The University of Passau (Universität Passau) is a German public university situated in Passau, Bavaria, Germany. Famed for its picturesque campus, high global focus, and diversity of courses particularly in the humanities, social sciences, law, business, and computer/information sciences, it presents an attractive alternative for students in Germany and worldwide.

Accreditation & Academic Quality

In 2018, the University of Passau adopted system accreditation. This implies rather than accrediting every degree programme individually, the university has internal quality-assurance processes for all programs. Recently (October 2023), 27 degree programs from all its five faculties were accredited under this system successfully, ascertaining that they fulfill the mandatory academic standards of quality.

Individual master's programmes are also externally accredited, such as the M.A. Development Studies programme which is fully accredited and bears the German Accreditation Council's seal of quality.

Programmes & Language of Instruction

From winter semester 2025-2026, Passau is launching its first fully English-taught Bachelor’s programme: B.Sc. Artificial Intelligence. This six-semester programme will combine changing mixes of German and English instruction (first four semesters mixed, last two semesters entirely English).

There are several Master’s programmes entirely in English, e.g. M. Sc. Artificial Intelligence Engineering, Computational Mathematics, Computer Science, Development Studies. These are especially suitable if you don’t speak fluent German.

For students who need German, the university offers intensive preparatory German language courses: Academic German Semester (6 months) and Academic German Year (1 year) to bring students up to required language proficiency.

Support for International Students & Student Services

The International Programmes Office helps with matriculation, exchange agreements (Erasmus, bilateral), and offers support for incoming degree students.

The Language Centre offers German as a Foreign Language for international students, subject-specific language courses, free foreign language offerings (many European and Asian languages) as additional qualifications.

Disability and accessibility are taken seriously: Passau has many accessible facilities—ramps, lifts, disabled toilets, special parking, quiet rooms, etc. There is a Student Disabilities Officer to help.

Facilities, Library & Campus Life

The campus is mostly located in a single area, along the left bank of the Inn River, with modern buildings, good architecture (e.g. the IT Centre – ITZ) and green spaces. This layout fosters interdisciplinary interaction.

The University Library has five reading rooms spread across campus, with over 1,300 workspaces. There are both individual quiet workspaces and group-study areas. Subject-specific literature is well maintained.

Computer labs: many computer rooms (PC pools) across faculties are available for student use. Rooms have projectors or SMART boards; printers and copying available.

WiFi & IT infrastructure: the campus provides broad wireless access (CampusUniPassau, eduroam), many access points (over 600), including in lecture halls, corridors, outdoors etc.

Sports & recreation: there’s a Sports Centre offering many kinds of sports, both indoor & outdoor. The campus has sports fields, gymnasiums, athletics track, and even river-side activities.

Location & Lifestyle

Passau is a lovely city where the Rivers Inn, Ilz, and Danube converge. It's smaller than a large city but rich with an attractive combination of history, culture, and nature. The campus is within walking distance; most of daily life (living, eating, studying) is in easy reach.

Living costs tend to be reasonable compared to Germany’s largest cities. Housing, food, commuting are more affordable in Bavaria’s smaller university towns like Passau. Also good safety, environmental quality, scenic surroundings.

What Makes University of Passau a Strong Choice

If you want a university with a strong international orientation, new English-taught programmes, and good language support to enter German-taught programmes later, Passau is building up its options.

The recent move to system accreditation guarantees programme quality across the faculties.

The campus infrastructure is modern and student-friendly: lots of reading rooms, labs, good WiFi, computers, sports.

For students who want a balance: strong academics + liveable lifestyle + natural surroundings + cultural history, Passau hits that sweet spot.

Especially good for social sciences, humanities, law, computer science, AI & related fields, international business/economics, etc.