RWTH Aachen University: Germany’s Engineering Powerhouse

• 105th in QS World University Rankings 2026
  
• 92nd in Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025
• 6th in Germany THE World University Rankings 2025
  
• 3rd in Germany, Engineering and Technology (QS Subject Rankings)
  
• 55th in global Data Science (QS Subject Rankings)
  
• Top 100 globally in Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Materials Science
  
• 100/100 Industry income score for engineering (QS 2026), the maximum possible
  
• German Excellence University holds 3 Clusters of Excellence under Germany’s national Excellence Strategy
  
• 7th in Germany Times Magazine World University Rankings 2026

Academic Requirements

Undergraduate: A secondary level qualification corresponds to the German “Abitur”. Among Indian applicants, Class 12 is not enough; instead, you should have completed at least one year of your bachelor’s degree at an Indian university or have a year of “Studienkolleg” studies in Germany. Minimum grade equivalent should be 2.5 on the German scale.

Postgraduate: Relevant bachelor’s degree with a strong academic record. RWTH requires a minimum German-scale GPA of 2.5 (roughly equivalent to 65–70% overall). Competitive programmes like Data Science may expect higher.

PhD / Research: Master’s degree + confirmation of advisor at RWTH.

Language Requirements

For German-taught programmes:

• DSH: DSH-2
• TestDaF: TDN 4 in all components

For English-taught master’s programmes:

• IELTS (Academic):5 overall
• TOEFL iBT: 90 overall
• PTE Academic: 65 overall

NOTE for Indian Students: An APS Certificate (Akademische Prüfstelle) from the German Embassy in India is mandatory for all Indian applicants. It verifies your academic documents and must be obtained before applying. Apply at apsindo.com. It takes several weeks and costs approximately ₹18,000. No APS = no application processed.

Documents Required

• Certified academic transcripts and certificates (with German or English translations)
• APS Certificate (mandatory for Indian applicants)
• Valid passport copy
• Language test results (IELTS/TOEFL for English-taught; DSH/TestDaF for German-taught)
• Motivation letter (most master’s programmes)
• CV / Résumé
• Research proposal and supervisor confirmation (PhD only)

Application Deadlines

• Semester: Winter Semester
  Start: October
  Deadline: 15 July
• Semester: Summer Semester
  Start: April
  Deadline: 15 January

NOTE: There is no application fee at RWTH Aachen. Apply through RWTHonline, the university’s official online application portal. Some programmes have additional internal deadlines; always check the specific programme page.

The Big Advantage: No Tuition Fees

RWTH is a public institution based in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Tuition costs are not for bachelor’s or master’s degrees at the university, regardless of the nationality of enrolled students.

What You Actually Pay Per Semester:

• Semester contribution (2025/26): €329/semester
• Annual total: €658/year (₹59,220 approx.)

This contribution provides free access to all public transport systems in NRW, trains to bus systems in cities like Cologne, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, and others.

NOTE: Some specialist and Executive programmes run through the RWTH International Academy carry their own tuition fees up to €24,000 for a two-year programme. These are clearly marked on programme pages. Standard degree programmes (BSc, MSc, PhD) remain free.

Living Costs in Aachen

Aachen is one of Germany’s most affordable student cities. Monthly estimate €865 – €1,200 (₹77,850 – ₹1,08,000).

The German Government requires international students to show a blocked account (Sperrkonto) of €11,904/year (€992/month) for the student visa. This is the official 2025 requirement. Providers like Fintiba or Deutsche Bank offer blocked account services.

The good news: Aachen’s actual living costs are well within this amount.

What Scholarships Are Available?

Deutschlandstipendium:

• €300/month for up to standard study duration.
• Apply annually through RWTH, merit-based on academics and social commitment. Open to all nationalities. Deadline varies each semester.

DAAD Scholarship:

• €850 – €1,300/month + benefits.
• Multiple DAAD programmes for postgraduate and doctoral students. Apply directly through DAAD (daad.de). DAAD India runs India-specific programmes.

RWTH Aachen Scholarships (various)

• Varies by faculty and programme.
• Check the RWTH Scholarship Office and individual faculty pages; some faculties run their own awards.

