100 Best universities for Nuclear Physics in Germany

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in Germany ranked based on their research performance in Nuclear Physics. A graph of 12.7M citations received by 354K academic papers made by 101 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 Nuclear Physics

#3 in Europe

#21 in the World

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

2. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

Baden-Wurttemberg | Karlsruhe

For Nuclear Physics

#6 in Europe

#28 in the World

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

3. Heidelberg University - Germany

Baden-Wurttemberg | Heidelberg

For Nuclear Physics

#12 in Europe

#45 in the World

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

4. Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main

Hesse | Frankfurt

For Nuclear Physics

#13 in Europe

#47 in the World

Enrollment: 43,461
Founded: 1914

5. Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

Rhineland-Palatinate | Mainz

For Nuclear Physics

#14 in Europe

#54 in the World

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

6. Ruhr University Bochum

North Rhine-Westphalia | Bochum

For Nuclear Physics

#15 in Europe

#56 in the World

Enrollment: 42,954
Founded: 1962

7. University of Hamburg

Hamburg State | Hamburg City

For Nuclear Physics

#18 in Europe

#63 in the World

Enrollment: 43,957
Founded: 1919

8. University of Bonn

North Rhine-Westphalia | Bonn

For Nuclear Physics

#23 in Europe

#76 in the World

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

9. University of Munich

Bavaria | Munich

For Nuclear Physics

#28 in Europe

#88 in the World

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

10. RWTH Aachen University

North Rhine-Westphalia | Aachen

For Nuclear Physics

#29 in Europe

#93 in the World

Enrollment: 47,521
Founded: 1870

11. University of Munster

North Rhine-Westphalia | Munster

For Nuclear Physics

#30 in Europe

#101 in the World

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

12. University of Stuttgart

Baden-Wurttemberg | Stuttgart

For Nuclear Physics

#31 in Europe

#103 in the World

Enrollment: 22,616
Founded: 1829

13. University of Erlangen Nuremberg

Bavaria | Erlangen

For Nuclear Physics

#36 in Europe

#112 in the World

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

14. University of Wurzburg

Bavaria | Wurzburg

For Nuclear Physics

#37 in Europe

#115 in the World

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

15. University of Regensburg

Bavaria | Regensburg

For Nuclear Physics

#39 in Europe

#121 in the World

Enrollment: 20,702
Founded: 1962

16. University of Tubingen

Baden-Wurttemberg | Tubingen

For Nuclear Physics

#41 in Europe

#123 in the World

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

17. Free University of Berlin

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Nuclear Physics

#55 in Europe

#146 in the World

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

18. University of Bielefeld

North Rhine-Westphalia | Bielefeld

For Nuclear Physics

#63 in Europe

#165 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 23,342
Founded: 1969

19. Darmstadt University of Technology

Hesse | Darmstadt

For Nuclear Physics

#65 in Europe

#169 in the World

Enrollment: 24,969
Founded: 1877

20. University of Gottingen

Lower Saxony | Gottingen

For Nuclear Physics

#72 in Europe

#176 in the World

Enrollment: 31,619
Founded: 1734

21. University of Cologne

North Rhine-Westphalia | Cologne

For Nuclear Physics

#73 in Europe

#177 in the World

