University of Greifswald: Rankings, Admissions, Fees & Acceptance Rate 2027

University of Greifswald: Rankings, Admissions, Fees & Acceptance Rate 2027

Greifswald, Mecklenburg-VorpommernLocation
UniversitySchool type
Estd1456established year
10414enrollment
Public
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Shahid Mustaq Murshed

Study Abroad Content Specialist | Updated on - Jul 23, 2026

University of Greifswald is a public research university located in Greifswald, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, on Germany’s Baltic coast. Founded in 1456, it ranks #401-500 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 and remains one of Europe’s oldest continuously operating universities.

The university offers close to 60 subject areas across five faculties, with a focused set of English-taught masters programmes in Biochemistry, Environmental Sciences, Baltic Sea Studies, and Landscape Ecology. Indian students choose Greifswald mainly for winter-intake masters in natural sciences and humanities. For Indian applicants, Greifswald sits alongside other public universities in Germany where international students pay only a modest semester contribution.

  • Ranking: #401-500 THE World 2026; #1001-1200 QS World 2027; #47 Germany (Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026)
  • Acceptance rate: 45-55% (estimated)
  • Intakes: Winter (October start) and Summer (April, select programmes)
  • Semester contribution: € 152/semester (₹ 16,722) — no tuition fees
  • Student body: 10,179 students from 90+ countries

Public research universities across Germany charge no tuition to international students, and Greifswald requires only a € 152 semester contribution covering student services and administration. Indian applicants must submit APS certification via the German Embassy in New Delhi before applying through Uni-Assist. Combined with strong MS in Germany options and an 18-month post-study work visa, Greifswald remains a stable pick for Indian science graduates.

university_of_greifswald

Exchange rate used: 1 € = ₹ 110.27 as of July 23, 2026

Admission Status: Closed (Winter 2026/27 intake).
The Winter 2026/27 application window closed on 15 July 2026 for non-EU applicants.
The next available intake is Summer 2027, with applications open from 1 November 2026 to 15 January 2027 for select degree programmes. The main Winter 2027/28 cycle is expected to open 1 May 2027, closing 15 July 2027 for non-EU applicants based on the university’s consistent prior-cycle pattern.


University of Greifswald Popular Courses and Fees 2027

University of Greifswald fees remain among Germany’s lowest since programmes are tuition-free for international students, with all students paying a single € 152 semester contribution (winter semester 2027/28) that covers student services, IT access, and the semester ticket. Bachelor programmes run 6 semesters and masters run 4 semesters, with a uniform contribution across faculties. Below are the ten masters and five bachelor programmes Indian students most often shortlist.

University of Greifswald Top Masters Programmes for Indian Students 2027

All ten masters below charge the same semester contribution (€ 152/semester × 4 = € 608 total). Language of instruction varies by programme; entry cutoffs are translated to the Indian scale.

Programme Language Semester Contribution (EUR) Semester Contribution (INR) Entry Requirement
MS Environmental Sciences English € 152/semester ₹ 16,722/semester Bachelor’s with 60% or CGPA 6/10 (recommended)
MS Biochemistry English/German € 152/semester ₹ 16,722/semester Bachelor’s with 60% or CGPA 6/10 (recommended)
MS Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution English € 152/semester ₹ 16,722/semester Bachelor’s with 60% or CGPA 6/10 (recommended)
MS Landscape Ecology and Nature Conservation English € 152/semester ₹ 16,722/semester Bachelor’s with 60% or CGPA 6/10; IELTS 6.0 required (recommended)
MS Earth Sciences English/German € 152/semester ₹ 16,722/semester Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended)
MS Health Care Management German € 152/semester ₹ 16,722/semester Bachelor’s with 60%; German C1 required (recommended)
MA Political Science German/English € 152/semester ₹ 16,722/semester Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended)
MA History and Culture of the Baltic Sea Region English € 152/semester ₹ 16,722/semester Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10; IELTS 6.0 (recommended)
MA Fine Arts German € 152/semester ₹ 16,722/semester Bachelor’s with 55%; portfolio + German B2 (recommended)
MA History German € 152/semester ₹ 16,722/semester Bachelor’s with 55%; German C1 required (recommended)

University of Greifswald Top Bachelor Programmes for Indian Students 2027

Bachelor programmes carry the same € 135 semester contribution over six semesters (€ 810 total). Note that Indian Class 12 alone is not Abitur-equivalent, so applicants typically need one completed year of an Indian bachelor’s degree before enrolling.

