Technical University of Munich

Key facts

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.

About the Technical University of Munich

TUM was founded in 1868 as the Polytechnic School Munich.^[8] It is a public research university in Bavaria and one of Germany’s universities of excellence under the federal and state Excellence Strategy, a status TUM states on its own website.^[8][7] The main site is in central Munich; Garching, Freising-Weihenstephan, Heilbronn and Straubing are further campus locations, and TUM also names Singapore (TUM Asia).^[7][8]

In winter semester 2025/26 TUM had 51,954 students, 45% of them international, and about 700 professors.^[1] TUM counts 20 Nobel prizes for researchers and alumni since 1927.^[1]

How is the Technical University of Munich ranked?

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026, TUM is 25th in the world and the only German university in the top 50. LMU Munich follows at 61st, Heidelberg University at 86th and Freie Universität Berlin at 98th.^[2] TUM reports that this is its second year in a row among the top 25 and that it ranks first in Germany for the twelfth time.^[9]

Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.

What can you study at TUM?

TUM lists about 180 degree programmes.^[1] Its application pages mention more than 100 master’s programmes.^[10] Teaching is organised in seven schools:^[1]

• Computation, Information and Technology
• Engineering and Design
• Natural Sciences
• Life Sciences
• Medicine and Health
• Management
• Social Sciences and Technology

Programmes are taught in German or English; check the language of each programme before you apply.^[5]

How much does TUM cost for international students?

Tuition depends on where you come from. TUM charges tuition to students from outside the EU/EEA who newly enrol in a bachelor’s or master’s programme. Not required to pay are EU/EEA citizens, students who were already enrolled before winter semester 2024/25 and continue the same programme, and doctoral, exchange, visiting and Studienkolleg students.^[3]

The page says the exact amount is shown under “Program details” of each programme; it does not say which programmes get the lower or the higher rate, and it does not state the period for the 2027/28 figures. Students already enrolled when the increase starts keep the rate that applied at the start of their studies until they finish that programme.^[3] The page carries no date.

Who is exempt?

• Applicants with an established connection to Germany, for example certain EU/EEA citizens and family members, or after five years of lawful residence and work in Germany before studying.^[3]
• Students who move to a master’s programme after a bachelor’s degree at TUM or at another German university, if they prove the bachelor’s degree by the enrolment deadline.^[3]
• Waivers are possible in special personal or social circumstances; Ukrainian citizens with a residence permit under Section 24 AufenthG can apply for a waiver.^[3]

Scholarships and semester fee

A TUM scholarship for international students pays 500 to 1,800 euros per semester depending on academic performance and finances; scholarships and waivers are credited against the fees and not paid out.^[3] On top of tuition every student pays a semester fee: €97 in Munich, Garching, Weihenstephan and Heilbronn and €82 in Straubing for summer semester 2026.^[4] For rent and living costs see our Germany guide and the Study in Germany guide.

How do you apply to TUM?

Applications are submitted online through TUMonline. TUM’s Application Info Portal has separate guides for bachelor’s and master’s programmes and covers uni-assist, the service that issues preliminary documentation for international qualifications, as well as visas and residence.^[11]

• Entrance qualification: bachelor’s applicants need a university entrance qualification; foreign qualifications are assessed via uni-assist.^[12]
• Aptitude assessment: most applicants take part in one; unrestricted, restricted (NC) and aptitude-assessment programmes are handled differently, depending on the programme.^[12]
• Master’s: admission needs a recognised undergraduate degree, usually a bachelor’s. Another master’s degree does not qualify as an entrance qualification for a master’s programme.^[12]

We give no deadlines here because they change every year; TUM publishes them on its own deadlines page. See the TUM application page for the current steps.^[10]

Which language level do you need?

German-taught programmes: TUM accepts DSH-2 or higher, TestDaF with level 4 in all sections, telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule, the Goethe-Zertifikat C2 and the ÖSD Zertifikat C2. The bachelor’s programmes Aerospace and Information Engineering accept lower German levels.^[5]

English-taught programmes: accepted proofs include TOEFL iBT 88 (test-date score only), IELTS Academic overall band 6.5, Cambridge CAE or CPE (grade A, B or C) and PTE Academic 65. For several bachelor’s programmes, including Aerospace, Information Engineering and Management and Technology (Munich campus), English is checked in the aptitude assessment instead of by certificate. Some master’s programmes accept English as the language of instruction in a previous degree (at least 50% of it) and some TUM School of Management master’s programmes accept a GMAT above 600. School grades no longer prove English for master’s programmes.^[5]

More about studying in Germany

• Germany: best universities
• Study in Germany: complete guide
• Cost of Studying Abroad
• International Student Scholarships
• University Ranking Methodology

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