100 Best universities for Physics 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 Physics. A graph of 64.7M citations received by 2.2M academic papers made by 168 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. Technical University of Munich

Bavaria | Munich

For Physics

#11 in Europe

#62 in the World

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

2. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

Baden-Wurttemberg | Karlsruhe

For Physics

#12 in Europe

#72 in the World

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

3. Heidelberg University - Germany

Baden-Wurttemberg | Heidelberg

For Physics

#14 in Europe

#96 in the World

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

4. RWTH Aachen University

North Rhine-Westphalia | Aachen

For Physics

#20 in Europe

#109 in the World

Enrollment: 47,521
Founded: 1870

5. University of Munich

Bavaria | Munich

For Physics

#23 in Europe

#114 in the World

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

6. University of Erlangen Nuremberg

Bavaria | Erlangen

For Physics

#30 in Europe

#130 in the World

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

7. University of Stuttgart

Baden-Wurttemberg | Stuttgart

For Physics

#31 in Europe

#131 in the World

Enrollment: 22,616
Founded: 1829

8. University of Hamburg

Hamburg State | Hamburg City

For Physics

#40 in Europe

#150 in the World

Enrollment: 43,957
Founded: 1919

9. Ruhr University Bochum

North Rhine-Westphalia | Bochum

For Physics

#48 in Europe

#174 in the World

Enrollment: 42,954
Founded: 1962

10. University of Bonn

North Rhine-Westphalia | Bonn

For Physics

#54 in Europe

#181 in the World

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

11. University of Gottingen

Lower Saxony | Gottingen

For Physics

#56 in Europe

#184 in the World

Enrollment: 31,619
Founded: 1734

12. Technical University of Berlin

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Physics

#58 in Europe

#188 in the World

Enrollment: 34,842
Founded: 1946

13. University of Munster

North Rhine-Westphalia | Munster

For Physics

#59 in Europe

#189 in the World

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

14. Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

Rhineland-Palatinate | Mainz

For Physics

#62 in Europe

#195 in the World

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

15. Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main

Hesse | Frankfurt

For Physics

#64 in Europe

#202 in the World

Enrollment: 43,461
Founded: 1914

16. University of Freiburg

Baden-Wurttemberg | Freiburg im Breisgau

For Physics

#67 in Europe

#208 in the World

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

17. Free University of Berlin

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Physics

#70 in Europe

#216 in the World

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

18. Dresden University of Technology

Saxony | Dresden

For Physics

#73 in Europe

#225 in the World

Enrollment: 31,517
Founded: 1828

19. University of Tubingen

Baden-Wurttemberg | Tubingen

For Physics

#79 in Europe

#238 in the World

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

20. Darmstadt University of Technology

Hesse | Darmstadt

For Physics

#86 in Europe

#252 in the World

Enrollment: 24,969
Founded: 1877

21. Friedrich Schiller University of Jena

Thuringia | Jena

For Physics

#89 in Europe

#264 in the World

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

22. University of Wurzburg

Bavaria | Wurzburg

For Physics

#92 in Europe

#273 in the World

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

23. University of Cologne

North Rhine-Westphalia | Cologne

For Physics

#94 in Europe

#278 in the World

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

24. Humboldt University of Berlin

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Physics

#97 in Europe

#286 in the World

Enrollment: 36,232
Founded: 1809

25. Leibniz University of Hanover

Lower Saxony | Hanover

For Physics

#105 in Europe

#294 in the World

Enrollment: 28,018
Founded: 1831

26. University of Regensburg

Bavaria | Regensburg

For Physics

#123 in Europe

#330 in the World

Enrollment: 20,702
Founded: 1962

27. Kiel University

Schleswig-Holstein | Kiel

For Physics

#126 in Europe

#342 in the World

Enrollment: 27,468
Founded: 1665

28. University of Ulm

Baden-Wurttemberg | Ulm

For Physics

#131 in Europe

#349 in the World

Enrollment: 10,164
Founded: 1967

29. University of Marburg

Hesse | Marburg

For Physics

#135 in Europe

#353 in the World

Enrollment: 22,612
Founded: 1527

30. Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg

Saxony-Anhalt | Halle

For Physics

#139 in Europe

#363 in the World

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

31. University of Duisburg - Essen

North Rhine-Westphalia | Essen

For Physics

#140 in Europe

#365 in the World

Enrollment: 43,281
Founded: 2003

32. Heinrich Heine University of Dusseldorf

North Rhine-Westphalia | Dusseldorf

For Physics

#142 in Europe

#375 in the World

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

33. TU Dortmund University

North Rhine-Westphalia | Dortmund

For Physics

#147 in Europe

#386 in the World

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

34. University of Bayreuth

Bavaria | Bayreuth

For Physics

#153 in Europe

#395 in the World

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

35. University of Leipzig

Saxony | Leipzig

For Physics

#156 in Europe

