- Founded
- 1665
- Students
- 24,416
- International
- 10%
- Programmes
- 193
- Taught in English
- 47
About Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (Kiel University, CAU) was founded in 1665 and is the oldest, largest and best-known university in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein, and the state's only fully-fledged (comprehensive) university. Its founding motto is "Pax Optima Rerum" (peace is the most valuable asset).
The university is organised into eight faculties spanning Theology, Law, Medicine, Arts and Humanities, Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Business/Economics/Social Sciences, and Engineering. It offers around 190 degree programmes and enrols roughly 24,400 students.
Research at CAU concentrates on priority areas such as marine science, life science, and nano- and surface science. The university has participated in the German Excellence Initiative/Strategy and is a member of the European university alliance SEA-EU. Seven Nobel Prize winners have worked at the institution.
Founded in 1665 - the oldest and largest university in Schleswig-Holstein, and the state's only comprehensive university
Seven Nobel Prize winners have worked at the institution
Internationally recognised research strengths in marine science, life science, and nano- and surface science
Member of the SEA-EU European university alliance
Master's and doctoral programmes available in English as well as German
Located in Kiel, a Baltic Sea maritime city - semester contribution includes a regional transport ticket
Key facts
- Type
- Universitäten
- Founded
- 1665
- Students
- 24,416
- International
- ~10%
- Faculties
- 8
- Programmes
- 193
Study programmes
193 accredited degrees at Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, 47 of them taught in English.
Showing 73–96 of 193 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
Kiel University does not charge general tuition fees for degree programmes; Schleswig-Holstein does not levy special non-EU tuition fees. Students pay only a mandatory semester contribution each semester (for example, EUR 302 for winter semester 2025/26 and EUR 381 for summer semester 2026). The contribution covers Studentenwerk Schleswig-Holstein services, the student body, and the semester transport ticket (including the state-wide semester ticket).
Admission requirements
International applicants need a recognised university entrance qualification; eligibility can be checked against the anabin database (ZAB). Applicants whose school-leaving certificate is not directly recognised may take a Studienkolleg foundation year. German-taught programmes require proof of German proficiency (e.g. DSH/TestDaF); English-taught programmes require proof of English. Applications from non-EU/EEA applicants are generally processed via uni-assist. Note: applicants who completed their prior qualification in India, China or Vietnam additionally require an APS certificate for both admission and the student visa (verify the current programme-specific requirements with the International Center).
Application deadlines
For degree-seeking international applicants (Bachelor's, Master's and State Examination): winter semester applications run from early May to 15 July; summer semester applications run from early November to 15 January.
How international applicants apply
uni-assist (full application) - applicants of ALL nationalities (including German citizens) with foreign educational qualifications submit their documents for verification at uni-assist before admission/enrolment at CAU; restricted-admission programmes must apply via uni-assist by 1 July (winter) / 2 January (summer), admission-free programmes need uni-assist verification by 15 July / 15 January. Medicine, dentistry and pharmacy 1st semester go via hochschulstart.de instead. Direct-application exceptions: German school-leaving qualifications, completed Studienkolleg Hamburg, existing uni-assist report within 3 years, masters with a German bachelor's degree, three named English-taught masters (Materials Science and Business Administration, Materials Science and Engineering, Medical Life Sciences), and doctoral enrolment.
Languages of instruction
Bachelor's programmes are taught exclusively in German. Master's and doctoral programmes are available in both German and English, so a number of English-taught Master's options exist. Day-to-day study and life still benefit from German language skills.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Scholarships at Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
10 schemes run or administered by the university. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on the official page.
CAU Exchange Scholarships (Erasmus+ Partnerships with Stipends)
Erasmus+ partnerships with stipends for study stays at partner universities: e.g., University of Tartu (1 full-year or 2 semester...
Amount: varies (Erasmus+ rates + partner-specific stipends)
Deadline: varies by partnership
Bachelor, Master, PhD
Deutschlandstipendium at Kiel University (CAU)
CAU has participated in the Deutschlandstipendium since its introduction in 2011 and awards numerous one-year scholarships annuall...
