- Founded
- 1970
- Students
- 11,100
- International
- 17.2%
- Programmes
- 89
- Taught in English
- 6
About Universität Trier
Universität Trier is a public research university located in Trier, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Founded in 1970 as part of a dual-university arrangement with Kaiserslautern (which became fully independent in 1975), the university has grown from 356 initial students across three faculties to approximately 11,100 students today. It is organised into six faculties offering bachelor's, master's, law (Staatsexamen), theology, and doctoral programmes across more than 30 subject areas.
The university positions itself as internationally oriented while remaining regionally embedded. It is a member of the University of the Greater Region (UniGR), a cross-border academic network spanning Trier, Metz, Nancy, Luxembourg, Liège, Kaiserslautern, and Saarbrücken, enabling collaborative study and research. English-taught master's programmes are available, and the university participates in ERASMUS+ exchanges and hosts an International Summer School.
Trier is Germany's oldest city, situated on the Moselle River near the borders with Luxembourg and France. The university occupies a single compact campus at Universitätsring 15 with modern facilities including a central library, canteen, IT services, sports facilities, and student housing support.
Founded in 1970; approximately 11,100 students across 6 faculties
Located in Germany's oldest city (Roman UNESCO World Heritage Site) near Luxembourg and France
Member of the University of the Greater Region (UniGR) - cross-border study network spanning 7 cities in 4 countries
English-taught master's programmes available alongside German-taught offerings
Rhineland-Palatinate does not charge non-EU tuition surcharges (unlike Baden-Württemberg or Bavaria)
Non-EU applicants to unrestricted programmes must apply by 31 May for the winter semester - significantly earlier than the EU deadline of 15 September
Key facts
- Type
- Universitäten
- Founded
- 1970
- Students
- 11,100
- International
- ~17.2% (winter semester 2025/26)
- Faculties
- 6
- Programmes
- 89
Study programmes
89 accredited degrees at Universität Trier, 6 of them taught in English.
Showing 25–48 of 89 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
Universität Trier is a public university in Rhineland-Palatinate, a state that does not charge tuition fees for non-EU students (unlike Baden-Württemberg, which charges €1,500/semester, or Bavaria from WS 2025/26). All enrolled students pay a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag); the exact current amount was not published on the pages retrieved but typically covers the student union (AStA), student services (Studierendenwerk), and in many cases a public-transport semester ticket (Semesterticket). Non-EU international students are not subject to a tuition surcharge in Rhineland-Palatinate. Applicants should verify the current Semesterbeitrag amount directly via the admissions office or PORTA before enrolment.
Admission requirements
International applicants apply through the university's online portal PORTA (porta-system.uni-trier.de). Entry qualifications must be recognised as equivalent to a German Hochschulreife (for bachelor's) or a relevant bachelor's degree (for master's). The university explicitly lists 'Applicants with Bachelor from India' as a distinct applicant category, indicating familiarity with Indian credentials. Indian applicants are subject to the APS certificate requirement (issued by the German Embassy in New Delhi) as a mandatory document for the student visa; without APS the visa application will be rejected. Chinese and Vietnamese applicants are likewise APS-obligated per German Embassy rules. For English-taught master's programmes, proof of English proficiency is required alongside the master's entrance qualification. German-taught programmes require DSH or TestDaF TDN 4 (or equivalent). Application is via PORTA; a new registration is needed each semester.
Application deadlines
Winter Semester 2026/27: admission-free courses (including English-taught master's) - German/EU applicants 5 May to 15 September 2026; non-EU applicants 5 May to 31 May 2026. Admission-restricted courses: all applicants 5 May to 15 July 2026. Summer Semester deadlines were not published on the pages retrieved. Applications are submitted via PORTA.
How international applicants apply
No uni-assist - explicitly excluded. Official FAQ: 'Trier University does not cooperate with Uni-Assist ... you need to register in PORTA'. International applicants apply via the university's PORTA portal (HISinOne-based, porta-system.uni-trier.de); for admission-free courses (incl. English-taught Masters) non-EU applicants close earlier than German/EU ones, and the university runs its own evaluation-fee procedure (for Indian ETM applicants even a Uni Assist report is explicitly 'not sufficient'). Trier University is not on uni-assist's member list (only Trier University of Applied Sciences is).
Languages of instruction
The primary language of instruction is German. English-taught master's programmes (ETM) are available; applicants to those programmes must provide proof of English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent). German-taught programmes require DSH or equivalent German language certification. The university's Language Centre (Sprachenzentrum) offers language courses, UNIcert and GER certifications, and DSH exam preparation.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Scholarships at Universität Trier
1 scheme run or administered by the university. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on the official page.
Student accommodation
What Universität Trier 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
Incoming degree students are supported through the QUICK START orientation programme and a Regional Integration Assistance service that helps with housing search and settling in. Student housing is coordinated through the Studierendenwerk; on-campus dormitory places are limited and early application is recommended.
Campuses & locations
Universitätsring 15, 54296 Trier - single consolidated campus with all faculties, library, canteen, and student services
Living in Trier
Trier is Germany's oldest city, founded by the Romans and a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its remarkably preserved Roman monuments including the Porta Nigra gate and the Imperial Baths. Located on the Moselle River in south-western Rhineland-Palatinate, Trier sits at the intersection of Germany, Luxembourg, and France, giving the city a distinctive cross-border character. It is a compact, walkable city of roughly 115,000 inhabitants with a lower cost of living compared to Frankfurt, Munich, or Berlin, making it an affordable student destination.
Student life & support
The International Office (Internationales Büro) is located in Building V, ground floor, Room V 20a, and is reachable at [email protected], +49 651 201-2806 / -4598 (walk-in hours: Monday 09:00-10:00, Tuesday-Friday 09:00-11:00). Incoming degree students are supported through the QUICK START orientation programme and a Regional Integration Assistance service that helps with housing search and settling in. The Language Centre offers German language courses and DSH preparation. Student housing is coordinated through the Studierendenwerk; on-campus dormitory places are limited and early application is recommended. Sports, cultural events, and canteen services are available on campus. The university participates in ERASMUS+ and hosts an annual International Summer School.
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