University of Göttingen (Georg-August-Universität Göttingen)

The University of Göttingen is one of Germany's largest and oldest research universities, founded in 1737 in a small student city in Lower Saxony. There is no tuition for international students: you pay only a semester contribution of $550 (€484.18) in winter 2026/27, including a Germany-wide transport pass. Bachelor's applications go directly through the university's portal rather than uni-assist, and you only need A1 German to apply, although DSH-2 is required by enrolment. Dozens of master's programmes are taught in English, from physics and data science to agricultural and forest sciences.

Who Göttingen suits, and who should look elsewhere

Göttingen is a classic university town in which the university sets the pace of life. Max Planck institutes and other research centres work alongside it as part of the Göttingen Campus. It is particularly strong in the natural and life sciences, agricultural and forest sciences, and development economics, and its 13 faculties range from theology to medicine.

For a bigger city without tuition, compare Göttingen with the University of Hamburg and the University of Bonn.

Which programmes are available, including in English

The 13 faculties cover the natural sciences, humanities and social sciences, economics, law, theology, agricultural and forest sciences, and medicine at the University Medical Center (UMG).

Bachelor's programmes

Almost all bachelor's degrees are taught in German. English-taught exceptions are Ecosystem Sciences (B.Sc.) and Intercultural Theology (B.A.). World Literature is bilingual and requires at least B2 German; Sustainable Development Studies requires C1.

English-taught master's programmes

Some of these also require German, including Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution; Developmental, Neural and Behavioral Biology; Microbiology and Biochemistry; and International Economics. For Mathematics and Physics the university notes that German "might be required".

How to apply to Göttingen with A1 German

Bachelor's: apply first, prove German by enrolment

Göttingen has an unusual rule: to apply for a German-taught bachelor's you only need A1 German, while DSH-2 or an equivalent is required by enrolment. Our guide to TestDaF, DSH and Goethe exams explains the certificates. Psychology requires DSH-3, and medicine and dentistry require DSH-2 at application. You can take the DSH at the university.

1. Check your access in anabin. If your certificate does not give direct access, you need a Studienkolleg (see below) or a year of university study at home.
2. Apply on the university portal from 1 June to 15 July for the winter semester. You can submit up to three applications.
3. Pay the evaluation fee of $74 (€65) per application semester for assessing your foreign certificate, unless exempt.
4. Receive your decision and accept your place on the portal by the deadline in your letter.
5. Enrol: upload documents, proof of DSH-2 and health insurance, and pay the contribution.

Studienkolleg for applicants with 11 years of school

Göttingen has no preparatory college of its own; applicants are referred to the Studienkolleg in Hannover. You submit a regular bachelor's application through Göttingen's portal in special windows: 1 March to 30 April for the winter semester and 1 September to 31 October for the summer semester. You can apply for only one course, and the G course (humanities) does not start in summer. Taking part in the Studienkolleg selection is not admission to a degree: after passing the FSP you apply again. See our guide to the Studienkolleg in Germany.

Master's programmes

Faculties handle master's applications, and each programme lists its own deadlines. According to the international programmes catalogue, several biology master's programmes set a 1 January to 15 February window for non-EU applicants (winter start); confirm it on the programme page. The Max Planck-linked Molecular Biology and Neurosciences programmes accept applications from 15 September to 15 January, and their courses start in September. Many English-taught physics, mathematics and computer science programmes also admit in summer.

When to apply for 2027

Which documents you need

• school-leaving certificate or degree with transcript and translation;
• proof of a completed university year (if not going through the Studienkolleg);
• German certificate: A1 to apply for a bachelor's, DSH-2 by enrolment;
• for master's programmes, whatever the programme requires: degree, transcript, module descriptions, motivation letter, English certificate and sometimes references;
• proof of payment of the $74 (€65) evaluation fee;
• at enrolment, health insurance and the proof of measles protection the university requires.

What studying and living in Göttingen costs

Semester contribution

Lower Saxony charges no tuition to non-EU students; only some LL.M. programmes are fee-paying.

Living in Göttingen

For the visa you must show $1,130 (€992) a month, or $13,520 (€11,904) for the first year. Rent is the main expense; demand for Studierendenwerk rooms peaks in March and in August and September. Statutory student health insurance costs about $165 (€145) a month, and transport is covered by the contribution.

A minimum first-year budget is $13,584 for living costs and about $1,100 (€968.36) in contributions for two semesters, or roughly $14,690, plus the $74 evaluation fee. See our blocked account guide.

How to fund your studies: scholarships and part-time work

• Deutschlandstipendium: $340 (€300) a month. Göttingen accepts applications once a year, from 1 to 30 September, for funding from 1 October. Only enrolled students with a university account can apply.
• DAAD scholarships for master's and doctoral students; check the DAAD database a year ahead. Russia added the DAAD to its list of "undesirable organisations" in February 2026, so participation carries legal risk for Russian citizens and we do not recommend it to them.
• Part-time work: 140 full or 280 half days a year; student assistant jobs at the university do not count towards the limit.

Where to live: Studierendenwerk Göttingen residences

Studierendenwerk Göttingen runs 35 residences, from half-timbered houses in the old town to 1960s and 1970s blocks and modern apartments near the campus, with rooms in shared corridors or flats, single and double apartments and family housing. Its advice:

• apply as soon as Göttingen is on your list; you do not need an admission letter;
• be flexible about your move-in date to improve your chances;
• expect peak demand before each semester.

