The University of Rostock is one of the top public universities located in Rostock, Germany. Founded in 1419, it is the 3rd-oldest university in Germany. The CWUR ranks the university at #594 among 21,462 universities globally in 2025. The University of Rostock ranking is in the 851-900 band of the QS World University Rankings 2026. The US News & World Report also ranked the university at #835 globally in its Best Global Universities 2025 ranking.
The University of Rostock offers more than 20 programs to international students at graduate and undergraduate levels. The fields of study include engineering, science, economics, arts, and humanities. Biomedical Engineering, Economics, and Chemistry are the most popular courses among international students. The programs are offered in the Summer and Winter semesters. The University of Rostock has an acceptance rate of 48%.
Like with most public universities in Germany, the University of Rostock does not charge tuition fees to its students. You only have to pay a semester fee, which varies across universities in Germany. The semester fee for University of Rostock students is €329, which goes to the transportation pass, the Rostock-Wismar student union, and the student body for self-governance. The university also provides many scholarships, including the DAAD and private endowments.
The University of Rostock provides courses in both German and English. 6 Master’s programs and 1 doctoral program are offered in only English. The table below highlights some of the programs offered by the University of Rostock.
| Program | English Language Requirements | Additional Admission Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| MS Computer Science |
TOEFL iBT – 94 IELTS – 7.0 |
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science CGPA – 85% |
| MS Computational Science and Engineering |
TOEFL iBT – 90 IELTS – 6.5 |
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering fields, CGPA – 85%, or GATE – 500 Knowledge of Programming languages like C++, Java, etc. |
| MS Electrical Engineering |
TOEFL iBT – 94 IELTS – 7.0 |
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering CGPA – 85%, or GATE – 500 Knowledge of Electrical Engineering subjects like Electromagnetic Fields and Waves, etc. |
| MSc Physics |
TOEFL – 72 IELTS – 5.5 |
Bachelor’s degree in Physics |
| BS Economics | NA | No additional requirements |
| BA History | NA | No additional requirements |
The University of Rostock, being a public university in Germany, only charges a semester fee for each semester and for every student. The semester fee is not used to finance teaching, but rather for the services that are provided for students. These services include a transportation pass, and a student union for self-governance. The table below shows the semester fee as well as its breakdown.
| Service | Fee in € | Fee in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation Pass (aka semester ticket) | 208.80 | 21,362 |
| Rostock-Wismar student union | 109 | 11,152 |
| Student body (StuRa/AStA and student councils) | 11.20 | 1,146 |
| TOTAL | 329 | 33,659 |
The University of Rostock has an acceptance rate of 48%. Though there is no requirement for standardized tests like GMAT or GRE, the undergraduate degree score requirement of 85% makes the University of Rostock admissions competitive. The table below mentions the eligibility and document requirements for admission to the University of Rostock.
| Graduate Admissions Requirements | Undergraduate Admission Requirements |
|---|---|
|
UniAssist Application Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline CGPA – 85% English Language Proficiency tests (any 1): TOEFL – 94 IELTS – 7.0 Any German Language proficiency tests with a C1 or B2 grade (CEFR equivalent) Official academic transcripts APS Certification Copy of Passport |
UniAssist Application School-leaving certificate Must have attended 13 years of schooling * Official academic transcripts or marks Proof of German Language Proficiency is mandatory – C1 level CV or Resume after the age of 16 years Copy of Passport |
* India has a 12-year schooling period. You need to have 1 more year of university education, or enroll in a 1-year course at the University of Rostock.
The University of Rostock offers admissions in the Summer and Winter semesters. Bachelor’s and medicine, and dentistry programs are offered admission only in the Winter semester. Engineering programs are offered in both winter and summer semesters.
The table below mentions the deadlines for admissions to graduate and undergraduate programs at the University of Rostock.
| Category | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Application Window | May 1 – July 15 each year | November 1 – January 15 each year |
| Undergraduate Application Window | May 1 – July 15 each year | Does not offer admission |
| Programs under the Faculty of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering and Sustainable Maritime Engineering | April 1 – May 31 each year | October 1 – November 30 each year |
The University of Rostock estimates the cost of living in Rostock to be €980 (INR 10 Lakhs). This includes health insurance, accommodation, and books and study materials. The cost of living in Germany is almost the same in all its cities. For example, in Greifswald it is €920 (INR 94,122)monthly. The table below shows the annual cost of attendance at the University of Greifswald.
| Category | Cost Estimate (€) | Cost Estimate (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Semester Fees (4 semesters) | 329 x 4 = 1,316 | 1.4 Lakhs |
| Annual Cost of Living | 980 x 12 = 11,760 | 12 Lakhs |
The University offers several privately as well as government-funded scholarships in Germany to international students, like the DAAD and Deutschlandstipendium scholarships. The table below lists some of them.
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Deutschlandstipendium |
High-achieving students. Considers academic excellence, social engagement, and personal background. |
€300 (INR 30,692) per month |
| DAAD-STIBET | For Bachelor’s, Master’s, or doctoral students in financial hardship. | Need-based |
| Scholarships from Foundations like Heinrich‑Böll, KAS, Rosa‑Luxemburg | Requirements like Academic merit, age, and engagement vary by foundation | Varies by foundation |
The University of Rostock does not provide placement statistics of its graduates. But it provides many career support services to domestic and international students alike.
The University of Rostock is spread across the city of Rostock, with main faculties located in areas like Ulmenstraße and Südstadt. Around 13,000 students, with a growing number of international students (~12%).
The University of Rostock has an acceptance rate of 48%, which makes it highly selective. If you have secured an 85% in your undergraduate degree, you have a good chance of securing admission to one of the top and oldest universities in Germany.
Ques. Can I apply to the University of Rostock if I don’t speak German?
Ques. How is teaching structured at the University of Rostock?
Ques. Can international students work while studying at the University of Rostock?
Ques. Can I stay in Germany after graduation from the University of Rostock to look for a job?