Enrollment: 52,204
Founded: 1388

22. University of Freiburg

Baden-Wurttemberg | Freiburg im Breisgau

For Nuclear Physics

#76 in Europe

#182 in the World

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

23. Dresden University of Technology

Saxony | Dresden

For Nuclear Physics

#77 in Europe

#186 in the World

Enrollment: 31,517
Founded: 1828

24. University of Giessen

Hesse | Giessen

For Nuclear Physics

#80 in Europe

#190 in the World

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

25. Humboldt University of Berlin

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Nuclear Physics

#84 in Europe

#196 in the World

Enrollment: 36,232
Founded: 1809

26. Technical University of Berlin

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Nuclear Physics

#89 in Europe

#206 in the World

Enrollment: 34,842
Founded: 1946

27. University of Wuppertal

North Rhine-Westphalia | Wuppertal

For Nuclear Physics

#92 in Europe

#212 in the World

Enrollment: 22,601
Founded: 1972

28. TU Dortmund University

North Rhine-Westphalia | Dortmund

For Nuclear Physics

#97 in Europe

#224 in the World

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

29. University of Marburg

Hesse | Marburg

For Nuclear Physics

#104 in Europe

#235 in the World

Enrollment: 22,612
Founded: 1527

30. Kiel University

Schleswig-Holstein | Kiel

For Nuclear Physics

#108 in Europe

#247 in the World

Enrollment: 27,468
Founded: 1665

31. Heinrich Heine University of Dusseldorf

North Rhine-Westphalia | Dusseldorf

For Nuclear Physics

#121 in Europe

#284 in the World

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

32. Leibniz University of Hanover

Lower Saxony | Hanover

For Nuclear Physics

#124 in Europe

#291 in the World

Enrollment: 28,018
Founded: 1831

33. Friedrich Schiller University of Jena

Thuringia | Jena

For Nuclear Physics

#133 in Europe

#317 in the World

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

34. University of Bayreuth

Bavaria | Bayreuth

For Nuclear Physics

#142 in Europe

#336 in the World

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

35. Technical University of Kaiserslautern

Rhineland-Palatinate | Kaiserslautern

For Nuclear Physics

#144 in Europe

#341 in the World

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

36. University of Duisburg - Essen

North Rhine-Westphalia | Essen

For Nuclear Physics

#146 in Europe

#345 in the World

Enrollment: 43,281
Founded: 2003

37. University of Leipzig

Saxony | Leipzig

For Nuclear Physics

#153 in Europe

#358 in the World

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

38. Braunschweig University of Technology

Lower Saxony | Braunschweig

For Nuclear Physics

#155 in Europe

#362 in the World

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

39. University of Rostock

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | Rostock

For Nuclear Physics

#156 in Europe

#366 in the World

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

40. University of Ulm

Baden-Wurttemberg | Ulm

For Nuclear Physics

#169 in Europe

#395 in the World

Enrollment: 10,164
Founded: 1967

41. University of Konstanz

Baden-Wurttemberg | Konstanz

For Nuclear Physics

#189 in Europe

#449 in the World

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

42. University of Bremen

Bremen State | Bremen City

For Nuclear Physics

#191 in Europe

#451 in the World

Enrollment: 17,984
Founded: 1971

43. Saarland University

Saarland | Saarbrucken

For Nuclear Physics

#192 in Europe

#453 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Enrollment: 16,250
Founded: 1948

