Lori Meadows
Germany is a popular study destination for international students, with affordable education and a low cost of living. Germany's higher education system is a blend of tradition and innovation, with a total of 428 higher education institutions, including universities, vocational schools, colleges of art and music, colleges of public administration, colleges of theology, and colleges of education. The total number of students in higher education institutions in Germany is about 2.8 million, with around 1.6 million students at universities. Germany has about 469,485 international students, with the majority coming from India, China, Turkey, Austria, and Iran.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of students in German universities | 2.8 million |
| Number of international students in German universities | 469,485 (2023/24 winter semester) |
| Number of German students pursuing education outside of Germany | 137,700 |
| Percentage of female students in German universities | 50.9% (winter semester 2023/24) |
| Number of students in public universities | 2.5 million (winter semester 2023/24) |
| Number of students in private universities | 373,000 (winter semester 2023/24) |
| Number of students in church-run universities | (~1% of all students in Germany) = 28,000 (winter semester 2023/24) |
| Number of international students from India | 49,008 (2023/24 winter semester) |
| Number of international students from China | 38,687 (2023/24 winter semester) |
| Number of Erasmus students in Germany | 38,100 |
| Number of international students pursuing Bachelor's degrees | 132,534 |
| Number of international students pursuing Master's degrees | 160,306 |
| Number of German students pursuing doctoral degrees | 79,037 |
| Number of German universities | 428 |
| Number of public universities | 313 |
| Number of private universities | 115 |
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What You'll Learn
Germany has a total of 2.8 million students in higher education
The number of students in Germany has grown significantly over the past two decades, particularly at universities of applied sciences, where the number of students has more than doubled. At full universities, on the other hand, there is evidence of saturation, with student numbers remaining stable in recent years. Germany's higher education system offers a blend of tradition and innovation, catering to a diverse student body with various academic and vocational aspirations.
There are approximately 428 higher education institutions in Germany, including public and private universities, universities of applied sciences, and colleges of art and music, among others. The majority of German students are enrolled at the bachelor's level, while the second most common field of study is law, economics, and social sciences. Engineering is the most popular field of study for international students, with 43.1% of them pursuing degrees in this area.
Germany is an attractive destination for international students due to its high-quality academic education, affordable tuition fees or, in some cases, tuition-free education, and good career opportunities for graduates. The country has seen a steady increase in the number of international students, with around 370,000 international students enrolled in the 2022/2023 academic year. This number has been steadily increasing, with Germany reaching its goal of 350,000 international students in 2017, three years ahead of schedule.
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There are 428 higher education institutions in Germany
Germany has 428 higher education institutions, including universities, universities of applied sciences, colleges of art and music, colleges of public administration, colleges of theology, and colleges of education. The majority of these institutions are public universities (313), and the rest are private (115).
Among the 428 institutions, there are 109 universities, which are more research-oriented and offer doctorate degrees in addition to bachelor's and master's degrees. There are 215 universities of applied sciences, which are more practice-oriented and prepare students for specific careers. Fields of study include engineering, law, and other applicable subjects. There are 52 colleges of art and music, where students can study art, design, music, and other artistic disciplines. The remaining 52 institutions include colleges of public administration, colleges of theology, and colleges of education.
The total number of students enrolled in German higher education institutions is approximately 2.8 million, with a slight majority being female (50.9%). Germany also hosts around 469,485 international students, with the top countries of origin being India, China, Turkey, Austria, and Iran. The presence of international students in Germany reflects the country's attractive higher education system, which offers free or affordable tuition, a low cost of living, excellent academic standards, and opportunities for personal and professional development.
The German higher education sector is a blend of tradition and innovation, catering to a diverse student body with various academic and vocational aspirations. The country's commitment to education is evident in the strong presence of public institutions and the significant state support for specialized fields, such as arts and music colleges. The latest statistics indicate that 33.3% of Germans aged 25-64 hold a university degree, and the number of students in Germany has been steadily growing, particularly at universities of applied sciences.
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43.1% of international students in Germany study engineering
Germany has a large student population, with around 2.8 million students enrolled in higher education institutions as of 2025. This includes both German students and international students. Speaking of international students, Germany is a very popular study destination for them, with around 469,485 international students enrolled in German universities in 2023/2024, according to the latest data. This number has been steadily increasing over the years, with Germany reaching its goal of 350,000 international students in 2017, three years ahead of schedule.
Now, let's focus on the fact that 43.1% of international students in Germany choose to study engineering. This makes engineering the most popular field of study among international students in the country. The high enrolment in engineering programmes can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, Germany has a strong emphasis on engineering and technology-related programmes, which appeals to students from diverse cultural backgrounds. German engineering schools are renowned for their progressive teaching methods, research opportunities, advanced technology, and industry connections. The practical nature of the German education system allows students to gain valuable skills alongside their theoretical knowledge.
