The University of Tübingen (Eberhard Karls Universität) is a public research university in Baden-Württemberg, founded in 1477.[1] It had 28,046 students in winter semester 2025/26, of whom 4,495 were international, and offers over 200 degree programmes.[2] In the QS World University Rankings 2027 it is listed at 230th.[3]
The semester fee is €194.80 for winter semester 2026/27. Students who are not citizens of an EU/EEA state pay an additional €1,500 per semester in bachelor’s, consecutive master’s and state examination programmes.[4] German-taught programmes need university-level German, usually TestDaF level 4 in all four parts.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen |
| Location | Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg (Geschwister-Scholl-Platz, 72074 Tübingen)[6] |
| Type | Public research university[1] |
| Founded | 9 October 1477, by Count Eberhard V of Württemberg[1] |
| Students | 28,046 in winter semester 2025/26, of which 4,495 international[2] |
| Degree programmes | Over 200: 106 undergraduate and 138 graduate[2] |
| Professors | 543 (2025)[2] |
| Faculties | Seven[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 230th (215th in 2026, 222nd in 2025)[3] |
| Excellence Strategy | University of Excellence; funding confirmed on 11 March 2026 for seven more years from 1 January 2027[7] |
| Semester fee, winter semester 2026/27 | €194.80 (includes the naldo semester ticket)[8] |
| Tuition, non-EU/EEA students | €1,500 per semester on top of the semester fee[4] |
| Main language of teaching | German; some programmes taught entirely in English[5] |
| Official website | uni-tuebingen.de |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About the University of Tübingen
The University of Tübingen was founded on 9 October 1477 by Count Eberhard V of Württemberg, called Eberhard the Bearded, who later became the first Duke of Württemberg.[1] It has seven faculties: Protestant Theology, Catholic Theology, Law, Medicine, Humanities, Economics and Social Sciences, and Science.[1]
In winter semester 2025/26 it had 28,046 students (15,538 undergraduate and 12,508 graduate students including doctoral candidates), 4,495 of them international. It lists 543 professors for 2025.[2] Tübingen is one of the German universities holding the Excellence Strategy’s university title.[7]
How is the University of Tübingen ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027 the University of Tübingen is listed at 230th, down 15 places from 215th in 2026 (222nd in 2025).[3] We read this figure on a Studyportals page that reproduces the QS table; we did not find it on the university’s own site.
Excellence Strategy
On 11 March 2026 the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Council of Science and Humanities confirmed Tübingen among ten locations that keep their excellence-university funding. Funding runs for seven more years from 1 January 2027.[7] 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 Tübingen?
The university offers over 200 degree programmes: 106 undergraduate and 138 graduate programmes.[2] They are spread across seven faculties.[1] Most programmes are taught in German; degree programmes taught entirely in English do not require German, and the English level is set per programme.[9][10] Use the programme finder on the university website to check the language of each degree.
How much does the University of Tübingen cost?
| Item | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Semester fee (winter semester 2026/27) | €194.80 | All students |
| Tuition fee | €1,500 per semester | Students who are not citizens of an EU/EEA state, in bachelor’s, consecutive master’s, state examination and full theology programmes |
| Second-degree fee | €650 per semester | Students who completed a degree in Germany and start a further first degree or consecutive master’s |
The semester fee consists of €107.80 for the Studierendenwerk Tübingen-Hohenheim, an €80 administrative fee and a €7 student union fee. It includes the naldo semester ticket for regional public transport. For summer semester 2026 the total was €197.80.[8]
Doctoral students, EU/EEA citizens and students in partnership exchange programmes such as Erasmus are exempt from the €1,500 fee. Other groups, for example certain permanent residents, refugees and holders of a Baden-Württemberg Stiftung scholarship, have to submit an information form or apply for an exemption before lectures begin.[11] Students enrolled since summer semester 2017 may finish their current degree without the fee.[4]
For living costs, see the Study in Germany guide and our Germany overview.
How do you apply to the University of Tübingen?
- Bachelor’s: non-EU applicants apply through the ALMA online portal and upload their school-leaving certificate (the German abbreviation is HZB). Documents in other languages than German or English need a sworn translation; upload both original and translation. EU citizens applying for medicine, dentistry or pharmacy use hochschulstart instead.[9]
- Master’s: apply through the ALMA portal during the set application periods. Upload your bachelor’s certificate with transcript; the final certificate is due by the end of your first semester if you do not have it yet.[10]
German proof for German-taught programmes must be included in the online application; the application is rejected if it is missing on time.[9] We give no deadlines here because they change every year; check the programme page. The university’s international admissions advisers handle undergraduate and master’s applications of international students.[9]
Which language level do you need?
For German-taught bachelor’s programmes accepted proof is DSH 2 or 3, TestDaF with 4 or 5 in every part, the German exam of the Studienkolleg, or telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule. Some certificates, such as DSD II or Goethe-Zertifikat C2, are exempt from further proof.[9] The university says most programmes need at least TestDaF level 4 in all four parts, some subjects level 5.[5]
Tübingen no longer runs its own DSH exams; the digital TestDaF is its language test for admission.[5] Programmes taught entirely in English do not require German.[10] The English level varies by programme, so check the programme page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there tuition fees at the University of Tübingen?
How is the University of Tübingen ranked?
It is listed at 230th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, down from 215th in 2026.[3]
Do I need German to study at the University of Tübingen?
Is Tübingen a University of Excellence?
Yes. It was confirmed among ten locations on 11 March 2026 and is funded for seven more years from 1 January 2027.[7]
How do I apply for a master’s programme at Tübingen?
Through the ALMA online portal during the set application periods, with your bachelor’s certificate and transcript.[10]
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 Stuttgart
Sources
[1] Wikipedia: University of Tübingen (history, type and faculties)
[2] University of Tübingen: Facts and figures (figures for winter semester 2025/26 and 2025; page without a date)
[3] Studyportals: University of Tübingen (QS ranking history; QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (page without a date; shows QS 2027 = 230, 2026 = 215, 2025 = 222)
[4] University of Tübingen: Tuition fees (page without a date)
[5] University of Tübingen: TestDaF (page without a date; quoted in German)
[6] University of Tübingen: Impressum (page without a date)
[7] Silicon Saxony: DFG und Wissenschaftsrat, zehn Exzellenzstandorte werden weitergefördert (article of 11 Mar 2026 reproducing the DFG/Council of Science and Humanities decision)
[8] University of Tübingen: Semester and administration fees (page as of 23 Apr 2026)
[9] University of Tübingen: Application of international students, undergraduate courses (page without a date)
[10] University of Tübingen: Application of international students, master’s courses (page without a date)
[11] University of Tübingen: Tuition fees for international students (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.