University of Göttingen

Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Wilhelmsplatz 1 (Aula) 37073 Göttingen, Germany

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Overview

The University of Göttingen has a long and glorious history of research and education. Founded in 1737 in the city of Göttingen in central Germany, it is home to almost 30,000 students, along with a particularly notable University Medical Center. 4,400 international students are enrolled at the University.

The University has 13 Academic Faculties (Agricultural Sciences, Biology & Psychology, Chemistry, Forest Sciences & Forest Ecology, Geoscience & Geography, Mathematics & Computer Science, Physics, Law, Social Science...

University Highlight

Establishment year1734
Total Students29,167
International Students4,400
QS World University Rankings 2024232
Campus SizeN/A
Total Number of Campuses1
University Websitehttps://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/1.html 
No. of Schools and Divisions13 Faculties
Nobel Prize Winner Alumni47 Linked to the University
No. of Education Programs29 (undergraduate), 93 (Master’s)
Student to Faculty ratio8.4:1

Course Highlight

University of Göttingen offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses through 13 Faculties, which are further subdivided into Departments.

  • The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences provides UG and PG taught and research programs through three Departments: Crop Sciences, Animal Sciences, and Agricultural Economics / Rural Development.
  • The Faculty of Biology and Psychology conducts undergraduate and postgraduate programs through four Institutes: Plant Sciences, Psychology, Microbiology & Genetics, and Zoology & Anthropology.
  • The Faculty of Chemistry teaches UG and PG courses, and carries out research via its four Institutes: Inorganic, Organic & Biomolecular, Physical, and Sustainable Chemistry.
  • The Faculty of Forest Sciences & Forest Ecology provides UG and PG taught and research programs through twenty-two Departments, including Forest Botany, Tree Physiology, Molecular Word Biotechnology, Ecosystem Modeling, and Wildlife Sciences.
  • The Faculty of Geoscience and Geography conducts undergraduate and postgraduate programs through two Institutes.
  • The Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science provides UG and PG taught and research programs through two Departments.
  • The Faculty of Physics conducts undergraduate and postgraduate programs through ten Institutes, including Astrophysics, Geophysics, Dynamics of Complex Systems, and Materials Physics.
  • The Faculty of Law conducts undergraduate and postgraduate programs in several fields, including labor and criminal law.
  • The Faculty of Social Sciences teaches UG and PG courses, and carries out research via its nine Institutes and 10+ Centers, including Sports Science, Cultural Anthropology, Political Science, and Diversity.
  • The Faculty of Business and Economics provides UG and PG taught and research programs in three main areas: Business Administration, Economics, and Statistical Econometrics.
  • The Faculty of Humanities conducts undergraduate and postgraduate programs through five Institutes: Archeology, Digital Humanities, Historical Regional Research, European Ethnology, and Religious Studies.
  • The Faculty of Theology provides UG and PG taught and research programs through several Institutes, including Church History, Dogmatics, and Practical Theology.
  • The Medical Center conducts undergraduate and postgraduate programs through several Institutes, Research Centers, and Clinics.

Eligibility Criteria

All higher education programs of the University of Göttingen have an academic entry qualification. For students applying to undergraduate programs, this is a completed high school secondary degree. For applicants to Master's programs, this is a Bachelor's degree from a recognized institution. For PhD candidates, this is a completed Master's degree in a relevant field of study. Applicants from certain countries, including India, must have their degree certificates examined and approved by the German Embassy before submission. If the original language of the certificate is other than English or German, it must first be translated and notarized before it is uploaded.

All applicants must be able to prove that they are proficient in the language in which their program is taught. The majority of courses are taught in the German language, and individual program pages contain information about the proficiency requirements (B2 or C1 for most). Some programs are taught in English (for example, the BSc in Ecosystem Sciences), and each such degree program has its own TOEFL or IELTS score required.

International applicants must hold a passport that is valid for at least one year from the start date of the chosen program. They must have a clean police record. In cases where the applicant's age is less than 18 years on the expected date of entry to Germany, a parental letter of consent signed by one guardian is required. In certain medical courses, specific vaccinations may be required. For example, students of Psychology, and those studying at the University of Medicine, must be vaccinated against measles.

