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Germany · Lower Saxony · Historic University of 45+ Nobel Laureates · Reviewed 14 October 2026

University of Göttingen (Georg-August-Universität)

Founded in 1737 by King George II of Great Britain and Elector of Hanover, the University of Göttingen (Georg-August-Universität Göttingen) is one of Germany's most historic and renowned institutions of higher education. Associated with over 45 Nobel laureates—including Max Born, Werner Heisenberg, Max Planck, and James Franck—and legendary mathematicians like Carl Friedrich Gauss and David Hilbert, Göttingen offers virtually tuition-free education, world-renowned graduate schools, and state-of-the-art facilities in partnership with four Max Planck Institutes. Explore verified opportunities, admissions guidelines, and faculty leadership.

Official university portal ↗Graduate Funding & FacultyResearch checked, not sponsored

Verified degree programs and opportunities

Review checked academic pathways and funding options below:

Admissions, language requirements & application process

Master's admission eligibility
Recognized Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) in relevant subject with above-average German grade equivalent (minimum 2.5 or better on the German 1-5 scale).
Doctoral admission eligibility
Completed Master's degree (120 ECTS) with a research thesis graded at least 'good' (2.0 or better) and formal written endorsement by a Göttingen faculty supervisor.
Language proficiency
Academic IELTS 6.5 to 7.0 overall or TOEFL iBT 90+ for English-taught graduate programs; TestDaF 4x4 or DSH-2 for German-taught degrees.
Research statement / Proposal
Formal 3 to 5-page research proposal detailing research objectives, methodology, preliminary literature review, and academic work schedule.
Application fee
€0 application fee (no application fee charged by the University of Göttingen).
Required documentation
Certified academic transcripts, degree certificates, diploma supplements, CV, motivation letter, and two academic recommendation letters.

Tuition fees and verified scholarship systems

Public universities in Lower Saxony charge ZERO tuition fees (€0 tuition) for both domestic and international students in regular Bachelor's, Master's, and doctoral programs. Students pay only a nominal semester administration contribution (Semesterbeitrag) of approximately €390 per semester, which includes a free regional train ticket across Lower Saxony and parts of Germany. Doctoral candidates are employed on salaried research contracts (TV-L E13, 65%-100%, approx. €34,000 to €52,000/year gross).

Verified faculty profiles and research leaders

Distinguished researchers and laboratory heads at University of Göttingen:

Dr. Stefan W. Hell

Director at Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences & Honorary Professor of Physics; specializing in STED Microscopy, Super-Resolution Imaging, Nanophotonics.

Dr. Lutz Ackermann

Professor of Organic Chemistry & Director of the Friedrich Wöhler Research Institute for Sustainable Chemistry; specializing in C-H Activation, Electrochemical Catalysis, Late-Stage Functionalization.

Dr. Stephan Klasen

Chair of Development Economics & Founder of Courant Research Centre; specializing in Poverty Measurement, Gender Inequality, Development Economics.

Important verification note

Facts reflect official University of Göttingen documentation reviewed 2026-10-14. Degree admissions, scholarship awards, and employment positions are subject to formal university review. OpenField does not charge students application fees.

Reviewed 2026-10-14 · Editorial standards · Report an issue