Programme Language Semester Contribution (EUR) Semester Contribution (INR) Entry Requirement
BSc Biology German € 152/semester ₹ 16,722/semester Class 12 with 70-85% + 1 year Indian bachelor’s; German C1 (recommended)
BSc Mathematics German € 152/semester ₹ 16,722/semester Class 12 with 70-85% + 1 year Indian bachelor’s; German C1 (recommended)
BSc Psychology German € 152/semester ₹ 16,722/semester Class 12 with 80%+ + 1 year Indian bachelor’s; German C1 (recommended)
BA Political Science German € 152/semester ₹ 16,722/semester Class 12 with 70%+ + 1 year Indian bachelor’s; German C1 (recommended)
BA English Studies English/German € 152/semester ₹ 16,722/semester Class 12 with 70%+ + 1 year Indian bachelor’s; IELTS 6.0 (recommended)

Insider note: Indian applicants most often enrol in MS Biochemistry, MS Environmental Sciences, and MS Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution because these three run fully in English and align with common Indian BSc/BTech backgrounds. MA humanities programmes almost always require German C1, which shrinks the pool significantly.

Read More: University of Greifswald Programs and Fees Guide


University of Greifswald Admission 2027

University of Greifswald admission for Indian students runs primarily through the Winter intake (October start), with a smaller Summer intake (April start) open to select programmes. All international applicants apply through Uni-Assist for credential verification. As per the University of Greifswald International Office, the following deadlines govern the 2027 cycle for non-EU applicants.

Milestone Date Notes for Indian Applicants
Summer 2027 application window (select programmes) 1 November 2026 to 15 January 2027 Only a limited set of masters programmes admit in Summer; check individual programme pages
Winter 2027/28 application window (main intake, all programmes) Expected 1 May 2027 to 15 July 2027 (based on prior cycle) Non-EU deadline; the university has not yet published 2027/28 dates
MSc Landscape Ecology (Winter 2027/28 only) Expected 1 October 2026 to 1 March 2027 (based on prior cycle) Runs on an earlier restricted deadline; distinct from the July cutoff
Credential verification (APS + Uni-Assist) Start 10-12 weeks before the application deadline APS via German Embassy New Delhi; Uni-Assist processing typically 4-6 weeks
Winter 2027/28 programme start 12 October 2027 (expected) Teaching typically begins mid-October each year

Planning note: Indian applicants should begin the APS process at the German Embassy in New Delhi at least six months before the Uni-Assist deadline, since APS interview slots fill quickly during peak May-June demand and the certificate is a hard prerequisite for Uni-Assist submission.

Read More: University of Greifswald Admissions Guide for Indian Students


University of Greifswald Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027

University of Greifswald applies threshold requirements that are consistent with most German public universities, with the added APS step for Indian applicants.

University of Greifswald PG Admission Requirements 2027

  • Academic: Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline with minimum 55-60% or CGPA 5.5-6.0/10 (recommended, verify at official programme page)
  • English: IELTS 5.5 for B2 lower-band programmes; IELTS 6.0 for Landscape Ecology and Baltic Sea Region Studies; TOEFL iBT 80 institutional floor; TOEIC 785 accepted; Cambridge FCE or above accepted
  • Credentials: Mandatory APS certificate from the German Embassy in New Delhi, plus Uni-Assist Vorprüfungsdokumentation (VPD)
  • German: C1 required for German-taught masters (Medicine, Fine Arts, most MA humanities); not required for English-taught masters

University of Greifswald UG Admission Requirements 2027

  • Academic: Class 12 (CBSE/ISC/State) with 70-85% is not directly Abitur-equivalent — Indian applicants must complete one year of an Indian bachelor’s degree (or a Studienkolleg) before UG enrolment
  • Language: German C1 (DSH-2 or TestDaF 4) for German-taught bachelor programmes; IELTS 6.0 for English-taught tracks; APS certificate mandatory

Key insight: A medium-of-instruction letter from an Indian university is not accepted at Greifswald’s institutional level, even if your bachelor’s was fully English-taught. Indian applicants must produce a valid IELTS, TOEFL iBT, or TOEIC certificate less than two years old at the time of application.


University of Greifswald Acceptance Rate 2027

University of Greifswald does not publish an official acceptance rate. Based on the university’s open-admission profile for most masters programmes and Numerus Clausus (restricted) admission for a smaller subset, the effective admission rate for Indian applicants meeting APS and language thresholds sits at an estimated 45-55% (estimated). This estimate reflects that most masters at Greifswald use qualifications-based rather than competitive-quota admission.

