Seven of the best universities for pursuing STEM programs in 2024 were identified based on global standings, acceptance rates, student enrollment, and overall scores in the QS Ranking.
Seven of the best universities for pursuing STEM programs in 2024 were identified based on global standings, acceptance rates, student enrollment, and overall scores in the QS Ranking.
Germany has witnessed a surge in STEM education, with a remarkable 1,078,042 students enrolled in STEM courses during the 2022-23 academic year, according to data from the German Federal Statistical Office.
In the report, “5 STEM Fields for High-Demand Jobs in Germany (+Salaries),” Studying-in-Germany.org, the information portal for international students, identified the best universities for pursuing STEM programs in 2024, the Erudera reported.
The rankings were based on global standings, acceptance rates, student enrollment, and overall scores in the QS Ranking.
Top-ranked universities for STEM studies
The top seven German universities for STEM studies in 2024, as identified by Studying-in-Germany.org, include the Technical University of Munich, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Technische Universität Berlin, RWTH Aachen University, Technische Universität Dresden, Universität Stuttgart, and Technical University of Darmstadt.
These institutions have been recognized for their excellence in STEM education, making them appealing choices for students seeking high-quality programs in these crucial fields.
Other notable institutions include Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Leibniz University Hannover, Universität Heidelberg, Freie Universitaet Berlin, TU Dortmund University, and Technische Universität Braunschweig.
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and the Technical University of Munich stood out with the highest student enrollments, recording 52,276 and 50,000 students, respectively, during the 2022-23 academic year.
High demand, notable salaries
“Engineering remains in high demand in Germany, serving as a key pillar of the nation’s economy, particularly in sectors like automotive and manufacturing,” said Alma Miftari, head of research and statistics at Studying-in-Germany.org.
“The continuous supply of fresh talent from Germany’s high-quality education system fuels this demand, highlighting the evolving nature of the industry,” she added.
The fastest-growing STEM fields in Germany include engineering, IT, biotechnology, life sciences, data science, robotics, and automation. These fields attract global talent and offer competitive salaries ranging from €57,506 (approximately $62,257) to €121,666 ($131,742) annually.
Among engineering roles, electrical engineering takes the lead as the highest-paying profession, with an annual salary of €83,683 ($90,614) or an hourly rate of €40.23 ($43.56).
In the IT sector, web developers earn the highest income, totaling €92,064 ($99,702) per year or €41.94 ($45.41) per hour.
Data scientists in the field of data science and analytics command an annual salary of €115,921 ($125, 538), equivalent to €56 ($61) per hour.
Studying STEM in Germany varies across universities. Undergraduate candidates are required to have completed physics, chemistry, and biology in high school, while postgraduate students must possess a bachelor’s degree in their chosen STEM course.
Global study hub
Germany has experienced a significant increase in international student enrollment, securing its position as one of the most sought-after study destinations globally.
The latest data indicates a total of 458,210 students, comprising both international students and resident international students who completed their studies in Germany or attended a German school.
Among these, 367,578 are international students, and 90,632 are resident international students.
The surge represents a 52 percent growth in international student enrollment from 2013-23.
India and China lead the pack as the primary countries of origin for international students in Germany, contributing 42,578 and 39,137 students, respectively.
North Rhine-Westphalia stands out as the federal state with the highest number of international students, totaling 77,199.
Meanwhile, a majority of international students in Germany are pursuing studies in engineering, with a substantial total of 145,707.
This surge has propelled Germany to surpass Australia as one of the most popular study destinations globally.
Currently, Germany holds the third position worldwide for international students and takes the lead among non-English-speaking nations.
At least 45 percent of international students choose to stay in Germany a decade after enrollment, a rate comparable to Canada and the highest among 16 OECD countries.
