With a historic higher education system and many specialist research centres, it makes sense that Germany has some of the top ranked universities in the world. Not only that, Germany is the birthplace of the modern PhD, so it’s no wonder that the country is such a popular place to study.
We’ve examined the latest international university rankings to identify some of the best universities for PhD study in Germany.
| University | THE 2021 | QS 2021 | ARWU 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| LMU Munich | 32 | 63 | 51 |
| Technical University of Munich | 41 | 50 | 54 |
| Heidelberg University | 42 | 64 | 57 |
| Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin | =75 | - | - |
| University of Tübingen | =78 | =175 | 151-200 |
| Humboldt University of Berlin | =80 | 117 | - |
| University of Freiburg | 83 | =175 | 101-150 |
| RWTH Aachen University | =107 | 145 | 201-300 |
| University of Bonn | =114 | =240 | 87 |
| Free University of Berlin | =118 | 130 | - |
| University of Göttingen | 130 | 195 | 101-150 |
| University of Hamburg | 135 | =228 | 201-300 |
| University of Mannheim | =140 | 307 | - |
| Technical University of Berlin | =140 | 148 | 301-400 |
| Ulm University | =140 | =344 | 301-400 |
| University of Würzburg | =140 | =437 | 201-300 |
| University of Cologne | =145 | =282 | 151-200 |
| TU Dresden | =152 | =173 | 201-300 |
| Bielefeld University | =158 | 801-1000 | 701-800 |
| University of Münster | =195 | 356 | 151-200 |
| University of Erlangen-Nuremburg | =198 | =317 | 201-300 |
| University of Duisburg-Essen | 201-250 | 751-800 | 301-400 |
| University of Hohenheim | 201-250 | 651-700 | 701-800 |
| Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | 201-250 | 131 | 201-300 |
| Friedrich Schiller University Jena | 251-250 | =323 | 401-500 |
| Goethe University Frankfurt | 251-300 | =311 | 101-150 |
| Jacobs University | 251-300 | - | - |
| University of Kiel | 251-300 | 501-510 | 201-300 |
| University of Konstanz | 251-300 | =443 | 601-700 |
| University of Potsdam | 251-300 | 801-1000 | 401-500 |
| Information in this table is based on the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings and Academic Ranking of World Universities. Visit their websites for more information. | |||
With seven universities in the 2020 Times Higher Education top 100 (behind only the UK and USA), Germany is one of the best-ranked countries for higher education.
The fact that it charges no fees for PhD study and has many English-language doctorates makes Germany an excellent destination for postgraduate study.
Rankings for PhD study is not as straightforward as it seems. For a more detailed overview of how the system works and how to get the best out of it, check our guide to PhD rankings.
Ready to start looking for your ideal study abroad opportunity? Browse PhDs in Germany on FindAPhD.com or read our guide to studying a PhD in Germany.
Elsewhere on FindAPhD you can learn about:
Last updated 08/12/2020
Get funding news and application tips
Receive PhD updates in your subject
Weekly blog with advice and student stories
Hear about our Virtual Study Fairs
