100 Best universities for Philosophy in Germany

Updated: March 02, 2025

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in Germany ranked based on their research performance in Philosophy. A graph of 19.3M citations received by 1.1M academic papers made by 175 universities in Germany was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Munich

Bavaria | Munich

For Philosophy

#14 in Europe

#58 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Enrollment: 52,418
Founded: 1472

2. Heidelberg University - Germany

Baden-Wurttemberg | Heidelberg

For Philosophy

#15 in Europe

#61 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Enrollment: 28,413
Male:Female: 45:55
Founded: 1386

3. Technical University of Munich

Bavaria | Munich

For Philosophy

#24 in Europe

#93 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Enrollment: 44,000
Male:Female: 63:37
Founded: 1868

4. University of Hamburg

Hamburg State | Hamburg City

For Philosophy

#26 in Europe

#95 in the World

Enrollment: 43,957
Founded: 1919

5. Free University of Berlin

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Philosophy

#34 in Europe

#113 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 37,908
Founded: 1948

6. Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main

Hesse | Frankfurt

For Philosophy

#35 in Europe

#115 in the World

Enrollment: 43,461
Founded: 1914

7. University of Freiburg

Baden-Wurttemberg | Freiburg im Breisgau

For Philosophy

#44 in Europe

#134 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Enrollment: 23,938
Founded: 1457

8. University of Munster

North Rhine-Westphalia | Munster

For Philosophy

#54 in Europe

#149 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Enrollment: 43,728
Founded: 1780

9. University of Tubingen

Baden-Wurttemberg | Tubingen

For Philosophy

#55 in Europe

#152 in the World

Enrollment: 28,238
Male:Female: 41:59
Founded: 1477

10. RWTH Aachen University

North Rhine-Westphalia | Aachen

For Philosophy

#56 in Europe

#158 in the World

Enrollment: 47,521
Founded: 1870

11. University of Bonn

North Rhine-Westphalia | Bonn

For Philosophy

#61 in Europe

#166 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Enrollment: 38,043
Founded: 1818

12. University of Cologne

North Rhine-Westphalia | Cologne

For Philosophy

#65 in Europe

#172 in the World

Enrollment: 52,204
Male:Female: 39:61
Founded: 1388

13. Humboldt University of Berlin

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Philosophy

#66 in Europe

#173 in the World

Enrollment: 36,232
Founded: 1809

14. University of Erlangen Nuremberg

Bavaria | Erlangen

For Philosophy

#74 in Europe

#187 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Enrollment: 39,658
Founded: 1743

15. Technical University of Berlin

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Philosophy

#76 in Europe

#190 in the World

Enrollment: 34,842
Founded: 1946

16. Ruhr University Bochum

North Rhine-Westphalia | Bochum

For Philosophy

#85 in Europe

#203 in the World

Enrollment: 42,954
Founded: 1962

17. University of Stuttgart

Baden-Wurttemberg | Stuttgart

For Philosophy

#86 in Europe

#207 in the World

Enrollment: 22,616
Founded: 1829

18. Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

Rhineland-Palatinate | Mainz

For Philosophy

#87 in Europe

#208 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 28%
Enrollment: 33,132
Founded: 1946

19. University of Gottingen

Lower Saxony | Gottingen

For Philosophy

#88 in Europe

#209 in the World

Enrollment: 31,619
Founded: 1734

20. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

Baden-Wurttemberg | Karlsruhe

For Philosophy

#91 in Europe

#215 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Enrollment: 23,321
Founded: 2009

21. University of Bielefeld

North Rhine-Westphalia | Bielefeld

For Philosophy

#92 in Europe

#216 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 24,488
Founded: 1969

22. Dresden University of Technology

Saxony | Dresden

For Philosophy

#100 in Europe

#233 in the World

Enrollment: 31,517
Founded: 1828

23. University of Leipzig

Saxony | Leipzig

For Philosophy

#106 in Europe

#252 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 31,088
Founded: 1409

24. University of Marburg

Hesse | Marburg

For Philosophy

#109 in Europe

#257 in the World

Enrollment: 22,612
Founded: 1527

25. TU Dortmund University

North Rhine-Westphalia | Dortmund

For Philosophy

#113 in Europe

#266 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Enrollment: 34,616
Male:Female: 54:46
Founded: 1968

