About the university
The University of Stuttgart began in 1829 as a trade school and became a technical university in 1876 and a full university in 1967. It is a member of TU9, the alliance of Germany's leading institutes of technology, and hosts research clusters of excellence in areas such as simulation science and integrative computational design in architecture.
Stuttgart is the heart of one of Europe's strongest engineering regions: Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Bosch have their headquarters here, along with many automotive suppliers and machine builders. The university's strengths reflect this, with automotive and mechanical engineering, aerospace, civil and environmental engineering, computer science, simulation and architecture.
Most engineering and science teaching is on the Vaihingen campus on the south-western edge of the city, a modern campus linked by S-Bahn to the centre. Architecture, humanities and social sciences are at the city-centre campus. Stuttgart sits in a green valley surrounded by vineyards and hills, and its rents are high by German standards, though usually below Munich.
Stuttgart is well known among Indian students for its long-running English-taught master's, such as INFOTECH, COMMAS, WAREM and WASTE, several of which have been running for over two decades. Non-EU students pay €1,500 per semester under Baden-Württemberg law. Many programmes accept students in April as well as October.
- Founded
- 1829 as a trade school; a university since 1967
- Type
- Public technical research university and a member of TU9
- Students
- 14,180 in THE World University Rankings 2027 data
- International students
- 22% (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 19.7 to 1 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Tuition for non-EU students
- €1,500 per semester under Baden-Württemberg law, plus the semester fee
- Intakes
- October (winter); many English-taught master's also start in April
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
=318th in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
301–325th in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €3,000
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); April (summer)
- English
- English at B2–C1 level (IELTS or TOEFL); each programme sets the score
- Postgraduate
MSc Information Technology (INFOTECH)
- Fee / year
- €3,000
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); April (summer)
- English
- English at B2–C1 level (IELTS or TOEFL); each programme sets the score
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €3,000
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); April (summer)
- English
- English at B2–C1 level (IELTS or TOEFL); each programme sets the score
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €3,000
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); April (summer)
- English
- English at B2–C1 level (IELTS or TOEFL); each programme sets the score
- Postgraduate
MSc Computational Mechanics of Materials and Structures (COMMAS)
- Fee / year
- €3,000
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter)
- English
- English at B2–C1 level (IELTS or TOEFL); each programme sets the score
- Postgraduate
MSc Fundamentals and Applications of Mechanical Engineering (FAME)
- Fee / year
- €3,000
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter)
- English
- English at B2–C1 level (IELTS or TOEFL); each programme sets the score
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €3,000
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); April (summer)
- English
- English at B2–C1 level (IELTS or TOEFL); each programme sets the score
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €3,000
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter); April (summer)
- English
- English at B2–C1 level (IELTS or TOEFL); each programme sets the score
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Computer Science | 2 years (4 semesters) | €3,000 | ≈ ₹3.2 lakh |
| MSc Information Technology (INFOTECH) | 2 years (4 semesters) | €3,000 | ≈ ₹3.2 lakh |
| MSc Electrical Engineering | 2 years (4 semesters) | €3,000 | ≈ ₹3.2 lakh |
| MSc Engineering Cybernetics | 2 years (4 semesters) | €3,000 | ≈ ₹3.2 lakh |
| MSc Computational Mechanics of Materials and Structures (COMMAS) | 2 years (4 semesters) | €3,000 | ≈ ₹3.2 lakh |
| MSc Fundamentals and Applications of Mechanical Engineering (FAME) | 2 years (4 semesters) | €3,000 | ≈ ₹3.2 lakh |
| MSc Materials Science | 2 years (4 semesters) | €3,000 | ≈ ₹3.2 lakh |
| MSc Computational Linguistics | 2 years (4 semesters) | €3,000 | ≈ ₹3.2 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 University of Stuttgart with similar universities in Germany.
Scholarships
- Non-EU students paying the €1,500 fee
Tuition fee exemption for outstanding students
Value: Exemption from the €1,500 tuition fee
Eligibility: Baden-Württemberg lets universities exempt a limited share of international students, for example for outstanding achievement. Check the university's tuition fee rules.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Enrolled students, all subjects
Deutschlandstipendium at the University of Stuttgart
Value: €300 a month
Eligibility: High-achieving enrolled students, including international students.
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; some development-related master's such as WAREM, WASTE and IUSD have been part of DAAD programmes for applicants from countries such as India.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- University of Stuttgart 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, with the credits and grades set in each programme's admission rules.
- Apply online through the university's C@MPUS portal. Deadlines for English-taught master's fall on dates such as 1 or 15 January, 1 May or 15 July depending on the programme and intake, so check your programme early.
- Indian applicants need an APS certificate.
- Admitted non-EU students pay the €1,500 tuition fee plus the 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 |
|---|---|
| Level needed | English-taught master's ask for B2 or C1 level, proven by IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT or similar. Each programme sets the score. |
| German | Not required for English-taught programmes; the Mechanical Engineering master's with Georgia Tech mixes German and English. |
Accommodation and living costs
Stuttgart is one of Germany's pricier cities. The Studierendenwerk Stuttgart runs halls on and near the Vaihingen campus, with waiting lists; apply as soon as you are admitted and search shared flats at the same time.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee for non-EU studentsBaden-Württemberg tuition fee; the semester fee is charged on top | €1,500per semester | ≈ ₹1.6 lakh |
| 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; Stuttgart is towards 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
Stuttgart is the capital of Baden-Württemberg, a city of about 630,000 in a green valley, home to the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche museums and a large engineering industry.
- The Vaihingen campus hosts engineering, computer science and natural sciences, with student halls nearby.
- The city-centre campus hosts architecture, humanities and social sciences.
- Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Bosch are headquartered in the region, offering internships and working-student jobs.
- S-Bahn trains link Vaihingen with the city centre in about 15 minutes.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Stuttgart graduates work in automotive, aerospace, machinery, software and construction, often with the large companies in the region. 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 the University of Stuttgart | 22% | 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: 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
FAQs
How much does the University of Stuttgart cost for Indian students?
€1,500 tuition per semester under Baden-Württemberg law, plus the semester fee, and living costs.
Which English-taught master's are popular with Indian students?
INFOTECH, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, COMMAS, WAREM and WASTE are long-standing choices.
Can I start in April?
Yes, many English-taught master's accept students in both the winter (October) and summer (April) semesters.
Is Stuttgart good for automotive engineering?
Yes. It is home to Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Bosch and a large supplier industry.
Do I need the APS certificate?
Yes, Indian applicants need it for the visa and usually for the application.
Sources
- University of Stuttgart: study programmes (opens in a new tab)
- University of Stuttgart: Information Technology (INFOTECH) M.Sc. (opens in a new tab)
- Ministry of Science Baden-Württemberg: tuition fees for international students (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: University of Stuttgart (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings 2027: University of Stuttgart (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.uni-stuttgart.de/en (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details