University of Regensburg
Universität Regensburg
A tuition-free Bavarian campus university where all twelve faculties sit together beside the Danube city of Regensburg.
- Students
- 18,127
- International
- 8%
- of students
- Tuition
- Free
- 2026-27
- Founded
- 1962
About UR
The University of Regensburg was founded by the Bavarian parliament on 18 July 1962 as Bavaria's fourth full university, after centuries of failed attempts to bring a university to the city. Teaching began in the 1967–68 winter semester with law, economics and philosophy, and theology followed in 1968. Pope Benedict XVI taught theology there from 1969 to 1977. In the 2026 summer semester it had 18,127 students, including 1,430 international students, and 3,426 staff, 315 of them professors.
UR is a true campus university: its twelve faculties, libraries, cafeterias and sports facilities sit on one site south of the old town. The faculties are Catholic Theology; Law; Business, Economics and Real Estate; Medicine; Informatics and Data Science; Philosophy, Art History, History and Humanities; Human Sciences; Languages, Literatures and Cultures; Mathematics; Physics; Biology and Preclinical Medicine; and Chemistry and Pharmacy.
Almost all bachelor's and state-examination programmes are taught in German. The university offers around 16 English-taught master's programmes but only one English-taught bachelor's (the program finder lists American Studies B.A.). There is no tuition fee for anyone, only a semester fee that includes a regional transport ticket. It suits students with strong German who want a full-range university in a historic, affordable city.
Why students choose UR
No tuition fees for any nationality; the semester fee of 198 euros includes a ticket for buses and trains within the RVV transport network.
A single campus with all faculties, libraries and sports facilities in one place, a short trip from Regensburg's medieval old town.
The university's own German-as-a-foreign-language department runs the DSH at least twice a year and preparatory German courses for admitted applicants.
Rooms in the Studierendenwerk's twelve halls of residence start at around 210 euros a month.
Admissions
Winter semester 2027/28 entry
Selectivity
German universities do not publish an overall admission rate. Many UR bachelor's programmes are open admission; programmes with restricted admission (NC) select on the grade of the school-leaving qualification, and medicine, dentistry and pharmacy are allocated through hochschulstart.
Typical entry requirements
| Abitur or foreign qualification giving direct university entrance (direkte HZB) | A school-leaving certificate that qualifies you for university in your home country; in some cases one to two years of university study at home are also required (check anabin or the DAAD database) |
|---|---|
| No direct HZB | Studienkolleg München (serves all Bavarian universities) after passing its entrance exam, with German at B2 acquired beforehand; apply via UR |
| German language | At least B2 to apply for bachelor's and state-examination programmes; usually DSH-2 (or TestDaF / telc C1 Hochschule equivalent) to enrol; DSH-3 for law and medical subjects, and DSH-3 at application for medicine, dentistry and pharmacy |
| English language | Only needed for English-taught programmes (about 16 master's and one bachelor's); the faculty decides which certificates it accepts. |
Deadlines
- Bachelor's and state examination, summer semester Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months15 January 2027
Only for programmes that admit in the summer semester.
- Bachelor's and state examination, winter semester (international applicants) Non-binding In ~9 months15 July 2027
UR's general deadline for international applicants for bachelor's, state examination and Studienkolleg places.
UR states general deadlines of 15 January (summer semester) and 15 July (winter semester) for bachelor's, state examination and Studienkolleg applications; master's deadlines are set by each faculty.
How to apply
Apply online through UR's Campusportal for most undergraduate programmes; EU applicants for human medicine or dentistry apply via hochschulstart. Upload your school-leaving certificate and German certificate (at least B2). Admitted applicants accept their place, pay the semester fee and enrol; those still without DSH-2 can sit the DSH at UR.
What admissions looks for
- A school-leaving qualification that gives direct access to university study in Germany.
- German at B2 when applying, and DSH-2 (or equivalent) by enrolment for German-taught programmes.
- For restricted-admission programmes, a competitive school-leaving grade.
- For some programmes, success in an aptitude test or aptitude assessment.
Tips for applying to UR
- 1 Check your country's entry rules in anabin or the DAAD database first: you may need a year of university study at home or the Studienkolleg.
- 2 If your German is at B1 or B2, apply for UR's preparatory German course via the Campusportal (not available for medicine, dentistry, molecular medicine or pharmacy).
- 3 Medicine, dentistry and pharmacy applicants must already hold DSH-3 or equivalent when applying.
- 4 Apply early for a Studierendenwerk room: applications are accepted at any time.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
There is no tuition to fund. High-achieving students can apply for the Deutschlandstipendium of 300 euros a month (at least one year). International students must show the immigration office that they have enough money to live in Germany.
