Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz

About Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz

Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz (JGU) is one of the largest and most comprehensive universities in Germany, with approximately 30,000 students from more than 120 countries. Originally founded in 1477 by Archbishop Diether von Isenburg, it was refounded in 1946 by the French occupation authorities and renamed in honour of Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of movable-type printing who was born in Mainz. The university operates 10 faculties plus specialised schools in music, fine arts, translation studies, and a university medical centre, all concentrated on a single main campus.

JGU has strong research credentials, holding the PRISMA++ Cluster of Excellence in particle physics and participating in more than 14 Collaborative Research Centres (SFB/CRC), including several where JGU is the speaker institution. In 2025 JGU, Goethe University Frankfurt, and TU Darmstadt submitted a joint bid — "RMU-EXCITE" — under Germany's Excellence Strategy as part of the Rhine-Main Universities (RMU) alliance. Key research priorities span particle and quantum physics, materials science, sustainable chemistry, polymer chemistry, life sciences, and translational medicine.

The university is located in Mainz, capital of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, and offers a predominantly German-taught curriculum. Roughly 4,500 international students from more than 130 countries are enrolled, supported by the International Preparatory and Language Centre (ISSK) and a dedicated international affairs team within the Student Service Centre.

Key facts

Founded: 1477
Students: 30,000
International: ~4,500 international students from more than 130 countries
Faculties: 10

Founded 1477; refounded 1946 and named after Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of movable-type printing, who was born in Mainz

Approximately 30,000 students with ~4,500 internationals from 130+ countries

Leads the PRISMA++ Cluster of Excellence in particle physics, one of Germany's Excellence Strategy clusters

Speaker institution for more than 14 DFG Collaborative Research Centres (SFB/CRC)

Part of the Rhine-Main Universities (RMU) alliance with Goethe University Frankfurt and TU Darmstadt

No tuition fees for standard programmes; Rhineland-Palatinate levies no non-EU surcharge

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

JGU charges no tuition fees for standard bachelor's and consecutive master's programmes — Rhineland-Palatinate does not levy non-EU surcharges (unlike Baden-Württemberg or Bavaria). All students pay a per-semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) which covers the semester ticket for public transport, the student union (AStA), and the Studierendenwerk (student services). The exact contribution amount should be verified directly with JGU's Student Service Centre or the JOGU-StINe portal at time of enrolment, as it is revised periodically.

Admission requirements

International applicants must obtain a certificate of recognition (Anerkennungsbescheid) from JGU verifying their foreign qualification before or during the application process. Applications are submitted through the JOGU-StINe online portal. For master's applicants who have not yet graduated, at least 135 ECTS credit points plus an official transcript with current GPA are required. German language proficiency at DSH-2 level (or equivalent: TestDaF TDN 4 in all four sections, Goethe C2, or telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule) is required for most programmes. APS certificate: Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese applicants are required to hold an APS certificate from the relevant German Embassy before the student visa can be issued; JGU's own recognition process does not replace this visa-stage requirement. Applicants from countries with partially-recognised institutions should check their institution's anabin status (H+ / H+/– / H–) to determine whether direct admission or a Studienkolleg pathway applies.

Application deadlines

Applications for JGU's recognition of foreign certificates can be submitted year-round via JOGU-StINe. An urgent-application option is available for applicants who receive their required admission certificates within 6 weeks before the undergraduate application deadline. Specific winter-semester (October intake) and summer-semester (April intake) cut-off dates for degree-programme applications are not published on the central English admissions pages; applicants should check JOGU-StINe or contact [email protected] for programme-specific deadlines. For DSH preparatory courses at ISSK: autumn-term applications are accepted mid-May through 15 July; spring-term applications mid-November through 15 January.

Languages of instruction

Most degree programmes are taught in German; DSH-2 (or equivalent) is the standard admission requirement. English-taught master's and international programmes exist within certain faculties. The International Preparatory and Language Centre (ISSK) offers preparatory German courses (DSH-1/DSH-2 tracks) for prospective international students.

Campuses & locations

Main Campus (Hochschulcampus)

Single concentrated campus in the Mainz university district; all faculties and institutes are co-located. University Medical Centre (Universitätsmedizin Mainz) is on the same site.

Living in Rheinland-Pfalz

Mainz is the state capital of Rhineland-Palatinate, situated on the west bank of the Rhine directly opposite Wiesbaden and within easy reach of Frankfurt am Main (about 40 minutes by regional train). The city of roughly 220,000 inhabitants is known for its Romanesque cathedral, Gutenberg Museum, wine culture, and the annual Mainz Carnival (Fastnacht). As part of the Rhine-Main metropolitan region, students have access to a broad cultural and professional environment. Living costs are moderate by German standards, though above the national average; room rents near campus range from approximately €320 to €450 per month.

Student life & support

JGU's compact campus provides a community-oriented environment with over 70 university sports courses, student theatre, choir, orchestra, fine-arts exhibitions, and numerous student clubs covering leisure and socio-political interests. Student housing is managed via the Studierendenwerk Mainz, which operates residence halls; applications are recommended 6–12 months in advance of enrolment. Off-campus rooms can be found through housing exchanges, campus notice boards, and the local newspaper Allgemeine Zeitung Mainz (Wednesday and Saturday editions). The International Preparatory and Language Centre (ISSK) provides German language courses at B1–C1 levels and the DSH preparatory programme for incoming international students. The Student Service Centre's international affairs team handles recognition of foreign certificates and admissions for non-European applicants; general contact: [email protected].

International Office: [email protected] International students page →

221

Accredited Programmes

122

Master

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus

Magister