Saarland University
Universität des Saarlandes
A Franco-German university on the French border, with one of Europe's strongest computer science campuses and English-taught CS degrees.
- Students
- 16,300
- International
- 24%
- of students
- Tuition
- Free
- 2026-27
- Founded
- 1948
About UdS
Saarland University was founded in November 1948 as a bilingual university under French auspices, the first university created west of the Rhine after the Second World War. It still has unusually close ties to France and a strong European focus, including cross-border programmes that lead to double or even triple degrees. About 16,300 students study on its campuses in Saarbrücken and Homburg (medicine), and around 24 percent are international, from more than 120 countries.
The university's best-known strength is computer science. The Saarland Informatics Campus brings its Computer Science department together with the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), the Max Planck Institutes for Informatics and for Software Systems and the Center for Bioinformatics, with the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security within walking distance. Its other key research areas are nano- and life sciences and Europe, and every major German research organisation has institutes on or near the campus.
Most bachelor's programmes are taught in German and need DSH-2 or an accepted equivalent, but Computer Science and Cybersecurity are offered as English-taught bachelor's degrees with their own application tracks. There are no tuition fees for first degrees, only a semester fee that includes a nationwide transport ticket. Saarland suits students who want a strong CS environment, a cross-border French-German setting, and a mid-sized campus.
Why students choose UdS
English-taught Computer Science and Cybersecurity BSc programmes, with admission via an olympiad, aptitude-test or interview track.
Bachelor's theses can be written in one of more than 70 research groups at the Saarland Informatics Campus, alongside DFKI and two Max Planck Institutes.
No tuition fees for a first degree; the 412.30-euro semester fee (winter 2026/27) includes a nationwide student travel ticket.
Cross-border Franco-German programmes such as Franco-German Studies and Droit français et allemand lead to double or triple degrees.
Admissions
Winter semester 2027/28 entry
Selectivity
Saarland publishes no admission rate. Programmes without entry restrictions (and the state examination in Law) admit qualified applicants by direct enrolment. In restricted bachelor's and teacher-training programmes, 5 percent of places are reserved for non-EU applicants; in Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science the non-EU quota is 3 percent. The English-taught Computer Science BSc ranks applicants by combining the entrance-qualification grade with results from their chosen track and admits the top applicants for the available seats.
Typical entry requirements
| Foreign school-leaving certificate | Must give direct access to German undergraduate study, confirmed by uni-assist's preliminary review documentation (VPD); if uni-assist recommends a Studienkolleg, you cannot apply directly |
|---|---|
| German (German-taught programmes) | DSH-2 or DSH-3, PNDS, TestDaF 4 or 5 in all parts, Goethe C2 (GDS, KDS or ZOP) or KMK DSD II; other certificates such as telc C1 are not accepted |
| Computer Science / Cybersecurity (English) | Direct university entrance qualification plus one track: olympiad and English test, aptitude test and English test, or onsite interview; CEFR B2 English recommended |
| Applicants from China, India or Vietnam | APS certificate required |
| English language | Only relevant for the English-taught Computer Science and Cybersecurity BSc: IELTS, TOEFL or another accepted test is needed in the olympiad and aptitude tracks, and CEFR B2 is recommended. Accepted tests and scores are listed in the Saarland Informatics Campus FAQ. |
Deadlines
- Computer Science / Cybersecurity (English) BSc: preliminary review deadline Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months15 January 2027
Optional early review; only if all documents are ready. In 2026 notifications came by 6 March.
- Computer Science / Cybersecurity (English) BSc: interview track and second preliminary review Non-binding In ~8 months15 June 2027
The interview track is only available up to this date; interviews are held onsite.
- Restricted bachelor's and teacher-training programmes, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Computer Science/Cybersecurity final deadline Non-binding In ~9 months15 July 2027
Standing deadline for winter-semester entry via the SIM portal; CS decisions are sent before 31 August.
- Unrestricted bachelor's programmes and Law (direct enrolment) Non-binding In ~12 monthsEarly June to 30 September 2027
Enrol online via SIM; you still need uni-assist's preliminary review documentation first.
Saarland publishes recurring deadlines (15 July for restricted winter-semester programmes, 15 January for summer, 30 September for unrestricted enrolment). The Computer Science FAQ lists the 2026 schedule; the same January, June and July dates are expected for 2027 but check the portal when it opens in December 2026.
How to apply
First request preliminary review documentation (VPD) from uni-assist, which checks whether your school certificate gives direct access to German university study (allow four to six weeks). Then apply, or for unrestricted programmes enrol directly, through Saarland University's SIM portal with the VPD, German proof, your certificate with a certified German, English or French translation, and your passport. The English-taught Computer Science and Cybersecurity BSc programmes use the separate Saarland Informatics Campus application portal, which opens around mid-December.
What admissions looks for
- A school-leaving certificate that uni-assist confirms gives direct access to a German university.
- German at DSH-2 level (or an accepted equivalent) for German-taught programmes.
- For restricted programmes, a strong entrance-qualification grade within the 5 percent non-EU quota (3 percent in medicine-related programmes).
