- Founded
- 1994
- Students
- 5,606
- Programmes
- 22
About Universität Erfurt
The University of Erfurt is a small, humanities- and social-science-focused public university located in Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia. It was refounded in 1994 and has developed an explicit profile in cultural and social studies, with research concentrated on three themes: education and behaviour; religion, society and world relations; and knowledge, spaces and media.
As of October 2025, the university enrols approximately 5,606 students across 52 degree programmes, making it one of the smaller German public universities. Its academic community includes 483 doctoral candidates and 105 professors. Alongside its four faculties, it hosts the Max-Weber-Kolleg - a combined Institute for Advanced Study and Graduate School - and two professional schools: the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy and the Erfurt School of Education.
The university occupies a single main campus at Nordhäuser Str. 63 in Erfurt and emphasises short distances between departments and direct academic communication as an institutional strength.
Approximately 5,606 students (Oct 2025) - one of Germany's smaller public universities, offering direct faculty access
Refounded 1994 with an explicit cultural and social science profile across four faculties
Hosts the Max-Weber-Kolleg, a combined Institute for Advanced Study and Graduate School with international fellows
Houses the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy, a professional school modelled on American public policy schools
No tuition fees for EU and non-EU students in standard bachelor's and consecutive master's programmes (Thuringia state)
Single consolidated campus in Erfurt city centre with short interdisciplinary distances
Key facts
- Type
- Universitäten
- Founded
- 1994
- Students
- 5,606
- International
- 528 international students (2024)
- Faculties
- 4
- Programmes
- 22
Study programmes
22 accredited degrees at Universität Erfurt.
Showing 1–22 of 22 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
As a public university in Thuringia, the University of Erfurt charges no tuition fees for undergraduate and consecutive master's programmes for both EU and non-EU students. A semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) covering administrative costs and the semester ticket for public transport is due each semester; the exact current amount should be confirmed on the university's fees page as it is updated each academic year.
Admission requirements
Degree-seeking international applicants must hold a qualification recognised for university admission in Germany (check anabin for institution status). German-taught programmes require a recognised German language certificate (typically DSH or TestDaF TDN 4); requirements for individual programmes should be verified on the programme page. Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese applicants whose highest qualification was awarded in those countries must obtain an APS certificate before applying. Application and enrolment is handled via the university's online portal; specific deadlines by programme are published on the university's application pages. Prospective students are advised to contact the International Office ([email protected]) for guidance on their individual pathway.
Application deadlines
Winter semester: admission-free bachelor programmes allow direct enrolment from May 1 to September 15, while admission-restricted bachelor programmes require an online application by July 15 (cut-off deadline). Master's programmes with a selection procedure accept applications January 1 to July 15 and start only in winter semester; for all other master's the university recommends applying by mid-July (winter) or mid-January (summer). Summer semester windows run December 1 to March 15 for most master's and certificate programmes, January 1 to April 30 for guest/second-listeners, and January 1 to September 30 for doctoral candidates.
How international applicants apply
No uni-assist documented. Non-EU international applicants for bachelor, master, Magister or doctoral studies apply through the university's own online Bewerberportal (HISinOne), uploading secondary school certificate with translation, German B1 proof at application (DSH-2/DSH-3 or equivalent before enrolment), English B2 where required, APS certificate for China/Vietnam/India and Feststellungsprüfung documents if applicable. Equivalence assessment and conditional admission to the Staatliche Studienkolleg Thueringen (only G- and W-courses; no T/M-course conditional admissions) are handled by the university itself. EU citizens and German applicants with foreign certificates apply via Dezernat 1 (Studium und Lehre). No medicine faculty, so no hochschulstart route.
Languages of instruction
The majority of degree programmes are taught in German. The Willy Brandt School of Public Policy and the Max-Weber-Kolleg conduct significant activity in English and host international fellows; prospective students should verify language requirements for individual programmes directly with the relevant school. The Language Centre offers German courses for incoming students.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Scholarships at Universität Erfurt
2 schemes run or administered by the university. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on the official page.
Deutschlandstipendium at Universität Erfurt
National Germany Scholarship at Universität Erfurt. EUR 300/month (half private sponsors, half federal). Awarded annually for wint...
Amount: EUR 300/month
Deadline: Annual 6-week window June-August (2026: 29 June - 9 August); via DSTIP...
bachelor, master
Stipendiennetzwerk Universität Erfurt (Scholarship Network)
Peer network connecting scholarship holders from various Begabtenförderungswerke at Universität Erfurt. Not a direct funding sourc...
Amount: Not applicable (network/ideelle Förderung)
Deadline: Continuous (join via network)
bachelor, master, doctorate
Student accommodation
What Universität Erfurt publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
Rooms are allocated by
Studentenwerk Thüringen
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
Housing assistance is provided through the university's counselling services; students typically seek accommodation through the Studentenwerk Thüringen.
Campuses & locations
Nordhäuser Str. 63, 99089 Erfurt - single consolidated campus housing all four faculties and central administration
Living in Erfurt
Erfurt is the capital and largest city of the federal state of Thuringia in central Germany, with approximately 216,000 residents. It is historically significant as a medieval trading city and home to one of Germany's oldest universities (original medieval foundation, later refounded 1994). The city is known for its well-preserved old town, the Krämerbrücke (medieval shopkeepers' bridge), and Erfurt Cathedral. It is well connected by rail to Leipzig, Weimar, and Frankfurt, with a cost of living that is generally lower than in western German cities.
Student life & support
The International Office (located in the Administration Building, Alfred-Weber-Platz 1) provides dedicated support for incoming students during office hours Monday to Thursday, 13:30-15:00, and by appointment. A structured Buddy Programme pairs international students with local peers to assist with arrival and settling in. The Language Centre offers German courses and facilitates a Tandem Programme for peer language exchange. A community space called Café International and a Swap Shop are available for social integration. Housing assistance is provided through the university's counselling services; students typically seek accommodation through the Studentenwerk Thüringen. An international Moodle-based community forum covers practical topics including residence permits, banking, and employment.
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