About the university
RWTH Aachen University was founded in 1870 as a polytechnic school and is now Germany's largest technical university by many measures. It is a member of TU9, the alliance of leading German institutes of technology, and has held University of Excellence status. Its name is a byword in German industry for rigorous engineering training.
Mechanical, automotive, production and electrical engineering are RWTH's best-known fields, supported by huge research institutes and the RWTH Aachen Campus, one of Europe's largest technology parks, where companies and institutes work side by side. Computer science, data science, materials and the natural sciences are also strong, and the university works closely with industry on battery research, e-mobility and manufacturing.
Aachen is a historic city of about 250,000 people on the borders of Belgium and the Netherlands. Students make up a large share of the population, rents are lower than in Munich or Frankfurt, and Cologne, Maastricht and Liège are within easy reach. Lectures happen across the city centre and the Melaten and West campuses.
RWTH is one of the most popular German universities with Indian students, especially for engineering and computer science master's. Most programmes charge no tuition, so the main costs are living expenses and the semester contribution. Admission is competitive and subject-specific: RWTH checks closely whether the modules in your bachelor's degree match what the master's expects, and some programmes ask for a GRE.
- Founded
- 1870 as the Royal Polytechnic School of Aachen
- Type
- Public technical university, a member of TU9 and of Germany's Universities of Excellence
- Students
- 27,840 in THE World University Rankings 2027 data
- International students
- 35% (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Tuition
- Most degree programmes charge no tuition fee; some international and executive master's do
- Semester contribution
- €304.47 per semester, including the Deutschland semester ticket
- Intakes
- October (winter semester); some master's also start in April
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
104th in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
90th in the world
Excellence Strategy (German federal and state governments) 2019
Selected as a University of Excellence
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €609
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); some also April (summer)
- English
- English at B2 level or above (for example IELTS or TOEFL); the exact score is set by each programme
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €609
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); some also April (summer)
- English
- English at B2 level or above (for example IELTS or TOEFL); the exact score is set by each programme
- Postgraduate
MSc Software Systems Engineering
- Fee / year
- €609
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter)
- English
- English at B2 level or above (for example IELTS or TOEFL); the exact score is set by each programme
- Postgraduate
MSc Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (English specialisations)
- Fee / year
- €609
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); some also April (summer)
- English
- English at B2 level or above (for example IELTS or TOEFL); the exact score is set by each programme
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €609
- Duration
- 1.5 years (3 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); some also April (summer)
- English
- English at B2 level or above (for example IELTS or TOEFL); the exact score is set by each programme
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €609
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); some also April (summer)
- English
- English at B2 level or above (for example IELTS or TOEFL); the exact score is set by each programme
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €609
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter)
- English
- English at B2 level or above (for example IELTS or TOEFL); the exact score is set by each programme
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €609
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter)
- English
- English at B2 level or above (for example IELTS or TOEFL); the exact score is set by each programme
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Computer Science | 2 years (4 semesters) | €609 | ≈ ₹64,554 |
| MSc Data Science | 2 years (4 semesters) | €609 | ≈ ₹64,554 |
| MSc Software Systems Engineering | 2 years (4 semesters) | €609 | ≈ ₹64,554 |
| MSc Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (English specialisations) | 2 years (4 semesters) | €609 | ≈ ₹64,554 |
| MSc Automotive Engineering | 1.5 years (3 semesters) | €609 | ≈ ₹64,554 |
| MSc Computer Engineering | 2 years (4 semesters) | €609 | ≈ ₹64,554 |
| MSc Simulation Sciences | 2 years (4 semesters) | €609 | ≈ ₹64,554 |
| MSc Biomedical Engineering | 2 years (4 semesters) | €609 | ≈ ₹64,554 |
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 RWTH Aachen University with similar universities in Germany.
