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.
Key facts
- Founded
- 1665
- Students
- 24,416
- Faculties
- 8
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
Admissions & costs
Tuition & fees
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.
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.
Campuses & locations
Central campus in Kiel; International Center located at Westring 400.
Site hosting parts of the engineering and applied sciences facilities.
Living in Schleswig-Holstein
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.
193
Accredited Programmes
72
Bachelor/Bakkalaureus
121
Master
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