The best universities in Germany
Updated on Apr 24, 2025 to reflect recent developments and statistics.
Table of Contents
- Ranking for universities and technical colleges by HR managers
- The best universities in Germany 2024
- The best universities of Applied Sciences in Germany 2024
- The most important criteria when hiring new employees
- Other factors that, according to HR managers, play a major role in personnel selection
- Knockout criteria in the personnel selection process
- Universities in Germany, ranked globally in 2025
Quite a few high school graduates, after completing their arduous final exams, begin searching for the right university or university of applied sciences. Finding the right institution is easier said than done, as according to Statista, there were approximately 428 universities and colleges in Germany alone in 2023-24. Of the 428 potential institutions, universities of applied sciences account for 50%, and universities for approximately 25%. The remaining 25% consists largely of art schools and administrative colleges, as well as smaller portions of theological and teacher training colleges.
Universities, Fachhochschulen & other higher education institutes in Germany, Source: Statista
In short, the selection is vast and time is short, as certain application deadlines must be met to be admitted to a university or university of applied sciences. For this reason, so-called university rankings offer prospective students a good starting point to facilitate the search for the right institution. It's also particularly advisable to seek recommendations from current students at the respective university or college, graduates, or family and friends, as your choice of university can have a strong influence on future job prospects. This article is intended to inform you, as a student, about the best universities in Germany to ensure the best start to your career.
Ranking for universities and technical colleges by HR managers
According to a survey conducted by WirtschaftsWoche, which interviewed approximately 483 human resources managers from Germany's largest companies, the survey determined which universities HR recruiters prefer to hire graduates from. The focus was particularly on industry-related degree programs. Depending on the degree program, WirtschaftsWoche (in 2024) reached the following conclusion:
The best universities in Germany 2024
| Industrial Engineering | Computer Science | Business Informatics | Electronics | Mechanical Engineering | Business Administration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Aachen RWTH | 1. Berlin TU | 1. München TU | 1. München TU | 1. München TU | 1. München LMU |
| 2. Berlin TU | 2. München TU | 2. Darmstadt TU | 2. Berlin TU | 2. Aachen RWTH | 2. Berlin HU |
| 3. Karlsruhe KIT | 3. Aachen RWTH | 3. Dresden TU | 3. Aachen RWTH | 3. Berlin TU | 3. Frankfurt School of Finance |
| 4. Dresden TU | 4. Berlin, HU | 4. Frankfurt a.M., Universität | 4. Dortmund TU | 4. Stuttgart, Universität | 4. Berlin, Freie Universitat |
| 5. Darmstadt TU | 5. Berlin, Freie Universitat | 5. Frankfurt, SFM | 5. Darmstadt TU | 5. Karlsruhe KIT | 5. Frankfurt a.M., Universitat |
The best universities of Applied Sciences in Germany 2024
| Industrial Engineering | Computer Science | Business Informatics | Electronics | Mechanical Engineering | Business Administration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Berlin (HTW) | 1. Berlin (HTW) | 1. Berlin (HTW) | 1. Aachen, Fachhochschule | 1.Aachen, Fachhochschule | 1. Berlin, HTW |
| 2. München, Hochschule | 2. München, Hochschule | 2. München, Hochschule | 2. Berlin, HTW | 2. Berlin (HTW) | 2. Reutlingen, Hochschule (ESB) |
| 3. Dresden, HTW | 3. Aachen, Fachhochschule | 3. Berlin (HWR) | 3. Berlin, BHfT | 3. Berlin (BHfT) | 3. München Business School |
| 4. Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences | 4. Berlin, HWR | 4. Dortmund, Fachhochschule | 4. Köln, TH | 4. München, Hochschule | 4. Frankfurt Uni of Applied Sciences |
| 5. Köln, TH | 5. Berlin, BHfT | 5. Köln, TH | 5. Dresden, HTW | 5. Dresden, HTW | 5. Berlin, HWR |
In the eyes of HR managers, the top 5 universities and technical colleges offer a higher practical component in the aforementioned degree programs. Furthermore, a semester abroad is firmly integrated into the curriculum. Around a third of HR managers stated that they place great value on international experience, for example, in the USA or Asia. As the number of students increases annually, the annual number of university graduates increases proportionally, leading to increased competition in the job market. Therefore, an applicant with a semester abroad can definitely stand out from the crowd.
It is important to note that the ranking, which is dependent on HR managers, does not reflect scientifically sound and accurate information. Rather, the ranking reflects image and opinion values, which certainly have their place.
The most important criteria when hiring new employees
It's worth noting that, in addition to the differences between universities and universities of applied sciences, different degrees are valued and preferred differently by HR professionals. Master's graduates tend to be preferred over bachelor's graduates in scientific and technical programs, as well as in programs such as business administration, economics, and law. Furthermore, bachelor's graduates are preferred by universities of applied sciences over universities. Approximately 65% of all bachelor's graduates from universities of applied sciences find employment after graduation.
Other factors that, according to HR managers, play a major role in personnel selection
- Personality - 59%
- Practical experience - 67%
- Very good English skills - 52%
- IT skills: 38%
- International experience - 35%
- Exam grade - 31%
In line with this data, it can be seen that the final grade plays a lesser role in hiring. Practical experience, personality, independent and solution-oriented thinking, foreign language skills, and IT skills are often much more important.
Compared to in 2023, HR managers in 2024 placed a higher emphasis on fluency in English in addition to proficiency in another foreign language.
The recruiting team often analyzes how many graduates were hired from one or more specific universities and how they have developed during this period, which influences the selection process. HR professionals who have previously frequently hired graduates from a university or technical college are often satisfied with the performance and development of the previously hired university and have a positive attitude toward the university or technical college. In other words, graduates from a university preferred by HR managers have better prospects on the job market. This is why we speak of higher “employability”.
Knockout criteria in the personnel selection process
- Lack of soft skills - 57%
- Insufficient technical knowledge - 37%
- No fit with corporate culture - 30%
- Wrong specialization - 23%
- Excessive salary demands - 16%
Universities in Germany, ranked globally in 2025
German universities, ranked globally according to the QS World University Rankings in 2025:
- TU Munich (28)
- LMU Munich (59)
- Heidelberg University (84)
- Free University of Berlin (97)
- RWTH Aachen University (99)
- KIT, Karlsruhe (102)
- Humboldt University of Berlin (126)
- TU Berlin (147)
The German universities that rank in the top 100 globally (Times Higher education) in 2025 are as follows:
- TU Munich (26)
- LMU Munich (38)
- Universitat Heidelberg (47)
- HU Berlin (84)
- Uni of Bonn (89)
- RWTH Aachen (92)
- Charite (93)
- Uni of Tubingen (100)
In the top 10 of the global university rankings, there are eight universities from the United States of America and two universities from the United Kingdom, with Oxford University leading the way for several years.
Studydrive - your Companion for Studying
With Studydrive, you're always well prepared for your studies! Exchange ideas with other students, get peer-to-peer support for any questions you may have, don't miss anything shared between your classmates in the course, and find helpful study materials.