinations for international students, not only because of its world-class education system but also because most public universities charge little to no tuition fees.
If you’re planning to study in Germany for the 2026 intake, this guide is your ultimate resource. It lists 15 top public universities offering English-taught programs, explains where to find official deadlines, and gives search instructions for ScholyHub’s university filter page so you can shortlist your options quickly and correctly.
1. Why Public Universities in Germany?
- Tuition-Free Education: Most public universities don’t charge tuition for Bachelor’s and many Master’s programs, only a small semester contribution (€100 – €350).
- Globally Ranked Institutions: Many German public universities rank among the world’s top 100 in QS and Times Higher Education.
- Research and Innovation: Students benefit from strong links between academia and German industries.
- English-Taught Options: Over 1,800 English-medium programs exist across public universities, covering Engineering, Business, Computer Science, Medicine, and Social Sciences.
- Post-Study Opportunities: After graduation, students can stay up to 18 months to find employment.
2. How to Find English-Taught Programs for 2026
Germany’s higher-education system is decentralized, so deadlines and requirements differ. Reliable sources include:
- DAAD International Programmes Database
- Uni-Assist Portal
- ScholyHub Germany Scholarships & University Section
Tip: Use filters like “Language = English”, “Tuition = Free”, and “Degree = Master/Bachelor” to find open programs for the 2026 intake.
3. Top 15 Public Universities in Germany for 2026 Intake
| # | University | City | Example English-Taught Program | IELTS | Deadline (2026 intake)* | Semester Fee (€) | Official Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Technical University of Munich (TUM) | Munich | M.Sc. Data Engineering & Analytics | 6.5 | 1 Feb – 31 May 2025 | ~150 | https://www.tum.de/en/studies |
| 2 | Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) | Munich | M.A. International Relations | 6.5 | 15 Jan / 15 Jul (typical) | ~150 | https://www.lmu.de/en/study |
| 3 | RWTH Aachen University | Aachen | M.Sc. Electrical Engineering | 6.5 | May – July 2025 | ~300 | https://www.rwth-aachen.de |
| 4 | Heidelberg University | Heidelberg | M.Sc. International Health | 6.5 | Mar – Jul 2025 | ~170 | https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/en |
| 5 | Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin) | Berlin | M.Sc. Computer Science | 6.5 | 1 Apr – 15 May 2025 | ~307 | https://www.tu.berlin/en |
| 6 | Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU Berlin) | Berlin | LL.M. / Int. Master Programs | 6.5 | 1 Jun – 15 Jul 2025 | ~180 | https://www.hu-berlin.de/en |
| 7 | University of Freiburg | Freiburg | M.Sc. Environmental Governance | 6.5 | 1 Jun – 15 Jul 2025 | ~250 | https://www.uni-freiburg.de |
| 8 | University of Bonn | Bonn | M.Sc. Computer Science | 6.5 | June – 15 Jul 2025 | ~180 | https://www.uni-bonn.de/en |
| 9 | University of Cologne | Cologne | M.A. English Studies | 6.5 | 2 Jun – 15 Jul 2025 | ~150 | https://www.uni-koeln.de/en |
| 10 | University of Mannheim | Mannheim | M.Sc. Management | 6.5+ | 1 Apr – 31 May 2025 | ~180 | https://www.uni-mannheim.de/en |
| 11 | University of Göttingen | Göttingen | M.Sc. Applied Computer Science | 6.5 | 1 Jun – 15 Jul 2025 | ~300 | https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en |
| 12 | TU Dresden | Dresden | M.Sc. Computational Modeling & Simulation | 6.5 | Apr – Jul 2025 | ~230 | https://tu-dresden.de/en |
| 13 | Universität Hamburg | Hamburg | M.A. International Business & Sustainability | 6.5 | 15 Feb – 31 Mar 2025 | ~270 | https://www.uni-hamburg.de/en.html |
| 14 | Saarland University | Saarbrücken | M.Sc. Computer Science | 6.5 | 15 Nov 2025 (summer) / Jun – Jul (winter) | ~200 | https://www.uni-saarland.de/en/home.html |
| 15 | TU Darmstadt | Darmstadt | M.Sc. Data Science | 6.5 | 1 Jun – 15 Jul 2025 | ~250 | https://www.tu-darmstadt.de |
*Deadlines vary slightly by program; always confirm via each university’s website.
