- Founded
- 1978
- Students
- 9,952
- International
- 18%
- Programmes
- 44
- Taught in English
- 23
About Universität Passau
Universität Passau is a mid-sized public research university in southeastern Bavaria, founded in 1978. As of Summer 2026 it enrols 9,952 students across five faculties spanning law, social and educational sciences, humanities, business and information systems, and computer science and mathematics. The university consistently ranks among the top 30% of universities worldwide and receives top CHE Ranking marks particularly in law and information systems.
The university is notable for its strong internationality: 1,838 students (approximately 18% of the student body) come from more than 50 countries. India is one of the top five source countries, alongside Austria, Turkey, Tunisia, and Pakistan. The university maintains partnerships with more than 327 universities worldwide and offers international double-degree programmes with institutions across Europe, India, and the USA.
Passau's academic profile is organised around four strategic research domains: Digital Platforms, Cybersecurity and Data Protection, Resilient Democracies, and AI and Language. Both bachelor's and master's programmes are available, with a growing number taught in English, especially at master's level.
Founded 1978; enrols 9,952 students (Summer 2026), of whom ~18% are international
India is among the top five student-origin countries, with 140 Indian students enrolled
Five faculties; top CHE Ranking results in law and information systems (2026)
Over 327 international partner universities; international double-degree programmes with institutions in India, Europe, and the USA
Growing portfolio of English-taught master's programmes in AI, business, and development studies
Compact single-campus city university at the confluence of three rivers; close to Austria and Czech Republic
Key facts
- Type
- Universitäten
- Founded
- 1978
- Students
- 9,952
- International
- ~18% (1,838 international students as of Summer 2026)
- Faculties
- 5
- Programmes
- 44
Study programmes
44 accredited degrees at Universität Passau, 23 of them taught in English.
Showing 1–24 of 44 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
Universität Passau is a Bavarian public university. Tuition is not charged for standard consecutive bachelor's and master's programmes. All enrolled students pay a mandatory semester contribution of €126.90 per semester (Winter 2026/27 figure), which covers the Studentenwerk fee (€82.00) and a public-transport semester bus pass (€44.90). No additional non-EU surcharge is listed on the official fees page; however, Bavaria introduced fees for non-EU students starting WS 2025/26 for certain programmes - applicants should verify the current fee status for their specific programme directly with the university's Student Registration Office.
Admission requirements
International applicants must hold a recognised university entrance qualification equivalent to the German Abitur (for bachelor's) or a completed bachelor's degree in a relevant field (for master's). German-taught programmes require proof of German language proficiency (typically DSH-2 or TestDaF TDN 4); English-taught programmes require proof of English proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL - exact thresholds vary by programme). Applicants from India, China, and Vietnam whose prior qualifications were obtained in those countries must additionally hold a valid APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) certificate before the visa application; this is a German Embassy requirement and is not waived by the university. Individual programme pages and the university's personalised application guide at uni-passau.de/en/apply provide applicant-specific requirements.
Application deadlines
Winter semester: the uni-assist application portal for applicants with international qualifications opens on 1 April; the deadline for undergraduate (grundständige) programmes via uni-assist is 15 July, while most master's programmes close earlier - 31 May for selected MSc programmes (Artificial Intelligence Engineering, Mathematics, Informatik, Development Studies) and 30 June for most other master's applications submitted via uni-assist, with a few programme-specific exceptions listed by the university. Enrolment for the bachelor programmes in law and teacher training runs from 15 June to 30 September.
How international applicants apply
uni-assist (full processing): applicants with international/non-EW R qualifications apply for Bachelor, Staatsexamen and Master places entirely through uni-assist - online application, document upload and fee (EUR 75/30) within the programme deadlines; APS certificate mandatory for China/India/Vietnam, HEC attestation for Pakistan. EWR-qualified applicants and Bildungsinlaender (German HZB, incl. recognised IB) enrol/apply directly via the Campusportal. Passau appears on uni-assist's official member list.