If you do not get a hall place, our student housing guide covers the private market.

The culture pass is included in the semester contribution, and almost everything in town is reachable by bike.

Strengths and drawbacks of Göttingen for international applicants

Applicants resident in Russia should plan for the usual German constraints: visas only through the German Embassy in Moscow (the St Petersburg consulate general closed on 18 September 2026), Russian bank statements not accepted as proof of funds and no Russian bank offering a suitable blocked account. See our student visa guide.

Mistakes to avoid

• Applying with A1 and missing DSH-2: without DSH-2 by enrolment, you lose your place.
• Missing the early Studienkolleg window: it closes on 30 April, not 15 July.
• Looking for Göttingen in uni-assist: the university handles international bachelor's applications itself.
• Expecting a Deutschlandstipendium in your first semester: only enrolled students apply, in September.
• Assuming English-taught master's never need German: some do.

Checklist before you apply

• Whether anabin gives you direct access or you need the Studienkolleg, and whether you can meet the 1 March to 30 April window.
• Your German: A1 to apply, but a realistic plan to reach DSH-2 by enrolment.
• The deadline and language rules of your master's programme, including German requirements for some English-taught programmes.
• The $74 evaluation fee paid before the deadline.
• A housing application sent straight away.

Where classes take place and what life in Göttingen is like

Göttingen is compact, with university buildings, libraries and residences spread across the city centre and the North Campus for the natural sciences. Bikes are the main way to get around, and the Germany-wide transport pass is included in the semester contribution. The city is small, which usually means calmer and cheaper living than in Munich, Frankfurt or Hamburg, but fewer part-time jobs and internships.

Where Göttingen stands in rankings

Göttingen is not currently a University of Excellence: the ten universities confirmed on 11 March 2026 do not include it, and it is not among the applicants in the new round (decision due on 2 October 2026). The campus network nonetheless includes five Max Planck Institutes, the German Primate Center and the German Aerospace Center. For choosing a programme, the research environment matters more; many English-taught master's and fast-track PhD programmes are run with the Max Planck institutes.

Which jobs to look for after graduation

After graduation you can obtain a residence permit to look for work for up to 18 months. Many graduates stay in research, in doctoral programmes at the university and the Göttingen Campus institutes, or move into agribusiness, biotech, data and consulting elsewhere in Germany. Outside academia, most German employers expect German.

FAQ

How much does it cost to study at Göttingen?

There is no tuition, including for non-EU students. The semester contribution in winter 2026/27 is $550 (€484.18) with a Germany-wide transport pass. Studying well beyond the standard period adds $570 (€500) per semester. For the visa you need $13,520 (€11,904) for the first year.

Can I apply after 11 years of school?

Not directly. You need the Studienkolleg (via Göttingen in Hannover; apply 1 March to 30 April for winter) or a year of related university study at home.

Is A1 German really enough to apply?

Yes, for German-taught bachelor's programmes. By enrolment you need DSH-2 or an equivalent (DSH-3 for psychology), and medicine and dentistry require DSH-2 at application.

Which programmes are taught in English?

The bachelor's programmes Ecosystem Sciences and Intercultural Theology, and dozens of master's programmes including Physics, Mathematics, Applied Computer Science, Applied Data Science, Molecular Biology, Neurosciences, Development Economics and agricultural and forestry programmes.

Do I need uni-assist?

Not for bachelor's programmes: you apply through the university portal and pay $74 (€65) for the evaluation of your certificate. Master's applications go to the faculties according to each programme's rules.

When should I apply for 2027?

Bachelor's: 1 June to 15 July 2027. Studienkolleg: 1 March to 30 April 2027. Master's: per programme; several biology programmes list a 1 January to 15 February 2027 window for non-EU applicants, and the Max Planck-linked programmes close on 15 January 2027.

Can StudyU help me apply to Göttingen?

Under an agreement with StudyU, we shortlist programmes, check anabin and master's requirements, prepare your portal documents and plan the Studienkolleg, DSH, housing and visa budget. The university decides on admission, the German mission, as the consular authority, decides on your visa, and Studierendenwerk Göttingen, as housing provider, confirms room availability in its residences.

Sources

• University of Göttingen: home page (key facts)
• Application and Enrolment (EU and non-EU applicants)
• Studienkolleg application procedure and $74 (€65) evaluation fee
• German language skills
• English degree programmes
• Semester contributions and long-term study fees
• Deutschlandstipendium: information for students
• Studierendenwerk Göttingen: student accommodation
• DFG: Universities of Excellence evaluation, 11 March 2026 (German)
• THE World University Rankings 2026: University of Göttingen
• ShanghaiRanking ARWU 2026
• German Embassy Moscow: national visas and proof of funds (RU)
• DFG: applicants in the new Universities of Excellence round (PDF)
• IMPRS Molecular Biology: application period

Dollar amounts are converted at the ECB reference rate of 29 September 2026 (€1 = $1.1355). For other universities and general admission rules, see studying in Germany. Help working out which route to Göttingen fits you is provided under an agreement with StudyU — to start, submit an application.

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.