- For English-taught Computer Science, a strong school grade plus olympiad success, aptitude-test results or a convincing interview.
Tips for applying to UdS
- 1 Request your uni-assist preliminary review documentation early: it takes four to six weeks and must be in hand before you apply via SIM.
- 2 Check your German certificate is on Saarland's list; telc C1 is not accepted here, unlike at many German universities.
- 3 For Computer Science (English), apply by 15 January for an early decision, and note that the interview track closes on 15 June.
- 4 Budget at least 800 euros a month: the university says it does not offer scholarships or bursaries to international applicants.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
Saarland charges no tuition fees for first degrees. Its FAQ for international applicants says the university does not offer scholarships or bursaries and that you should secure funding for your whole period of study before travelling.
- 412.30 euros (includes the nationwide student travel ticket)
- Semester fee, winter 2026/27
- 5% of places (3% in Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy)
- Non-EU quota, restricted programmes
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (winter and summer)
Computer Science (English) (BSc)
Six semesters in English with more than 20 core courses and a thesis in one of 70-plus research groups; Saarland was among the first German universities to offer fully English-taught undergraduate programmes.
Cybersecurity (English) (BSc)
English-taught, with the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security within walking distance of the Saarland Informatics Campus.
Franco-German Studies: Cross-border communication and cooperation (BA)
Reflects the university's French-German founding and cross-border focus.
Droit français et allemand (Licence/Bachelor)
A French-German law degree with its own application procedure.
Medicine (state examination)
Taught on the Homburg campus with Saarland University Medical Center; 3 percent of places for non-EU applicants.
Research
- Saarland Informatics Campus: DFKI, the Max Planck Institutes for Informatics and for Software Systems, and the Center for Bioinformatics, with CISPA nearby.
- Key research areas: Computer Science, Nano- and Life Sciences, and Europe.
- Two Max Planck institutes, two Leibniz institutes, two Fraunhofer institutes, a Helmholtz research centre and a Helmholtz institute on or around the Saarbrücken campus.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Human and Business Sciences
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Law
Student life
The main campus in Saarbrücken is a self-contained site where departments, institutes, labs, libraries and the Mensa are close together, and research institutes such as DFKI sit among the teaching buildings. With about one student in four from abroad, and many French-German programmes, it is one of Germany's most international campuses. Medicine is taught in Homburg. The semester fee includes a student travel ticket valid across Germany like the Deutschlandticket, which makes weekend trips easy.
- About 24 percent international students from more than 120 nations.
- Nationwide student travel ticket included in the semester fee.
- Honors Program in Computer Science with early research opportunities.
- Preparatory German courses and the International Study Centre Saar for future students.
Location
Saarbrücken is the capital of the German state of Saarland, which borders France. The main campus is in Saarbrücken and the medical faculty is in Homburg. The region's French-German character shapes the university, from bilingual degrees to cross-border cooperation, and the university suggests a living budget of at least 800 euros a month.
Nearest airport: Saarbrücken Airport (SCN)
Notable alumni
- MM Matthias MaurerAstronaut and materials scientist; studied materials science at Saarland University
- HM Heiko MaasSPD politician and German Foreign Minister 2018-2021; studied law at Saarland University
- AK Annegret Kramp-KarrenbauerFormer CDU leader and Federal Minister of Defence, chair of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation since 2026; studied politics and law at Saarland University
- PA Peter AltmaierCDU politician and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy 2018-2021; studied law at Saarland University
- OL Oskar LafontaineMinister-President of Saarland 1985-1998; studied physics at Bonn and Saarland
Frequently asked questions
Does Saarland University have English-taught bachelor's degrees?
Yes: Computer Science (English) and Cybersecurity (English), both BSc programmes starting in the winter semester. Most other bachelor's programmes are taught in German and need DSH-2 or equivalent.
Does Saarland University charge tuition fees?
No tuition for a first degree or consecutive master's, for all nationalities. Every student pays the semester fee, 412.30 euros for winter 2026/27, which includes a nationwide travel ticket.
Do I need uni-assist to apply to Saarland University?
Yes, as a first step: uni-assist issues preliminary review documentation (VPD) confirming your school certificate gives direct access. You then apply or enrol through Saarland's SIM portal.
What is the application deadline for Computer Science in English at Saarland?
The final deadline is 15 July, with optional early-review deadlines on 15 January and 15 June; the interview track is only open until 15 June.
Does Saarland accept telc C1 Hochschule as German proof?
No. Saarland accepts DSH-2 or DSH-3, PNDS, TestDaF 4 or 5 in all parts, Goethe C2 (GDS, KDS or ZOP) and KMK DSD II, and says other certificates such as telc C1 are not recognised.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- Saarland University: International applicants portal
- Saarland University: Restricted-entry bachelor's programmes (non-EU applicants)
- Saarland University: Programmes without entry restrictions (non-EU applicants)
- Saarland University: Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmaceutical Science (non-EU applicants)
- Saarland University: Preliminary review documentation from uni-assist
- Saarland University: Proof of German language proficiency
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