The University of Stuttgart is a technically oriented public university in Baden-Württemberg. Its official statistics count 20,536 students on 1 December 2025, of them 4,897 international.[1] It is ranked 318th in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[2]
The university charges tuition to students from outside the EU/EEA: €1,500 per semester for bachelor’s, consecutive master’s and state-examination programmes, plus the semester fee of €184.00.[3] Applications run through the university’s C@MPUS portal, and German-taught programmes need German proof such as TestDaF 4 in all parts or DSH-2.[4][5]
Key facts
| Official name | Universität Stuttgart |
| Location | Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (postal address Keplerstraße 7, 70174 Stuttgart); two sites: city centre and Vaihingen[6] |
| Type | Public research university[7] |
| Founded | 1829 (the university’s own date); Technische Hochschule Stuttgart from 1876, Universität Stuttgart since 1967[7][8] |
| Students | 20,536 on 1 December 2025 (winter semester 2025/26), including students on leave and registered doctoral students[1] |
| International students | 4,897 of 20,536 on 1 December 2025 (about 24%)[1] |
| Students, university’s general description | “About 28,000 students” and “about 20 percent” from abroad (undated; differs from the statistics)[8] |
| Degree programmes | About 160 bachelor’s and master’s programmes; 17 master’s programmes taught only in English[9] |
| Faculties | 10[8] |
| Excellence Strategy | Clusters of Excellence IntCDC (entering its second funding period) and SimTech (funded until 2027)[10] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 318th[2] |
| Tuition, non-EU/EEA students | €1,500 per semester (bachelor’s, consecutive master’s, state examination); since winter semester 2017/18[3] |
| Semester fee | €184.00 per semester (€80.00 administrative fee, €96.50 student services, €7.50 student body); page gives no semester[11] |
| German required | For German-taught programmes, e.g. TestDaF 4 in all parts, DSH-2, Goethe C1[5] |
| Official website | uni-stuttgart.de |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About the University of Stuttgart
The University of Stuttgart presents itself as “visionary since 1829” and as one of Germany’s leading technically oriented universities. It has ten faculties on two sites, the city centre and the Vaihingen campus.[8] It was called Technische Hochschule Stuttgart from 1876 and took its present name in 1967.[7]
How is the University of Stuttgart ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, the University of Stuttgart is 318th in the world. The university’s press release of 22 June 2026 says QS assessed 8,808 universities and included about 1,500, which puts Stuttgart in the top 21% of the ranked institutions. Its best indicator result is Sustainability (183rd) and it is 270th for Citations per Faculty.[2]
On its Excellence Strategy page the university lists two Clusters of Excellence: IntCDC (computational design and construction for architecture), which is entering its second funding period, and SimTech (data-integrated simulation science), funded until 2027. The page is undated, so check the DFG for the current status.[10] 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 Stuttgart?
The university says it offers about 160 bachelor’s and master’s programmes. Its programme list shows 17 master’s programmes taught only in English, among them Chemical Sciences, Computer Science, Computational Linguistics, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Cybernetics, Materials Science and Physics, and a bilingual master’s in mechanical engineering with Georgia Tech.[9]
German is the language of instruction in bachelor’s programmes and in most master’s programmes.[5] The list also includes two German-French programmes, Empirische Politik- und Sozialforschung and Sozialwissenschaften.[9]
How much does the University of Stuttgart cost?
Students who are not citizens of an EU/EEA state pay tuition fees in Baden-Württemberg.[4] At the University of Stuttgart the fee is €1,500 per semester for bachelor’s, consecutive master’s and state-examination programmes. It has applied since winter semester 2017/18, and the fee page gives no academic year.[3]
| Student group | Per semester |
|---|---|
| EU/EEA citizens | €184.00 semester fee only |
| Non-EU/EEA students (bachelor’s, consecutive master’s, state examination) | €1,500 tuition + €184.00 semester fee = €1,684 |
| Second degree (including international students who are exempt from the €1,500 fee) | €650 + €184.00 semester fee |
The semester fee of €184.00 consists of €80.00 administrative fee, €96.50 for the Studierendenwerk (student services) and €7.50 for the student body. The page says “currently” and does not name a semester, so check the amount in your payment notice.[11]
Who does not pay the €1,500?
