RWTH Aachen University is one of Germany’s leading technical universities, ranked 104th in the world and fifth in Germany in the QS World University Rankings 2027. It’s best known for mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science and the natural sciences, and has close links with industry. It’s in Aachen, a historic city on Germany’s borders with Belgium and the Netherlands.
RWTH doesn’t charge tuition fees, and it’s popular with international students, especially at master’s level, where many programmes are taught in English. Here are 10 things you can do to give yourself the best chance, based on RWTH’s own guidance and official German government information.
1. Choose your programme and check its language
Most RWTH bachelor’s programmes are taught in German, while many master’s programmes, particularly in engineering and computer science, are taught in English. Check the language of teaching, the admission requirements and whether your programme has open or restricted admission, because the deadlines are different.
2. Check that your qualifications give you access
Not every school-leaving certificate gives direct access to a German university. Check yours in the DAAD admission database. If it doesn’t qualify you for direct entry, you may need to attend a preparatory course (Studienkolleg) first. RWTH says bachelor’s applicants who aren’t treated the same as German applicants need an overall grade of 2.5 or better on the German scale, and that if your grades aren’t good enough, you can compensate with a result in the TestAS aptitude test.
3. Apply for a bachelor’s on RWTHonline
You apply online through the RWTHonline portal, where you can also track your application. Applications for winter semester 2026/27 opened on 4 May 2026, and the deadline for programmes with restricted admission was 15 July 2026. RWTH sends notices about missing documents only through the portal, so check your status regularly. RWTH: international bachelor’s applicants.
4. Meet the early 1 March master’s deadline
For applicants from outside the EU and EEA, master’s programmes with open admission have a deadline of 1 March for the winter semester and 1 September for the summer semester, though some programmes have exceptions. Programmes with restricted admission have deadlines of 15 July and 15 January. RWTH says these are final deadlines, and late applications won’t be considered. That means you should apply for a winter 2027 master’s by 1 March 2027. RWTH: international master’s applicants.
5. Show that your bachelor’s matches the programme
For a master’s, the examination board compares your bachelor’s with RWTH’s own, so you’ll upload your transcript or diploma supplement and the module descriptions for your degree. Make sure the modules you’ve taken in subjects such as mathematics, engineering and computer science are clear. Documents that aren’t in German or English need certified translations into one of these languages.
6. Take the GRE if your programme asks for it
Some RWTH master’s programmes require the GRE. If yours does, ask ETS to send your scores to RWTH Aachen University using institution code 8504. Check each programme’s requirements early, because you’ll need time to book the test. Practise with our free GRE practice tests.
7. Prove your language level
For programmes taught in German, you’ll usually need a certificate such as the DSH at level 2 or TestDaF. For English-taught master’s programmes, you’ll usually need a test such as IELTS or TOEFL, at the level set by your programme. Practise with our free IELTS and TOEFL practice tests.
8. Understand the costs
RWTH says it currently doesn’t charge tuition fees. All students pay a semester fee instead, which covers the student union, a social services contribution and a semester ticket for public transport. The amount changes every semester, so check RWTHonline for the current figure. Aachen is usually cheaper to live in than Munich or Berlin, but you’ll still need to budget for rent and living costs.
9. Look for scholarships and prepare your CV
Because there are no tuition fees, scholarships at RWTH mainly help with living costs. Look at the DAAD scholarship database, the Deutschlandstipendium, scholarships from German foundations and scholarships from your own government. Even where a programme doesn’t ask for a motivation letter, prepare a clear CV in list format, which RWTH asks for. If a letter is required, see our 50 sample SOPs for ideas on structure.
10. Plan your visa and your move to Aachen
If you’re from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, you’ll usually need a national student visa from the German embassy or consulate in your country. Book your appointment early, because waiting times can be long. You’ll need to show that you can support yourself: in 2026, that meant €11,904 for the first year (€992 a month), usually paid into a blocked account (Sperrkonto). Applicants from China, India and Vietnam also need an APS certificate. After you arrive, you register your address and apply for a residence permit at the local foreigners’ office. International students can work 140 full days or 280 half days a year, and after you graduate you can usually get a residence permit of up to 18 months to look for a job. Rules change, so check the German embassy in your country and the DAAD for the latest advice.
Applying for a PhD at RWTH?
Many doctoral candidates at RWTH work as paid research assistants at an institute while they do their doctorate. You’ll usually need a master’s degree, and a professor who agrees to supervise you. Look for advertised positions at RWTH’s institutes and contact potential supervisors with a clear research proposal.
Be ambitious, but apply to a balanced list
RWTH’s English-taught master’s programmes are popular, so apply to other options too. Read our guides to the Technical University of Munich, LMU Munich, Heidelberg University and Freie Universität Berlin, and our guide to IP Paris. Our guide to studying in Germany explains how the German system works, and our free study abroad assessment can help you build a shortlist.
Information was taken from RWTH Aachen University’s official application and costs pages, official German government sources and the QS World University Rankings 2027, and checked in October 2026. Admissions rules, deadlines, fees and visa rules can change, so always confirm the details on RWTH’s website before you apply. StudyAbroadMarket is not affiliated with RWTH Aachen University.