University of Göttingen (Georg-August-Universität Göttingen) at a glance
- City
- Göttingen
- Type
- Public university
- Website
- uni-goettingen.de
Key takeaways
- Göttingen charges no tuition; the semester fee is €484.18 for the winter semester 2026/27.
- Non-EU applicants pay a one-off €65 evaluation fee per application semester; you apply directly on eCampus, not via uni-assist.
- It is one of the few German public universities with English-taught bachelor's programs (Ecosystem Sciences, Intercultural Theology).
- Each master's has its own deadline; for October 2027 some non-EU windows close on 15 November 2026.
- Afghan 12th-grade certificates need Studienkolleg or prior university study before a bachelor's.
On this page
The University of Göttingen charges no tuition fees, including for non-EU students. You pay a semester fee, which is €484.18 for the winter semester 2026/27, plus a one-off €65 evaluation fee when you apply with a foreign qualification.
Göttingen is a large public research university in Lower Saxony. It stands out because it offers English-taught programs at both bachelor's and master's level. The challenge is its early, program-specific deadlines for non-EU applicants.
Why Göttingen is good value
- No tuition at any level for regular programs.
- English-taught bachelor's programs, which are rare at German public universities.
- Strong English master's range in agriculture, forestry, life sciences, physics, mathematics, economics and humanities.
- Direct application on eCampus, so no uni-assist handling fee; only the €65 evaluation fee.
- English-taught PhD programs in its graduate schools (for example GGNB and GAUSS).
Göttingen tuition fees and semester fee
| Semester | Standard fee | Long-term students |
|---|---|---|
| Summer semester 2026 | €466.40 | €966.40 |
| Winter semester 2026/27 | €484.18 | €984.18 |
The semester fee covers administration, the student body, the Deutschland semester ticket, a culture ticket and the Studierendenwerk. Students who stay much longer than the standard study period pay an extra €500 long-term fee.
For the visa you must prove €11,904 per year (€992 per month, in force since 1 January 2025). The DAAD estimates living costs at €900 to €1,200 per month depending on the city. Our cost of studying in Germany guide helps you plan.
English-taught programs at Göttingen
Bachelor's
Ecosystem Sciences and Intercultural Theology are taught in English and need no German. Both start in the winter semester only.
Master's (examples)
- Forestry and environment: Tropical and International Forestry, Soils and Global Change (IMSOGLO), International Nature Conservation (double degree with Lincoln University), Geoscience
- Life sciences: Molecular Medicine, Cardiovascular Science, Neurosciences and Molecular Biology (M.Sc./Ph.D. fast track)
- Science and computing: Physics, Mathematics, Applied Computer Science, Matter to Life
- Economics and humanities: Development Economics, History of Global Markets, Modern Indian Studies, Digital Humanities, Euroculture (Erasmus Mundus)
Check the language of each master's
Some programs on Göttingen's English list still require German proof, for example Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Developmental, Neural and Behavioral Biology, Molecular Life Sciences and International Economics. Read the program page before applying.
Admission requirements
- Master's: a relevant bachelor's of 180 ECTS; you can usually apply with at least 150 ECTS completed. Selection is program-specific, with no university-wide minimum grade.
- English (master's): usually B2 (IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80); C1 for Mathematics (IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 94), Physics, Applied Computer Science, Linguistics and Matter to Life.
- English (bachelor's): IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 81 for Ecosystem Sciences and Intercultural Theology.
- Documents: eCampus application, CV, degree certificate and transcript, grading scheme, language certificates and proof of the €65 fee.
- Bachelor's applicants need a school certificate recognised as equivalent; otherwise Studienkolleg or prior university study.
See Germany university admission requirements for how foreign certificates are rated.
