About the university
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) traces its roots to 1477, and the present university was re-founded in 1946. With around 30,000 students from 120 countries, it is one of Germany's larger universities.
JGU is best known for physics: its PRISMA++ Cluster of Excellence works on particle physics, and THE ranks its Physical Sciences at 176–200 in the world for 2026. It is also strong in materials science, chemistry, life sciences and translational medicine. With Goethe University Frankfurt and TU Darmstadt it forms the Rhine-Main Universities alliance, which will be funded as a University of Excellence consortium from 2027.
Most JGU degrees are taught in German. For Indian graduates, the main English-taught options are the research-oriented MSc Physics, the Master in International Economics and Public Policy (MIEPP) and the MA English Literature and Culture. There is no tuition fee, only a semester fee that includes a transport ticket.
Mainz is in the Rhine-Main region, close to Frankfurt, which is home to JGU's alliance partner Goethe University. JGU also has smaller campuses in Germersheim and a medical campus in Trier, each with its own semester fee.
- Founded
- First established in 1477 as the University of Mainz; the present university was founded in 1946
- Type
- Public research university; part of the Rhine-Main Universities alliance with Goethe University Frankfurt and TU Darmstadt
- Students
- Around 30,000 from 120 countries (JGU); 29,073 in THE 2027 data
- International students
- 11% (THE 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 17.2 to 1 (THE 2027 data)
- Semester fee
- €366.90 a semester (winter 2026/27, Mainz campus); no tuition fee
- Intakes
- October (winter); several master's also start in April (summer)
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
=500 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
=296th in the world
THE subject rankings: Physical Sciences 2026
176–200 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
MSc Physics (research-oriented)
- Fee / year
- €734
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); April (summer)
- English
- B2 English: IELTS Academic 5.5, TOEFL iBT 79 (older format, with section minimums), Cambridge B2 First or telc B2
- Postgraduate
Master in International Economics and Public Policy (MIEPP)
- Fee / year
- €734
- Duration
- Check the programme page (the double-degree route with SGH Warsaw or Clermont-Ferrand is 2 years)
- Intakes
- October (winter); April (summer)
- English
- C1 English: IELTS 7.5, TOEFL iBT 95, PTE Academic 76–84, Cambridge CAE grade B, or a degree taught fully in English
- Postgraduate
MA English Literature and Culture
- Fee / year
- €734
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); April (summer)
- English
- C1 English recommended; no certificate required
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Physics (research-oriented) | 2 years (4 semesters) | €734 | ≈ ₹77,783 |
| Master in International Economics and Public Policy (MIEPP) | Check the programme page (the double-degree route with SGH Warsaw or Clermont-Ferrand is 2 years) | €734 | ≈ ₹77,783 |
| MA English Literature and Culture | 2 years (4 semesters) | €734 | ≈ ₹77,783 |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz with similar universities in Germany.
Scholarships
- Enrolled students, all subjects
Deutschlandstipendium at JGU
Value: Monthly award; check JGU for the amount
Eligibility: High-achieving students of all nationalities can apply directly to their university.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- JGU bachelor's degrees are taught in German, so you need German at university level.
- An Indian Class 12 certificate on its own does not usually give direct entry; see our Germany guide for the Studienkolleg route.
Postgraduate
- First have your foreign certificates checked for direct entry to your programme (JGU charges €60 for this), ideally about six weeks before the deadline.
- MSc Physics: a physics bachelor's with a grade of 3.0 or better on the German scale and set credit points in experimental, laboratory and theoretical physics and maths. Applicants slightly below may be interviewed.
- MIEPP: a six-semester bachelor's in business, economics or a related field; you can apply with 135 of 180 ECTS. The GRE is optional.
- Deadlines: MSc Physics 1 September (winter) and 1 March (summer); MIEPP 15 May for winter 2027/28 and 4 December 2026 for summer 2027.
- Indian applicants should also see our Germany guide for the APS certificate.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Bachelor's certificate and transcript (notarised copies where asked)
- Certificate check for direct entry (JGU, €60)
- English certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge or telc)
- Motivation letter (max. one page) and CV (max. two pages) in English, for MIEPP
- APS certificate for Indian degree holders (see our Germany guide)
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 5.5 for MSc Physics (B2); 7.5 for MIEPP (C1) |
| TOEFL iBT | 79 for MSc Physics (older format); 95 for MIEPP |
| PTE Academic | 76–84 for MIEPP |
| Other proof | Cambridge and telc certificates are accepted; MIEPP also accepts a degree taught entirely in English. Tests must be no more than three years old. |
Accommodation and living costs
The Studierendenwerk Mainz runs student residences. Apply by 15 July for the winter semester or 15 January for the summer semester; rooms often become free after these dates too. DAAD's listing for JGU gives about €1,000 a month for rent, food and personal costs.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Living costs including rentApproximate figure from DAAD's listing for JGU | €1,000per month | ≈ ₹1.1 lakh |
| JGU semester fee (Mainz campus)Winter 2026/27; includes the semester ticket | €367per semester | ≈ ₹38,891 |
| Certificate check for direct entryJGU fee for foreign applicants | €60one-off | ≈ ₹6,360 |
Campus and location
JGU's main campus is in Mainz, with smaller sites in Germersheim and Trier (medical campus).
- Home of the PRISMA++ Cluster of Excellence in particle physics.
- Research strengths in materials science, quantum and atomic physics, polymer chemistry, life sciences and translational medicine.
- The semester ticket includes the Deutschlandticket for public transport.
- Part of the Rhine-Main Universities alliance with Goethe University Frankfurt and TU Darmstadt.
Careers and graduate outcomes
JGU does not publish graduate employment figures on the pages we opened. The Rhine-Main region around Frankfurt is one of Germany's strongest job markets, but German skills widen your options a great deal. For post-study work rules, see our Germany guide.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|
Studying in Germany
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Germany. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
Does JGU Mainz charge tuition fees?
No. You pay the semester fee, €366.90 for winter 2026/27 on the Mainz campus, which includes the semester ticket.
Which master's are taught in English?
The research-oriented MSc Physics, the Master in International Economics and Public Policy and the MA English Literature and Culture are taught in English. The Meteorology master's is also listed as English-taught. Most other degrees are in German.
What IELTS score do I need?
5.5 for the MSc Physics and 7.5 for the MIEPP economics master's.
Can I start in April?
Yes, for several programmes. The MSc Physics and the MA English Literature and Culture admit in both winter and summer, and the MIEPP has a summer 2027 round.
How much money do I need for living in Mainz?
DAAD's listing for JGU suggests about €1,000 a month for rent, food and personal costs.
Sources
- JGU: home page (opens in a new tab)
- JGU: student portal (opens in a new tab)
- JGU: financial matters (semester fee 2026/27) (opens in a new tab)
- JGU Faculty of Economics: international (opens in a new tab)
- JGU: MIEPP admission requirements (opens in a new tab)
- JGU: MIEPP application dates (opens in a new tab)
- JGU Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science: international students (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD International Programmes: JGU MSc Physics (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD International Programmes: JGU MA English Literature and Culture (opens in a new tab)
- Times Higher Education: Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz (opens in a new tab)
- Deutschlandstipendium (Federal Ministry) (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.uni-mainz.de (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details