About Katholische Universität Eichstätt - Ingolstadt
Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (KU) is Germany's only Catholic university and the country's smallest full university, with approximately 5,000 enrolled students. Founded on 1 April 1980 by the Bavarian Catholic bishops, it traces its institutional roots to a seminary tradition dating to the sixteenth century. KU is organised into eight faculties spanning theology, philosophy, education, languages, history and social sciences, mathematics and geography, economics, and social work, spread across two locations in Bavaria.
The university operates on two campuses: the main campus in Eichstätt, where seven faculties are located, and a second site in Ingolstadt, which houses the WFI — Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät (Faculty of Business Administration). Around ten percent of students come from over 60 countries, and KU maintains partnerships with nearly 300 universities worldwide through Erasmus+ and bilateral agreements.
KU offers more than 50 degree subjects in the humanities, social sciences, cultural studies, mathematics, and business administration. It has been voted Germany's most popular university on the Studycheck platform four times (2021, 2022, 2024, and 2026), a distinction attributed to its small class sizes, close faculty-student contact, and strong community atmosphere.
Key facts
- Founded
- 1980
- Students
- 5,000
- International
- ~10% (from over 60 countries)
- Faculties
- 8
Germany's only Catholic university and smallest full university, with ~5,000 students and 120 professors
Voted Germany's most popular university (Studycheck) four times: 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2026
Two campuses: Eichstätt (7 faculties) and Ingolstadt (WFI economics faculty)
8 faculties across humanities, social sciences, theology, mathematics, economics, and social work
~10% international students from over 60 countries; nearly 300 partner universities worldwide
Small class sizes emphasised as a core institutional value — 'small groups instead of overcrowded lecture halls'
Admissions & costs
Tuition & fees
KU is a Catholic institution under public law (not a state university); it does not charge tuition fees for standard consecutive bachelor's and master's programmes. Bavaria introduced a non-EU tuition fee of €3,000 per academic year (€1,500 per semester) from winter semester 2025/26 at Bavarian state universities, but KU's status as a church-founded institution means applicants should confirm directly with the Studierendensekretariat whether this state fee applies. A semester administrative contribution (Semesterbeitrag) is charged each semester; the exact amount is not published on the official website and should be confirmed at enrolment.
Admission requirements
International applicants apply through the university's own portal (KU.Campus). For degree-seeking international students, German language proficiency is required for German-taught programmes; the exact level (typically DSH-2 or TestDaF TDN 4) depends on the programme. Applications are handled via the Studierendensekretariat; the International Office's Welcome Team (contacts: Armelle Langenwald in Ingolstadt, +49 841 937-21970; Alice Rohn in Eichstätt, +49 8421 93-21161; email: [email protected]) supports newly enrolled internationals. Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese applicants must obtain an APS certificate (Akademische Prüfstelle) from the German Embassy before applying for a student visa — this is a German federal requirement independent of the university.
Application deadlines
Housing registration deadlines (via Mobility Online): 1 June for winter semester, 1 December for summer semester. Programme-specific application deadlines are published on the individual programme pages via KU.Campus. Exact admission deadlines for international degree-seeking students are not consolidated on a single public page; prospective applicants should contact the Studierendensekretariat or International Office directly.
Languages of instruction
The majority of degree programmes are taught in German. A limited number of programmes and modules are offered in English, particularly at master's level. The Language Centre (Sprachenzentrum) offers German-as-a-foreign-language courses at all CEFR levels, specifically including a track for international (incoming and degree-seeking) students, with proficiency levels documented on transcripts.
Campuses & locations
Main campus; location of seven faculties including Theology, Philosophy & Education, Languages & Literature, History & Social Sciences, Mathematics & Geography, School of Transformation and Sustainability, and Social Work
Houses the WFI — Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät (Faculty of Business Administration / Economics)
Living in Bayern
KU's main campus is located in Eichstätt, a small Baroque cathedral city of around 14,000 inhabitants in the Altmühl river valley, Bavaria, approximately 70 km north of Munich and 25 km from Ingolstadt. The city is known for its well-preserved Baroque architecture, the Altmühltal Nature Park, and a student-friendly atmosphere owing to the university's presence. Monthly rent in Eichstätt ranges from approximately €300 to €600. The Ingolstadt campus is situated in a larger industrial and commercial city of around 140,000 inhabitants, home to Audi AG headquarters, with monthly rent from approximately €500 to €800.
Student life & support
The International Office is the central service point for all internationalisation matters, including Erasmus+ exchanges, incoming student support, housing assistance, international internships, and the Welcome Team for new arrivals. Office hours are Monday to Thursday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm; appointments outside these hours are available by arrangement. The university provides a dedicated housing placement service for newly enrolled international students (first-come, first-served, limited availability), offering shared flats, furnished studios, or dormitory rooms; registration is via Mobility Online. The Language Centre offers German courses for international students at all CEFR levels. The KU Connect programme provides academic and career support specifically for international students.
87
Accredited Programmes
43
Bachelor/Bakkalaureus
43
Master
1
Magister
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