Universität Passau

Passau, Bayern, Germany

Founded: 1978
Students: 9,952
International: 18%
Programmes: 44
Taught in English: 23

Overview Programmes44 Admissions & fees Scholarships10 Accommodation Campus & life

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

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.

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 page

From the university

Student housing is managed in cooperation with the Studentenwerk; prospective students are advised to apply for Studentenwerk dormitory places early.

Where to apply

Named on this university's own pages.

Studentenwerk

Start early

Halls of residence in Germany are allocated by waiting list and are usually oversubscribed. Apply as soon as you hold an admission letter, and keep looking on the private market in parallel.

Ask the International Office

They answer housing questions from admitted students.

Housing & support pages [email protected]

Living in Passau

Rent is the largest part of the blocked account, and it varies far more by city than by university.

Cost of living guides

Campuses & locations

Main Campus Passau

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.

International Office [email protected] International students page →

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Universität Passau

About Universität Passau

Key facts

Study programmes

Bachelor of Arts in European Studies / Bachelor of Arts in European Studies (Major)

Bachelor of Arts in International Cultural and Business Studies

Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence

Bachelor of Science in Digital Transformation in Business and Society

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics

Business Administration and Economics (BWL/VWL), B.Sc.

Business Administration, M.Sc.

Caritaswissenschaft und werteorientiertes Management, M.A.

Computational Mathematics, M.Sc.

Development Studies, M.A.

Digital Platform Ecosystems (DFG Research Training Group 2720)

Digital Transformation in Business and Society, B.Sc.

European Studies Major, B.A.

European Studies, B.A.

European Studies, M.A.

Geographie: Kultur, Umwelt und Tourismus, M.A.

Governance and Public Policy - Staatswissenschaften, B.A.

Governance and Public Policy - Staatswissenschaften, M.A.

International Economics and Business, M.A.

Journalistik und Strategische Kommunikation, B.A.

Kommunikation in der digitalen Gesellschaft, M.A.

Kulturwirtschaft/International Cultural and Business Studies, B.A.

Kulturwirtschaft/International Cultural and Business Studies, M.A.

Legal Tech, LL.B.

Admissions & fees

What it costs

Admission requirements

Application deadlines

How international applicants apply

Languages of instruction

Scholarships at Universität Passau

Advancement of Internationalisation - Travel Grants and Emergency Scholarship for International Students

BayBIDS Scholarships (Graduates of German Schools Abroad)

BAYHOST Scholarships (Graduates from Eastern Europe)

DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Programme (Master's in Governance/Public Policy)

Deutschlandstipendium at the University of Passau

Erasmus+ Mobility Grants

One-off Aid in Cooperation with the Verein der Freunde und Foerderer der Universitaet Passau e.V.

Oskar-Karl-Forster Scholarship (Learning Materials and Thesis Printing Costs)

PROMOS Scholarship Programme for Stays Abroad

Scholarship from Donation Barometer (Financial Hardship)

Student accommodation

The university's housing page

From the university

Where to apply

Campuses & locations

Living in Passau

Student life & support

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Interested in Studying at Universität Passau?

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Universität Passau?