About the university
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) is one of the oldest universities in Germany. It was founded in 1472 in Ingolstadt, moved to Landshut in 1800 and settled in Munich in 1826 at the request of King Ludwig I. Over the centuries it has been linked to dozens of Nobel laureates, among them Wilhelm Röntgen and Werner Heisenberg.
Unlike its neighbour TUM, LMU is a comprehensive university. It is strong in medicine, physics, life sciences, psychology, economics, law, statistics and the humanities, and is one of Germany's Universities of Excellence. Its medical faculty runs the LMU University Hospital, one of Europe's largest, and it works closely with Max Planck institutes and Helmholtz Munich.
The main building on Geschwister-Scholl-Platz sits in Munich's university district of Maxvorstadt, next to the English Garden; sciences and medicine are spread across Großhadern-Martinsried and other sites in the city. Munich offers excellent public transport, a strong job market and easy trips to the Alps, but it is Germany's most expensive city for rent.
For Indian students, LMU's main attraction is quality without tuition fees: degree programmes are free, and students pay only the Studierendenwerk fee. Most bachelor's programmes and many master's are taught in German, so the English-taught choice is narrower than at TUM. It is strongest for data science, statistics, physics, neuroscience, psychology and economics.
- Founded
- 1472 in Ingolstadt; moved to Landshut in 1800 and to Munich in 1826
- Type
- Public comprehensive research university and one of Germany's Universities of Excellence
- Students
- 34,024 in THE World University Rankings 2027 data (LMU reports around 50,000 including all degree types)
- International students
- 19% (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Tuition
- No tuition fee for degree programmes; students pay the Studierendenwerk München fee each semester
- Faculties
- 18 faculties covering humanities, social sciences, law, economics, medicine and natural sciences
- Intakes
- October (winter); some master's also start in April
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
61st in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
41st in the world
Excellence Strategy (German federal and state governments) 2019
Selected as a University of Excellence
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
MSc Data Science (Elite Graduate Programme)
- Fee / year
- €194
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter)
- English
- English at C1 level for most programmes (IELTS or TOEFL); each programme sets the score
- Postgraduate
MSc Statistics and Data Science
- Fee / year
- €194
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); April (summer)
- English
- English at C1 level for most programmes (IELTS or TOEFL); each programme sets the score
- Postgraduate
MSc Software Engineering (Elite Graduate Programme, with TUM and Augsburg)
- Fee / year
- €194
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter)
- English
- English at C1 level for most programmes (IELTS or TOEFL); each programme sets the score
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €194
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter)
- English
- English at C1 level for most programmes (IELTS or TOEFL); each programme sets the score
- Postgraduate
MSc Neuro-Cognitive Psychology
- Fee / year
- €194
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter)
- English
- English at C1 level for most programmes (IELTS or TOEFL); each programme sets the score
- Postgraduate
MSc Neurosciences (Elite Graduate Programme)
- Fee / year
- €194
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter)
- English
- English at C1 level for most programmes (IELTS or TOEFL); each programme sets the score
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €194
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter)
- English
- English at C1 level for most programmes (IELTS or TOEFL); each programme sets the score
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €194
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); April (summer)
- English
- English at C1 level for most programmes (IELTS or TOEFL); each programme sets the score
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Data Science (Elite Graduate Programme) | 2 years (4 semesters) | €194 | ≈ ₹20,564 |
| MSc Statistics and Data Science | 2 years (4 semesters) | €194 | ≈ ₹20,564 |
| MSc Software Engineering (Elite Graduate Programme, with TUM and Augsburg) | 2 years (4 semesters) | €194 | ≈ ₹20,564 |
| MSc Economics | 2 years (4 semesters) | €194 | ≈ ₹20,564 |
| MSc Neuro-Cognitive Psychology | 2 years (4 semesters) | €194 | ≈ ₹20,564 |
| MSc Neurosciences (Elite Graduate Programme) | 2 years (4 semesters) | €194 | ≈ ₹20,564 |
| MSc Epidemiology | 2 years (4 semesters) | €194 | ≈ ₹20,564 |
| MSc Biochemistry | 2 years (4 semesters) | €194 | ≈ ₹20,564 |
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 Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich) with similar universities in Germany.
Scholarships
- Enrolled students, all subjects
Deutschlandstipendium at LMU
Value: €300 a month
Eligibility: High-achieving enrolled students, including international students. Apply through LMU when the round opens.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Master's and doctoral students
DAAD scholarships
Value: Monthly stipend; amount depends on the programme
Eligibility: Competitive awards; check the database for awards open to Indian applicants.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Master's students
Heinrich Böll Foundation scholarship for international students
Value: €992 a month for master's students, plus up to €100 towards health insurance
Eligibility: Applicants with a foreign first degree who show social or political engagement. Apply before starting your master's.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Students in Elite Graduate Programmes
Elite Network of Bavaria programmes
Value: Extra academic support and networking; not a fee waiver
Eligibility: Elite Graduate Programmes such as Data Science and Software Engineering run small, selective cohorts.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Most LMU bachelor's programmes are taught in German (C1 level needed).
- An Indian Class 12 certificate on its own does not usually give direct entry; you typically need one or two years of a related bachelor's in India or a Studienkolleg year.
- Indian applicants need an APS certificate.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree in a related subject, assessed against each programme's admission rules. Elite programmes add a written test or interview.
- Some programmes take applications directly through LMU's portal; others use uni-assist for applicants with foreign degrees.