Admission

International applicants to both undergraduate and postgraduate programs at the University of Göttingen must follow these steps:

  • Registration (using an email ID) on the application portal. The login details should be saved carefully, as students get only one chance to apply in each cycle.
  • Filling up the application form with the following major details: semester in which the applicant wishes to join, details of higher education qualifications, personal details, and choice of the correct program.
  • Uploading all the documents required, including:
    • Degree certificates, notarized by the relevant authorities, and translated into English or German, if they were originally in any other language.
    • Detailed academic transcripts, with a list of all courses taken and the corresponding grades earned in each.
    • Certified scan of a valid international passport.
    • Language proficiency certificates: DSH-2 test scores for programs taught in German, and TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge, or Pearson scores for programs taught in English.
    • Personal statement and curriculum vitae.
    • Two Letters of Recommendation.
    • Any other requirements that are specific to the program in which the applicant is interested.
  • Payment of the Evaluation Fee of 65 Euros (only for Bachelor’s program applicants). This is not refundable; it is also not applicable to postgraduate applications.
  • Within 4 weeks of the application date, the University contacts all applicants with a decision. Successful candidates can pay the administrative fee and complete their enrollment and course selection. After this, they can complete the visa application process.

Fees

There are no tuition fees at the University of Göttingen. However, all students must pay the semester fees of approximately 350 Euros. This fee has six components:

  • Student Union Fees: 107 Euros.
  • Railway Ticket: 85.89 Euros.
  • Administration Fee: 75 Euros.
  • Bus Pass Fee: 50.90 Euros.
  • Culture Ticket: 11.46 Euros.

The University of Göttingen estimates that its students require between 750 and 850 Euros per semester to cover living costs. About half of this amount is due to accommodation costs, with low cost student housing and private apartments both available at monthly rents ranging from 300 to 500 Euros. Food is relatively inexpensive in Göttingen, and costs approximately 200 Euros per month. Finally, students must also budget approximately 100 Euros per month towards travel and shopping.

Campus facilities

The University of Göttingen campus has several locations spread throughout the city, with each Faculty having its own buildings within a small area. It is a very diverse space, with students and staff members from over 100 different countries. Even though the students are from different cultural and religious backgrounds, their common commitment to education and tolerance allow the University to become an accepting and vibrant campus in the heart of one of Germany’s fastest growing cities.

Sport is an integral part of student life at the University of Göttingen. The most prominent sporting event of the year is the Dies Academicus, the annual sports meet. However, sports clubs meet throughout the year to help students hone their skills and stay active. In addition to mainstream sports like football, basketball, and table tennis, the University also has a skiing club that is very popular among international students. Elite athletes from the University of Göttingen are able to represent it at the national and international levels.

Students who are interested in music, dance, theater, and writing can find outlets for their artistic energies through the many cultural clubs on campus. These associations have a twofold function: to train students in various creative fields, and to organize regular performances and cultural evenings, in partnership with professional orchestras and symphonies in the city. There is also a strong journalism wing at the University, with students covering stories through print, radio, and video journalism, primarily distributed via the digital medium.

Scholarship

The Niedersachsen Scholarship is offered by the State of Lower Saxony, in which Göttingen is situated. It is awarded based on academic and research potential, to students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds (for example, financial need, or being the first generation college students in their families). The amount is a one time payment of 500 Euros, more than sufficient to pay the semester fees for a full academic year. Evidence of social work is another important point taken into consideration while awarding this scholarship. All domestic and international students (except Doctoral candidates) are eligible to apply for the Lower Saxony Scholarship.

The Deutschland Stipendium is the most prominent scholarship awarded by the Government of Germany. It awards its winners 300 Euros per month for a period of a year, though extensions can be granted in rare cases. First year students of undergraduate and postgraduate programs may apply, and the scholarship decision is made on the basis of academic potential and merit, with consideration given to mitigating factors like financial hardship and disability. Social work is another important factor that is taken into account. There is no upper limit on the number of awardees.