No application is needed for EU/EEA citizens, holders of a German entrance qualification (Bildungsinländer), further-education master’s and doctoral students, and some exchange and double-degree students. Family members of EU/EEA citizens, holders of permanent residence permits and certain refugees must apply for an exception; so must people with long lawful residence in Germany. A bachelor’s degree earned in Germany alone does not qualify.[3] Exemptions also exist for applicants from countries with a protection rate of 50% or more (currently Afghanistan, Eritrea, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan and Syria), for leave semesters and practical semesters, and for serious disability.[3] You can apply only after you have accepted the study place and received the fee notice.[3]
For rent and living costs in Stuttgart, see our Germany guide and the Study in Germany guide.
How do you apply to the University of Stuttgart?
International applicants who want a degree apply online through the C@MPUS application portal. There is no application fee, and the page does not mention uni-assist.[4]
- Entry qualification: you need a school-leaving certificate that qualifies you to study at Stuttgart; if yours is not recognised you can take the Studienkolleg route.[4]
- Master’s: you generally need a related bachelor’s degree among other requirements.[4]
The page gives no full document list; the programme page states the details. We give no deadlines because they change every year and differ by programme.
Which language level do you need?
German is the language of instruction in bachelor’s programmes and in most master’s programmes. You must show sufficient German when you apply, not later.[5] The university accepts:
- TestDaF level 4 in all four parts (4x4)
- Goethe-Zertifikat C1 or C2
- DSH with an overall result of DSH-2 or better
- telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule; ÖSD C2; Deutsches Sprachdiplom der KMK, Stufe II (DSD II)
- the German section of a Studienkolleg Feststellungsprüfung
- a completed degree from a German-taught programme[5]
The page lists several exemptions, such as certain bilingual school-leaving certificates, and does not cover English-taught programmes or English test scores; for those, read the page of the individual programme.[5] B2 and C1 refer to the European scale from A1 to C2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the University of Stuttgart charge tuition fees?
Who is exempt from the €1,500 fee?
Some groups are exempt automatically, such as EU/EEA citizens and holders of a German entrance qualification. Others, for example holders of permanent residence permits, must apply, and exemptions exist for certain protection-rate countries, leave semesters and serious disability.[3]
How many students does the University of Stuttgart have?
Do I need German to study at the University of Stuttgart?
How is the University of Stuttgart ranked?
It is 318th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, according to the university’s press release.[2]
More about studying in Germany
- Germany: best universities
- Study in Germany: complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Germany
- Freie Universität Berlin
- Heidelberg University
- Humboldt University of Berlin
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
- RWTH Aachen University
- Technical University of Berlin
- Technical University of Munich
- TU Darmstadt
- TU Dresden
- University of Bonn
- University of Cologne
- University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU)
- University of Freiburg
- University of Göttingen
- University of Hamburg
- University of Mannheim
- University of Münster
- University of Tübingen
Sources
[1] Universität Stuttgart: Overview of student numbers, winter semester 2025/2026 (PDF) (as of 1 Dec 2025)
[2] University of Stuttgart: QS World University Rankings 2027 press release (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (news item of 22 Jun 2026)
[3] Universität Stuttgart, Student Service: Studiengebühren für internationale Studierende und für ein Zweitstudium (page without a date; updated regularly)
[4] Universität Stuttgart: Internationale Studieninteressierte, die einen Studienabschluss anstreben (page without a date)
[5] Universität Stuttgart: Sprachvoraussetzungen (page without a date; refers to official announcement 57/2024)
[6] Universität Stuttgart: Imprint (postal address) (page without a date)
[7] Wikipedia: University of Stuttgart (name history and type; secondary source)
[8] Universität Stuttgart: Universität (page without a date; figures undated)
[9] Universität Stuttgart: Studienangebot (page without a date)
[10] Universität Stuttgart: Exzellenzstrategie (page without a date)
[11] Universität Stuttgart, Student Service: Beiträge und Gebühren (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.