- Deadlines vary widely: for October entry, some close as early as 15 February and others in May, June or July.
- Indian applicants need an APS certificate.
Documents
- Valid passport
- APS certificate (required for Indian applicants with an Indian degree)
- Bachelor's degree certificate and transcripts (or an interim transcript with your current average if you are in your final year)
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- English test score (IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT), or a medium-of-instruction certificate where the programme accepts one
- CV in tabular format
- Statement of purpose or letter of motivation
- Letters of recommendation, where the programme asks for them
- GRE or GATE score, only for programmes that ask for it
- Course module descriptions, for programmes that check your subject credits
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 |
|---|---|
| Level needed | Most English-taught master's ask for C1 level, proven by IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT or Cambridge English. The exact score is set by each programme. |
| German | Not required for English-taught master's, but very useful in Munich for jobs and daily life. |
Accommodation and living costs
LMU does not guarantee housing. Students apply to the Studierendenwerk München halls, which have long waiting lists, and look for shared flats at the same time. Munich is Germany's most expensive city; TUM, next door, estimates €1,300–€2,000 a month for a single person.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Studierendenwerk München feeSummer 2026 amount; no tuition fee | €97per semester | ≈ ₹10,282 |
| Room in a student hall (Studierendenwerk)Cheapest option, but waiting lists are long. Apply as soon as you have your admission letter. | €250–450per month | ≈ ₹26,500 – ₹47,700 |
| Room in a shared flat (WG)German range; Munich is at the top of it and above | €350–750per month | ≈ ₹37,100 – ₹79,500 |
| Food and groceriesCooking at home and eating in the university canteen (Mensa) keeps this low | €200–300per month | ≈ ₹21,200 – ₹31,800 |
| Statutory student health insuranceAbout €118–€123 base contribution plus each insurer's extra contribution in 2026 | €135–150per month | ≈ ₹14,310 – ₹15,900 |
| Phone, internet, study materials and leisureOur total of typical monthly costs from the Germany guide | €95–185per month | ≈ ₹10,070 – ₹19,610 |
Campus and location
Munich is the capital of Bavaria, a prosperous city of about 1.5 million people with excellent public transport, the English Garden and the Alps within an hour or two.
- The main building is in Maxvorstadt, Munich's university district, close to museums and cafés.
- The Großhadern-Martinsried campus hosts medicine, biology, chemistry and pharmacy, next to Max Planck institutes.
- LMU and TUM run several joint master's, including Quantum Science and Technology and Geophysics.
- The Deutschland semester ticket can be bought for cheap transport across Germany.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Munich has one of Germany's strongest job markets, with technology, finance, insurance, pharma and consulting firms. LMU graduates in data science, statistics and economics are well placed, especially with some German. The figures below are general rules and statistics, not a promise of a job.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Job-search permit after graduating | Up to 18 months, for bachelor's and master's graduates | Make it in Germany |
| Work allowed while studying | 140 full days or 280 half days a year (student assistant jobs at the university don't count) | Make it in Germany |
| Statutory minimum wage, 2026 | €13.90 an hour | Federal Government: minimum wage |
| International students at LMU Munich | 19% | Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 |
Studying in Germany
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Germany. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in Germany
- Public
Often chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Data Science & AI
- Public
Often chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT
Photo: juhotski, CC BY-SA 3.0 PublicOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Life Sciences
Photo: TU Berlin/Pressestelle/Ulrich Dahl, Copyrighted free use PublicOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Business & Management
Photo: Hermann Luyken, CC0 PublicHeidelberg University (official website, opens in a new tab)
Heidelberg, GermanyOften chosen for Medicine & Health Sciences, Life Sciences
Photo: Lupus in Saxonia, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Life Sciences
FAQs
Is LMU Munich free for Indian students?
Yes, LMU charges no tuition fee for degree programmes. You pay the Studierendenwerk München fee each semester (€97 in summer 2026).
Can I study at LMU in English?
Yes, for a smaller set of master's, including Data Science, Statistics and Data Science, Neuro-Cognitive Psychology, Economics and several physics and neuroscience programmes. Most bachelor's are in German.
What is the difference between LMU and TUM?
LMU is a comprehensive university strong in sciences, medicine, social sciences and humanities, with no tuition fees. TUM focuses on engineering, computing and natural sciences and charges non-EU tuition.
Do I need the APS certificate?
Yes. Indian applicants need an APS certificate for the visa, and many programmes ask for it with the application.
How much does living in Munich cost?
It is Germany's most expensive city. Expect roughly €1,300–€2,000 a month for one person, mostly driven by rent.
Sources
- LMU Munich: official website (opens in a new tab)
- LMU Munich: MSc Data Science (Elite Graduate Programme) (opens in a new tab)
- LMU Munich: Statistics and Data Science master's (opens in a new tab)
- LMU Munich: M.Sc. Neuro-Cognitive Psychology (opens in a new tab)
- Technical University of Munich: fees and cost of living in Munich (opens in a new tab)
- Elite Network of Bavaria: Data Science (opens in a new tab)
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027: LMU Munich (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings 2027: LMU Munich (opens in a new tab)
- Make it in Germany (Federal Government): visa and residence for studying (opens in a new tab)
- APS India: academic evaluation centre for Indian applicants (opens in a new tab)
- Federal Government: minimum wage 2026 and 2027 (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD scholarship database (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.lmu.de/en (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details