RWTH Aachen

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.

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.

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.

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.