- 198 euros per semester (includes RVV semester ticket)
- Semester fee
- Rent at least 250 to 400 euros, health insurance about 130 euros, broadcasting fee about 18 euros
- Typical monthly fixed costs (UR estimate)
- 300 euros per month
- Deutschlandstipendium
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (winter and summer semester)
Law (state examination)
One of UR's founding subjects in 1967; requires DSH-3 for international students.
Medicine (state examination)
Taught with the Regensburg University Hospital; EU applicants apply through hochschulstart and international applicants need DSH-3 at application.
Informatics and Data Science
UR has a dedicated Faculty of Informatics and Data Science alongside its classic science faculties.
American Studies (B.A.)
UR's English-taught bachelor's programme, with open admission.
Chemistry and Pharmacy
A combined faculty; pharmacy applicants need DSH-3 at the time of application.
Research
- Microbiologist Karl Stetter led UR's Archaea Center, where Pyrococcus furiosus (1986) and Nanoarchaeum equitans (2002) were discovered.
- The German Research Foundation has backed major UR research in biochemistry and microbiology.
- The campus includes a botanical garden and a Biopark alongside the University Hospital Regensburg.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Catholic Theology
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Business, Economics, and Real Estate
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Informatics and Data Science
- Faculty of Philosophy, Art History, History, and Humanities
- Faculty of Human Sciences
- Faculty of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
- Faculty of Mathematics
- Faculty of Physics
- Faculty of Biology and Preclinical Medicine
- Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy
Student life
UR is a compact campus university: faculties, libraries, cafeterias and sports facilities are all in one place south of the old town, and a canteen meal costs about 4 euros. Regensburg's medieval old town, with buildings over 1,000 years old, is famous for one of the highest pub densities in Germany, and the city sits on three rivers, the Danube, Naab and Regen, for swimming, canoeing and picnics. In the summer semester there are city festivals, the Dult fair and open-air concerts, and the annual campus festival is a highlight.
- Annual campus festival shared with the neighbouring OTH Regensburg.
- Semester ticket for buses and regional trains included in the semester fee.
- Twelve Studierendenwerk halls of residence, with rooms from around 210 euros a month.
- University orchestra, sports facilities and a stadium on campus.
Housing. The Studierendenwerk Niederbayern/Oberpfalz runs twelve halls of residence in Regensburg, with the cheapest rooms around 210 euros a month; applications are accepted at any time.
Location
Regensburg is a Bavarian city on the Danube whose old town has buildings more than 1,000 years old, compact enough that students reach the rivers or the pubs within minutes of class. It lies on the A3 and A93 motorways and has no airport of its own; Munich and Nuremberg airports are both about 100 km away.
Nearest airport: Munich Airport (MUC), about 101 km; Nuremberg Airport (NUE), about 105 km
Notable alumni
- MB Markus BrunnermeierPrinceton economist; began his undergraduate studies at Regensburg in 1991
- HJ Hans Joachim SchellnhuberClimate scientist and founding director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research; doctorate in theoretical physics from Regensburg (1980)
- KR Klaus ReglingFormer managing director of the European Stability Mechanism; studied economics at Regensburg after Hamburg
- MA May AyimAfro-German poet and activist; studied psychology and education at Regensburg
- PG Peter GollwitzerNYU psychologist known for research on goals and implementation intentions; bachelor's from Regensburg (1973)
- BA Benjamin ApplGerman-British baritone; diploma in business administration from Regensburg (2009)
- AH Anna-Nicole HeinrichPresident (praeses) of the synod of the Evangelical Church in Germany; studied philosophy at Regensburg
Frequently asked questions
Does the University of Regensburg charge tuition fees for international students?
No. There are no tuition fees for any nationality; students pay only the semester fee of 198 euros, which includes a regional transport ticket.
What German level do I need for the University of Regensburg?
At least B2 to apply for a German-taught bachelor's, and usually DSH-2 (or TestDaF / telc C1 Hochschule) to enrol. Law and medical subjects require DSH-3.
When is the application deadline at the University of Regensburg?
For international applicants to bachelor's and state-examination programmes: 15 July for the winter semester and 15 January for the summer semester. Master's deadlines are set by each faculty.
Can I study a bachelor's in English at Regensburg?
Only one bachelor's is taught in English (American Studies B.A. in the program finder). UR offers around 16 English-taught master's programmes.
What if my school diploma does not qualify me for German universities?
You can apply through UR for the Studienkolleg München, which serves all Bavarian universities. You need to pass its entrance exam and already have B2 German.
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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