Top Universities in Germany 2016/17

**This article is based on the QS World University Rankings® 2016/17 results. Click here to find out the top universities in Germany in 2020. 

The launch of the QS World University Rankings® 2016-2017 sees 43 German universities rank among the world’s best, including 15 entries in the global top 250. One of the world’s most popular study destinations (increasingly so!), Germany offers high class education at low costs. While the two top universities in Germany are both located in the Bavarian city of München (Munich), capital city Berlin also holds its own as an education hub. Read on to discover the top universities in Germany this year, starting with a look at the top 10.

1. Technische Universität München

Retaining its position of 60^th in the world and 1^st among German universities for the second time in a row, Technische Universität München is a member of TU9, an association of the nine oldest, largest, and most prestigious technical universities in Germany.

2. Ludwig-Maximilians - Universität München

Fellow Munich-based institution Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München climbs from 75^th to joint 68^th place this year to now rank second in Germany, and is one of the country’s oldest and largest institutions.

3. Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg

Previously ranked 1^st among German universities in 2014, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg is now ranked 72^nd in the world and 3^rd in Germany. The oldest university in the country, founded in 1386, it’s based in the south-west city of Heidelberg.

4. KIT, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie

Retaining 4^th place amongst the top universities in Germany this year, the Karlsruher Institut für Technologie, usually shortened to KIT, is now ranked joint 98^th in the world and is known for its high quality of international research work.

5. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

The highest-ranked university in Berlin this year is Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, up five places in the world ranking to place joint 121^st. The university is particularly well-respected for its education in the arts and humanities.

6. Freie Universität Berlin

Staying in Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin ranks joint 123rd in the world this year, and is internationally known for its research in the humanities, social sciences, and natural/life sciences.

7. Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen

Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen is a technology-focused university which ranks 146^th in the world this year. It maintains close links to industry and is the largest technical university in Germany, with around 43,700 students.

8. Universität Freiburg

Ranked 163^rd this year, Universität Freiburg was founded in 1457 and has a long tradition of education in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.

9. Technische Universität Berlin

New to the German top 10 this year, Technische Universität Berlin climbs from 178^th to joint 164^th in the world this year, and is a TU9 member which is considered particularly strong for its engineering programs.

10.  Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen

Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen also climbed in the rankings this year – from joint 173^rd to 167^th. The university is noted for its medicine, natural sciences and humanities degrees.

The remaining top 20 universities in Germany are…

11. Georg-August-Universität Göttingen – ranked joint 177^th in the world.

12. Technische Universität Dresden – ranked joint 210^th in the world, up from 227^th last year.

13. Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn – ranked 231^st in the world.

14. Universität Hamburg – ranked 232^nd in the world.

15. Technische Universität Darmstadt – ranked joint 247^th in the world.

16. Universität Stuttgart– ranked 263^rd in the world.

17. Universität Frankfurt am Main – ranked joint 264^th in the world.

18. Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg – ranked joint 272^nd in the world, up 20 places from last year.

19. Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster – ranked joint 294^th in the world.

=20. Universität Köln – ranked joint 347^th in the world.

=20. Universität Ulm – ranked joint 347^th in the world.

And the rest…

After the top 400 universities, the QS World University Rankings groups universities in ranges, from 401-410, up to 701+. Click here for more information.

22. Universität Konstanz – ranked joint 352^nd in the world.

23. Universität Jena – ranked joint 363^rd in the world.

24. Leibniz Universität Hannover – ranked joint 400^th in the world.

25. Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz – ranked 401-410 in the world.

26. Universität Mannheim – ranked 411-420 in the world.

=27. Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg – ranked 421-430 in the world.

=27. Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel – ranked 421-430 in the world.

29. Universität Bremen – ranked 441-450 in the world.

30. Ruhr-Universität Bochum – ranked 451-460 in the world.

31. Technische Universität Braunschweig – ranked 471-480 in the world.

The following universities are ranked in the 501-550 range, and are therefore joint 32^nd in Germany:

=32. Universität Leipzig – ranked 501-550 in the world.

=32. Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg – ranked 501-550 in the world.

=32. Universität Bayreuth – ranked 501-550 in the world.

=32. Universität des Saarlandes – ranked 501-550 in the world.

=32. Universität Regensburg – ranked 501-550 in the world.

=37. Philipps-Universität Marburg – ranked 551-600 in the world.

=37. Technische Universität Dortmund – ranked 551-600 in the world.

A further three universities are ranked 601-650 in the world, and are therefore joint 39^th in Germany:

=39. Universität Bielefeld – ranked 601-650 in the world.

=39. Universität Duisburg-Essen – ranked 601-650 in the world.

=39. Universität Düsseldorf – ranked 601-650 in the world.

=42. Justus-liebig-Universität Gießen – ranked 651-700 in the world.

=42. Universität Rostock – ranked 651-700 in the world.

Find out more about studying in Germany with our complete guide.