26. Darmstadt University of Technology

Hesse | Darmstadt

For Philosophy

#125 in Europe

#290 in the World

Enrollment: 24,969
Founded: 1877

27. University of Duisburg - Essen

North Rhine-Westphalia | Essen

For Philosophy

#127 in Europe

#292 in the World

Enrollment: 43,281
Founded: 2003

28. Heinrich Heine University of Dusseldorf

North Rhine-Westphalia | Dusseldorf

For Philosophy

#129 in Europe

#296 in the World

Enrollment: 37,473
Male:Female: 42:58
Founded: 1965

29. University of Wurzburg

Bavaria | Wurzburg

For Philosophy

#136 in Europe

#314 in the World

Enrollment: 27,149
Male:Female: 41:59
Founded: 1402

30. University of Giessen

Hesse | Giessen

For Philosophy

#142 in Europe

#324 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 27,184
Founded: 1607

31. University of Bremen

Bremen State | Bremen City

For Philosophy

#144 in Europe

#328 in the World

Enrollment: 17,984
Founded: 1971

32. University of Konstanz

Baden-Wurttemberg | Konstanz

For Philosophy

#148 in Europe

#346 in the World

Enrollment: 10,939
Male:Female: 43:57
Founded: 1966

33. Kiel University

Schleswig-Holstein | Kiel

For Philosophy

#154 in Europe

#358 in the World

Enrollment: 27,468
Founded: 1665

34. Saarland University

Saarland | Saarbrucken

For Philosophy

#159 in Europe

#369 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Enrollment: 16,300
Founded: 1948

35. Leibniz University of Hanover

Lower Saxony | Hanover

For Philosophy

#171 in Europe

#397 in the World

Enrollment: 28,018
Founded: 1831

36. University of Potsdam

Brandenburg | Potsdam

For Philosophy

#172 in Europe

#398 in the World

Enrollment: 20,406
Founded: 1991

37. Friedrich Schiller University of Jena

Thuringia | Jena

For Philosophy

#175 in Europe

#402 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 17,345
Founded: 1558

38. Charite - Medical University of Berlin

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Philosophy

#182 in Europe

#423 in the World

Enrollment: 9,340
Founded: 1710

39. Braunschweig University of Technology

Lower Saxony | Braunschweig

For Philosophy

#195 in Europe

#447 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Enrollment: 17,794
Founded: 1745

40. University of Mannheim

Baden-Wurttemberg | Mannheim

For Philosophy

#196 in Europe

#448 in the World

Enrollment: 11,532
Founded: 1907

41. University of Regensburg

Bavaria | Regensburg

For Philosophy

#197 in Europe

#449 in the World

Enrollment: 20,702
Founded: 1962

42. Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg

Saxony-Anhalt | Halle

For Philosophy

#198 in Europe

#456 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 20,390
Founded: 1817

43. University of Kassel

For Philosophy

#215 in Europe

#496 in the World

Enrollment: 25,043
Male:Female: 50:50
Founded: 1971

44. University of Rostock

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | Rostock

For Philosophy

#221 in Europe

#516 in the World

Enrollment: 12,996
Male:Female: 50:50
Founded: 1419

45. University of Ulm

Baden-Wurttemberg | Ulm

For Philosophy

#222 in Europe

#518 in the World

Enrollment: 10,164
Founded: 1967

46. Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg

Saxony-Anhalt | Magdeburg

For Philosophy

#231 in Europe

#538 in the World

Enrollment: 13,143
Founded: 1993

47. University of Wuppertal

North Rhine-Westphalia | Wuppertal

For Philosophy

#238 in Europe

#549 in the World

Enrollment: 22,601
Founded: 1972

48. Technical University of Kaiserslautern

Rhineland-Palatinate | Kaiserslautern

For Philosophy

#239 in Europe

#552 in the World

Enrollment: 13,607
Male:Female: 60:40
Founded: 1970

49. University of Paderborn

North Rhine-Westphalia | Paderborn

For Philosophy

#248 in Europe

#573 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 19,110
Founded: 1972

50. Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg

Lower Saxony | Oldenburg

For Philosophy

#257 in Europe

#606 in the World

Enrollment: 15,899
Founded: 1973

51. Hannover Medical School

Lower Saxony | Hanover

For Philosophy

#267 in Europe

#636 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 3,843
Founded: 1965

52. Osnabruck University

Lower Saxony | Osnabruck

For Philosophy

#275 in Europe

#654 in the World

Enrollment: 13,628
Founded: 1974

53. University of Augsburg

Bavaria | Augsburg

For Philosophy

#285 in Europe

#678 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 19,975
Male:Female: 43:57
Founded: 1970

