- Founded
- 1870
- Students
- 44,382
- International
- 36%
- Programmes
- 172
- Taught in English
- 70
About Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen
RWTH Aachen University (Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen) is one of Germany's nine leading technical universities (TU9) and holds Excellence University status under the German Excellence Strategy. Founded in 1870 as the Königliche Rheinisch-Westphälische Polytechnische Schule, it has grown into Germany's largest technical university by enrolment, with particular strength in engineering sciences, natural sciences, data science, and medicine.
In Winter Semester 2025/26, RWTH enrolled 44,382 students, of whom 15,811 (approximately 36%) came from 141 countries outside Germany. The university is structured into 10 faculties, 260 institutes, and 14 collaborative research centres. Its annual budget in 2025 was approximately €1.264 billion, including €523 million in third-party research funding.
RWTH maintains a university hospital (Uniklinik RWTH Aachen), operates in the Jülich Aachen Research Alliance (JARA) with Forschungszentrum Jülich, and is a member of the ENHANCE European university network and the IDEA League. It holds three Excellence Clusters (CARE, FSC², ML4Q) and liaison offices in Beijing and New Delhi.
Member of TU9 - Germany's alliance of nine leading technical universities
Excellence University under the German Excellence Strategy (since 2007; renewed 2019)
~36% international student share - one of the highest among German public universities
Founded 1870; Germany's largest technical university by enrolment (44,382 students, WS 2025/26)
Strategic partnerships with IIT Madras (India) and Tsinghua University (China); liaison office in New Delhi
Fast Track Bachelor Admission Programme (FTBA) offers direct bachelor entry for exceptional international students in five engineering disciplines
Key facts
- Type
- Universitäten
- Founded
- 1870
- Students
- 44,382
- International
- 15,811 international students from 141 countries = about 36% of 44,382 students (winter semester 2025/26, RWTH facts page)
- Faculties
- 10
- Programmes
- 172
Study programmes
172 accredited degrees at Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen, 70 of them taught in English.
Showing 1–24 of 70 matching programmes
Clear filtersAdmissions & fees
What it costs
RWTH Aachen charges no tuition fees for bachelor's and consecutive master's programmes at the standard public-university rate applicable in Nordrhein-Westfalen. NRW does not impose a general non-EU student surcharge (unlike Baden-Württemberg or Bavaria). All enrolled students pay a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) - the exact amount varies slightly each semester and is displayed in RWTHonline at the time of enrolment; it covers the student body contribution, social fees, and (for eligible students) a public-transport semester ticket. Non-consecutive master's programmes and executive-education programmes may carry programme-specific fees - check the individual programme page.
Admission requirements
International applicants (non-EU/EWR) are subject to special admission requirements. For bachelor's and Staatsexamen programmes, applicants must hold a recognised university entrance qualification (HZB) with a converted grade of 2.5 or better on the German scale; a weaker grade may be offset by TestAS results. TestAS is mandatory for Medicine and Dentistry. For master's programmes, a first professionally qualifying degree (typically a bachelor's) from a recognised institution is required; the International Office (Dezernat 2.1) checks formal eligibility and the relevant examination committee assesses subject-specific suitability. German-taught programmes require proof of German proficiency at C1 level upon enrolment; accepted certificates include TestDaF, DSH, Goethe-Zertifikat C1, and telc (exact score thresholds are published in the official 'Sprachanforderungen' document available on the RWTH website). English-taught programmes require proof of English proficiency; TOEFL MyBest Scores are not accepted - the minimum must be achieved in a single sitting. Exact IELTS and TOEFL minimums are programme-specific and listed in the same document. APS certificate: Applicants whose prior qualifications were obtained in India, China (mainland, HK, Macau), or Vietnam must hold a valid APS certificate before submitting a visa application; RWTH itself does not gate the online application on APS, but the German consulate will require it for the student visa. Indian applicants should verify current APS India requirements at apsindia.in.
Application deadlines
Master's programmes - non-EU/third-country nationals: 1 March (for Winter Semester starting October) for unrestricted programmes; 15 July (Winter) / 15 January (Summer) for NC-restricted programmes. EU/EWR nationals follow the 15 July / 15 January deadlines for all master's programmes. Bachelor's deadlines are published each year in early May (for the following Winter Semester) and early December (for Summer Semester) via RWTHonline and an official PDF. Applicants should confirm current dates directly in RWTHonline, as these are legally binding exclusion deadlines.
How international applicants apply
Not used - direct application only. International applicants apply online in RWTHonline (online.rwth-aachen.de), uploading all documents digitally (no postal submission). RWTH evaluates foreign certificates itself via Division 2.1 International Admissions (contact [email protected]); no uni-assist VPD step appears in the documented procedure. Non-EU-equal internationals need an average grade of 2.5 or better in their entrance qualification or must compensate via TestAS; TestAS in German with subject module and >=80 percentile is additionally mandatory for medicine/dentistry Staatsexamen.
