Best universities in Germany 2026

By seeta.bhardwa@…, 9 October, 2025

The top universities in Germany 2026

Germany Rank 2026WUR Rank 2026UniversityOverallTeachingResearch EnvironmentResearch QualityIndustryInternational Outlook
127Technical University of Munich83.471.984.891.310083.4
234LMU Munich79.768.475.492.410078.7
349Universität Heidelberg76.368.361.495.393.780.2
489Humboldt University of Berlin67.252.660.685.565.977.6
591Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin66.947.248.798.210072.4
=6=92RWTH Aachen University66.754.96376.710070.3
=6=92University of Bonn66.751.556.688.578.771.8
8=98University of Tübingen66.349.153.88998.674.6
9=113Free University of Berlin65.250.258.382.272.479.5
10=122University of Göttingen64.149.452.787.27170.1
11=125University of Hamburg63.745.752.887.199.863.6
12=138University of Freiburg62.646.747.484.599.777.1
13=160Technical University of Berlin6145.252.877.895.270.3
14=164University of Cologne60.844.546.583.994.270.2
15=166Karlsruhe Institute of Technology60.749.354.969.310073.1
16174TU Dresden60.447.1507799.966.1
17179University of Würzburg60.139.643.591.299.859.9
18=195University of Münster5943.947.283.282.154.4
=19201–250Friedrich Schiller University Jena56.4–58.64442.583.588.762
=19201–250Goethe University Frankfurt56.4–58.642.241.982.181.468.9
=19201–250University of Erlangen-Nuremberg56.4–58.641.746.578.610064.2
=19201–250University of Mannheim56.4–58.63744.585.588.271.1
=19201–250University of Potsdam56.4–58.637.944.381.792.466.4
=24251–300Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf54.3–56.336.234.384.383.967.2
=24251–300Ruhr University Bochum54.3–56.339.946.172.698.963.7
=24251–300Technical University of Darmstadt54.3–56.343.146.865.799.873.1
=24251–300Ulm University54.3–56.342.331.683.191.264.8
=24251–300University of Konstanz54.3–56.338.542.872.995.775.8
=24251–300University of Stuttgart54.3–56.344.548.463.499.958.5
=30301–350Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz51.6–54.238.927.18372.366
=30301–350University of Bayreuth51.6–54.239.841.368.684.568
=30301–350University of Bremen51.6–54.239.739.672.378.963
=30301–350University of Duisburg-Essen51.6–54.235.434.682.787.464.3
=30301–350University of Hohenheim51.6–54.23636.478.476.761.3
=35351–400Justus Liebig University Giessen49.9–51.53539.272.571.362.7
=35351–400Leibniz University Hannover49.9–51.538.841.764.384.356.9
=35351–400University of Kiel49.9–51.532.533.481.864.462.2
=38401–500Leuphana University of Lüneburg46.2–49.823.528.183.233.666
=38401–500University of Greifswald46.2–49.835.131.369.558.351.4
=38401–500University of Marburg46.2–49.837.832.17270.861.9
=38401–500University of Regensburg46.2–49.836.330.870.967.658.4
=42501–600Constructor University43.6–46.134.932.251.492.494
=42501–600Hamburg University of Technology43.6–46.138.12656.98661.8
=42501–600Saarland University43.6–46.132.519.273.168.778.8
=42501–600TU Dortmund University43.6–46.13635.35771.556.5
=42501–600University of Kaiserslautern43.6–46.136.130.956.383.251.1
=42501–600University of Siegen43.6–46.130.436.763.663.660
=48601–800Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg39.0–43.534.618.256.657.772.6
=48601–800Paderborn University39.0–43.531.135.951.470.750
=48601–800TU Braunschweig39.0–43.53624.358.577.557.7
=48601–800University of Passau39.0–43.532.73752.570.457.2
=48601–800University of Wuppertal39.0–43.531.531.260.665.355.5
53801–1000University of Hagen35.5–38.930.136.342.446.444.5
=541001–1200Technische Universität Ilmenau32.1–35.431.421.937.170.964.8
=541001–1200TU Bergakademie Freiberg32.1–35.43825.528.55768.1

Key Insights from the 2026 Germany University Rankings 

  • The Technical University of Munich retains the first place position from last year as the top university in Germany
  • There are 55 universities from Germany ranked in the 2026 World University Rankings
  • Humboldt University Berlin is the highest ranked university located in the German capital city of Berlin
  • LMU Munich achieves a perfect score for its connections to industry.

Choosing a university in Germany

Germany is a good choice for many students looking to study abroad. According to students studying in Germany, it's fun, cheap and there's always something to do. 

Germany does not charge tuition fees for domestic and international students. Students are also offered free travel around the city and student discount cards are available that cover entry to some of the city’s museums and galleries. 

More than 500 degrees (bachelor’s and master’s programmes) are taught in English at top German universities. Whatever subject you are interested in, you can study that degree in English in Germany.

The table for the best universities in Germany was derived from data collected from the THE World University Rankings. The results are calculated using 18 performance indicators underlying five metrics: research environment, teaching (the learning environment), research quality, industry and international outlook. For more insights and a detailed breakdown of our ranking methodology, visit our methodology page. Use the Germany university ranking table above to explore the right institution for you.

Thumbnail image
Image
Humboldt University Berlin
Standfirst

Discover the Times Higher Education German University Rankings 2026 and explore which universities in Germany rank the highest. This list of German universities reveals the best universities and colleges in Germany, according to the trusted Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.

Universities across Germany are scored in areas such as teaching, research and international outlook. It uses a robust methodology, created by the in-house data team, that is relied upon by students, academics, policymakers, and industry leaders worldwide.

Display TAP Popcard?
On

Comments