Restricted programmes such as Psychology (BSc), Medicine, and Landscape Ecology (MSc) apply lower admit ratios in the 15-25% band because seats are capped. English-taught natural-science masters typically clear applications above the acceptance floor without a numerical cap, provided documentation is complete.

Reality check: The single most common reason Indian applications are rejected at Greifswald is incomplete APS or Uni-Assist paperwork, not academic merit. Applicants who submit a clean APS, valid IELTS, and matching subject bachelor’s rarely see outright rejections in the open-admission tracks.


University of Greifswald Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027

Total annual cost for an Indian student at Greifswald ranges roughly € 11,310 to € 12,500 (₹ 12.47 to 13.78 Lakh) — driven almost entirely by cost of living since the university itself charges only the semester contribution and no tuition. Greifswald University fees are therefore the lowest headline cost among mainstream European destinations.

University of Greifswald Monthly Cost of Living for Indian Students in Greifswald

Greifswald is a small Baltic university town, which keeps living costs meaningfully lower than Berlin, Munich, or Hamburg. According to the Deutsches Studentenwerk 2026 student expense guidance, typical monthly costs for an Indian student are as follows.

Expense Category Monthly (EUR) Monthly (INR)
Accommodation (student halls/shared flat) € 280 to 400 (estimated) ₹ 30,876 to 44,109 (estimated)
Food and groceries € 200 (estimated) ₹ 22,054 (estimated)
Transport (semester ticket included in fee) € 30 (estimated) ₹ 3,308 (estimated)
Books and study material € 30 (estimated) ₹ 3,308 (estimated)
Health insurance (mandatory) € 120 (estimated) ₹ 13,232 (estimated)
Personal and leisure € 150 (estimated) ₹ 16,541 (estimated)
Total monthly € 920 (estimated) ₹ 1.01 Lakh (estimated)
Total annual € 11,040 (estimated) ₹ 12.17 Lakh (estimated)

Insider note: Shared student flats (WG) in Greifswald typically rent from € 250 to € 350 per room, meaningfully cheaper than the € 500-700 band in Berlin or Frankfurt. Indian students should apply for Studentenwerk dormitories 4-6 months before arrival, since local supply is limited.

Read More: Study in Germany Guide for Indian Students


University of Greifswald Campus, Facilities and Student Life

The University of Greifswald campus is spread across the small Baltic town of Greifswald (population ~59,000), with the main historic buildings clustered in the old town and the medical and science faculties on the Berthold-Beitz-Platz campus.

  • Location and transport: Compact walkable town; direct trains to Berlin (2.5 hours) and Rostock (1 hour); campus semester ticket covers regional transport within Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
  • Housing: Student Services (Studentenwerk) operates around 1,300 dormitory rooms at € 200-350/month; guaranteed housing is not offered to international students, so early application is essential
  • Facilities: University library with over 2 million volumes across two main sites; the Alfried Krupp Wissenschaftskolleg hosts visiting scholars; dedicated Baltic Sea research infrastructure
  • Indian community: Small but active — the university hosts an International Students Forum and cultural evenings; nearest larger Indian community is in Berlin

What Indian students say: The small-town setting is the biggest adjustment — daily life is quiet, English works widely on campus but far less in shops and offices, and grocery choices tilt heavily European. Most Indian students value the low cost of living and short commute times, though they travel to Berlin every few weeks for Indian groceries and community events.


University of Greifswald Scholarships 2027

University of Greifswald participates in several federal and DAAD-administered scholarships; none of the current programmes are India-specific, but Indian nationals are eligible for the main DAAD masters awards. As per DAAD, the scholarships below are the most relevant for Indian applicants targeting Winter 2027/28 entry.

Scholarship Type Award Value Eligibility
DAAD Study Scholarship (Masters, All Disciplines) Full funding (living + insurance) € 992/month (₹ 1.09 Lakh) + insurance + travel allowance Bachelor’s completed within last 6 years; strong academic record
DAAD-STIBET (Greifswald International Office) Merit and hardship supplement Variable, typically € 300-500/month for a limited period Enrolled international students showing academic engagement or need
Deutschlandstipendium Merit scholarship € 300/month (₹ 33,081) for 2 semesters Enrolled Greifswald students with strong grades and engagement
PROMOS (DAAD, short study/research abroad) Mobility grant Variable stipend + travel lump sum Enrolled Greifswald students going abroad on approved projects
Erasmus+ (for approved exchanges) Mobility grant € 300-500/month depending on host country Enrolled students on an approved Erasmus exchange

Planning note: The DAAD Study Scholarship is the primary route Indian masters applicants should target, and it must be applied for before or in parallel with the Greifswald admission — not after. STIBET and Deutschlandstipendium are supplementary and require prior enrolment at Greifswald.