Göttingen deadlines for the 2027/28 intake
Göttingen's program pages state these as recurring yearly windows for non-EU applicants. For an October 2027 start:
| Program | Non-EU window for winter 2027/28 |
|---|---|
| Development Economics | 1 October to 15 November 2026 |
| Modern Indian Studies | 6 October to 15 November 2026 |
| Matter to Life | Deadline 1 December 2026 |
| Neurosciences (M.Sc./Ph.D.) | 15 September 2026 to 15 January 2027 |
| Forest and Ecosystem Sciences, Tropical and International Forestry | 1 November 2026 to 15 March 2027 |
| Crop Protection | 1 December 2026 to 1 March 2027 |
| Physics | Deadline 15 April 2027 |
| International Nature Conservation, History of Global Markets | 1 April to 15 May 2027 |
| Bachelor's (restricted admission) | 1 March to 30 April 2027 |
Scholarships
Göttingen students can apply for the Deutschlandstipendium, and graduate schools offer funding for doctoral candidates. Erasmus Mundus Euroculture offers EU scholarships. For broader options, including DAAD programs, read scholarships in Germany for international students.
Working while you study and after graduation
Non-EU students in Germany may work 140 full days or 280 half days per year. Jobs as a student assistant (HiWi) at the university have no day limit but must be reported to the foreigners' office. The minimum wage since January 2026 is €13.90 per hour. Part-time work helps, but you should not count on it to cover your whole budget, especially in your first semester.
After you graduate, you can apply for a residence permit to look for a qualified job, issued for up to 18 months. Read work and stay in Germany after graduation for the details.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not use the EU deadline on a program page; the non-EU window is usually earlier. Do not forget the €65 evaluation fee, which must be paid before the deadline. And confirm that your chosen master's really needs no German.
Benefits
- No tuition at bachelor's or master's level
- Rare English-taught bachelor's options
- Direct eCampus application without uni-assist
- Strong range in forestry, agriculture and life sciences
Difficulties
- Very early non-EU deadlines (some close mid-November)
- Semester fee is above €480
- Some 'international' master's still need German
- Each program has different rules, so planning takes time
Applying from Afghanistan
anabin rates the Afghan 12th-grade certificate as access only after Studienkolleg, or subject-related access after two successful years of university study. An Afghan bachelor's degree gives direct access to master's study. Afghan documents cannot be apostilled; see our documents and legalization guide. National student visas are handled by the German Embassy in Islamabad.
How to apply to Göttingen step by step
- 1
Pick programs and note each deadline
Göttingen has no single deadline. Write down the non-EU window for each program.
- 2
Check language and subject rules
Confirm the English score and whether German proof is required.
- 3
Pay the €65 evaluation fee
Pay before the deadline, once per application semester.
- 4
Apply on eCampus
Upload your CV, transcripts, grading scheme and certificates.
- 5
Arrange funds and the visa
After admission, prove €11,904 per year and book your visa appointment. See our Germany student visa guide.
- 6
Enrol in Göttingen
Pay the semester fee and enrol before the semester starts.
With so many different windows, reminders help: track deadlines for free on FindUniPath. For the full process, read how to apply to universities in Germany or explore more universities in Germany.
Frequently asked questions
Is the University of Göttingen free for international students?
Yes. Göttingen charges no tuition. You pay a semester fee (€484.18 for winter 2026/27) and a €65 evaluation fee when applying with a non-EU qualification.
Does Göttingen offer bachelor's programs in English?
Yes. Ecosystem Sciences and Intercultural Theology are English-taught bachelor's programs with no German requirement. Both start in the winter semester.
Does Göttingen use uni-assist?
No. You apply directly on the eCampus portal. Non-EU applicants pay a €65 evaluation fee instead.
When should I apply to Göttingen for October 2027?
It depends on the program. Some non-EU windows, such as Development Economics, close on 15 November 2026, while Physics closes on 15 April 2027.
What IELTS score does Göttingen require?
Usually IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80 (B2). Some programs, such as Mathematics, require C1, for example IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 94.
Official sources
Checked on 16 October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change — always confirm on the official page before you apply.
- 1.University of Göttingen — Amount of the semester fees
- 2.University of Göttingen — Application and admission
- 3.University of Göttingen — English and international degree programs
- 4.University of Göttingen — Master's admission requirements (Physics)
- 5.University of Göttingen — English-taught bachelor's requirements
- 6.University of Göttingen — Development Economics
- 7.University of Göttingen — Bachelor's application periods
- 8.DAAD — Finances
- 9.anabin — School certificates with university access
- 10.German Embassy for Afghanistan — Proof of financial means
- 11.DAAD — Side jobs for international students
- 12.DAAD — Career planning after graduation