For most international students, a public university in Germany is the better default, because most Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes there charge no tuition, while private universities usually charge several thousand euros per semester. A private university can still be the right choice if it offers a programme you cannot find at a public one, an English-taught Bachelor’s in your field, a start date that suits you or more personal support. What decides is the programme, its recognition and your budget, not the word “private”.
How many public and private universities are there in Germany?
Germany had 421 higher education institutions in winter semester 2025/26, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), including 112 universities and 206 universities of applied sciences. The German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat) counts 111 private and 38 church-run institutions among them. Private institutions are numerous but small. They teach 386,973 students, about 13.5 per cent of all students in Germany.
In other words, roughly one in four institutions is private, but fewer than one in seven students studies at one. For example, if you search for a programme in your field, most of the results will be at public universities simply because they are larger and offer more programmes.
Are public universities in Germany really free?
Mostly, yes. The DAAD says there are generally no tuition fees for Bachelor’s programmes or most Master’s programmes at state universities. You do pay a semester contribution of 70 to 430 €, which often includes a public transport ticket. Some continuing-education Master’s programmes, those that do not follow directly from a Bachelor’s, can charge fees.
There are two important exceptions for students from outside the EU.
- Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students 1,500 € per semester at state universities, for example at the University of Tübingen. Doctoral students are excluded.
- Technical University of Munich (TUM) charges non-EU students who enrolled from winter semester 2024/25 usually 2,000 or 3,000 € per semester for a Bachelor’s and 4,000 or 6,000 € for a Master’s. From winter semester 2027/28, new students pay 2,300 or 3,400 € and 4,600 or 6,800 €. TUM waives the Master’s fee if your Bachelor’s is from TUM or another German university.
In Bavaria, each university decides on fees for non-EU students, so check the programme’s own fee page.
How much do private universities cost?
Private universities set their own fees, and the range is wide. The DAAD’s 2026 brochure on universities of applied sciences puts private tuition at 200 to 1,700 € per month. The examples below come from the universities’ own pages.
| University | Programme | Tuition for non-EU students | One-time fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor University (Bremen) | Undergraduate, 2027/28 | 11,925 € per semester | 940 € enrolment, up to 350 € other fees per semester |
| SRH University (Berlin) | Bachelor, Product Design | 4,950 € per semester | 1,000 € enrolment |
| SRH University (Berlin) | Master, International Management | 6,950 € per semester | 1,000 € enrolment |
| Public university (most states) | Bachelor or consecutive Master | No tuition | Semester contribution 70 to 430 € |
Remember that tuition comes on top of your living costs. For a student visa you still need 11,904 € in a blocked account for 2026, whichever university you choose. Our finances guide shows typical monthly costs.
Is a degree from a private university recognised?
Yes, if the university is state-recognised (staatlich anerkannt). The Wissenschaftsrat explains that state recognition by the federal state is what gives a university the right to hold exams and award degrees. The Berlin science administration states that degrees from state-recognised private universities carry the same rights as those from state universities.
You can check recognition in two places. The Hochschulkompass, run by the German Rectors’ Conference, lists only state and state-recognised universities. The Akkreditierungsrat’s ELIAS database shows whether a programme is accredited. For example, if a university appears in the Hochschulkompass but your programme is missing from ELIAS, ask the university why before you pay a deposit.
Is the student visa different for private universities?
No. Section 16b of the German Residence Act covers full-time study at a state university, a state-recognised university or a comparable institution. The proof of finance is the same 11,904 € for 2026. What changes is your budget, because the visa section will also want to see that you can pay any tuition fees.
Is it easier to get into a private university?
Sometimes, but not always. Many public programmes are admission-free (zulassungsfrei), while popular ones use a Numerus Clausus or their own selection. Private universities often use their own interviews or tests and may have several start dates a year. The academic entry requirement, a school leaving certificate that gives access to German higher education, is the same for both.
Here is a typical case. A student from Lagos wants an English-taught Bachelor’s in business. Dreemli’s catalogue lists only 103 English-taught Bachelor’s programmes across Germany, and the public options in business are few, while a state-recognised private university offers the programme with a March start. The student compares the total cost over three years with the public alternative in German, which would need a year of language preparation, and decides with both numbers in front of them.
Which one should you choose?
| Your situation | Usually the better fit |
|---|---|
| You want low costs and can study in German or find your English programme at a public university | Public university |
| Your field is research-heavy or you plan a doctorate | Public university |
| You need an English-taught Bachelor’s that public universities do not offer | State-recognised private university |
| You value small classes and fixed timetables and can afford the fees | State-recognised private university |
Start with the programme, not the label. Search programmes by subject and language, then check each university’s status and the full cost for the whole degree.
Frequently asked questions
Do employers prefer public university graduates?
There is no official ranking of public over private degrees. Employers look at the programme, your grades and your experience, so compare internships and graduate outcomes rather than ownership.
Can I get a DAAD scholarship at a private university?
Some DAAD programmes are limited to tuition-free programmes, and the DAAD does not pay tuition fees. Check the conditions of the specific scholarship before you apply.
Are church-run universities private?
They are non-state institutions. The Wissenschaftsrat counts them separately from private ones, but they are also state-recognised and award recognised degrees.
Where to start
Make a short list of programmes in your field at both public and private universities. For each, write down the language, the admission route, the tuition for the whole degree and the recognition status. The cheapest option is often public, but the right one is the programme you can enter and finish.