Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
A tuition-free German campus university of about 30,000 students, strong in particle physics and life sciences.
- Students
- 30,000
- International
- 12%
- of students
- Tuition
- Free
- 2026-27
- Founded
- 1477
About JGU Mainz
The first University of Mainz opened in 1477 and later closed; the present Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) was re-founded in 1946 and named after the city's most famous son, the printer Johannes Gutenberg. With around 30,000 students from about 120 countries, it is one of Germany's largest universities and a member of the U15 group of major research universities, and it forms the Rhine-Main Universities alliance with Goethe University Frankfurt and TU Darmstadt.
JGU is one of the few campus universities in Germany: almost all institutes sit on one site in the south-west of Mainz, alongside the Max Planck Institutes for Chemistry and for Polymer Research, the MAMI electron accelerator and a research reactor. It has ten faculties plus the University Medical Center, a School of Music, an Academy of Fine Arts, and a Faculty of Translation Studies, Linguistics and Cultural Studies in Germersheim.
Research strengths include particle physics (the PRISMA++ Cluster of Excellence), materials science, quantum and atomic physics, polymer chemistry, life sciences and translational medicine. Studying is tuition-free, and bachelor's programmes are taught in German, usually requiring DSH-2 level. JGU suits students who want a broad, research-strong German university and are ready to study in German.
Why students choose JGU Mainz
No tuition fees; students pay only a semester contribution (366.90 euros in Mainz for winter 2026/27) that includes a public transport ticket.
Almost everything is on one campus, next to two Max Planck Institutes and the MAMI electron accelerator.
JGU's particle physicists in the PRISMA++ Cluster of Excellence are, in the university's words, world leaders in their field.
Binational Mainz-Dijon programmes let you earn a German bachelor's and a French licence together.
Admissions
Winter semester 2027/28 entry
Selectivity
JGU publishes no acceptance rate. Unrestricted (zulassungsfrei) programmes admit everyone with a valid entrance qualification who applies on time. In restricted programmes, 5% of places (3% in Medicine) are reserved for international applicants with foreign qualifications and allocated by school-leaving grade; JGU publishes the resulting cut-off grades each semester.
Typical entry requirements
| Foreign school-leaving certificate | Must be recognised by JGU (Anerkennung) before you apply; the certificate states whether you have direct university access or must first complete the Studienkolleg. Recognition takes about 6-8 weeks and costs 75 euros |
|---|---|
| German | Most programmes require DSH-2 or equivalent: TestDaF with TDN 4 in all four parts, Goethe C2 (GDS), DSD II, or telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule (at least 'befriedigend') |
| Pre-study German course or Studienkolleg | With direct access but insufficient German, apply to JGU's preparatory German course with a B1 (two semesters) or B2 (one semester) certificate; without direct access, apply to the Studienkolleg with B2 |
Deadlines
- Restricted bachelor's programmes (international applicants), summer semester Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 monthsMid-November 2026 to 15 January 2027
For programmes that can be started in the summer semester.
- Restricted bachelor's programmes (international applicants), winter semester Non-binding In ~9 monthsMid-May to 15 July 2027
Includes numerus clausus programmes; recognition of your certificates must be completed before you apply.
- Unrestricted bachelor's programmes, winter semester Non-binding In ~11 monthsEarly June to 1 September 2027
Except programmes with an aptitude test. JGU's central deadline list shows this window for undergraduate programmes.
JGU lists recurring windows (15 July for restricted winter-semester programmes, 15 January for summer). Because recognition takes 6-8 weeks, apply for it well before the application window; a fast-track recognition exists if you received your certificate in the six weeks before the deadline.
How to apply
First apply to JGU for recognition of your foreign certificates (submit school-leaving certificate, subject and grade list, any university entrance exam, passport copy and CV; 75 euros, about 6-8 weeks). With the recognition certificate, apply online through JGU's application portal for your programme; restricted programmes allow up to two applications per semester. Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy have a separate procedure for non-EU applicants.
What admissions looks for
- A foreign school-leaving certificate that JGU recognises as giving direct university access for your chosen subject.
- German at the level required by the programme, usually DSH-2 or an equivalent certificate.
- In restricted programmes, the best school-leaving grades among international applicants for the reserved quota.
- A complete, on-time online application after recognition.
Tips for applying to JGU Mainz
- 1 Apply for recognition of your certificates first, since you cannot apply to a programme without the recognition certificate.
- 2 If your certificate gives only Studienkolleg access, apply to the Studienkolleg (application mid-March to 15 May) rather than directly to a degree.
- 3 Check the programme's Studiensteckbrief for its exact language level; some require more or less than DSH-2.
- 4 Medicine at Mainz reserves only 3% of places for international applicants, so have a backup programme.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
JGU charges no tuition for a regular course of study; the semester contribution funds the semester ticket, the Studierendenwerk (subsidised meals and dormitories), the student union, university sport and an AStA hardship fund. JGU's finance pages also cover BAföG state support and part-time work.
