- Founded
- 1607
- Students
- 25,000
- Programmes
- 138
- Taught in English
- 25
About Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen
Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen (JLU) was founded in 1607 and is one of Germany's oldest universities. It is a comprehensive research university located in Gießen, Hesse, with approximately 25,000 students enrolled across 11 faculties and more than 100 degree programmes spanning law, economics, social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, life sciences, medicine, and veterinary medicine.
JLU is internationally recognised for its life sciences profile, which is described as unique in Germany - combining human medicine, veterinary medicine, and agricultural, nutritional, and food sciences under one roof. The university holds three Clusters of Excellence funded through the German Excellence Strategy: TAM (The Adaptive Mind, perception research), CPI (Cardio-Pulmonary Institute, heart-lung research), and POLiS (Post Lithium Storage, battery research). JLU is one of few universities in Germany to secure multiple Clusters of Excellence in the same funding round.
JLU has around 3,500 international students and maintains over 250 Erasmus+ partnerships worldwide, plus information points at partner universities in Sydney, Bogotá, Lodz, and Kyiv. Together with Philipps-Universität Marburg, JLU is pursuing joint designation as a "University of Excellence" under the H_CORE initiative.
Founded in 1607 - one of Germany's oldest universities, with over 400 years of history
Three Clusters of Excellence (TAM, CPI, POLiS) in the 2019 German Excellence Strategy - an unusually strong result for a mid-sized university
Unique 'One Health' life sciences profile combining human medicine, veterinary medicine, and agricultural/food sciences in one institution
Over 3,500 international students from more than 100 countries; more than 250 Erasmus+ partner universities
No tuition fees for any student (EU or non-EU) - Hesse has not introduced non-EU fees
JLU Information Points in Sydney, Bogotá, Lodz, and Kyiv support prospective international applicants pre-arrival
Key facts
- Type
- Universitäten
- Founded
- 1607
- Students
- 25,000
- International
- ~3,500 international students
- Faculties
- 11
- Programmes
- 138
Study programmes
138 accredited degrees at Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, 25 of them taught in English.
Showing 25–25 of 25 matching programmes
Clear filtersAdmissions & fees
What it costs
As a public university in the state of Hesse, JLU does not charge tuition fees for undergraduate or consecutive master's programmes for any student regardless of nationality (Hesse has not introduced non-EU tuition fees, unlike Baden-Württemberg or Bavaria). Students pay a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) each semester covering student services, the student union (AStA), and a public-transport semester ticket valid in the local network. The exact contribution amount should be confirmed on the JLU enrolment office website for the current semester, as it is subject to annual adjustment.
Admission requirements
Admission requirements for international applicants vary by country of origin, prior qualification, and degree level. For bachelor's programmes, the general requirement is a school-leaving certificate recognised as equivalent to the German Abitur; Indian applicants with Class XII ≥70% may qualify, though many will need to complete a Studienkolleg (foundation year) if direct recognition is not granted. Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese applicants must hold an APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) certificate before applying. For master's programmes, a recognised bachelor's degree of at least three years in a relevant subject is required; the anabin status of the awarding institution determines direct eligibility. German-taught programmes require proof of German proficiency (typically TestDaF TDN 4, DSH-2, or equivalent); English-taught programmes require IELTS or TOEFL. Applications are submitted via JLU's GUDE online portal. The International Office advises applicants to consult the detailed programme-specific requirements on the JLU website.
Application deadlines
Winter Semester (starting October): for programmes without admission restriction, international applicants may apply from 1 June with a deadline of 15 August; for restricted-admission programmes the deadline is 15 July. Some specific master's programmes (e.g. Mind, Brain and Behaviour; Sustainable Chemistry) have a 15 June deadline for all applicants; others (Advanced Materials, Agrobioinformatics) have a 15 June deadline with applications accepted from 1 May for international applicants. Medicine, Dentistry, and Veterinary Medicine follow separate centralised procedures (Hochschulstart / stiftungshochschule.de), with applications typically closing 31 May. Summer Semester deadlines are published in autumn of the preceding year; consult the JLU deadlines page at https://www.uni-giessen.de/en/study/application/deadlines for current dates.