University of Greifswald Rankings 2027

University of Greifswald sits in the mid-tier of global research universities, with its strongest signals coming from THE World Rankings and QS Western Europe. According to Times Higher Education, the university has held a stable #401-500 world position across 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Ranking Body Latest Edition Previous Edition
QS World 2027: #1001-1200 2026: NA
THE World 2026: #401-500 2025: #401-500
US News Best Global Universities 2025-2026: #1014 NA
Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026: #389 of 824 global; #47 of 80 in Germany NA

Subject-level rankings are the university’s stronger card: THE Life Sciences #251-300 (2026), THE Medical and Health #301-400, THE Psychology #301-400, ARWU Dentistry and Oral Sciences #151-200 (2025 GRAS), and ARWU Ecology #301-400. QS also placed Greifswald at #120 in the Western Europe Rankings 2026.

Key insight: For Indian visa purposes, Greifswald comfortably clears the Global Talent Visa and Blue Card thresholds since its THE World top-500 status and German public accreditation satisfy Indian employer recognition. Rankings matter less here than subject fit and APS clearance.

Read More: University of Greifswald Rankings Analysis


University of Greifswald Placements and Career Outcomes 2027

University of Greifswald does not publish institution-wide placement statistics, which is standard for German public research universities. Career outcomes for Indian graduates are best evaluated against Germany’s post-study labour market rather than campus placement metrics.

  • Placement rate: Not disclosed at university level; German public universities generally do not report campus placement percentages
  • Median starting salary: Not disclosed by the university; masters graduates in Germany’s natural-science sector typically start in the € 42,000 to 55,000 range (₹ 46.3 to 60.6 Lakh) as market-median context, not a Greifswald-specific figure
  • Recruiter sectors: Natural-science and health graduates commonly enter research institutes (Max Planck, Leibniz Association), pharma and biotech firms, and public health bodies — representative sectors, not official university disclosures
  • Careers support: The university’s Career Center offers CV workshops, employer talks, and internship placement services; a dedicated welcome centre supports international graduates on visa transitions
  • Post-study work: Germany’s 18-month job-seeker visa is available to all masters graduates, and Indian students can convert to a Blue Card once employed at qualifying salary thresholds

Insider note: Indian graduates from Greifswald’s natural-science masters are best placed to secure roles by starting German B1-B2 classes during the degree, since most employer conversations outside pure research labs happen in German. English-only job hunts are viable in academia and select biotech, but narrower.


Greifswald is the right fit if: you are an Indian science or humanities graduate targeting an English-taught masters in ecology, biochemistry, or Baltic studies, willing to trade urban buzz for a total 2-year investment near ₹ 25 Lakh against a German market-median starting salary of roughly ₹ 46 to 60 Lakh. The 18-month post-study work visa keeps the ROI window open.

Greifswald is not the right fit if: you want a large-city campus, an English-taught MBA, or a strong on-campus placement pipeline — most of those needs point instead to Munich, Frankfurt, or dedicated MBA universities in Germany, where recruiter access and city ecosystems are meaningfully larger.


University of Greifswald FAQs

Ques. What programmes are taught in English at University of Greifswald?

Ans. University of Greifswald offers roughly 13 English-taught programmes, concentrated at the masters level. The main English-medium options are MS Biochemistry, MS Environmental Sciences, MS Biodiversity Ecology and Evolution, MS Landscape Ecology and Nature Conservation, MA History and Culture of the Baltic Sea Region, and MSc Human Biology. Most bachelor programmes and MA humanities require German C1 rather than English.

Ques. Can Indian students work part-time at Greifswald University?

Ans. Indian students at Greifswald University can work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per calendar year under Germany’s standard student visa rules. On-campus roles (student assistant, HiWi) are common and pay around € 12-14 per hour. Local part-time work in the small town is limited compared to Berlin or Munich, so many Indian students combine HiWi roles with summer internships in larger cities.

Ques. Does University of Greifswald require APS for Indian applicants?