In addition, the affordability of studying engineering in Germany is a significant factor in its popularity among international students. Public universities in Germany introduced tuition-free education in 2014, and international students only need to pay a small administrative fee of €150-€300 per semester, making it much more affordable than universities in some other countries. On the other hand, studying engineering at private universities in Germany can cost between €3,000 and €15,000 per year. The availability of scholarships, such as the DAAD Scholarship Programme and the DeutschlandStipendium National Scholarship, also makes Germany an attractive option for international students looking to study engineering.
The popularity of engineering among international students in Germany can also be attributed to the country's diverse student population and the opportunity to gain employment during and after studies. Germany's higher education system caters to a wide range of academic and vocational aspirations. International students in Germany come from various countries, including China, India, Turkey, Austria, Iran, Italy, France, and more. During their studies, international students can work part-time to earn extra income, and after graduation, they can stay in Germany for up to 18 months to find employment, thanks to an extended residence permit.
In summary, 43.1% of international students in Germany choosing to study engineering highlights the country's appeal as a study destination for this field. Germany's strong emphasis on engineering, renowned engineering schools, affordable tuition fees, diverse student population, and employment opportunities all contribute to the popularity of engineering programmes among international students.
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Germany has 469,485 international students
Germany is a popular study destination for international students, with its higher education system blending tradition and innovation. The country has a total of 428 higher education institutions, including universities, vocational schools, colleges of art and music, colleges of public administration, colleges of theology, and colleges of education. Germany's higher education sector is valued and recognised worldwide for its innovation, science, and research capabilities.
The majority of international students at German universities are from India, China, Turkey, Austria, and Iran. Turkey has witnessed a significant increase in the number of international students in Germany, jumping from fifth to third place in just one year, with an increase of 22.7%. India has recently surpassed China as the leading source of international students in Germany.
International students in Germany have various academic and vocational options to choose from. The most popular field of study among international students is Engineering, with 43.1% pursuing this field. The second most preferred fields are Law, Economics, and Social Sciences, chosen by 24.5% of international students. The least preferred field is Agricultural, Forestry, and Food Sciences, with only 2.3% of international students enrolled in these courses in 2023/24.
Germany's higher education sector offers several advantages, including free or affordable education, a diverse student population, excellent career opportunities, and the opportunity to work during and after studies. The cost of living in Germany is relatively affordable for international students. The country also offers extended residence permits, allowing graduates to stay and find employment for up to 18 months after completing their studies.
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The majority of students in Germany are female (50.9%)
Germany has a large higher education sector, with a total student population of around 2.8 million. The majority of students in Germany are female, with women making up 50.9% of the total student population in the winter semester of 2023/24. This is a notable increase from the 1998/99 winter semester, when only 44.5% of students were female. This shift has occurred over the last 30 years, with the percentage of female students rising consistently over the past four years, from 49.8% in 2020/21 to 50.1% in 2021/22, 50.5% in 2022/23, and finally 50.9% in 2023/24.
Germany's higher education system is a blend of tradition and innovation, catering to a diverse student body with a range of academic and vocational aspirations. The country has 428 higher education institutions, including universities, universities of applied sciences, and colleges of public administration, art and music, education, and theology. The majority of students (around 57.9%) attend full universities, with 37.8% enrolled in universities of applied sciences. The remaining 4.3% of students are enrolled in the other college types.
Germany's higher education sector is known for its quality and affordability, with nearly all public universities introducing tuition-free education in 2014, and a low cost of living for students. The country also offers excellent opportunities for research and development, with the sector spending 20.6 billion on R&D in 2021 alone. The popularity of Germany as a study destination is evident, with a diverse student population, including a large number of international students, particularly from China and India.
The field of Legal, Economic, and Social Sciences has the highest number of students, with over 1.1 million enrolled. For international students, Engineering is the most popular field, with 43.1% choosing this subject. The majority of German students are enrolled at the Bachelor's level, while most international students are pursuing Master's degrees.
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Frequently asked questions
As of the winter semester of 2023/24, there are approximately 2.8 million students enrolled in German higher education institutions.
50.9% of the total student population in Germany are female, which equates to around 1,460,481 women.
There are approximately 469,485 international students in Germany, with the majority coming from India, China, Turkey, Austria, and Iran.
Around 85.9% of students in Germany, or 2.5 million students, are enrolled at public universities.
79,037 German students are pursuing doctoral degrees.