- 366.90 euros (Germersheim: 389.80 euros; summer 2026 Mainz: 349.10 euros)
- Semester contribution, winter 2026/27 (Mainz)
- 75 euros
- Recognition of foreign certificates
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (winter and summer)
Physics (BSc)
Taught alongside the PRISMA++ Cluster of Excellence in particle physics and the MAMI electron accelerator on campus.
Chemistry (BSc)
Neighbours the Max Planck Institutes for Chemistry and for Polymer Research; Nobel laureate Paul Crutzen was a JGU professor.
Medicine (Staatsexamen)
Taught at the University Medical Center; only 3% of places are reserved for international applicants.
Translation and interpreting (Germersheim)
JGU's Faculty of Translation Studies, Linguistics and Cultural Studies has its own campus in Germersheim.
Binational Mainz-Dijon bachelor's
Leads to a Mainz bachelor's and a Dijon licence in subjects such as French, history, philosophy and American studies.
Research
- PRISMA++ Cluster of Excellence in particle physics; JGU also names materials science, quantum and atomic physics, sustainable and polymer chemistry, life sciences and translational medicine as strengths.
- A miniature Mössbauer spectrometer developed at the university flew on the Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity.
- BioNTech co-founder Özlem Türeci is Professor of Personalized Immunotherapy at HI-TRON and JGU.
- Nuclear chemist Fritz Strassmann, co-discoverer of nuclear fission, and Nobel laureate Paul Crutzen taught at JGU.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Catholic and Protestant Theology
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Media, and Sports
- Faculty of Law, Management, and Economics
- University Medicine
- Faculty of Philosophy and Philology
- Faculty of Translation Studies, Linguistics, and Cultural Studies (Germersheim)
- Faculty of History and Cultural Studies
- Faculty of Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science
- Faculty of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Geosciences
- Faculty of Biology
Student life
JGU is one of Germany's few campus universities: its buildings and institutes are, with a few exceptions, concentrated on one main campus on a former barracks site, which the university says still has plenty of space and a relaxed atmosphere, with dining options, the Botanic Garden and University Sports' 70-plus courses. The semester contribution includes a transport ticket and funds university sport, subsidised meals and student dormitories through the Studierendenwerk. An introductory week for first-year students runs the week before lectures start, and the international office holds orientation days.
- Single main campus with the Botanic Garden and over 70 University Sports courses.
- Semester ticket for public transport included in the semester contribution.
- Introductory week for first-year students before lectures begin, plus orientation days from the international office.
- School of Music and Academy of Fine Arts as part of the university.
Location
Mainz, a city of about 223,000 people, is the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate and the home city of printer Johannes Gutenberg. It lies in the Rhine-Main Metropolitan Region with Frankfurt and Darmstadt, whose universities partner with JGU. The main campus lies in the south-west of the city, with the University Medical Center off campus and the translation faculty in Germersheim.
Nearest airport: Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Notable alumni
- KV Klemens von MetternichAustrian statesman and chancellor; studied at the old University of Mainz
- MD Malu DreyerMinister President of Rhineland-Palatinate from 2013 to 2024; studied law at the University of Mainz
- JM Jonas MekasFilmmaker and a founder of American avant-garde cinema; studied philosophy at Mainz 1946-1948
- RP Ruth PfauPhysician and nun who fought leprosy in Pakistan for over 50 years; studied medicine at Mainz
- RB Rainer BrüderleGerman Federal Minister for Economics and Technology from 2009 to 2011; Diplom in economics from Mainz
- JS Johanna StachelNuclear and particle physicist and former president of the German Physical Society; studied physics and chemistry at JGU
- KS Kristina SchröderGerman Federal Minister for Family Affairs from 2009 to 2013; Diplom and PhD from JGU
Frequently asked questions
Is Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz free for international students?
Yes. JGU charges no tuition for a regular course of study; all students pay only the semester contribution, 366.90 euros in Mainz for winter 2026/27, which includes a transport ticket.
Can I study a bachelor's in English at JGU Mainz?
Bachelor's programmes are generally taught in German, and most require DSH-2 level German (e.g. TestDaF with TDN 4 in all parts). If your German is at B1 or B2, JGU offers a preparatory German course.
How do international students apply to Mainz?
First have your foreign certificates recognised by JGU (about 6-8 weeks, 75 euros). With the recognition certificate you apply online for your programme, by 15 July for restricted winter-semester programmes.
What is the JGU application deadline for international students?
Mid-May to 15 July for restricted programmes starting in the winter semester, and mid-November to 15 January for the summer semester. Unrestricted undergraduate programmes run from early June to 1 September.
Is it hard to get into JGU Mainz?
Unrestricted programmes admit every eligible applicant who applies on time. Restricted programmes reserve 5% of places (3% in Medicine) for international applicants and rank them by school grade.
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.
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