Ans. Yes — University of Greifswald requires all Indian applicants to submit a valid APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) certificate from the German Embassy in New Delhi before or alongside the Uni-Assist application. The APS process typically takes 6-8 weeks after the interview, so Indian applicants should start APS bookings at least six months before the Uni-Assist deadline to avoid slot shortages during peak May-June demand.

Ques. Is Greifswald University recognised by Indian education loan providers?

Ans. Yes — Greifswald University is a recognised public research university and is accepted by all major Indian education loan providers, including SBI, HDFC Credila, Axis Bank, Avanse, and Auxilo. Since tuition is zero, loans are usually taken to cover cost of living and one-time expenses (visa, blocked account, travel). The typical education loan size for a Greifswald masters is ₹ 15 to 25 Lakh over two years.

Ques. How much financial proof does Greifswald University require for visa?

Ans. Indian students need to show a blocked account (Sperrkonto) of € 11,904 per year (₹ 13.13 Lakh) for the German student visa, as set by the German federal authorities for 2026 applications. This blocked amount covers monthly living costs and is released to the student in fixed monthly instalments once in Germany. Popular Sperrkonto providers among Indian students include Fintiba, Expatrio, and Coracle.

Ques. Does University of Greifswald have partnerships with Indian institutions?

Ans. University of Greifswald has active Erasmus and DAAD-funded research links with Indian institutions primarily in ecology, marine biology, and Baltic Sea studies, though these are department-level rather than university-wide MoUs. Prospective Indian applicants should contact the specific faculty (for example, Biology or Environmental Sciences) directly to ask about credit transfer or joint-supervision options for masters and doctoral work.

Ques. Are English test waivers available at University of Greifswald?

Ans. English test waivers at University of Greifswald are limited. A plain medium-of-instruction letter is not accepted. The MSc Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution accepts evidence of at least seven years of school English in place of IELTS or TOEFL. Cambridge FCE or CAE, TOEIC 785, or a school-leaving certificate from an English-speaking country are also accepted. In practice, most Indian applicants submit IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80.

Ques. What is the refund policy at Greifswald University?

Ans. Since Greifswald University does not levy tuition, the refund policy concerns only the € 135 semester contribution. Students who deregister (Exmatrikulation) within the first two weeks of the semester generally receive a proportional refund of the semester ticket component, but the administrative portion is retained. Health insurance premiums paid to public insurers are refunded separately by the insurance provider once enrolment ends.

University of Greifswald Program Fees & Deadlines

ProgramImportant DatesFeesEligibility
Application Deadline For Summer Intake (15th Jan 2026)
Application Deadline For Winter Intake (15th Jul 2026)
USD 311 /Yr
EUR 270 /Yr
TOEFL - 64 | IELTS-6

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University of Greifswald Ranking

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017

Collegedunia Study Abroad logo

Overall 389 out of 824 in Global Ranking

#47 out of 80 in Germany 2026

Times Higher Education logo

Overall 401 out of 3118 in Global Ranking

#21 out of 50 in Germany 2026

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University of Greifswald Scholarships


NameScholarship Per StudentLevel of StudyType
Bharat Petroleum ScholarshipScholarship per studentVariable AmountLevel Of StudyMasterTypeMerit-Based
Google's Women Techmakers ProgramScholarship per studentVariable AmountLevel Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
Axol Science ScholarshipScholarship per student$2,000Level Of StudyBachelorTypeCompany-Sponsored
VueVille Future Technology ScholarshipScholarship per student$1,000Level Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
MAWISTA ScholarshipScholarship per student$6,691Level Of StudyBachelorTypeEasy-to-Apply
Kurt Hansen Science ScholarshipScholarship per student$10,000Level Of StudyDoctorateTypeNeed-Based

Do you think the Scholarship is wrong ?  Report Here

University of Greifswald Admissions

  • Summer Deadlines

    Important Date: January15 (Application deadline)
  • Winter Deadlines

    Important Date: July15 (Application deadline)

University of Greifswald Exam Scores

ExamsAvg. ScoreMin ScoreMax. Score%Submitted'
Language Proficiency
TOEFL10080120-
IELTS7.56.59-
Graduate
GRE316---

Attendance Cost

$285

attendance cost

The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees

Tuition fees
Undergraduate Programs
$285 / Year
Post Graduate Program
$285 / Year
On Campus
Residence Hall
$2,757 / Year
Meal
$3,064 / Year

Comments


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imran farooq
Feb 6, 2025 23:57
thank for your coperation
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mehran ali
Dec 3, 2024 20:44
I want to learn german languge in germany .
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Jul 31, 2024 19:39
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