#403 in the World

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

36. Braunschweig University of Technology

Lower Saxony | Braunschweig

For Physics

#164 in Europe

#416 in the World

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

37. University of Bielefeld

North Rhine-Westphalia | Bielefeld

For Physics

#167 in Europe

#421 in the World

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

38. University of Bremen

Bremen State | Bremen City

For Physics

#169 in Europe

#432 in the World

Enrollment: 17,984
Founded: 1971

39. Saarland University

Saarland | Saarbrucken

For Physics

#170 in Europe

#436 in the World

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

40. University of Giessen

Hesse | Giessen

For Physics

#173 in Europe

#442 in the World

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

41. Technical University of Kaiserslautern

Rhineland-Palatinate | Kaiserslautern

For Physics

#180 in Europe

#459 in the World

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

42. University of Konstanz

Baden-Wurttemberg | Konstanz

For Physics

#191 in Europe

#496 in the World

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

43. Charite - Medical University of Berlin

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Physics

#205 in Europe

#539 in the World

Enrollment: 9,340
Founded: 1710

44. University of Potsdam

Brandenburg | Potsdam

For Physics

#207 in Europe

#547 in the World

Enrollment: 20,406
Founded: 1991

45. University of Rostock

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | Rostock

For Physics

#212 in Europe

#556 in the World

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

46. University of Wuppertal

North Rhine-Westphalia | Wuppertal

For Physics

#217 in Europe

#579 in the World

Enrollment: 22,601
Founded: 1972

47. University of Paderborn

North Rhine-Westphalia | Paderborn

For Physics

#222 in Europe

#598 in the World

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

48. Chemnitz University of Technology

Saxony | Chemnitz

For Physics

#231 in Europe

#632 in the World

Enrollment: 9,873
Founded: 1836

49. Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg

Lower Saxony | Oldenburg

For Physics

#251 in Europe

#681 in the World

Enrollment: 15,899
Founded: 1973

50. Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg

Saxony-Anhalt | Magdeburg

For Physics

#261 in Europe

#711 in the World

Enrollment: 13,143
Founded: 1993

51. University of Augsburg

Bavaria | Augsburg

For Physics

#268 in Europe

#728 in the World

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

52. Hamburg University of Technology

Hamburg State | Hamburg City

For Physics

#281 in Europe

#750 in the World

Enrollment: 7,223
Founded: 1978

53. University of Siegen

North Rhine-Westphalia | Siegen

For Physics

#289 in Europe

#791 in the World

Enrollment: 17,805
Founded: 1972

54. University of Kassel

For Physics

#292 in Europe

#794 in the World

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

55. Clausthal University of Technology

Lower Saxony | Clausthal-Zellerfeld

For Physics

#298 in Europe

#808 in the World

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

56. Hannover Medical School

Lower Saxony | Hanover

For Physics

#304 in Europe

#826 in the World

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

57. Freiberg University of Technology

Saxony | Freiberg

For Physics

#325 in Europe

#887 in the World

Enrollment: 4,016
Founded: 1765

58. Osnabruck University

Lower Saxony | Osnabruck

For Physics

#335 in Europe

#906 in the World

Enrollment: 13,628
Founded: 1974

59. Ilmenau University of Technology

Thuringia | Ilmenau

For Physics

#338 in Europe

#918 in the World

Enrollment: 4,889
Founded: 1953

60. Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences

Hesse | Darmstadt

For Physics

#349 in Europe

#945 in the World

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

61. University of Lubeck

Schleswig-Holstein | Lubeck

For Physics

#360 in Europe

#977 in the World

Enrollment: 5,968
Founded: 1964

62. University of Greifswald

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | Greifswald

For Physics

#368 in Europe

#1017 in the World

Enrollment: 10,366
Founded: 1456

63. University of Hohenheim

Baden-Wurttemberg | Stuttgart

For Physics

#376 in Europe

#1054 in the World

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

64. Aachen University of Applied Sciences

North Rhine-Westphalia | Aachen

For Physics

#395 in Europe

#1126 in the World

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

65. Munich University of the Federal Armed Forces

Bavaria | Neubiberg

For Physics

#408 in Europe

#1179 in the World

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

66. University of Mannheim

Baden-Wurttemberg | Mannheim

For Physics

#409 in Europe

#1190 in the World

Enrollment: 11,532
Founded: 1907

67. Jacobs University Bremen

Bremen State | Bremen City

For Physics

#422 in Europe

#1235 in the World

Enrollment: 1,531
Founded: 2001

68. Folkwang University of the Arts

North Rhine-Westphalia | Essen

For Physics

#435 in Europe

#1284 in the World

Enrollment: 1,506
Founded: 1927

69. Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus - Senftenberg

Brandenburg | Senftenberg

For Physics

#490 in Europe

#1504 in the World

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

70. University of Trier

Rhineland-Palatinate | Trier

For Physics

#560 in Europe

#1829 in the World