Scholarships
- Enrolled students, all subjects
Deutschlandstipendium (RWTH Education Fund)
Value: €300 a month
Eligibility: High-achieving enrolled students, including international students. RWTH advertises the application round each year.
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 from the German Academic Exchange Service; some programmes target development-related master's for applicants from countries such as India.
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 you start your master's.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- An Indian Class 12 certificate on its own does not usually give direct entry to a German bachelor's. You typically need one or two years of a related bachelor's in India, or a year at a Studienkolleg.
- Almost all RWTH bachelor's programmes are taught in German, so you need German at C1 level (for example TestDaF or DSH).
- Indian applicants need an APS certificate.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree in a closely related subject. RWTH compares the content of your modules with what the master's expects, so include detailed transcripts and module descriptions.
- Some programmes ask for a GRE General Test score; check the programme page.
- Apply online through RWTHonline. Deadlines for international applicants are often 1 March for the winter semester and 1 September for the summer semester, but they vary by programme.
- Indian applicants need an APS certificate before applying for a visa, and many programmes ask for it with the application.
- Tuition-fee programmes (for example Data Analytics and Decision Science) have their own application process and deadlines.
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 English at B2 level or above, proven by an accepted test. Each programme sets the exact score, so check before you book a test. |
| IELTS Academic / TOEFL iBT | Accepted by RWTH programmes; minimum scores differ by programme. |
| German | Not needed for English-taught master's, but Automotive Engineering includes a compulsory German course and German helps with jobs and daily life. |
Accommodation and living costs
Aachen is cheaper than Munich or Frankfurt, but rooms are in high demand before each winter semester. The Studierendenwerk Aachen runs student halls with long waiting lists, so apply as soon as you are admitted, and look for shared flats (WGs) in parallel.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| RWTH semester contributionMobility, social and student body contributions; includes the Deutschland semester ticket | €304per semester | ≈ ₹32,274 |
| 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)Typical German range including bills. | €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
Aachen is Germany's westernmost city, known for its cathedral (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and its spa history. It is very much a student city, with cycling distances, a lively centre and quick train links to Cologne, Brussels and the Netherlands.
- University buildings are spread across the city centre, the Melaten campus and the West campus.
- RWTH Aachen Campus is a large technology park where companies and research institutes work together; many students find thesis topics and student jobs there.
- The semester contribution includes the Deutschland semester ticket for local and regional transport across Germany.
- Maastricht, Liège and Cologne are each less than an hour away.
Careers and graduate outcomes
RWTH graduates are recruited heavily by automotive, machinery, energy and software companies, and the university's industry links help with internships and thesis projects. 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 RWTH Aachen | 35% | 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:
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FAQs
Does RWTH Aachen charge tuition fees?
Most degree programmes do not. You pay the semester contribution of €304.47. Some international and executive master's, such as Data Analytics and Decision Science, charge tuition.
Do I need a GRE for RWTH?
Some programmes ask for it. Check the requirements of your programme before you apply.
Why are admissions at RWTH hard for Indian students?
RWTH checks whether your bachelor's modules match the master's in detail. Students with a mismatch in credits are often rejected even with good grades, so compare the curriculum before applying.
Can I study at RWTH in English?
Yes, for many master's, including Computer Science, Data Science, Software Systems Engineering and Automotive Engineering. Bachelor's programmes are almost all taught in German.
Is the APS certificate needed?
Yes. Indian applicants need an APS certificate for the visa, and many programmes ask for it with the application.
Sources
- RWTH Aachen University: list of current degree programmes (opens in a new tab)
- RWTH AStA: semester contribution breakdown (opens in a new tab)
- RWTH Aachen: Data Science master's (Department of Computer Science) (opens in a new tab)
- TU9: English-taught master's programmes 2026/27 (brochure) (opens in a new tab)
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027: RWTH Aachen University (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings 2027: RWTH Aachen University (opens in a new tab)
- Heinrich Böll Foundation: financial support for international students (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.rwth-aachen.de (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details