⚙️RWTH Aachen University

Aachen, Germany

QS World 2026 · #99

One of Germany's TU9 elite technical universities, right on the Dutch and Belgian borders.

About RWTH Aachen

RWTH Aachen is one of Germany's TU9 group of leading technical universities and is particularly known for Mechanical Engineering, with close ties to the automotive industry. Its location, where Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium meet, gives it an unusually international, cross-border student and research culture.

Why students choose it

  • TU9 member — one of Germany's leading technical universities
  • Strong Mechanical Engineering ties to the automotive industry
  • Cross-border location at the Germany–Netherlands–Belgium tri-point

🎓 Free application support for RWTH Aachen

Submit a free enquiry and Tutopiya's admissions team will guide you through your application to RWTH Aachen — personal statement, interview prep and deadlines — at no cost, no obligation. Application fees are typically waived through our university partnerships.

📝 Already decided? Apply now — it's free

Typical entry grades

AAA (A Level)  ·  IB 36

Top tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

€0–€1,000/sem

low tier for Germany — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

German (Bachelor's) — most undergraduate programmes are German-medium and require proof of German proficiency; a limited number of English-taught Bachelor's tracks exist in select engineering subjects — check the specific programme. Master's is far more commonly English-taught.

Campus

city campus, Aachen

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or RWTH Aachen's financial aid office.

Because most German public universities already charge minimal tuition to everyone regardless of citizenship, 'scholarships' here are more about living-cost support than fee reduction.

  • DAAD Scholarships: Germany's national academic exchange service — mainly postgraduate/research-focused, with a smaller number of undergraduate opportunities; covers living costs and sometimes fees.
  • Deutschlandstipendium: A merit-based monthly stipend available to enrolled students (domestic and international alike) at participating universities, funded jointly by government and private sponsors.

Since tuition itself is already low or free at most public universities, prioritise these for living-cost support rather than expecting a tuition-fee scholarship.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

Mechanical Engineering

⏱️ Typical duration: Often 4 years rather than the country's standard Bachelor's length, especially where the programme includes an integrated Master's (e.g. UK MEng) or an industry placement year

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Requires Mathematics + Physics

Computer Science

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years (6 semesters)

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Requires Mathematics

Natural Sciences

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years (6 semesters)

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Requires two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths

Architecture

⏱️ Typical duration: Often longer than a standard Bachelor's — commonly a 3-year Bachelor's plus a further 2-year Master's for full professional accreditation

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Portfolio

Medicine

⏱️ Typical duration: 5–6 years where entered straight from school (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong); typically a 4-year postgraduate MD entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Requires Chemistry + Biology · Centralised allocation via hochschulstart.de (Abitur-equivalent GPA + waiting time); some universities add TMS as an extra criterion

Durations are typical for Germany — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
October (Winter semester), April (Summer semester)
Typical deadline
15 July for Winter semester, 15 January for Summer semester
Note
Most international applications run via uni-assist, but not all universities use it — confirm your target university's route.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall (English-taught Bachelor's tracks only)

Required for the limited English-taught Bachelor's tracks; German-medium programmes require proof of German proficiency (TestDaF/DSH) instead.

See where RWTH Aachen ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free Germany University Shortlist Builder to see whether RWTH Aachen is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other Germany university that matches.

Build my Germany shortlist →

More Germany universities

RWTH Aachen FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to RWTH Aachen as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into RWTH Aachen?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, RWTH Aachen expects around AAA at A Level or 36 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for RWTH Aachen's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on RWTH Aachen's own admissions page before applying.

How much does RWTH Aachen cost for international students?

International tuition at RWTH Aachen typically falls in the €0–€1,000/sem range (low tier for Germany). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not RWTH Aachen's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for RWTH Aachen?

RWTH Aachen follows Germany's typical intake calendar: October (Winter semester), April (Summer semester), with applications generally due 15 july for winter semester, 15 january for summer semester. Most international applications run via uni-assist, but not all universities use it — confirm your target university's route. Always verify the exact date on RWTH Aachen's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for RWTH Aachen?

Germany universities, including RWTH Aachen, typically ask international applicants for 6.5 overall (English-taught Bachelor's tracks only). Required for the limited English-taught Bachelor's tracks; German-medium programmes require proof of German proficiency (TestDaF/DSH) instead.

What is RWTH Aachen known for?

One of Germany's TU9 elite technical universities, right on the Dutch and Belgian borders. RWTH Aachen is one of Germany's TU9 group of leading technical universities and is particularly known for Mechanical Engineering, with close ties to the automotive industry. Its location, where Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium meet, gives it an unusually international, cross-border student and research culture.

Can I apply to RWTH Aachen with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — RWTH Aachen accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free Germany University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against RWTH Aachen and every other Germany university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

Need help applying to RWTH Aachen? Get free application support.

Practice with AI-powered topic quizzes — 100% free