Languages of instruction
The majority of bachelor's programmes are taught in German. Two bachelor's programmes are fully English-taught: B.Sc. Artificial Intelligence and B.Sc. Mathematics. At master's level a significant share of programmes is English-taught, including M.Sc. Artificial Intelligence Engineering, M.Sc. Business Administration, and M.A. Development Studies, among others. German-taught master's programmes are also offered. Students are advised to check the language of instruction for each individual programme.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Scholarships at Universität Passau
10 schemes run or administered by the university. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on the official page.
Advancement of Internationalisation - Travel Grants and Emergency Scholarship for International Students
Under its Advancement of Internationalisation funding programme, the university provides travel cost grants for research stays abr...
Amount: Travel cost contribution (research stays abroad); emergency grants cas...
Bachelor, Master, Doctorate
BayBIDS Scholarships (Graduates of German Schools Abroad)
Graduates from German international and partner schools who are setting out on a degree programme in Bavaria may obtain scholarshi...
Amount: Not specified (varies by programme)
Bachelor, Master
BAYHOST Scholarships (Graduates from Eastern Europe)
BAYHOST announces scholarships for graduates from Eastern European countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia...
Amount: Varies by programme (e.g., EUR 992/month for postgraduate)
Deadline: Varies by programme (e.g., 1 December for BayHost graduate scholarship...
Master, Doctorate
DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Programme (Master's in Governance/Public Policy)
DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Programme funds Master's in Governance and Public Policy (MPA) at University of Passau. Full scholarship inclu...
Amount: Full scholarship (monthly stipend EUR 934, travel, insurance, study al...
Deadline: July 31, 2026
Master
Deutschlandstipendium at the University of Passau
The University of Passau supports particularly strong students - including those just starting out - with a monthly stipend of EUR...
Amount: EUR 300 per month
Deadline: Application period 4 May - 15 June 2026 for the 2026/27 funding year (...
Bachelor, Master, State examination (Law/Teacher training)
Erasmus+ Mobility Grants
Erasmus+ mobility allowance for study stays at European partner universities. Amount depends on total DAAD allocation to Universit...
Amount: Monthly mobility grant (country group dependent, varies annually)
Deadline: Erasmus application deadlines (typically January for summer semester,...
Bachelor, Master, Doctorate
One-off Aid in Cooperation with the Verein der Freunde und Foerderer der Universitaet Passau e.V.
Thanks to student survey participation, the University of Passau receives funds from the Association of Friends and Sponsors (Vere...
Amount: up to EUR 300 one-off
Bachelor, Master
Oskar-Karl-Forster Scholarship (Learning Materials and Thesis Printing Costs)
The University of Passau offers Oskar-Karl-Forster scholarships to talented students and doctoral candidates in financial hardship...
Amount: up to EUR 500 one-off
Bachelor, Master, Doctorate
PROMOS Scholarship Programme for Stays Abroad
PROMOS provides funding for study and competition-related trips abroad (short-term stays up to 6 months) for students of all facul...
Amount: Varies (partial scholarship and/or travel allowance)
Bachelor, Master, Doctorate
Scholarship from Donation Barometer (Financial Hardship)
Since winter semester 2023/24, the Donation Barometer project donates EUR 2 per completed student questionnaire to scholarships fo...
Amount: up to EUR 300 one-off
Bachelor, Master
Student accommodation
What Universität Passau publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
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 in cooperation with the Studentenwerk; prospective students are advised to apply for Studentenwerk dormitory places early.
Campuses & locations
Single campus city university located along the Inn river in central Passau
Living in Passau
Passau is a city of approximately 50,000 residents in southeastern Bavaria, situated at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers, close to the Austrian and Czech borders. Its location is often described as midway between Munich, Prague, and Vienna. The city has a characteristic peninsular layout with Baroque architecture that has earned it the informal nickname 'Bavaria's Venice'. The student population of roughly 11,000 gives the city a lively university-town atmosphere within a compact and navigable setting.
Student life & support
The International Office ([email protected]) provides support for incoming degree-seeking and exchange students, including orientation weeks, the iStudi Coach mentoring programme, and a Welcome Centre for newly arriving academics and students. German language instruction is available through German Courses Passau (GCP), the university's own language programme. Student housing is managed in cooperation with the Studentenwerk; prospective students are advised to apply for Studentenwerk dormitory places early. The semester contribution includes a public-transport bus pass covering local travel within the city.
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