About the university
The Georg-August-Universität Göttingen was founded in 1737 and is one of Germany's best-known research universities. The small city of Göttingen has grown up around it, and several non-university research institutes work closely with it.
Göttingen is strong in the natural and life sciences, agriculture and forestry, economics and computer science. It offers a long list of master's taught in English, from Development Economics and Applied Data Science to Molecular Medicine, Neurosciences, Crop Protection and Forest and Ecosystem Sciences.
Indian students choose Göttingen for its research reputation, no tuition fee for a first degree and a calm, student-centred town. Non-EU applicants apply directly through the university's own online portal rather than uni-assist, but several programmes have early deadlines for non-EU applicants, some almost a year before the start.
Göttingen is in the state of Lower Saxony. Living costs are moderate, but student housing is in short demand, with a waiting list of about 12 months for Studierendenwerk halls.
- Founded
- 1737 (Georg-August-Universität)
- Type
- Public research university
- Students
- 19,413 in THE World University Rankings 2027 data
- International students
- 16% (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 21.3 to 1 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Tuition
- No tuition fee for a first degree; semester contribution €484.18 (winter 2026/27)
- Intakes
- October (winter); some master's also start in April
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
=261 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
=133rd in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €968
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- October (winter, apply by 1 May); April (summer, apply by 1 November)
- English
- C1, or B2 plus German DSH-2. C1 = IELTS Academic 6.5, TOEFL iBT 95, Pearson (GSE) 76
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €968
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); April (summer). Non-EU deadline for April 2027 was 15 October 2026
- English
- C1, or B2 plus German DSH-2. C1 = IELTS Academic 6.5, TOEFL iBT 95, Pearson (GSE) 76
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €968
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- October (winter) only; non-EU applicants with a non-EU degree apply 1 October–15 November of the year before
- English
- Taught in English; proof of English required (see the programme's language rules)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €968
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter, apply 1 April–15 May); April (summer, apply 1 October–15 November)
- English
- Proof of English required (see the faculty's application page)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €968
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter) only
- English
- Recognised test such as TOEFL or IELTS, or an English-taught degree
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €968
- Duration
- 1.5 years for the MSc (3 semesters)
- Intakes
- October; apply 15 September–15 January
- English
- Very good English, shown by a recognised test, an English-taught bachelor's or a long stay in an English-speaking country
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €968
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter)
- English
- Recognised test such as TOEFL or IELTS; not needed if your degree was taught mainly in English
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €968
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- October (winter); non-EU applicants apply 1 December–1 March
- English
- Proof such as TOEFL, IELTS or UNIcert
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Applied Data Science | 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS) | €968 | ≈ ₹1 lakh |
| MSc Applied Computer Science | 2 years (4 semesters) | €968 | ≈ ₹1 lakh |
| MSc Development Economics | 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS) | €968 | ≈ ₹1 lakh |
| MSc International Economics | 2 years (4 semesters) | €968 | ≈ ₹1 lakh |
| MSc Molecular Medicine | 2 years (4 semesters) | €968 | ≈ ₹1 lakh |
| MSc/PhD Neurosciences | 1.5 years for the MSc (3 semesters) | €968 | ≈ ₹1 lakh |
| MSc Cardiovascular Science | 2 years (4 semesters) | €968 | ≈ ₹1 lakh |
| MSc Crop Protection | 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS) | €968 | ≈ ₹1 lakh |
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 University of Göttingen with similar universities in Germany.
Scholarships
- Enrolled bachelor's and master's students
Deutschlandstipendium and Niedersachsenstipendium
Value: Monthly scholarship; see the current call
Eligibility: Enrolled students of any nationality (not doctoral students), selected on achievement and commitment.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Enrolled international students
DAAD Award and Scholarship for exceptional commitment
Value: Set in each call
Eligibility: International students with outstanding achievement, or strong commitment to academic and social life at the university.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Final-stage international students
Academic Degree Bursaries (STIBA, DAAD-funded)
Value: Partial scholarship
Eligibility: International students who have financed most of their studies themselves and are about to finish.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Bachelor's programmes are mostly taught in German, so check the German level each programme sets.
- Non-EU applicants apply directly through Göttingen's online portal. For restricted bachelor's (such as Business Administration) apply 1 March–30 April for October, or 1 September–31 October for April.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree in a related subject. Restricted master's run a selection; Applied Computer Science adds an online aptitude test and a video interview.
