About Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg
Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg is a public research university founded in 1647, located in Bamberg, Bavaria. It enrolls approximately 10,400 students across four faculties: Humanities; Social Sciences, Economics and Business Administration; Human Sciences and Education; and Information Systems and Applied Computer Science. The university holds 182 professorships and maintains over 400 international partner universities across 70 countries.
Bamberg's academic profile is rooted in the humanities, social and economic sciences, human sciences, and computer sciences, with four core interdisciplinary research areas: Digital Humanities and Social and Human Sciences; Empirical Social Research on Education and Labour; Analysis and Preservation of Cultural Heritage; and Medieval Culture and Society. The university is recognised as one of Germany's prominent research hubs in artificial intelligence.
Approximately 19% of students are international. The university offers more than 80 bachelor's, master's, and teacher-training programmes, several of which are taught entirely in English at master's level. It has held a family-friendly university designation since 2005 and is EMAS-certified.
Key facts
- Founded
- 1647
- Students
- 10,400
- International
- ~19%
- Faculties
- 4
Founded in 1647 — one of Bavaria's oldest universities
UNESCO World Heritage city campus in Bamberg's medieval old town
19% international student share across ~10,400 enrolled students
APS certificate mandatory for applicants from India, China, Mongolia, and Vietnam
Seven English-taught master's programmes including European Economic Studies and International Software Systems Science
Over 400 international partner universities in 70 countries; 20% of Bamberg students participate in exchange programmes
Admissions & costs
Tuition & fees
Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg does not charge tuition fees for standard bachelor's and master's programmes for all students regardless of nationality, in line with the general Bavarian public university model for consecutive programmes. Students pay a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) each semester; the exact current amount is not published on the pages reviewed — students should check the university's official fees page before enrolling. A non-refundable application processing fee of €60 per semester applies to applicants from non-EU/EEA states starting from winter semester 2026/27.
Admission requirements
International applicants must hold a recognised university entrance qualification. For bachelor's programmes, applicants from countries whose school-leaving certificates are not directly recognised in Germany may need to complete a Studienkolleg (preparatory year). For master's programmes, a completed bachelor's degree in a related subject is required. German language proficiency is mandatory for most programmes: the standard minimum is B2 (DSH-1, Goethe B2, TestDaF TDN 3 in all sub-skills, telc B2 University, or ÖSD B2). Programmes in Psychology and Clinical Psychology require DSH-2/C1; programmes in German Linguistics and Germanistics require DSH-3/C2. English-taught international master's programmes have their own language requirements (IELTS or TOEFL accepted for those programmes). Applicants from China, India, Mongolia, and Vietnam must submit a digitally signed APS certificate from the Academic Evaluation Center (Academic Prüfstelle) as part of their application. No conditional admission is granted on the basis of pending language certificates — proof must be submitted with the application. Applications are submitted via the university's online portal (hisinone.uni-bamberg.de). Starting winter semester 2026/27, a non-refundable application processing fee of €60 applies to applicants from non-EU/EEA states (charged once per semester regardless of number of applications).
Application deadlines
Bachelor's programmes: applications open mid-May for winter semester (deadline typically 15 July) and mid-November for summer semester (deadline typically 15 January). Master's programmes: applications open mid-May for winter semester, with programme-specific deadlines ranging from 15 July to 2 October (winter 2026 example); summer semester deadlines range from 15 January to 25 March. Double-degree programmes have earlier deadlines (e.g. 21 June for winter 2026). Applications submitted before the opening date are not accepted. Foreign applicants follow the same deadlines as domestic applicants.
Languages of instruction
Most bachelor's and teacher-training programmes are taught in German. At master's level, several programmes are offered entirely in English, including European Economic Studies (M.Sc.), International Software Systems Science (M.Sc.), Sociology and Social Research (M.Sc.), Strategy and Sustainability (M.Sc.), English and American Studies (M.A.), and double-degree programmes in Political Science and Sociology. International Business Administration (B.Sc./M.Sc.) and International Information Systems Management (B.Sc./M.Sc.) also have strong English-language components.
Campuses & locations
Central administration and most faculties; Kapuzinerstraße 16, 96047 Bamberg
Additional university buildings in Bamberg's historic old town
Living in Bayern
Bamberg is a mid-sized city of approximately 77,000 residents in northern Bavaria, situated at the confluence of the Regnitz River and the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal. Its remarkably well-preserved medieval old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. The city is known for its Baroque architecture, nine hills crowned by churches, and a centuries-old brewing tradition. Its compact size makes it very walkable and bike-friendly, and it is well connected by rail to Nuremberg (approximately 40 minutes) and Munich (approximately two hours).
Student life & support
The university operates an International Guest House (Fischerei 5, in the historic old town) offering furnished apartments for visiting university guests. For broader student accommodation, students typically use the Studentenwerk Würzburg-Schweinfurt, which manages student residence halls in Bamberg; applications should be made well in advance of arrival. The International Office coordinates incoming exchange and degree-seeking students, while a dedicated Welcome Center for International Master's Students supports newly admitted master's students with orientation and administrative formalities. The university also runs a Welcome Center for International Scholars. A Tandem programme pairs international students with German peers for language and cultural exchange. German-language courses for academic purposes (Deutsch als Fremdsprache) are available through the university; prospective students should check the current semester's course catalogue for levels and registration. The university's location in a compact historic city with a significant student population relative to overall city size creates an accessible and internationally engaged campus environment.
189
Accredited Programmes
79
Master
109
Bachelor/Bakkalaureus
1
Abschlussprüfung nicht vorgesehen
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