54. University of Trier

Rhineland-Palatinate | Trier

For Philosophy

#291 in Europe

#691 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 11,564
Founded: 1970

55. University of Siegen

North Rhine-Westphalia | Siegen

For Philosophy

#293 in Europe

#695 in the World

Enrollment: 17,805
Founded: 1972

56. University of Hagen

North Rhine-Westphalia | Hagen

For Philosophy

#299 in Europe

#714 in the World

Enrollment: 71,351
Founded: 1974

57. University of Bamberg

Bavaria | Bamberg

For Philosophy

#307 in Europe

#760 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Enrollment: 11,000
Founded: 1972

58. University of Bayreuth

Bavaria | Bayreuth

For Philosophy

#308 in Europe

#768 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 12,773
Founded: 1972

59. University of Lubeck

Schleswig-Holstein | Lubeck

For Philosophy

#316 in Europe

#797 in the World

Enrollment: 5,968
Founded: 1964

60. Chemnitz University of Technology

Saxony | Chemnitz

For Philosophy

#320 in Europe

#802 in the World

Enrollment: 9,873
Founded: 1836

61. Leuphana University of Luneburg

Lower Saxony | Luneburg

For Philosophy

#331 in Europe

#834 in the World

Enrollment: 9,620
Founded: 1946

62. University of Passau

Bavaria | Passau

For Philosophy

#342 in Europe

#862 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 11,846
Founded: 1973

63. Folkwang University of the Arts

North Rhine-Westphalia | Essen

For Philosophy

#354 in Europe

#899 in the World

Enrollment: 1,506
Founded: 1927

64. University of Koblenz-Landau

Rhineland-Palatinate | Koblenz

For Philosophy

#356 in Europe

#902 in the World

Enrollment: 15,757
Founded: 1990

65. Aachen University of Applied Sciences

North Rhine-Westphalia | Aachen

For Philosophy

#358 in Europe

#910 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Enrollment: 13,671
Founded: 1971

66. Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences

Hesse | Darmstadt

For Philosophy

#359 in Europe

#914 in the World

Enrollment: 16,136
Male:Female: 61:39
Founded: 1971

67. University of Greifswald

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | Greifswald

For Philosophy

#366 in Europe

#937 in the World

Enrollment: 10,366
Founded: 1456

68. University of Hohenheim

Baden-Wurttemberg | Stuttgart

For Philosophy

#368 in Europe

#942 in the World

Enrollment: 8,392
Male:Female: 43:57
Founded: 1818

69. Hamburg University of Technology

Hamburg State | Hamburg City

For Philosophy

#373 in Europe

#953 in the World

Enrollment: 7,223
Founded: 1978

70. Munich University of the Federal Armed Forces

Bavaria | Neubiberg

For Philosophy

#384 in Europe

#978 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Enrollment: 1,084
Founded: 1973

