About the university
Saarland University in Saarbrücken is a mid-sized public university close to the French border. Around a quarter of its students come from abroad, one of the highest shares in Germany.
Its best-known part is the Saarland Informatics Campus, where the university's computer science department works alongside research institutes in computing. Master's in Computer Science, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Embedded Systems, Visual Computing and Bioinformatics are all taught in English.
For Indian students, Saarland means no tuition fee, a strong English-taught computing offer and two intakes a year for most informatics master's. Admission is selective: the informatics programmes ask for C1 English and do not accept a medium-of-instruction certificate.
Saarbrücken is the capital of the small state of Saarland, with a French influence on food and culture. Living costs are moderate by German standards, and France and Luxembourg are close.
- Founded
- 1948
- Type
- Public research university
- Students
- About 16,300 (30 November 2025)
- International students
- About 24%, against about 17% across Germany (30 November 2025)
- Sites
- Saarbrücken (main campus), Homburg, Dudweiler and Meerwiesertalweg
- Student–staff ratio
- 11.6 to 1 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Tuition
- No tuition fee; semester contribution €412.30 (winter 2026/27)
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
=588 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
401–450 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €825
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (apply by 15 May; early round 15 November); April (apply by 15 November; early round 15 May)
- English
- C1 level; a medium-of-instruction certificate is not accepted
- Postgraduate
MSc Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
- Fee / year
- €825
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 120 CP)
- Intakes
- October (apply by 15 May; early round 15 November); April (apply by 15 November; early round 15 May)
- English
- C1 level; a medium-of-instruction certificate is not accepted
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €825
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (apply by 15 May; early round 15 November); April (apply by 15 November; early round 15 May)
- English
- C1 level; a medium-of-instruction certificate is not accepted
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €825
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- October (apply by 15 May; early round 15 November); April (apply by 15 November; early round 15 May)
- English
- C1 level (for example TOEFL or IELTS); a medium-of-instruction certificate is not accepted
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €825
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (apply by 15 May; early round 15 November); April (apply by 15 November; early round 15 May)
- English
- C1 level; a medium-of-instruction certificate is not accepted
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €825
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (apply by 15 May); April (apply by 15 November)
- English
- C1 level (for example TOEFL, TOEIC or IELTS)
- Postgraduate
MSc Language Science and Technology
- Fee / year
- €825
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- October only (apply by 15 February)
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5; TOEFL iBT 79; Cambridge CAE grade A or B
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €825
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (apply mid-June–1 September); April (apply mid-December–1 March)
- English
- Usually CEFR B2 or higher
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Computer Science | 2 years (4 semesters) | €825 | ≈ ₹87,450 |
| MSc Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | 2 years (4 semesters, 120 CP) | €825 | ≈ ₹87,450 |
| MSc Cybersecurity | 2 years (4 semesters) | €825 | ≈ ₹87,450 |
| MSc Embedded Systems | 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS) | €825 | ≈ ₹87,450 |
| MSc Visual Computing | 2 years (4 semesters) | €825 | ≈ ₹87,450 |
| MSc Bioinformatics | 2 years (4 semesters) | €825 | ≈ ₹87,450 |
| MSc Language Science and Technology | 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS) | €825 | ≈ ₹87,450 |
| MSc Quantum Engineering | 2 years (4 semesters) | €825 | ≈ ₹87,450 |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Saarland University with similar universities in Germany.
Scholarships
- All levels
External scholarships (DAAD and foundations)
Value: Depends on the provider
Eligibility: Saarland University states that it does not offer its own scholarships or bursaries, so look to DAAD and German foundations. Its scholarship guide explains how.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Bachelor's programmes are mostly taught in German. The university offers a preparatory German course and an international foundation programme (VSI) for international applicants.
- Non-EU applicants usually need a preliminary review documentation (VPD) from uni-assist.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree in a related subject. Informatics master's also ask for proof of maths and computer science knowledge, a motivation letter or personal statement and two academic references.
