About the university
Technische Universität Berlin traces its roots to the Royal Technical College founded in 1879, which brought together Berlin's academies of building, trade and mining. After the Second World War it was refounded in 1946 as a university with a broader mission, including humanities and social sciences alongside engineering. Inventors such as Konrad Zuse, who built one of the first programmable computers, studied here.
Today TU Berlin is one of Germany's largest technical universities, with strengths in computer science, electrical engineering, process and energy engineering, urban planning and architecture. It is part of the Berlin University Alliance with Freie Universität, Humboldt-Universität and Charité, which jointly held Excellence status, and it works with Berlin's many research institutes and tech start-ups.
The main campus is in Charlottenburg in the west of Berlin, close to the Tiergarten park and the Zoo station. Berlin is Germany's capital and its biggest start-up hub, with a huge international community, a rich cultural scene and rents that have risen fast in recent years. Many students live in shared flats spread across the city and travel on the semester ticket.
For Indian students the attractions are no tuition fees for most programmes, a long list of English-taught master's, and access to Berlin's tech and start-up job market. Admission usually goes through uni-assist, and the university checks your bachelor's subjects closely. Finding housing is the hardest practical step, so start early.
- Founded
- 1879 as the Royal Technical College of Berlin; refounded as Technische Universität Berlin in 1946
- Type
- Public technical university, a member of TU9 and of the Berlin University Alliance
- Students
- 19,964 in THE World University Rankings 2027 data
- International students
- 30% (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Tuition
- No tuition fee for most degree programmes; some professional master's and MBAs charge fees
- Semester contribution
- €379.06 for winter 2026/27, including the semester ticket
- Intakes
- October (winter); some master's also start in April
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
=158th in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
=171st in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €758
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); some also April
- English
- English at C1 level for most programmes (for example IELTS 6.5–7.0 or TOEFL iBT); check the programme
- Postgraduate
MSc Information Systems Management
- Fee / year
- €758
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter)
- English
- English at C1 level for most programmes (for example IELTS 6.5–7.0 or TOEFL iBT); check the programme
- Postgraduate
MSc Computational Neuroscience (joint degree)
- Fee / year
- €758
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter)
- English
- English at C1 level for most programmes (for example IELTS 6.5–7.0 or TOEFL iBT); check the programme
- Postgraduate
MSc Computer Simulations for Science and Engineering (joint degree)
- Fee / year
- €758
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter)
- English
- English at C1 level for most programmes (for example IELTS 6.5–7.0 or TOEFL iBT); check the programme
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €758
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); some also April
- English
- English at C1 level for most programmes (for example IELTS 6.5–7.0 or TOEFL iBT); check the programme
- Postgraduate
MSc Process, Energy and Environmental Systems Engineering
- Fee / year
- €758
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); some also April
- English
- English at C1 level for most programmes (for example IELTS 6.5–7.0 or TOEFL iBT); check the programme
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €758
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter)
- English
- English at C1 level for most programmes (for example IELTS 6.5–7.0 or TOEFL iBT); check the programme
- Postgraduate
MSc Geodesy and Geoinformation Science
- Fee / year
- €758
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); some also April
- English
- English at C1 level for most programmes (for example IELTS 6.5–7.0 or TOEFL iBT); check the programme
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Computer Science | 2 years (4 semesters) | €758 | ≈ ₹80,348 |
| MSc Information Systems Management | 2 years (4 semesters) | €758 | ≈ ₹80,348 |
| MSc Computational Neuroscience (joint degree) | 2 years (4 semesters) | €758 | ≈ ₹80,348 |
| MSc Computer Simulations for Science and Engineering (joint degree) | 2 years (4 semesters) | €758 | ≈ ₹80,348 |
| MSc Scientific Computing | 2 years (4 semesters) | €758 | ≈ ₹80,348 |
| MSc Process, Energy and Environmental Systems Engineering | 2 years (4 semesters) | €758 | ≈ ₹80,348 |
| MSc Civil Systems Engineering | 2 years (4 semesters) | €758 | ≈ ₹80,348 |
| MSc Geodesy and Geoinformation Science | 2 years (4 semesters) | €758 | ≈ ₹80,348 |
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 Technische Universität Berlin with similar universities in Germany.
Scholarships
- Enrolled students, all subjects
Deutschlandstipendium at TU Berlin
Value: €300 a month
Eligibility: High-achieving enrolled students, including international students. Apply through TU Berlin 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 and their deadlines.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Non-EU master's and doctoral students
Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom scholarship
Value: €992 a month, with health insurance contributions covered
Eligibility: Applications and interviews are in German; deadlines are 30 April and 31 October.
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 Studienkolleg year.
- TU Berlin bachelor's programmes are taught in German (C1 level needed).
- Indian applicants need an APS certificate.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree in a related subject with the credits the programme lists in its admission rules.
- Most international applicants apply through uni-assist, which checks your documents before TU Berlin decides. Allow time for this step.
- Deadlines vary; for the winter semester many master's close between spring and the end of May. Check your programme.
- Some English-taught programmes are joint or double degrees with other universities and have their own application rules.
- 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 | Usually C1 for English-taught master's, proven by IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT or a similar test. Each programme sets the score. |
| German | Some programmes listed in English also contain German courses or need German C1 for double degrees; the TU9 brochure flags these. |
Accommodation and living costs
Berlin's housing market is tight and rents have risen sharply. TU Berlin does not provide housing itself; the Studierendenwerk Berlin runs halls with waiting lists, and most students rent rooms in shared flats. Start your search as soon as you are admitted and never pay a deposit before seeing a contract.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| TU Berlin semester contributionWinter 2026/27: administration, Studierendenwerk, student body and semester ticket | €379per semester | ≈ ₹40,180 |
| 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; central Berlin is usually at the top of it | €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
Berlin is Germany's capital, a city of almost 4 million people with a large international population, a strong start-up scene and some of Europe's best museums, clubs and parks.
- The main campus in Charlottenburg is next to the Tiergarten and the Ernst-Reuter-Platz.
- Berlin is the largest start-up hub in Germany, which helps with working-student jobs in software and data.
- The semester ticket covers public transport in Berlin.
- TU Berlin also has a campus in El Gouna, Egypt, for some master's programmes.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Berlin's tech companies, start-ups, research institutes and public bodies employ many TU Berlin graduates. German language skills widen your options a lot. 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 TU Berlin | 30% | 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: 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 TU Berlin free for Indian students?
Most degree programmes have no tuition fee. You pay a semester contribution (€379.06 for winter 2026/27). Some professional master's and MBAs charge tuition.
How do I apply?
Most international applicants apply through uni-assist, which checks documents before TU Berlin decides. Get your APS certificate first.
Which English-taught master's does TU Berlin offer?
Computer Science, Information Systems Management, Scientific Computing, Process, Energy and Environmental Systems Engineering, Geodesy and Geoinformation Science and several joint degrees, among others.
Is it hard to find a room in Berlin?
Yes. Start early, apply to Studierendenwerk halls and look at shared flats, and watch out for rental scams.
Can I work while studying in Berlin?
Yes, within the student limit of 140 full days or 280 half days a year. Berlin's start-ups often hire working students.
Sources
- TU Berlin: all programmes offered (opens in a new tab)
- Semesterbeitrag comparison Berlin, winter 2026/27 (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 Berlin (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings 2027: Technische Universität Berlin (opens in a new tab)
- Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom: scholarships (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.tu.berlin/en (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details