44. University of Siegen

North Rhine-Westphalia | Siegen

For Nuclear Physics

#195 in Europe

#459 in the World

Enrollment: 17,805
Founded: 1972

45. University of Augsburg

Bavaria | Augsburg

For Nuclear Physics

#201 in Europe

#482 in the World

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

46. University of Potsdam

Brandenburg | Potsdam

For Nuclear Physics

#209 in Europe

#496 in the World

Enrollment: 20,406
Founded: 1991

47. Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg

Saxony-Anhalt | Halle

For Nuclear Physics

#210 in Europe

#498 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 19,387
Founded: 1817

48. Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences

Hesse | Darmstadt

For Nuclear Physics

#226 in Europe

#541 in the World

Enrollment: 16,136
Founded: 1971

49. University of Greifswald

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | Greifswald

For Nuclear Physics

#243 in Europe

#596 in the World

Enrollment: 10,366
Founded: 1456

50. Folkwang University of the Arts

North Rhine-Westphalia | Essen

For Nuclear Physics

#247 in Europe

#616 in the World

Enrollment: 1,506
Founded: 1927

51. University of Paderborn

North Rhine-Westphalia | Paderborn

For Nuclear Physics

#248 in Europe

#617 in the World

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

52. Charite - Medical University of Berlin

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Nuclear Physics

#249 in Europe

#618 in the World

Enrollment: 9,340
Founded: 1710

53. Osnabruck University

Lower Saxony | Osnabruck

For Nuclear Physics

#261 in Europe

#663 in the World

Enrollment: 13,628
Founded: 1974

54. Chemnitz University of Technology

Saxony | Chemnitz

For Nuclear Physics

#273 in Europe

#700 in the World

Enrollment: 9,873
Founded: 1836

55. Clausthal University of Technology

Lower Saxony | Clausthal-Zellerfeld

For Nuclear Physics

#291 in Europe

#753 in the World

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

56. University of Kassel

For Nuclear Physics

#299 in Europe

#771 in the World

Enrollment: 21,352
Male:Female: 50:50
Founded: 1971

57. Freiberg University of Technology

Saxony | Freiberg

For Nuclear Physics

#307 in Europe

#794 in the World

Enrollment: 4,016
Founded: 1765

58. Aachen University of Applied Sciences

North Rhine-Westphalia | Aachen

For Nuclear Physics

#311 in Europe

#810 in the World

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

59. Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg

Lower Saxony | Oldenburg

For Nuclear Physics

#312 in Europe

#815 in the World

Enrollment: 15,899
Founded: 1973

60. University of Lubeck

Schleswig-Holstein | Lubeck

For Nuclear Physics

#329 in Europe

#864 in the World

Enrollment: 5,968
Founded: 1964

61. Hannover Medical School

Lower Saxony | Hanover

For Nuclear Physics

#338 in Europe

#894 in the World

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

62. Ilmenau University of Technology

Thuringia | Ilmenau

For Nuclear Physics

#353 in Europe

#950 in the World

Enrollment: 4,889
Founded: 1953

63. Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg

Saxony-Anhalt | Magdeburg

For Nuclear Physics

#354 in Europe

#953 in the World

Enrollment: 13,143
Founded: 1993

64. Munich University of the Federal Armed Forces

Bavaria | Neubiberg

For Nuclear Physics

#365 in Europe

#1014 in the World

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

65. Jacobs University Bremen

Bremen State | Bremen City

For Nuclear Physics

#394 in Europe

#1176 in the World

Enrollment: 1,531
Founded: 2001

66. University of Hohenheim

Baden-Wurttemberg | Stuttgart

For Nuclear Physics

#399 in Europe

#1196 in the World

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

67. Hamburg University of Technology

Hamburg State | Hamburg City

For Nuclear Physics

#420 in Europe

#1279 in the World

Enrollment: 7,223
Founded: 1978

68. Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus - Senftenberg

Brandenburg | Senftenberg

For Nuclear Physics

#428 in Europe

#1339 in the World

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

69. Deggendorf Institute of Technology

Bavaria | Deggendorf

For Nuclear Physics

#468 in Europe

#1496 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 56%
Enrollment: 9,476
Founded: 1994

