About the university
The Technical University of Munich (TUM) started life in 1868 as a polytechnic school founded by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. It grew into one of Europe's leading technical universities and today covers engineering, natural sciences, computing, life sciences, medicine, management and social sciences in seven schools. It is one of Germany's Universities of Excellence, a status awarded through the federal Excellence Strategy, and its alumni and researchers include several Nobel laureates.
TUM is strongest where engineering meets computing: informatics, electrical engineering, mechanical and aerospace engineering, robotics and data science. It sits at the heart of Munich's industry cluster, with companies such as BMW, Siemens, Airbus and many start-ups close by. Its entrepreneurship centre, UnternehmerTUM, is one of the largest university start-up centres in Europe, and student projects often run with industry partners.
Most engineering, computing and natural science teaching happens at the Garching research campus north of Munich, linked to the city by the U6 underground line. The main campus is in the Maxvorstadt district of central Munich; life sciences are in Freising-Weihenstephan, and management programmes also run at the Heilbronn campus in Baden-Württemberg. Munich is safe and well run but is Germany's most expensive city for rent; TUM itself estimates €1,300–€2,000 a month for a single person.
For Indian students TUM is one of the most sought-after German universities. A large share of its master's programmes are taught in English, and its international student body is around 43%. The main changes to plan for are tuition fees, charged to new non-EU students since winter 2024/25, and competitive admission: TUM runs an aptitude assessment that looks closely at your bachelor's grades and subject credits, and sometimes includes an interview.
- Founded
- 1868 as the Polytechnic School in Munich; a Technical University since 1970
- Type
- Public technical university, one of Germany's Universities of Excellence and a member of TU9
- Students
- About 52,000 across all campuses (37,205 in THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- International students
- 43% of students (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Campuses
- Munich city centre, Garching research campus, Freising-Weihenstephan, Straubing, Heilbronn and TUM Asia in Singapore
- Intakes
- October (winter semester) for most master's; many also start in April (summer semester)
- Tuition for non-EU students
- Since winter 2024/25; from winter 2027/28 master's cost €4,600 or €6,800 per semester and bachelor's €2,300 or €3,400
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
25th in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
25th in the world (1st in Germany)
Excellence Strategy (German federal and state governments) 2019
Selected as a University of Excellence
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €13,600
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); April (summer) for some
- English
- IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 88, typical TUM minimum; check the programme
- Postgraduate
MSc Data Engineering and Analytics
- Fee / year
- €13,600
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); April (summer) for some
- English
- IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 88, typical TUM minimum; check the programme
- Postgraduate
MSc Robotics, Cognition, Intelligence
- Fee / year
- €13,600
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); April (summer) for some
- English
- IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 88, typical TUM minimum; check the programme
- Postgraduate
MSc Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
- Fee / year
- €13,600
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); April (summer) for some
- English
- IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 88, typical TUM minimum; check the programme
- Postgraduate
MSc Mathematics in Data Science
- Fee / year
- €13,600
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); April (summer) for some
- English
- IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 88, typical TUM minimum; check the programme
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €9,200
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); April (summer) for some
- English
- IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 88, typical TUM minimum; check the programme
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €13,600
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); April (summer) for some
- English
- IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 88, typical TUM minimum; check the programme
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €13,600
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); April (summer) for some
- English
- IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 88, typical TUM minimum; check the programme
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Informatics | 2 years (4 semesters) | €13,600 | ≈ ₹14.4 lakh |
| MSc Data Engineering and Analytics | 2 years (4 semesters) | €13,600 | ≈ ₹14.4 lakh |
| MSc Robotics, Cognition, Intelligence | 2 years (4 semesters) | €13,600 | ≈ ₹14.4 lakh |
| MSc Electrical Engineering and Information Technology | 2 years (4 semesters) | €13,600 | ≈ ₹14.4 lakh |
| MSc Mathematics in Data Science | 2 years (4 semesters) | €13,600 | ≈ ₹14.4 lakh |
| MSc Management and Technology | 2 years (4 semesters) | €9,200 | ≈ ₹9.8 lakh |
| MSc Automotive Engineering | 2 years (4 semesters) | €13,600 | ≈ ₹14.4 lakh |
| MSc Aerospace | 2 years (4 semesters) | €13,600 | ≈ ₹14.4 lakh |
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 Technical University of Munich with similar universities in Germany.
Scholarships
- Bachelor's and master's students from non-EU countries
TUM Scholarship for International Students
Value: €500–€1,800 a semester, credited against tuition; you can reapply each semester
Eligibility: International students at TUM, based on academic merit or financial need. Applications are reviewed individually and approval is not automatic.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Students paying the non-EU tuition fee
TUM tuition fee waivers
Value: Partial or full waiver of the tuition fee
Eligibility: Waivers for outstanding academic performance or financial need, and exemptions in special personal or social situations. Apply by the deadline each semester.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Enrolled students, all subjects
Deutschlandstipendium
Value: €300 a month
Eligibility: High-achieving students, including international students, already enrolled at TUM. Apply through the university.