Amount: EUR 300/month
Deadline: mid-June to mid-July (annual window; 2025/26: 13 Jun - 14 Jul 2025)
Bachelor, Master, PhD
Emergency Fund for International Students (Ecumenical / North Church)
Financial assistance for international students in emergency situations via Ecumenical Emergency Fund and North Church Emergency F...
Amount: varies (emergency assistance)
Deadline: ongoing
Bachelor, Master, PhD
Hilde Domin Programme (nomination via Kiel University)
DAAD programme for students and doctoral candidates worldwide who are demonstrably at risk of being formally or de facto denied th...
Amount: funding per DAAD Hilde Domin regulations
Deadline: 15 August 2026 (CAU internal nomination deadline)
Bachelor, Master, PhD
Interim Financial Aid for Doctoral Candidates
Emergency financial aid for international doctoral candidates in the final period of their studies (expected to finish within 6 mo...
Amount: average 2 months funding (max 3 months)
Deadline: ongoing
PhD
MiTRA Scholarship (DAAD Academic Horizons - Microelectronics)
DAAD 'Academic Horizons' programme funding for international Master's students in materials science and electrical engineering (mi...
Amount: not specified (project-funded scholarships)
Deadline: varies (project runs until end of 2029)
Master
Quick and Tiny Research Funding
Small research funding grants for student research projects at Kiel University ('Quick and tiny' funding).
Amount: small grants (not specified)
Deadline: varies
Bachelor, Master, PhD
Scholarship Programme of the City of Kiel for Students from Kiel's Twin Cities
Long-standing city scholarship supporting a 10-month study period (or one semester since summer 2019) at Kiel University for talen...
Amount: semester or full-year study grant
Deadline: varies (via home university nomination)
Bachelor, Master
Studienstarthilfe (Study Start Aid)
One-off study start aid for students at Kiel University, offered by the Studentenwerk SH.
Amount: one-off amount (not specified)
Deadline: varies
Bachelor, Master
University Endowments (Stiftungen an der CAU)
Limited number of university endowments offering financial assistance also for international students. Applications generally for...
Amount: varies by foundation
Deadline: varies by foundation
Bachelor, Master, PhD
Student accommodation
What Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
Rooms are allocated by
Studentenwerk Schleswig-Holstein
Not by the university. Apply to them directly, and expect a waiting list.
The university's housing page
Deadlines and application forms are published here, and they change every intake.
Open housing pageRoom types mentioned
What that page describes. Availability varies by intake.
Campuses & locations
Central campus in Kiel; International Center located at Westring 400.
Site hosting parts of the engineering and applied sciences facilities.
Living in Kiel
Kiel is the capital of the state of Schleswig-Holstein, located on the Baltic Sea coast in northern Germany. It is a maritime city well known for sailing and its annual Kieler Woche sailing event, giving it a distinctive coastal, water-oriented character that shapes student life.
Student life & support
International students are supported by the university's International Center (Westring 400), which handles application, admission and ongoing services for international students. The university offers German language courses, and the mandatory semester contribution includes a semester transport ticket (including a state-wide ticket) for getting around Kiel and the region.
Want our guides higher up in Google?
Mark GradGermany as a preferred source and Google gives our pages more room when you search about studying in Germany. Takes one tap, and you can undo it any time from the same screen.
More universities in Schleswig-Holstein
View all in Schleswig-Holstein →Duale Hochschule Schleswig-Holstein - staatlich anerkannte Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften in Trägerschaft der Wirtschaftsakademie Schleswig-Holstein
Fachhochschulen / HAW · 5 programmes
Europa-Universität Flensburg
Universitäten · 168 programmes
Fachhochschule für Verwaltung und Dienstleistung
Fachhochschulen / HAW · 6 programmes
Fachhochschule Wedel
Fachhochschulen / HAW · 25 programmes
Fachhochschule Westküste, Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Technik
Fachhochschulen / HAW · 20 programmes
Hochschule Flensburg
Fachhochschulen / HAW · 24 programmes
Interested in Studying at
Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel?
Our team can help you with the application process, documentation, and everything you need to get started.