Study at the Technical University of Munich
One of Europe's leading universities for engineering, technology, artificial intelligence, medicine, business, architecture, and innovation — tuition-free for all nationalities.
Germany's Innovation Leader
The Technical University of Munich (TUM), founded in 1868, is one of Europe's leading research universities and Germany's top-ranked technical university. Designated a 'University of Excellence' by the German government, TUM combines cutting-edge research with entrepreneurial spirit across engineering, natural sciences, life sciences, medicine, and management.
TUM operates across multiple campuses — Munich city centre, Garching (science and engineering), Weihenstephan (life sciences), and the TUM Campus Heilbronn (management). The university has produced 18 Nobel laureates and is consistently ranked among the world's best for engineering, computer science, and natural sciences.
With over 52,000 students from 130+ countries and strategic partnerships with global industry leaders like BMW, Siemens, SAP, and Google, TUM offers an education deeply connected to innovation, entrepreneurship, and real-world impact. Most Master's programmes are taught entirely in English.
Academic Excellence
6 schools spanning engineering, computing, sciences, and management
School of Computation, Information & Technology
Garching Campus
School of Engineering & Design
Garching / Munich Campus
School of Natural Sciences
Garching Campus
School of Life Sciences
Weihenstephan Campus
School of Medicine & Health
Munich / Klinikum rechts der Isar Campus
School of Management
Munich / Heilbronn Campus
Tuition-Free Education
No tuition fees for any nationality — only living costs
Bachelor's
- tuition: No tuition fees for Bachelor's programmes (all nationalities)
- semester fee: EUR €85/semester (Studentenwerk fee — covers student services)
- semester ticket: EUR €77.40/semester (public transport within Munich, Semesterticket IsarCard)
- total per semester: Approximately EUR €162/semester in mandatory fees
- note: TUM does not charge tuition for undergraduate programmes, regardless of nationality. Students pay only the semester contribution.
Master's
- tuition masters: No tuition fees for most Master's programmes (all nationalities)
- semester fee: EUR €85/semester (same as undergraduate)
- mba tum: EUR €40,500 (Executive MBA — TUM School of Management)
- mba full time: EUR €35,000–€40,000 (TUM-specific MBA programmes)
- note: Most Master's programmes at TUM are tuition-free. Only certain executive and professional programmes charge fees.
Living in Munich
- accommodation: EUR €400 – €900/month (student residence to private rental in Munich)
- food: EUR €200 – €350/month
- health insurance: EUR €110 – €120/month (mandatory student health insurance)
- transportation: Included in semester ticket (additional zones: EUR €30–€50/month)
- books: EUR €50 – €100/semester
- personal: EUR €150 – €250/month
- total estimate: EUR €1,000 – €1,500/month living costs (approximately EUR €12,000 – €18,000/year)
TUM currently charges no tuition fees for Bachelor's and most Master's programmes for all nationalities. However, Bavaria's policy on tuition fees may change — students should verify the latest information on the official TUM website. Living costs in Munich are among the highest in Germany.
Funding Your Munich Education
No tuition fees — scholarships cover living costs
Deutschlandstipendium (Germany Scholarship)
EUR €300/month (EUR €3,600/year) — half funded by government, half by private donors
Eligibility: Outstanding students at TUM — based on academic achievement, social engagement, and personal background
Open to all nationalities. Renewable for standard period of study.
TUM Global & Alumni Scholarships
Varies — EUR €3,000–€12,000 per year
Eligibility: International Master's students with excellent academic records
Awarded during admission process — no separate application for some.
DAAD Scholarships (German Academic Exchange Service)
Monthly stipend EUR €861–€1,200 + travel allowance + health insurance + tuition (if applicable)
Eligibility: International students from specific countries and programmes
Apply through DAAD — Germany's largest scholarship organisation for international students.
Erasmus+ (EU Mobility)
EUR €300–€450/month mobility grant
Eligibility: EU/EEA students for exchange semesters or combined degree programmes
For students doing part of their studies at TUM or TUM students going abroad.
Research Assistantships (HiWi)
EUR €12–€15/hour (typically 20–40 hours/month)
Eligibility: Students in good academic standing — particularly in STEM fields
Very common at TUM — most research chairs hire student assistants. Provides income + research experience.
TUM Foundation Fellowship
Full or partial funding for Master's or PhD students
Eligibility: Exceptional international applicants in strategic research areas
Competitive — typically for students aligned with TUM's research priorities.
How to Get In
Deadline: Applications typically: May 31 (winter semester start October) and January 15 (summer semester start April, limited programmes)
- Higher Education Entrance Qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung) — equivalent to German Abitur
- For non-EU applicants: uni-assist evaluation or direct assessment of school-leaving certificate
- Subject-specific prerequisites (e.g., Mathematics and Physics for Engineering programmes)
- German language proficiency: DSH-2 or TestDaF 4×4 (most Bachelor's programmes are in German)
- Some English-taught programmes: IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 88+
- APS certificate (for applicants from China, India, and Vietnam — mandatory)
- Aptitude assessment (Eignungsfeststellungsverfahren) for most programmes
Most TUM Bachelor's programmes are taught in German. International applicants must prove German proficiency unless applying to the few English-taught programmes. The aptitude assessment evaluates academic fit beyond grades.
Life at TUM
World-class campuses in Bavaria's vibrant capital
Munich City Centre Campus
TUM's historic Stammgelände in the heart of Munich — home to architecture, management, and central administration near Marienplatz.
