Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

Key facts

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.

About LMU Munich

LMU was founded in 1472 in Ingolstadt, moved to Landshut in 1800 and to Munich in 1826.^[8] It is a public research university and is described as a University of Excellence under the federal and state Excellence Strategy.^[8] Its range of disciplines, from theology to the earth sciences, is organised in 18 faculties.^[10]

In winter semester 2025/26 LMU had 52,658 students, 11,658 of them international.^[1] 849 professors worked at the university and its hospital in 2025.^[9]

How is LMU Munich ranked?

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026, LMU Munich is 61st in the world. It is the second German university in the list after TUM (25th); Heidelberg University follows at 86th and Freie Universität Berlin at 98th.^[2]

Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.

What can you study at LMU Munich?

LMU states that it offers over 300 degree programmes.^[11] They are spread over 18 faculties, from theology to the earth sciences, including medicine, law, economics and the natural sciences.^[10] Programme pages on the faculty websites list the language of instruction; most programmes are taught in German, while some master’s and doctoral programmes are taught in English.^[6]

How much does LMU Munich cost?

LMU’s fees page says: “As of the winter semester 2013/14, no tuition fees are charged.” The page has no date.^[3] What every student pays instead is the semester fee to the Munich student union (Studierendenwerk): €97 from summer semester 2026, up from €85 in earlier semesters. It is due every semester, including a leave-of-absence semester, and there are no exceptions. The semester-ticket surcharge has been suspended since winter semester 2023/24.^[4][3]

What could change for non-EU students?

Bavarian universities may charge non-EU students; TUM has done so since winter semester 2024/25. A press report of 6 November 2026 says that LMU is considering fees for students from non-EU countries, without an amount or a date, and that no decision has been reported.^[5] An April 2026 information sheet from the University of Regensburg lists LMU among universities that have begun introducing such fees, but it names no amount; we found no LMU decision to confirm this.^[12] Check the current fee rules with LMU before you apply.

Other fees

The fees page notes that graduate and professional programmes carry a separate fee set by each faculty, and visiting students pay €100, €200 or €300 depending on weekly hours.^[3] For rent and living costs see our Germany guide and the Study in Germany guide.

How do you apply to LMU Munich?

International applicants without German nationality generally apply through the International Office; in some cases the Office of the University Registrar or the Foundation for University Admission is responsible. Subjects with an aptitude assessment also need a separate application to the institute.^[13]

• Bachelor’s and state examination: from summer semester 2027 uni-assist handles the preliminary examination documentation (VPD); LMU advises applying early because processing can take 8 weeks. You then apply directly to LMU. You also need your university entrance qualification, proof of German and a CV.^[13]
• Master’s: a letter of acceptance from the programme coordinator is required; it can be submitted later, at registration.^[13]
• Doctorate: a letter of acceptance from the doctoral committee and a supervision agreement.^[13]

LMU is redesigning its application and enrolment process from summer semester 2027, with a new application portal; information is expected from December 2026.^[13] We give no deadlines because they change every year.

Which language level do you need?

Proof of German is needed for registration. LMU accepts DSH-2, TestDaF with level 4 in every section, telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule, DSD II, the Goethe-Zertifikat C2, the ÖSD Zertifikat C2 and a German-language school or university leaving certificate from Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, South Tyrol or German-speaking Switzerland.^[6]

Exception: master’s and doctoral programmes taught in English need no German proof.^[6] Non-EU applicants to subjects without admission restrictions can apply with a B2 certificate from an intensive course at a certified provider, but must pass a C1/C2 test before registering, unless they enter a Studienkolleg. Studying German at a foreign university does not count as proof.^[6] The English level for English-taught programmes is set by each programme; we did not find a single university-wide rule.

More about studying in Germany

• Germany: best universities
• Study in Germany: complete guide
• Cost of Studying Abroad
• International Student Scholarships
• University Ranking Methodology

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