70. Munich University of Applied Sciences

Bavaria | Munich

For Nuclear Physics

#471 in Europe

#1505 in the World

Enrollment: 18,183
Founded: 1971

71. Munster University of Applied Sciences

North Rhine-Westphalia | Munster

For Nuclear Physics

#499 in Europe

#1630 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1971

72. Mainz University of Applied Sciences

Rhineland-Palatinate | Mainz

For Nuclear Physics

#535 in Europe

#1827 in the World

Enrollment: 5,786
Founded: 1996

73. Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences

Baden-Wurttemberg | Karlsruhe

For Nuclear Physics

#577 in Europe

#2047 in the World

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

74. University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover

Lower Saxony | Hanover

For Nuclear Physics

#591 in Europe

#2096 in the World

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

75. Witten/Herdecke University

North Rhine-Westphalia | Witten

For Nuclear Physics

#615 in Europe

#2213 in the World

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

76. German Sport University Cologne

North Rhine-Westphalia | Cologne

For Nuclear Physics

#638 in Europe

#2355 in the World

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

77. Furtwangen University of Applied Sciences

Baden-Wurttemberg | Furtwangen

For Nuclear Physics

#658 in Europe

#2448 in the World

Enrollment: 4,461
Founded: 1971

78. University of Hagen

North Rhine-Westphalia | Hagen

For Nuclear Physics

#661 in Europe

#2458 in the World

Enrollment: 71,351
Founded: 1974

79. Berlin Technical University of Applied Sciences

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Nuclear Physics

#681 in Europe

#2586 in the World

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

80. University of Applied Sciences Mittweida

Saxony | Mittweida

For Nuclear Physics

#693 in Europe

#2652 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 6,849
Founded: 1867

81. University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg

Hamburg State | Hamburg City

For Nuclear Physics

#707 in Europe

#2723 in the World

Enrollment: 2,587
Founded: 1972

82. Regensburg University of Applied Sciences

Bavaria | Regensburg

For Nuclear Physics

#709 in Europe

#2746 in the World

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

83. Merseburg University of Applied Sciences

Saxony-Anhalt | Merseburg

For Nuclear Physics

#714 in Europe

#2773 in the World

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

84. Bauhaus - University Weimar

Thuringia | Weimar

For Nuclear Physics

#727 in Europe

#2835 in the World

Enrollment: 3,988
Founded: 1860

85. University of Koblenz-Landau

Rhineland-Palatinate | Koblenz

For Nuclear Physics

#736 in Europe

#2873 in the World

Enrollment: 15,757
Founded: 1990

86. University of Mannheim

Baden-Wurttemberg | Mannheim

For Nuclear Physics

#744 in Europe

#2928 in the World

Enrollment: 11,532
Founded: 1907

87. University of Applied Science Koblenz

Rhineland-Palatinate | Koblenz

For Nuclear Physics

#745 in Europe

#2929 in the World

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

88. Hamburg University of Applied Sciences

Hamburg State | Hamburg City

For Nuclear Physics

#779 in Europe

#3088 in the World

Enrollment: 17,125
Founded: 1970

89. Leuphana University of Luneburg

Lower Saxony | Luneburg

For Nuclear Physics

#781 in Europe

#3090 in the World

Enrollment: 9,620
Founded: 1946

90. Mittelhessen University of Applied Sciences

Hesse | Giessen

For Nuclear Physics

#787 in Europe

#3124 in the World

Enrollment: 17,668
Founded: 1971

91. University of Trier

Rhineland-Palatinate | Trier

For Nuclear Physics

#812 in Europe

#3255 in the World

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

92. TH Bingen University of Applied Sciences

Rhineland-Palatinate | Bingen

For Nuclear Physics

#821 in Europe

#3325 in the World

Enrollment: 2,295
Founded: 1897

93. University of Applied Sciences Wildau

Brandenburg | Wildau

For Nuclear Physics

#846 in Europe

#3469 in the World

Enrollment: 3,462
Founded: 1991

94. University of Bamberg

Bavaria | Bamberg

For Nuclear Physics

#850 in Europe

#3495 in the World

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

95. Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences

Baden-Wurttemberg | Stuttgart

For Nuclear Physics

#858 in Europe

#3538 in the World

Enrollment: 4,081
Founded: 1832

96. Leipzig University of Applied Sciences

Saxony | Leipzig

For Nuclear Physics

#859 in Europe

#3544 in the World

Enrollment: 6,431
Founded: 1992

97. Mannheim University of Applied Sciences

Baden-Wurttemberg | Mannheim

For Nuclear Physics

#860 in Europe

#3547 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 5,583
Male:Female: 65:35
Founded: 1898

98. Cologne University of Applied Sciences

North Rhine-Westphalia | Cologne

For Nuclear Physics

#875 in Europe

#3620 in the World

Enrollment: 27,000
Founded: 1971

99. Berlin University of Applied Sciences

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Nuclear Physics

#899 in Europe

#3772 in the World

Enrollment: 14,167
Founded: 1994

100. Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences

North Rhine-Westphalia | Sankt Augustin

For Nuclear Physics

#906 in Europe

#3799 in the World

Enrollment: 8,000
Founded: 1995

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

Physics subfields in Germany

Acoustical Engineering128

Applied/Engineering Physics66

Astrophysics and Astronomy131

Atomic and Molecular physics79

Condensed Matter Physics87

Materials Science161

Medical Physics45

Nanotechnology113

Optical Engineering147

Quantum and Particle physics164

Theoretical Physics77