71. University of Erfurt

Thuringia | Erfurt

For Philosophy

#428 in Europe

#1120 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 6,052
Founded: 1994

72. Catholic University of Eichstatt-Ingolstadt

Bavaria | Eichstatt

For Philosophy

#436 in Europe

#1147 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 4,910
Founded: 1980

73. Ilmenau University of Technology

Thuringia | Ilmenau

For Philosophy

#441 in Europe

#1170 in the World

Enrollment: 4,889
Founded: 1953

74. University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg

Hamburg State | Hamburg City

For Philosophy

#444 in Europe

#1180 in the World

Enrollment: 2,587
Founded: 1972

75. Jacobs University Bremen

Bremen State | Bremen City

For Philosophy

#447 in Europe

#1209 in the World

Enrollment: 1,531
Founded: 2001

76. Witten/Herdecke University

North Rhine-Westphalia | Witten

For Philosophy

#448 in Europe

#1212 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 2,894
Founded: 1982

77. University of Hildesheim

Lower Saxony | Hildesheim

For Philosophy

#452 in Europe

#1216 in the World

Enrollment: 8,307
Founded: 1978

78. Mainz University of Applied Sciences

Rhineland-Palatinate | Mainz

For Philosophy

#466 in Europe

#1265 in the World

Enrollment: 5,786
Founded: 1996

79. Clausthal University of Technology

Lower Saxony | Clausthal-Zellerfeld

For Philosophy

#471 in Europe

#1285 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 3,446
Founded: 1775

80. European University Viadrina

Brandenburg | Frankfurt

For Philosophy

#473 in Europe

#1305 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 5,210
Founded: 1991

81. Freiberg University of Technology

Saxony | Freiberg

For Philosophy

#482 in Europe

#1345 in the World

Enrollment: 4,016
Founded: 1765

82. Bauhaus - University Weimar

Thuringia | Weimar

For Philosophy

#492 in Europe

#1374 in the World

Enrollment: 3,988
Founded: 1860

83. University of Applied Sciences Dusseldorf

North Rhine-Westphalia | Dusseldorf

For Philosophy

#509 in Europe

#1429 in the World

Enrollment: 11,170
Founded: 1971

84. Munich University of Applied Sciences

Bavaria | Munich

For Philosophy

#526 in Europe

#1464 in the World

Enrollment: 18,183
Founded: 1971

85. Hamburg University of Applied Sciences

Hamburg State | Hamburg City

For Philosophy

#544 in Europe

#1547 in the World

Enrollment: 17,125
Founded: 1970

86. Cologne University of Applied Sciences

North Rhine-Westphalia | Cologne

For Philosophy

#545 in Europe

#1548 in the World

Enrollment: 27,000
Founded: 1971

87. Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus - Senftenberg

Brandenburg | Senftenberg

For Philosophy

#566 in Europe

#1651 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 7,280
Founded: 2013

88. University of Applied Science Koblenz

Rhineland-Palatinate | Koblenz

For Philosophy

#585 in Europe

#1755 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 9,145
Founded: 1996

89. German Sport University Cologne

North Rhine-Westphalia | Cologne

For Philosophy

#588 in Europe

#1758 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 1947

90. College of Education, Ludwigsburg

Baden-Wurttemberg | Ludwigsburg

For Philosophy

#612 in Europe

#1848 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Enrollment: 5,620
Founded: 1962

91. WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management

Rhineland-Palatinate | Vallendar

For Philosophy

#622 in Europe

#1902 in the World

Enrollment: 1,669
Founded: 1984

92. Munich School of Philosophy

Bavaria | Munich

For Philosophy

#623 in Europe

#1903 in the World

Enrollment: 342
Founded: 1925

93. Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences

Baden-Wurttemberg | Karlsruhe

For Philosophy

#636 in Europe

#1954 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Enrollment: 8,371
Founded: 1878

94. University of Flensburg

Schleswig-Holstein | Flensburg

For Philosophy

#639 in Europe

#1967 in the World

Enrollment: 5,333
Male:Female: 29:71
Founded: 1946

95. Berlin University of Applied Sciences

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Philosophy

#640 in Europe

#1970 in the World

Enrollment: 14,167
Founded: 1994

96. Zeppelin University

Baden-Wurttemberg | Friedrichshafen

For Philosophy

#646 in Europe

#2017 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 805
Founded: 2003

97. Berlin School of Economics and Law

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Philosophy

#647 in Europe

#2018 in the World

Enrollment: 12,246
Founded: 1971

98. Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences

Hesse | Frankfurt

For Philosophy

#666 in Europe

#2090 in the World

Enrollment: 15,362
Founded: 1971

99. Munster University of Applied Sciences

North Rhine-Westphalia | Munster

For Philosophy

#671 in Europe

#2106 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1971

100. Merseburg University of Applied Sciences

Saxony-Anhalt | Merseburg

For Philosophy

#686 in Europe

#2147 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 3,034
Founded: 1992

The best cities to study Philosophy in Germany based on the number of universities and their ranks are Munich, Heidelberg, Hamburg, and Berlin.

Liberal Arts & Social Sciences subfields in Germany

Anthropology112

Broadcast Journalism39

Classics and Ancient History76

Communications and Public Relations106

Criminology and Criminal Justice50

Early Childhood Education38

Education Majors106

Forensic Science33

Gender Studies73

Human Rights Law37

Intellectual Property and Patent Law37

International Law43

International Relations and Diplomacy36

Journalism and Digital Media65

Law Enforcement34

Library and Information science104

Media Studies59

Military science36

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution52

Occupational Safety and Health32

Political Economy63

Political Science174

Public Policy / Administration69

Radio and Television broadcasting35

Special Education41

Sports / Exercise science47

Theology / Divinity / Religious studies106

Urban and Regional planning53