About Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover
Leibniz Universität Hannover (LUH) is a public research university in Lower Saxony, Germany, originally founded in 1831 as a Higher Vocational School. It adopted its current name in 2006, honouring the polymath Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. The university is one of the nine leading technical universities in Germany (TU9) and is currently pursuing University of Excellence status, with a decision expected in October 2026.
As of winter semester 2025/26, LUH enrols 25,378 students across 82 degree programmes (31 bachelor's and 51 master's) in 9 faculties and 3 research schools. The university employs 5,083 staff, including more than 3,000 research staff and 350 professors. Its total income in 2023 was €630.7 million, of which €178.8 million came from third-party research funding.
Research strengths include three active Clusters of Excellence (PhoenixD, Hearing4all, QuantumFrontiers) and six established key research areas spanning biomedical research, energy, optical technologies, production engineering, and quantum optics. The university hosts 150 institutes and occupies 166 buildings across multiple sites in Hannover.
Key facts
- Founded
- 1831
- Students
- 25,378
- International
- 3,564 international students (14% of enrolment)
- Faculties
- 9
Member of TU9 — the nine leading technical universities in Germany
Three active Clusters of Excellence: PhoenixD (optics), Hearing4all, and QuantumFrontiers
13 exclusively English-taught programmes; 16 English-language degrees overall (mainly master's)
No tuition fees for any nationality in standard-duration programmes; semester contribution €453.16 (WS 2026/27) includes a Deutschlandticket for Germany-wide public transport
3,564 international students (14% of total enrolment, winter semester 2025/26)
Applying for University of Excellence status — decision expected October 2026
Admissions & costs
Tuition & fees
Leibniz Universität Hannover charges no tuition fees for standard enrolment in bachelor's and consecutive master's programmes for all students, regardless of nationality (Niedersachsen does not impose non-EU surcharges). A mandatory semester contribution of €453.16 applies for winter semester 2026/27, covering student services (€130), the Deutschlandticket (€226.80), student body fee (€15.80), and administrative costs (€75). Students who exceed their study credit balance (typically standard duration plus 6 tolerance semesters) pay an additional long-term tuition fee of €500 per semester.
Admission requirements
International applicants (non-EU) must submit a Preliminary Examination Documentation (VPD) from uni-assist to verify that their qualification is recognised for direct university entry in Germany or to determine whether a preparatory foundation course (Studienkolleg) is required. The anabin database is the reference for assessing foreign qualifications. For bachelor's programmes: German proficiency at B1 is required at application stage and C1 on enrolment. For master's programmes: a recognised bachelor's degree or equivalent is required; language requirements vary by programme and may be German-only, German plus English, or English-only. Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese applicants whose prior qualification was obtained in those countries are subject to the APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) certificate requirement before applying for a German student visa. The APS certificate must be obtained from the respective German Embassy APS office (New Delhi for India, Beijing/Shanghai/Guangzhou for China, Hanoi for Vietnam) and submitted with the visa application.
Application deadlines
Specific published deadlines were not found on the official site during this data collection. The university's ServiceCenter ([email protected], +49 511 762 2020) can provide programme-specific deadlines. The winter semester starts 1 October and the summer semester 1 April; student cards and transport passes are issued from mid-September and mid-March respectively, which is indicative of enrolment windows.
Languages of instruction
The primary language of instruction is German. As of the 2025/26 data, 13 programmes are taught exclusively in English and 16 English-language degree programmes are listed overall, concentrated at master's level in STEM fields. Applicants to German-taught bachelor's programmes must demonstrate B1 German at application and C1 upon enrolment. Master's programme language requirements vary by programme — some accept English-only applications. The Leibniz Language Centre (LLC) offers German and other language courses to all students.
Campuses & locations
Historic Welfenschloss (Guelph Palace) as the central building; Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover
166 buildings across Hannover totalling 348,799 m² of floor space
Living in Niedersachsen
Hannover is the state capital of Lower Saxony, with a population of approximately 540,000. It is a major trade-fair city (home to Hannover Messe and CeBIT) with strong engineering and manufacturing industries. The city is compact and student-friendly, with excellent public transport — all enrolled students receive a Deutschlandticket included in their semester contribution, covering public transit across Germany. Hannover has a notable international community and is well-connected by rail and air to other European cities.
Student life & support
The Welcome Centre (Hochschulbüro für Internationales) is the primary support point for degree-seeking international students, located in Building 1106. It provides advisory services, orientation events (run September–October each term), and co-working spaces for visiting researchers. Contact: [email protected], +49 511 762 188 99. The International Office ([email protected]) handles incoming student coordination; dedicated email for international bachelor's and master's students is [email protected]. The Leibniz Language Centre (LLC, fsz.uni-hannover.de) offers German language courses at all levels. Student housing is managed externally; the Studentenwerk Hannover operates student dormitories in the city.
214
Accredited Programmes
122
Master
92
Bachelor/Bakkalaureus
More universities in Niedersachsen
View all in Niedersachsen →Berufsakademie für Bankwirtschaft
Berufsakademie · 1 programme
Berufsakademie für IT und Wirtschaft Oldenburg
Berufsakademie · 15 programmes
Berufsakademie Göttingen
Berufsakademie · 47 programmes
Berufsakademie Lüneburg
Berufsakademie · 3 programmes
Berufsakademie Wilhelmshaven
Berufsakademie · 4 programmes
Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg
Universitäten · 172 programmes
Interested in Studying at
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Ha...?
Our team can help you with the application process, documentation, and everything you need to get started.