- Apply directly to the university through each programme's online form, not through uni-assist.
- Watch the non-EU deadlines: Development Economics closes on 15 November of the year before you start; Crop Protection on 1 March; Forest and Ecosystem Sciences on 15 March.
- Indian students also need an APS certificate for the German student visa.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Bachelor's degree certificate and transcripts, in German or English
- CV in table form
- Proof of English (and German, where the programme asks for it)
- Motivation letter (Applied Computer Science asks for up to 300 words)
- APS certificate
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 |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (computer science) | B2: 5.5; C1: 6.5 |
| TOEFL iBT (computer science) | B2: 81; C1: 95 |
| Pearson GSE (computer science) | B2: 59; C1: 76 |
| English-taught degree | A degree of at least two years taught only in English counts as C1 for computer science; other programmes accept similar proof |
| Other programmes | Each programme sets its own level, usually B2 or C1 |
Accommodation and living costs
Göttingen is a student town, but housing is tight. Degree-seeking students apply directly to the Studierendenwerk Göttingen online; the university warns of a waiting list of about 12 months, so apply as soon as you decide. Shared flats (WGs) are the usual alternative.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Studierendenwerk hall room | €300–400per month | ≈ ₹31,800 – ₹42,400 |
| Room in a shared flat (WG) | €450–700per month | ≈ ₹47,700 – ₹74,200 |
| Apartment with own bathroom and kitchen | €600–800per month | ≈ ₹63,600 – ₹84,800 |
| Semester contributionWinter 2026/27 | €484per semester | ≈ ₹51,323 |
Campus and location
Göttingen is a compact university town. The central campus, the science buildings and the university medical centre are all within easy reach by bike or bus.
- The semester contribution includes the Deutschlandsemesterticket and a culture ticket.
- Göttingen's Studierendenwerk runs the halls, canteens and student advice services.
- The university runs an accommodation support service and temporary-housing guides for new arrivals.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Göttingen graduates in data science, economics and the life sciences often move on to research, industry or consulting across Germany. German language skills widen your choices 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 Göttingen | 16% | Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 |
Studying in Germany
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Germany. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in Germany
- Public
Often chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Data Science & AI
- Public
Often chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT
Photo: juhotski, CC BY-SA 3.0 PublicOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Life Sciences
Photo: TU Berlin/Pressestelle/Ulrich Dahl, Copyrighted free use PublicOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Business & Management
Photo: Seeott, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich) (official website, opens in a new tab)
Munich, GermanyOften chosen for Life Sciences, Medicine & Health Sciences, Law
Photo: Hermann Luyken, CC0 PublicHeidelberg University (official website, opens in a new tab)
Heidelberg, GermanyOften chosen for Medicine & Health Sciences, Life Sciences
FAQs
Does Göttingen charge tuition fees?
Not for a first degree. You pay the semester contribution (€484.18 in winter 2026/27). A few programmes, such as Sustainable International Agriculture, have their own fee schedule, and long-term students pay an extra €500 a semester.
Do I apply through uni-assist?
No. Non-EU applicants apply directly through the university's own online portal.
Why are some deadlines so early?
Some programmes set early dates for non-EU applicants. Development Economics, for example, closes on 15 November for the following October.
What IELTS score do I need for Applied Data Science?
C1 level, which the computer science faculty sets at IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 95. B2 English plus German DSH-2 also works.
How hard is it to find housing?
Hard. Studierendenwerk halls (€300–€400 a month) have a waiting list of about 12 months, so apply early and look at shared flats too.
Sources
- University of Göttingen: semester contribution and fees (opens in a new tab)
- University of Göttingen: English and other international degree programmes (opens in a new tab)
- University of Göttingen: MSc Applied Data Science (opens in a new tab)
- University of Göttingen: MSc Applied Computer Science (opens in a new tab)
- University of Göttingen: computer science language requirements (opens in a new tab)
- University of Göttingen: apply to bachelor's and master's (Business and Economics) (opens in a new tab)
- University of Göttingen: MSc Development Economics (opens in a new tab)
- University of Göttingen: scholarships and funding for international students (opens in a new tab)
- University of Göttingen: housing for degree-seeking students (opens in a new tab)
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027: University of Göttingen (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings 2027: University of Göttingen (opens in a new tab)
- Make it in Germany (Federal Government): studying in Germany (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.uni-goettingen.de (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details