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

71. University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg

Hamburg State | Hamburg City

For Physics

#571 in Europe

#1860 in the World

Enrollment: 2,587
Founded: 1972

72. University of Hagen

North Rhine-Westphalia | Hagen

For Physics

#609 in Europe

#2012 in the World

Enrollment: 71,351
Founded: 1974

73. Bauhaus - University Weimar

Thuringia | Weimar

For Physics

#618 in Europe

#2037 in the World

Enrollment: 3,988
Founded: 1860

74. Munich University of Applied Sciences

Bavaria | Munich

For Physics

#626 in Europe

#2070 in the World

Enrollment: 18,183
Founded: 1971

75. Witten/Herdecke University

North Rhine-Westphalia | Witten

For Physics

#633 in Europe

#2114 in the World

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

76. German Sport University Cologne

North Rhine-Westphalia | Cologne

For Physics

#660 in Europe

#2298 in the World

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

77. University of Koblenz-Landau

Rhineland-Palatinate | Koblenz

For Physics

#666 in Europe

#2323 in the World

Enrollment: 15,757
Founded: 1990

78. University of Passau

Bavaria | Passau

For Physics

#675 in Europe

#2354 in the World

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

79. Mainz University of Applied Sciences

Rhineland-Palatinate | Mainz

For Physics

#676 in Europe

#2359 in the World

Enrollment: 5,786
Founded: 1996

80. Leuphana University of Luneburg

Lower Saxony | Luneburg

For Physics

#684 in Europe

#2406 in the World

Enrollment: 9,620
Founded: 1946

81. University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover

Lower Saxony | Hanover

For Physics

#702 in Europe

#2531 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 2,274
Founded: 1778

82. University of Bamberg

Bavaria | Bamberg

For Physics

#705 in Europe

#2543 in the World

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

83. Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences

Baden-Wurttemberg | Karlsruhe

For Physics

#713 in Europe

#2564 in the World

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

84. Merseburg University of Applied Sciences

Saxony-Anhalt | Merseburg

For Physics

#755 in Europe

#2790 in the World

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

85. Hamburg University of Applied Sciences

Hamburg State | Hamburg City

For Physics

#788 in Europe

#2950 in the World

Enrollment: 17,125
Founded: 1970

86. Deggendorf Institute of Technology

Bavaria | Deggendorf

For Physics

#791 in Europe

#2958 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 56%
Enrollment: 5,760
Founded: 1994

87. Berlin Technical University of Applied Sciences

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Physics

#793 in Europe

#2965 in the World

Enrollment: 12,833
Male:Female: 66:34
Founded: 1971

88. Munster University of Applied Sciences

North Rhine-Westphalia | Munster

For Physics

#797 in Europe

#2978 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1971

89. University of Hildesheim

Lower Saxony | Hildesheim

For Physics

#802 in Europe

#2999 in the World

Enrollment: 8,307
Founded: 1978

90. Cologne University of Applied Sciences

North Rhine-Westphalia | Cologne

For Physics

#810 in Europe

#3046 in the World

Enrollment: 27,000
Founded: 1971

91. Furtwangen University of Applied Sciences

Baden-Wurttemberg | Furtwangen

For Physics

#840 in Europe

#3192 in the World

Enrollment: 6,687
Founded: 1971

92. Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences

North Rhine-Westphalia | Bielefeld

For Physics

#857 in Europe

#3278 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 8,633
Founded: 1971

93. Catholic University of Eichstatt-Ingolstadt

Bavaria | Eichstatt

For Physics

#871 in Europe

#3330 in the World

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

94. TH Bingen University of Applied Sciences

Rhineland-Palatinate | Bingen

For Physics

#875 in Europe

#3347 in the World

Enrollment: 2,295
Founded: 1897

95. Regensburg University of Applied Sciences

Bavaria | Regensburg

For Physics

#878 in Europe

#3355 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Enrollment: 10,586
Founded: 1971

96. Esslingen University of Applied Sciences

Baden-Wurttemberg | Esslingen

For Physics

#880 in Europe

#3368 in the World

Enrollment: 6,211
Founded: 1914

97. Berlin University of Applied Sciences

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Physics

#886 in Europe

#3402 in the World

Enrollment: 14,167
Founded: 1994

98. WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management

Rhineland-Palatinate | Vallendar

For Physics

#896 in Europe

#3450 in the World

Enrollment: 1,669
Founded: 1984

99. Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences

Baden-Wurttemberg | Stuttgart

For Physics

#898 in Europe

#3460 in the World

Enrollment: 4,081
Founded: 1832

100. Offenburg University of Applied Sciences

Baden-Wurttemberg | Offenburg

For Physics

#903 in Europe

#3482 in the World

Enrollment: 4,161
Founded: 1967

The best cities to study Physics in Germany based on the number of universities and their ranks are Munich, Karlsruhe, Heidelberg, and Aachen.

Physics subfields in Germany

Acoustical Engineering127

Applied/Engineering Physics66

Astrophysics and Astronomy129

Atomic and Molecular physics79

Condensed Matter Physics85

Materials Science161

Medical Physics45

Nanotechnology112

Nuclear Physics101

Optical Engineering147

Quantum and Particle physics163

Theoretical Physics76