- Informatics master's are applied for through the Department of Computer Science's own online portal; check each programme page for its route.
- Saarland has a dedicated page on the APS certificate for applicants who need one; Indian applicants need APS for the German student visa.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Bachelor's degree certificate and transcripts
- APS certificate
- English certificate at the level the programme sets (TOEFL or IELTS for C1 programmes)
- Motivation letter or personal statement
- Two academic letters of recommendation (informatics master's)
- CV and details of any work experience, internships or study abroad
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| Informatics master's | C1 level; a medium-of-instruction certificate is not accepted |
| IELTS Academic (Language Science and Technology) | 6.5 |
| TOEFL iBT (Language Science and Technology) | 79 |
| Cambridge (Language Science and Technology) | CAE grade A or B, or CPE pass |
| Engineering master's | Quantum Engineering and Systems Engineering usually ask for B2 |
Accommodation and living costs
The Studierendenwerk Saarland runs the student halls, including new halls on the Saarbrücken campus. Admitted students have no automatic right to a room, so apply as early as you can. The university says offers often exclude electricity and heating, and that you should plan on at least €800 a month for living costs.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Student hall roomMinimum range quoted by the university | €252–400per month | ≈ ₹26,712 – ₹42,400 |
| Room in a shared flat | €300–450per month | ≈ ₹31,800 – ₹47,700 |
| Single flatOr more | €400–600per month | ≈ ₹42,400 – ₹63,600 |
| Living costs (university minimum) | €800per month | ≈ ₹84,800 |
| Semester contributionWinter 2026/27 | €412per semester | ≈ ₹43,704 |
Campus and location
Most students study on the main Saarbrücken campus, home to the Saarland Informatics Campus; the university also has a site in Homburg.
- Saarland Informatics Campus: computer science, data science, cybersecurity and visual computing.
- Four sites: Saarbrücken, Homburg, Dudweiler and Meerwiesertalweg.
- About 5,125 staff, including 289 professors and junior professors (31 December 2025).
- France and Luxembourg are close, which makes weekend travel easy.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Informatics graduates from Saarland go into software, AI, security and research roles across Germany and Europe. German language skills widen your options a lot. See our Germany guide for work rules while studying and after graduation.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Job-search permit after graduating | Up to 18 months | Make it in Germany |
| Work allowed while studying | 140 full days or 280 half days a year | Make it in Germany |
| International students at Saarland | About 24% (30 November 2025) | Saarland University: facts and figures |
Studying in Germany
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Germany. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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Photo: Seeott, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich) (official website, opens in a new tab)
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FAQs
Does Saarland University charge tuition?
No. You pay the semester contribution, €412.30 for winter 2026/27.
Can I start a computer science master's in April?
Yes. Computer Science, Data Science and AI, Cybersecurity, Embedded Systems and Visual Computing take students in both winter and summer.
Is a medium-of-instruction letter enough for English?
Not for the informatics master's: they ask for C1 proof and do not accept an MOI certificate.
Does Saarland offer scholarships?
The university says it does not offer its own scholarships or bursaries. Look at DAAD and German foundations instead.
What are the deadlines?
For informatics master's: 15 May for October and 15 November for April, with an early round six months before each.
Sources
- Saarland University: semester contribution (opens in a new tab)
- Saarland University: facts and figures (opens in a new tab)
- Saarland University: master's programmes (opens in a new tab)
- Saarland University: MSc Computer Science (opens in a new tab)
- Saarland University: MSc Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (opens in a new tab)
- Saarland University: MSc Language Science and Technology (opens in a new tab)
- Saarland University: information for international applicants (opens in a new tab)
- Saarland University: FAQs for international applicants (opens in a new tab)
- Saarland University: accommodation (Welcome Center) (opens in a new tab)
- Saarland University: scholarship guide (opens in a new tab)
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027: Saarland University (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings 2027: Saarland University (opens in a new tab)
- Make it in Germany (Federal Government): studying in Germany (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia: Saarland University (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.uni-saarland.de (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details