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. Use the DAAD database to find programmes open to Indian applicants and their deadlines.
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 degree in India, a strong JEE Advanced result for some programmes, or a year at a Studienkolleg (foundation college).
- Most TUM bachelor's are taught in German. Programmes that verify English in their aptitude assessment include Aerospace, Information Engineering, Management and Technology, and Management and Data Science.
- Applications go through TUMonline. Indian applicants also need an APS certificate.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree in a closely related subject. TUM checks your grades and the subjects you studied against the programme's requirements.
- Most programmes use a two-stage aptitude assessment: a score from your documents, then, for borderline candidates, an interview. Some programmes also ask for a GRE or GATE score.
- Apply online through TUMonline. For the winter semester, most programmes take applications from 1 February to 31 May; for the summer semester, from 1 October to 30 November (check your programme).
- Indian applicants need an APS certificate. Apply for it early, as it can take several weeks.
- After admission, non-EU students pay the semester tuition fee and the €97 semester fee before enrolment.
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 |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall is the usual TUM minimum for English-taught master's. Some programmes set their own level, so check the programme page. |
| TOEFL iBT | 88 is the usual TUM minimum. |
| Other proof | Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, and some programmes accept proof that your degree was taught in English. School grades no longer count as English proof. |
| German | Not needed for English-taught programmes, but learning German helps a lot with part-time jobs and life in Munich. Some programmes mix English and German teaching. |
Accommodation and living costs
Munich has a tight housing market and is the most expensive student city in Germany. TUM does not guarantee housing; most new students apply to the Studierendenwerk München halls (long waiting lists) and search private shared flats at the same time. TUM's own estimate is €1,300–€2,000 a month for a single person in greater Munich, and €900–€1,200 in Straubing or Heilbronn.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| TUM semester fee (Studierendenwerk München)Summer 2026 amount for Munich, Garching, Freising and Heilbronn; paid on top of tuition | €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 city of about 1.5 million people with a strong economy, excellent public transport and easy access to the Alps. It regularly scores well on quality-of-life surveys, and there is an active Indian community.
- The main campus is in Munich's Maxvorstadt, close to museums, LMU and the English Garden.
- Garching, about 30 minutes north on the U6, is one of Germany's largest research campuses, home to informatics, mathematics, mechanical engineering, physics and chemistry.
- Life sciences, agriculture and food sciences are at Freising-Weihenstephan; TUM Campus Heilbronn focuses on management and digital technology.
- UnternehmerTUM and the TUM Venture Labs support student start-ups.
- Germany's semester ticket (Deutschlandsemesterticket) can be bought by students for cheap travel across the country.
Careers and graduate outcomes
TUM graduates are in strong demand in automotive, aerospace, electronics, software and consulting, many of them in the Munich area. Germany lets you stay after graduation to look for skilled work, and an English-taught master's plus some German improves your chances considerably. 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 TUM | 43% | 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
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: Seeott, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich) (official website, opens in a new tab)
Munich, GermanyOften chosen for Life Sciences, Medicine & Health Sciences, Law
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 TUM free for Indian students?
No longer for new students. Since winter 2024/25 non-EU students pay tuition. From winter 2027/28 most master's cost €6,800 a semester (some €4,600) and bachelor's €3,400 or €2,300, plus the €97 semester fee.
Can I get the tuition fee reduced?
TUM offers waiver scholarships and a TUM Scholarship for International Students of €500–€1,800 a semester. They are competitive and you apply each semester.
Do I need GRE or GATE?
Only some programmes ask for it. Check the programme's aptitude assessment rules; a strong GATE or GRE can help when a programme considers it.
When should I apply for October 2027?
Most master's programmes take applications from 1 February to 31 May 2027 for the winter semester. Get your APS certificate and English test done before February.
Are all master's taught in English?
No. Many are, but some are in German or mixed. TUM's English-taught list is on the TU9 brochure and each programme page.
How much does it cost to live in Munich?
TUM estimates €1,300–€2,000 a month for one person. Rent is the biggest cost, so apply for student housing as soon as you are admitted.
Sources
- Technical University of Munich: tuition fees for non-EU students (opens in a new tab)
- Technical University of Munich: fees and financial aid (opens in a new tab)
- Technical University of Munich: scholarships and waivers (opens in a new tab)
- Technical University of Munich: language certificates (opens in a new tab)
- Technical University of Munich: Informatics M.Sc. programme page (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: Technical University of Munich (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings 2027: Technical University of 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.tum.de/en (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details