Languages of instruction
Most bachelor's programmes are taught in German and require C1-level German upon enrolment. A growing number of master's programmes are offered in English, particularly in STEM disciplines. Some bachelor's programmes (e.g. Computer Science) additionally require B2 English. The university's Language Centre (Sprachenzentrum) offers German-language courses for international students at all levels.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Scholarships at Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen
11 schemes run or administered by the university. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on the official page.
Bridge Scholarships for Palestinians in Germany
Scholarship programme for Palestinian students and researchers in Germany, supporting Bachelor's, Master's, PhD students and postd...
Amount: not stated on page
Deadline: varies
Bachelor, Master, PhD
DAAD Prize for International Students
Annual prize awarded to outstanding international students at RWTH Aachen, financed through DAAD STIBET funds from the Federal For...
Amount: EUR 1000 (one-time prize)
Deadline: varies (annual nomination)
Bachelor, Master, PhD
Degree Completion Scholarship for International Students (Studienabschluss-Stipendium)
The International Office awards Degree Completion Scholarships through the DAAD's STIBET I program, funded by the German Federal F...
Amount: not stated on page (DAAD STIBET I rates apply)
Deadline: varies (check International Office)
Bachelor, Master
Deutschlandstipendium (RWTH Education Fund)
Through its Education Fund, established in winter semester 2009/10, RWTH awards Deutschlandstipendium scholarships that let except...
Amount: EUR 300/month (standard Deutschlandstipendium rate)
Deadline: annual application round (dates announced by the Education Fund)
Bachelor, Master
Equal Opportunity Scholarship
Scholarship for students and doctoral candidates promoting equal opportunities, targeting those with special challenges or from un...
Amount: not stated on page
Deadline: varies
Bachelor, Master, PhD
Femtec – Promoting Talents!
Scholarship programme for female STEM students at RWTH, promoting women in technical fields through networking, mentoring and fina...
Amount: not stated on page
Deadline: varies
Bachelor, Master
NRWege ins Studium – Scholarships for Refugees
Scholarship programme for refugees and displaced persons to access higher education at RWTH Aachen, funded through the DAAD NRWege...
Amount: not stated on page
Deadline: varies
Bachelor, Master
RWTH Aachen University Exchange Scholarships
Exchange scholarships for incoming Bachelor's and Master's students at RWTH Aachen University.
Amount: not stated on page
Deadline: varies
Bachelor, Master
Scholarship for Highly Committed International Students
Scholarship for international students at RWTH who demonstrate exceptional commitment alongside their studies.
Amount: not stated on page
Deadline: varies
Bachelor, Master
UROP International Research Scholarship
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP) scholarship for incoming students to conduct research at RWTH Aachen.
Amount: not stated on page
Deadline: varies
Bachelor, Master
Wuppermann Research Scholarship (RWTH Aachen University Foundation)
Research scholarship for Master's students at RWTH Aachen, funded by the Wuppermann Foundation via the RWTH Aachen University Foun...
Amount: not stated on page
Deadline: varies
Master
Student accommodation
What Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
Rooms are allocated by
Studierendenwerk Aachen
Not by the university. Apply to them directly, and expect a waiting list.
The university's housing page
Deadlines and application forms are published here, and they change every intake.
Open housing pageRoom types mentioned
What that page describes. Availability varies by intake.
From the university
RWTH does not operate its own student dormitories; affordable accommodation is provided by Studierendenwerk Aachen, which manages halls of residence across the city. The private rental market is tight near semester start - students are advised to begin searching 2-3 months before arrival.
Campuses & locations
Main Building, SuperC, CARL central auditorium near city centre
Research campus expansion area
Industry research campus projects
Living in Aachen
Aachen is a city of approximately 250,000 inhabitants in the far west of Germany, on the border with Belgium and the Netherlands - it is the westernmost major German city. It is the historic seat of Charlemagne and home to a UNESCO World Heritage cathedral. The city has a distinctly international and student-dominated character: over 80,000 students (RWTH plus Fachhochschule Aachen) make up roughly a third of the population. Aachen offers a compact, walkable city centre, a relatively affordable cost of living compared to Munich or Frankfurt, and direct rail connections to Cologne (35 min), Brussels, and Paris.
Student life & support
RWTH does not operate its own student dormitories; affordable accommodation is provided by Studierendenwerk Aachen, which manages halls of residence across the city. The private rental market is tight near semester start - students are advised to begin searching 2-3 months before arrival. The International Student Center (SuperC, Templergraben 57) is the primary support point for international students, offering guidance on academic planning, visa/immigration matters, and crisis support. Key programmes include the BeBuddy peer-mentoring scheme, Welcome Week orientation, Certificate International for intercultural competency, and a Career Center track specifically for international students. The Humboldt-Haus serves as an international meeting point. German-language courses are offered at all levels through the Sprachenzentrum.
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