University of Bonn

Key facts

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

About the University of Bonn

The University of Bonn was founded in its present form on 18 October 1818. Its forerunner, the Electoral Academy of Bonn, dates from 1777; the academy was closed in 1798 during the French occupation of the left bank of the Rhine.^[7] The university has no single central campus, and its main building is the former Electoral Palace in the city centre.^[7]

It has seven faculties and, according to its own figures, 707 professors (not counting the Faculty of Medicine).^[1] The faculties are Protestant Theology, Catholic Theology, Agriculture, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Medicine, Law and Economics and Social Sciences, and Arts.^[7] About 5,000 of its students come from more than 130 countries, according to the university’s “Why Bonn” page.^[8]

How is the University of Bonn ranked?

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, the University of Bonn is joint 209th in the world. A report by IamExpat on the German results lists ten German universities and puts Bonn last of them, after the Technical University of Munich (25th), LMU Munich (61st), Heidelberg (86th), Free University of Berlin (98th), RWTH Aachen (104th), KIT (110th), Humboldt University (140th), TU Berlin (joint 158th) and TU Dresden (joint 185th).^[2]

The university’s own claims are separate from QS: it says it has been one of 15 German Universities of Excellence since 2019, holds eight Clusters of Excellence, and counts 69 European Research Council grants and 23 Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prizes (including emeriti and alumni).^[1] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.

What can you study at the University of Bonn?

The university offers over 200 degree programmes in 237 academic disciplines across seven faculties (academic year 2024/25). Each programme ends with a bachelor’s or master’s degree, a state examination or a church degree.^[9] The facts page gives a slightly different count of 253 degree programmes and disciplines, so treat the exact number as approximate.^[1]

The university’s page does not say how many programmes are taught in English. Master’s programmes each have their own admission conditions and are listed on the individual programme pages.^[10] Programmes taught entirely in English do not require German.^[5]

How much does the University of Bonn cost?

The University of Bonn states: “The University of Bonn does not charge tuition fees.” Studying is free of charge unless you take one of a handful of continuing-education degree programmes, which the page does not name.^[3] This applies to international students as well.^[3]

The figures come from the student body (AStA) finance page, which gives no publication date and only labels the two semesters.^[4] The first row adds up the page’s smaller items (€14.00 + €2.25 + €0.50 + €0.01 + €0.01 + €1.50 + €3.00).^[4] Check the amount in your payment notice before you transfer it.

Living costs

The university puts living expenses at roughly €1,000 a month, mostly rent.^[3] For rent, health insurance and visa rules, see our Germany guide and the Study in Germany guide.

How do you apply to the University of Bonn?

The route depends on the level.

• Bachelor’s, state examination and theology degrees: you apply or enrol online and upload your university entrance qualification, with a translation by a sworn translator if it is not in German, English or French. Some programmes also require an aptitude test.^[10]
• Applicants from outside the EU/EEA: you must always submit an application, even for programmes without admission restrictions.^[10] The page does not mention uni-assist.^[10]
• Master’s: every programme has its own application process and its own conditions beyond a relevant first degree; departments review applications individually. Required documents and language levels are in each programme’s description.^[10]

Applicants should check whether their qualification is sufficient using the anabin database (KMK) or the DAAD admission database.^[10] We give no deadlines because they change every year and differ by programme; check the page of your programme.

Which language level do you need?

For German-taught programmes you must show a B2 certificate when you apply. For enrolment you need a DSH-2 certificate (the university’s German language test) or an accepted equivalent.^[5] DSH-2 is enough for all German-taught programmes except the Master of Education, which requires DSH-3.^[5] B2 and C1 refer to the European scale from A1 to C2.

Programmes taught entirely in English do not require German proof; check the individual programme page.^[5] Applicants with at least B1 German can take a preparatory course for the DSH before the degree.^[5]

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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