Konrad Adenauer / Heinrich Böll / Friedrich Ebert Foundations:

• Full living stipend + benefits.
• Political foundation scholarships open to international students. Separate applications; strong academic + social commitment required.

PhD / Doctoral Funding:

• Full funding through DFG, DFG Graduate Schools, and EU projects.
• Outstanding research candidates. Contact individual faculties and research groups directly.

To study at RWTH Aachen as an Indian student, you need a German National Student Visa (Type D).

Steps to Apply

1. Receive your Letter of Admission from RWTH
2. Open a German blocked account (Sperrkonto) — through Fintiba or Deutsche Bank
3. Arrange statutory health insurance
4. Book a visa appointment at the German Embassy or Consulate in India (New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, or Kolkata)
5. Submit documents and pay the €75 fee
6. Receive a visa and travel to Aachen
7. Register your address (Anmeldung) at the Aachen city office within 14 days — this is a legal requirement

After graduation, you can apply for an 18-month job-seeking visa for qualified employment in Germany. With an RWTH degree in engineering or computer science, the German job market is genuinely strong for international graduates.

The RWTH campus is dispersed throughout the city of Aachen, with the historic main building located in the downtown area. Specialised research campuses for engineering and biomedical sciences are found in Campus Melaten, and advanced manufacturing is found in Campus West. The population is 250,000, 20% of the population consists of students, making the city lively and dynamic.

The location of Aachen can be described as unique since Belgium is only 5 km away from the city, the Netherlands is 15 km away, and Cologne lies 70 km to the east of Aachen. Students travel on weekends to Brussels, Amsterdam, and even Paris. The city itself is small enough to walk around, very safe, and has a great student life in the Ponttor district.

There are Welcome Weeks organised by the university for foreign students at the beginning of every semester. There is a large group of foreign students enrolled here. Indian students have a strong presence at RWTH Aachen University.

RWTH graduates are among the most employable engineers and scientists in Europe. According to RWTH’s own data, 92% of graduates find employment within six months of graduating. Engineering graduates earn average starting salaries of €55,000–€65,000 per year.

The university’s direct partnerships with BMW, Siemens, Bosch, Ford, Airbus, and dozens of other global companies mean students have access to internships, research assistant roles, and graduate recruitment from year one. RWTH also hosts one of Germany’s most active Career Centers with dedicated workshops, employer events, and job fairs throughout the year. After graduation, the 18-month job-seeking visa gives international graduates real time to secure a position, and Germany’s ongoing demand for STEM talent makes RWTH graduates strong candidates.

Applying to RWTH involves multiple steps: APS Certificate, correct portal, language tests, blocked account, all of which need to align before your intake date.

My Study offers a  free global education platform that provides end-to-end guidance: from choosing the right RWTH programme to completing your application, APS support, and student visa.

1. Are there tuition fees at RWTH Aachen for Indian students?

No. RWTH charges no tuition fees for standard bachelor’s and master’s programmes for any nationality. You only pay the semester contribution of €329/semester (€658/year, ₹59,220 approx.), which includes public transport across North Rhine-Westphalia.

2. Can I study at RWTH Aachen in English?

Yes, at the master’s level. RWTH offers 50+ fully English-taught master’s programmes, including Data Science, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, and Biomedical Engineering. Most bachelor’s programmes are in German.

3. Is the APS Certificate mandatory for Indian students?

Yes, absolutely. The APS Certificate from the German Embassy in India is a hard requirement for all Indian applicants to any German university, including RWTH. Apply at apsindo.com. It takes several weeks and costs approximately ₹18,000.

Q4. What is the semester contribution at RWTH Aachen?

€329 per semester (2025/26) — this includes administrative services, student union support, and unlimited public transport across the entire North Rhine-Westphalia state. Annual total: €658 (₹59,220 approx.).

5. How competitive is admission to RWTH Aachen?

Very. The overall acceptance rate is approximately 10–15% for students. Popular programmes, MSc Data Science and MSc Robotics, are extremely selective. A strong academic record, a focused motivation letter, and a well-matched background are essential.