University of Kiel Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Requirements & Costs

The University of Kiel, officially known as the Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel (CAU), is located in Kiel, Germany. It was founded in 1665 and is one of the oldest universities in Schleswig-Holstein and also the largest with 27,000 students and 3,700 faculty members. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, Kiel is dedicated to research-based teaching and learning. Thus, the development of new teaching practices is evolving constantly at the interfaces between researches from the different scientific disciplines. Students benefit from this as research results are quickly integrated into programme curricula and the academic staff is trained in state-of-the-art teaching methods.

Apart from this, CAU has established far-ranging relationships with higher-education institutions in Germany and abroad that ensure the university's integration in the global network of academic relations. It is a member of the European University Association (EUA) and the Baltic University Programme (BUP). Kiel has university partnership agreements with around 50 universities in Europe, America and Asia. Recently, it signed agreements for a strategic partnership with Adam Mickiewicz University in Poland and Dalhousie University in Canada.

CAU is also Schleswig-Holstein’s only fully-fledged university with a major focus on research. With time, the university has picked four dynamic priority research areas which are based on strong disciplines interacting together. These areas include Marine Science, Life Science, Societal and Cultural Change, and Nano Surface & Interface Science. Kiel is the alma mater of seven Nobel laureates such as Theodor Mommsen (Literature), Philipp Lenard (Physics), Eduard Buchner (Chemistry), Max Planck (Physics), Otto Meyerhof (Medicine), Gerhard Domagk (Medicine), and Kurt Alder and Otto Diels (Chemistry).

Courses Offered

What all courses are available to international students?

Kiel offers 190 different degree programmes to students that range from general to specialized courses, from single to interdisciplinary degrees and from basic to applied fields of study. At least 35 academic programmes are offered in English, and some masters and doctoral programmes are also specialized for international students. The university has eight faculties that offer at least one or two programmes in English.

Faculty	Programmes offered in English and German	Programmes offered in English
Theology	MS Practical Philosophy of Economy and Environment	-
Law	BA/MA Jurisprudence	-
Medicine	-	MS Hospital Management MS Medical Life Sciences
Arts and Humanities	BA/MA English and North American Studies MA English Studies MA English and American Literatures, Cultures and Media	-
Agricultural and Nutritional Science	BS/MS Agricultural Sciences MS Nutritional and Food Science MS Nutritional and Consumer Economics BS/MS Nutritional Sciences and Household Economics	MS AgriGenomics MS Applied Ecology MS Dairy Science MS Environmental Management MS Environmental and Resource Economics MS Sustainability, Society and Environment
Mathematics and Natural Sciences	MS Applied Geosciences BS/MS Biochemistry and Molecular Biology BS/MS Biology/ Chemistry MS Financial Mathematics MS Geophysics MS Biology and Evolution	MS Applied Ecology MS Biological Oceanography MS Climate Physics: Meteorology and Physical Oceanography MS Ecohydrology MS Environmental Management MS Environmental and Resource Economics MS Geosciences MS Sustainability, Society and Environment
Business, Economics, and Social Sciences	BBA/MBA MS International Politics and International Law BA/MA Political Science	MS Economics Environmental and Resource Economics MS Quantitative Economics MS Quantitative Finance
Engineering	BS Electrical Engineering, Information Technology and Business Management	MS Electrical Engineering and Information Technology MS Electric Vehicle Propulsion and Control (Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree) MS Materials Science and Engineering MS Material Science and Business Administration MS Electrical Engineering, Information Technology and Business Management

Eligibility & Documents Required

What are the eligibility requirements?

The university has course and subject-specific requirements for both undergraduate and graduate programmes. Students need to check the respective course pages for specific eligibility requirements. International applicants are also required to successfully complete a DSH test, which has been accredited by the HRK (German Rector's Conference). Some study courses require special previous knowledge or practical experience. Basic academic credentials required for admission are:

• Bachelor, diploma or state examination course: Indian applicants must have completed 10+3 years of education and have the required English or German language proficiency requirements.
• Master programme held in English: A bachelor’s degree in the respective study field from a recognized institution. Students should also meet the necessary English language requirements.

 

Language Proficiency Requirements

German language proficiency can be met by giving the DSH test. Although English language requirements also vary as per course, here is a general overview of minimum score requirements that students need to meet:

English Language Tests Accepted	Minimum Score Expected
TOEFL iBT	90 with component scores of at least 20 points
TOEFL PBT	580 with a test of written English score of 5.5
IELTS	Overall score of 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each of the four components
CEFR	C1

Students are advised to refer to the university’s programme web page for specific requirements

What all documents are needed for application?