How international applicants apply
Dual model, uni-assist VPD-style full application required for most internationals: JLU's official application-process page states that (1) all persons with a foreign university entrance qualification who do not fall under another procedure, (2) Studienkolleg graduates applying for undergraduate programmes, and (3) master's applicants with a foreign bachelor's degree MUST apply via uni-assist. Exceptions: German-HZB applicants to open undergraduate programmes and German-degree master's/PhD applicants use JLU's own GUDE portal; nationally restricted subjects (e.g. medicine) and DoSV programmes run through the Stiftung fuer Hochschulzulassung (hochschulstart.de) with prior registration for a BID/BAN.
Languages of instruction
The primary language of instruction is German. JLU offers a portfolio of internationally oriented degree programmes taught in English or other foreign languages, including joint and double-degree programmes with partner universities. The university's language centre provides German courses for international students at all levels. Prospective international students should verify the language of instruction for their specific programme in the course catalogue.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Scholarships at Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen
4 schemes run or administered by the university. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on the official page.
DAAD Prize at JLU Giessen
The DAAD Prize is awarded once a year to outstanding international students or doctoral candidates at JLU Giessen, recognising aca...
Amount: EUR 1,000
Deadline: 15 July 2026 (nomination deadline)
Bachelor, Master, Doctorate, State Examination
DAAD Scholarships for More Equity and Opportunity (JLU)
The International Office of JLU awards scholarships to international students and international doctoral candidates of JLU who fac...
Amount: EUR 300-450 per month
Deadline: 15 June - 31 July 2026 (winter semester 2026/27 round); interviews 7-1...
Bachelor, Master, Doctorate, State Examination
Deutschlandstipendium at JLU Giessen
The national scholarship programme is also offered at JLU: students receive EUR 300 per month, funded half by the federal governme...
Amount: EUR 300 per month
Deadline: Published with each annual call
Bachelor, Master
Graduation scholarship (partial scholarships for international students in the closing phase of their degree)
For the final phase of studies, the JLU International Office awards partial scholarships to international students in bachelor's,...
Amount: EUR 300-450 per month
Deadline: 15 June - 31 July 2026 (winter semester 2026/27 round); interviews 7-1...
Bachelor, Master, State Examination
Student accommodation
What Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
Rooms are allocated by
Studierendenwerk Gießen
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 pageFrom the university
Student housing is managed by the Studierendenwerk Gießen (stwgi.de), which operates dormitories across the city; early application is recommended given high demand.
Campuses & locations
Primary campus area in central Gießen, housing most faculties, administration, and the university library
Houses life sciences facilities including the Interdisciplinary Research Centre (iFZ) and chemistry buildings; located south of the city centre
Living in Gießen
Gießen is a mid-sized university city of approximately 90,000 inhabitants in central Hesse, situated on the River Lahn roughly equidistant between Frankfurt (about 60 km south) and Marburg (30 km north). The city has one of the youngest population profiles in Germany, shaped largely by its large student community. Frankfurt Airport is accessible by train in under an hour, providing strong international connectivity. The cost of living is moderate compared to Frankfurt or Munich, with student housing options available through the Studierendenwerk Gießen.
Student life & support
The International Office (Internationales Büro) at JLU provides dedicated support for incoming international students, including the annual Orientation Week for International Students (OWIS) held before the start of each winter semester, and regular JustInternational information sessions. The university's language centre offers German language courses for international students across all proficiency levels. Student housing is managed by the Studierendenwerk Gießen (stwgi.de), which operates dormitories across the city; early application is recommended given high demand. The semester ticket included in the semester contribution covers local and regional public transport. JLU has active student clubs, cultural events, and a central student union (AStA). Specific support exists for students from crisis regions and refugees.
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