4. Best English-Taught Fields in Germany 2026
Engineering & Technology
- TUM, RWTH Aachen, TU Berlin, TU Darmstadt
- Programs: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Data Science, Renewable Energy.
- Fees: Free at public universities; semester contribution only.
Computer Science & AI
- Saarland University, University of Bonn, TU Dresden, TUM, RWTH
- Programs: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Robotics, Software Engineering.
- English proficiency: IELTS 6.5 – 7.0 or TOEFL 90+.
Business & Economics
- University of Mannheim, LMU Munich, University of Cologne, Universität Hamburg
- Programs: Management, Business Analytics, Sustainable Finance, Marketing Research.
Life Sciences & Health
- Heidelberg University, LMU Munich, University of Freiburg
- Programs: Biomedical Engineering, Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, International Health.
Social Sciences & Humanities
- HU Berlin, University of Freiburg, University of Cologne
- Programs: International Relations, Global Studies, Political Science, Education Policy.
5. How to Search & Filter Universities on ScholyHub
You can explore and compare universities directly via ScholyHub’s Germany database:
👉 Scholarships In Germany 2026
Filters to add or use:
- Degree Level: Bachelor / Master / PhD
- Language of Instruction: English / German / Bilingual
- Field of Study: Engineering, IT, Business, Health, Social Sciences
- Application Deadline: Choose Month / Year (2025 – 2026)
- Application Portal: Uni-Assist / Direct University Portal
- Tuition Fee: Free / Low (≤ €2 000) / Private (≥ €5 000)
- City / Cost of Living Filter
6. 2026 Application & Admission Timeline (Recap)
| Month | Step |
|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | Prepare documents, shortlist universities and programs. |
| Dec 2025 – Feb 2026 | Register for IELTS/TOEFL; gather certified translations. |
| Mar – Jul 2025 | Submit online applications (main window for winter 2026). |
| Aug – Oct 2025 | Receive admission letters; prepare for visa (see Part 4). |
| Nov 2025 – Feb 2026 | Apply for student visa; confirm accommodation. |
| Sept / Oct 2026 | Start studies in Germany. |
7. Admission & Language Requirements (Summary)
- Bachelor’s: 12 years of schooling + university entrance qualification + IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TestDaF 4.
- Master’s: Recognised Bachelor’s degree (180–240 ECTS) + IELTS 6.5 – 7.0 or TOEFL 90+ or equivalent proof.
- Additional tests: GRE / GMAT (optional, programme-specific).
- Uni-Assist: Many universities require VPD (Vorprüfungsdokumentation) before application.
8. Smart Tips for Choosing Your 2026 Program
- Check whether your target program is restricted (NC) or non-restricted admission.
- Start your Uni-Assist application early, processing can take 4-6 weeks.
- Always verify the semester contribution and whether it includes public transport tickets.
- If you already have an English-taught degree, ask if an MOI letter can replace IELTS.
- Contact the program coordinator for clarification on credit equivalency or background fit.
- Track deadlines in a spreadsheet with columns for program name, portal, fee and status.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Are all public universities tuition-free?
Almost all are, except Baden-Württemberg (state tuition ≈ €1 500 / semester for non-EU students).
Q2. Do public universities offer fully English-taught programs?
Yes, especially at Master’s level; use DAAD database filters for “Language = English”.
Q3. Can I apply without IELTS?
Some universities accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter from previous degrees, but most prefer IELTS/TOEFL.
Q4. What’s the difference between Uni-Assist and direct application?
Uni-Assist evaluates foreign certificates for ≈ 180 universities; others use their own portals.
Q5. When should I apply for the Winter 2026 intake?
Ideally between February and July 2025, depending on program deadline.
💬 Need Help Finding the Right University for Your Profile?
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Study in Germany 2026 Series
Part 1: Study in Germany 2026 Intake – Full Step-by-Step Roadmap
Part 2: How to Apply for German Universities (Step-by-Step Process 2026)
Part 3: Scholarships and Funding Opportunities in Germany 2026
Part 4: Germany Student Visa, Living Cost & Accommodation 2026
Part 5: Top Public Universities & English-Taught Programs in Germany 2026 (You’re Here)