The documents submitted to the university must be in the English or German language. If not, students are advised to get them translated into the English/German language. The documents required for the admission of international students are listed below:

• Passport copy
• Proof of German/English proficiency
• School/college leaving certificate
• Payment receipt for the UNI-ASSIST application fee
• Official academic transcripts
• Reference letters
• CV/Resume
• Motivational letter
• Statement of Purpose (SOP) or Personal Statement
• Financial documents

Application & Tuition Fees

Is there any application fees?

International applicants need to pay an application fee of EUR 75 for the first application and EUR 30 for every additional course. The fees are non-refundable and applicable to both undergraduate and graduate programmes.

What is the fee structure of courses offered by the university?

International students are charged a minimal semester fee which includes a social fee and a registration fee every semester. For the first semester, students are required to pay a semester fee of EUR 321.50. The fee includes a social fee of EUR 266.50, which includes the state-wide semester ticket for free bus and train transportation within Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg and a registration fee of EUR 55. Each additional semester costs EUR 270.50 since the registration fee is waived.

The fee is subject to change with each academic year. We encourage you to check the university website for the current year’s fee structure.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Is there any scholarship or financial aid available for international students?

Since the university does not charge tuition fees, the scholarships offered by the university are limited. The scholarships are offered based on academic excellence or financial need. Some scholarships are in partnership with external companies or organisations. The scholarships offered to international students by the German government are:

• Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Deinst (DAAD)
• Brot für die Welt
• Katholischer Akademischer Ausländer-Dienst (KAAD)

DAAD consists of travel costs and living expenses. Doctoral students receive scholarships for their theses. The scholarship amount differs from student to student based on merit and financial need. The deadlines for DAAD scholarships are early October, early March, and early June for January, June, and September intakes, respectively.

Admission Process

When do the admissions start?

The university has two intake semesters: Summer and Winter. The application deadlines for international students are given below:

Intake/Semester	Application Deadlines
Summer Semester	Mid-January
Winter Semester (Subjects without NC and the German language course)	Late July
Winter Semester (Subjects with NC)	Mid-July

Deadlines vary depending on the course and can change frequently. We encourage you to check the university website for the exact deadlines.

What is the application process?

International students can apply to the undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes using the Uni Assist admission portal: my.uni-assist.de/. The step-by-step process to apply to the university is as follows:

Step 1: Open the link and select your study programme.

 

 

Step 2: After selecting your programme, create an account using your email address.

 

 

Step 3: Fill in your personal information.

 

 

Step 4: Fill in your contact details, postal address, etc., as required.

 

 

Step 5: Fill in your education qualifications and upload all the required documents.

 

 

After filling in all the required information, review the application and submit it.

When will I hear from the university after I submit my application?

Students will hear from the university within a few weeks of submitting their online applications with the university. Students can check the status of their applications by logging in to the Uni Assist admission portal.

Student Diversity & Preferred Profile

What are the chances to get into this university?

The University of Kiel has an acceptance rate of 47%. The university is highly selective and competitive. All the applications are assessed individually and fairly by the university. Since there are limited places for international students, the admission process is competitive.

How many Indian/international students are studying at the university?

More than 27,000 students are studying at the university, including undergraduate and postgraduate students. In 2019, the university enrolled a total of 27,066 students, including 1,800 international students from over 100 nations.

Part Time Work While Studying

Can I work while studying here?

International students are allowed to work on- or off-campus while studying at the university. Students from countries outside the European Union are allowed to work 120 full days or 240 half-days. If students want to work more hours, they are required to have a valid permit from the local Immigration Office.

International students cannot be self-employed or undertake freelance assignments. They are not permitted to start their own business while studying at the university. Students also cannot exceed the working hour limit. All international students are required to comply with the German rules and regulations applicable to working while studying in the country.

Campuses & Accommodation

How many colleges and campuses does the university have?

The university only has one main campus in Kiel, Germany. A large part of the university campus is under renovation. New building projects are currently being planned and implemented.

Is on-campus housing available?

The university offers various accommodation options to international students. The housing options include dormitories, residence halls, private rooms, private accommodation, and other housing alternatives. Students can apply for housing using the Studentenwerk website. Students are required to pay a deposit of EUR 350 for rooms and EUR 400 for apartments according to the updated rates.

 

Living Expenses

The living expenses of students are listed in the table below:

Living Expenses	Monthly Rates (in EUR)
Health Insurance	80
Rent and Utilities	280
Food, clothing, and other miscellaneous expenses	323
Books and Supplies	170

University Contact Information

Whom should I contact in case of any doubts?

Students can contact the university at the following address:

Address: University of Kiel, Christian-Albrecht-Platz 4, 24118 Kiel, Germany

Telephone: +49-431-88000

Website: www.uni-kiel.de/en/