Garching Research Campus
One of Europe's largest science campuses — state-of-the-art labs, the FRM II research reactor, supercomputing centre, and direct U-Bahn connection to Munich.
Student Life & Clubs
Over 100 student groups (Hochschulgruppen) covering technology, culture, sports, entrepreneurship, and social engagement. Active student government (AStA).
TUM Sports
One of Germany's largest university sports programmes — 100+ sports from climbing to sailing, plus elite athlete support and interuniversity competition.
Student Housing
Studentenwerk München manages 11,000+ rooms across Munich. TUM helps international students find accommodation — apply early as Munich is competitive.
Munich Lifestyle
Bavaria's capital offers world-class culture, the Alps nearby, Englischer Garten, Oktoberfest, and one of Germany's highest quality-of-life ratings.
UnternehmerTUM & Start-ups
Europe's largest university entrepreneurship centre — incubators, venture funding, maker spaces, and TUM Venture Labs across all disciplines.
International Community
Students from 130+ countries. TUM International Center, buddy programmes, German language courses, and cultural events for international integration.
Career Outcomes
Research Strengths
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Munich School of Robotics & Machine Intelligence, TUM.ai — one of Europe's largest AI research concentrations with industry labs.
Robotics & Autonomous Systems
Institute of Robotics & System Intelligence — humanoid robotics, autonomous driving (partnership with BMW, Siemens), and medical robotics.
Aerospace & Mobility
Department of Aerospace and Geodesy — satellite technology, air mobility, hyperloop research, and aviation partnerships with Airbus and DLR.
Quantum Science & Technology
Munich Quantum Valley — one of Germany's leading quantum computing initiatives with partnerships across physics, computing, and engineering.
Sustainability & Energy
TUM Campus Straubing for Biotechnology & Sustainability — renewable energy, circular economy, and climate technology research.
Medical Technology & Health
Klinikum rechts der Isar — translational research combining engineering with medicine: medical imaging, surgical robotics, and drug delivery.
International Student Support
Over 13,000 international students from 130+ countries (approximately 25% of student body)
- TUM International Center — central support for all international matters
- Visa and residence permit guidance
- Accommodation service and Studentenwerk housing applications
- Mandatory health insurance enrollment assistance
- German language courses (TUM Sprachenzentrum — free for enrolled students)
- Orientation weeks and buddy programmes
- Academic writing and study skills workshops
- Career Service with international job fairs
- TUM Alumni Network in 100+ countries
- Welcome events and cultural integration programmes
Your Path to TUM
Expert guidance from enquiry to enrolment
Programme Selection
We match your academic background and career goals to the right TUM programme — navigating the differences between English and German-taught options.
Application & Aptitude
Expert guidance on TUM's unique aptitude assessment, motivation letters, prerequisite documentation, and uni-assist submissions.
APS Support
For applicants from China, India, and Vietnam — step-by-step APS certificate guidance including interview preparation and document authentication.
Scholarship Strategy
Identify and apply for Deutschlandstipendium, DAAD, Erasmus+, and TUM-specific funding to cover living expenses in Munich.
Munich Housing
Navigate Munich's competitive housing market — Studentenwerk applications, WG (shared flat) searches, and early-bird strategies for international students.
Visa & Insurance
Complete German student visa support — blocked account setup, health insurance enrollment, residence permit guidance, and pre-departure briefing.
Apply to TUM
Free expert guidance — no hidden fees
Hear From TUM Students
“TUM's Computer Science programme is world-class and tuition-free. The combination of rigorous academics, industry seminars with Google and BMW, and Munich's tech ecosystem was unbeatable.”
“Coming to TUM with a DAAD scholarship was life-changing. The engineering labs are extraordinary, and the direct access to companies like Siemens and BMW through TUM career fairs opened incredible doors.”
“TUM's robotics programme combines theory with hands-on research. I worked on autonomous systems at the Munich School of Robotics and joined a start-up through UnternehmerTUM before even finishing my thesis.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — TUM charges no tuition fees for Bachelor's and most Master's programmes, regardless of nationality. Students pay only the semester contribution (approximately EUR €162/semester) which covers student services and a public transport ticket. Only executive programmes like the MBA charge fees.
For Bachelor's programmes: yes, most are taught in German (DSH-2 or TestDaF 4×4 required). For Master's programmes: many are fully English-taught with no German requirement. Check each programme's language of instruction on the TUM website.
The Akademische Prüfstelle (APS) certificate is mandatory for applicants from China, India, and Vietnam. It verifies the authenticity of academic documents and typically involves an interview. Apply early as processing takes 6–8 weeks.
Key options include the Deutschlandstipendium (EUR €300/month), DAAD scholarships (full living costs), TUM Global Scholarships, Erasmus+, and research assistantships (HiWi jobs). Since there's no tuition, living costs are the main expense to cover.
Very competitive for popular programmes. Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Management & Technology see high demand. TUM uses an aptitude assessment beyond grades — motivation, relevant experience, and research fit matter significantly.
Munich is one of Germany's most expensive cities for rent. Student housing through Studentenwerk costs EUR €300–€500/month but has long waiting lists. Apply early. The city offers exceptional quality of life with culture, nature (Alps nearby), and a strong job market.
International students can work up to 120 full days or 240 half days per year without a work permit. Research assistant (HiWi) positions at TUM pay EUR €12–€15/hour and provide valuable academic experience.
EducationalHub provides expert guidance on programme selection, document preparation, APS process support (for applicable countries), motivation letter review, scholarship applications, visa processing, accommodation strategy for Munich, and health insurance setup.