Overview

Intakes

TUM offers two intake windows for international students each academic year.

Winter Semester (October) — Primary intake; open to most undergraduate and graduate programs. Most master's program deadlines fall on May 31 for the winter semester.

Summer Semester (April) — Available for select graduate programs. Application deadline is typically November 30–January 15 depending on the program.

Important for Indian Students:

• An APS (Academic Evaluation Centre) Certificate is mandatory for Indian students before enrollment at TUM
• Applications are submitted through the TUMonline portal (for most programs) or via uni-assist (for some undergraduate programs)
• Digital-only enrollment applies from Summer 2025; no postal submissions required

Note: Polygon Campus primarily assists with graduate-level admissions. Students are encouraged to confirm specific intake dates with their chosen TUM department.

Top Courses

TUM has 15 academic departments/schools and offers around 200 degree programs, including a wide selection of English-taught courses and programs.  Key schools and popular graduate programs include:

TUM School of Engineering and Design

• MSc in Mechanical Engineering
• MSc in Aerospace Engineering
• MSc in Automotive Engineering
• MSc in Robotics, Cognition, Intelligence
• MSc in Civil Engineering

TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology

• MSc in Computer Science (Informatik)
• MSc in Data Engineering and Analytics
• MSc in Informatics (AI, Machine Learning focus)
• MSc in Electrical Engineering

TUM School of Natural Sciences

• MSc in Physics
• MSc in Chemistry
• MSc in Mathematics in Data Science
• MSc in Molecular Biotechnology

TUM School of Life Sciences

• MSc in Life Science
• MSc in Nutritional Medicine
• MSc in Biomedical Engineering and Medical Physics

TUM School of Management

• MSc in Management and Technology
• MSc in Finance and Information Management (FIM)
• MSc in Management (TUM-BWL)
• MBA (EMBA program)

TUM School of Medicine and Health

• MSc in Health Science and Technology

TUM offers a wide selection of English-taught courses and programs, making it an ideal destination for international students.

Cost of Studying at Technical University of Munich

Based on the Bavarian Higher Education Innovation Act, TUM charges tuition fees for international students from third countries (non-EU/EEA) from the winter semester 2024/25. The tuition fee per semester will usually be €2,000 or €3,000 for Bachelor's programs and €4,000 or €6,000 for Master's programs. 

In addition to tuition, all students pay a small semester contribution fee and must budget for living expenses in Munich, one of Germany's most expensive cities.

Note: EU/EEA students pay no tuition fees — only the semester contribution. Figures are approximate. Please refer to TUM's official website (tum.de) for the most current fee structure.

Scholarships

TUM offers waiver scholarships, waivers, and exemptions for students required to pay tuition fees. High-achieving students who wish to enroll in a Master's program at TUM for the first time can apply for a merit-based waiver scholarship. The prerequisite for receiving the need-based waiver scholarship is proof that the necessary financial means to pay the tuition fees are lacking. 

Waiver scholarships for up to 20% of students will be available, targeted at individuals for whom the fees would pose special hardship due to social or family reasons. 

Key funding opportunities for international students include:

• TUM Waiver Scholarships (Merit-Based) — For high-achieving students enrolling in a Master's program for the first time; covers full tuition fees for the standard duration of study
• TUM Need-Based Waiver Scholarships — For students who can demonstrate financial hardship; full tuition waiver for the standard duration of study
• DAAD Scholarships (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) — Germany's largest funding body; covers living expenses, travel, and sometimes tuition for Indian students
• Deutschlandstipendium — €300 per month for one year; awarded based on academic excellence and commitment; funded jointly by the federal government and private sponsors
• Bavarian State Scholarships — Available for international students with outstanding academic records
• External Scholarships — GATE/ICCR scholarships, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, and Heinrich Böll Foundation scholarships are all accepted

Note: Applications for TUM waiver scholarships must be submitted before the semester for which the waiver is requested. Indian students must also obtain an APS Certificate as a mandatory requirement before enrollment.

Admissions

TUM's acceptance rate stands around 8–10%, meaning that out of every 100 students who apply, the university is likely to offer the opportunity to enroll to about 8–10 applicants. The admission criteria of the university are extremely stringent.

TUM follows a program-specific aptitude assessment process. Admission is not centralised — each program evaluates applicants individually based on academic performance, language proficiency, and program fit.

For Graduate (Master's) Programs:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field from a recognised university
• Strong academic record — CGPA of 8.0+ out of 10 (or equivalent) recommended; 8.5+ for Data Science and AI programs
• English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5+ / TOEFL iBT 88+ for English-taught programs
• German Proficiency: TestDaF 4×4 or DSH-2 for German-taught programs
• GRE (recommended for STEM programs; GMAT 640+ / GRE 310+ for Management programs)
• Statement of Purpose (SOP) / Motivation Letter
• 2 Letters of Recommendation
• CV / Résumé
• APS Certificate (mandatory for Indian students before enrollment)
• Certified English translations of all academic documents

For Undergraduate Programs:

• Higher secondary school certificate equivalent to German Abitur (Indian students with CBSE/ISC typically require Studienkolleg completion)
• APS Certificate is mandatory for Indian students
• German language proficiency (TestDaF / DSH) for most undergraduate programs

Indian students can check TUM's specific admission requirements for their chosen program directly through Polygon Campus.

Placements

TUM's location in Munich — the technology and innovation hub of Germany — and its deep industry partnerships give graduates unmatched access to some of Europe's top employers. Companies ranging from ESA to Google, Meta, BMW, and Siemens, as well as new startups, hire from TUM, as it is one of the best universities in the world. 

TUM ranks 13th in the world and 4th in Europe for graduate employability, after only Cambridge, Oxford, and Imperial College London.  Average starting salary for TUM graduates typically ranges above €50,000 and below €100,000 for a starting position, with engineering graduates commonly earning around €60,000–€75,000. 

Jobs After Graduating from TUM

Note: Salary figures are indicative. European salaries differ from US benchmarks. Germany's quality of life and lower cost relative to the US/UK makes these packages highly competitive.

TUM's career support ecosystem includes:

• TUM Career Service Center — Career counseling, CV workshops, mock interviews, and job fair access for all students
• TUM Industry Network — Deep partnerships with BMW, Siemens, Google, MAN, Allianz, SAP, and hundreds of leading global companies based in Munich
• TUM Entrepreneurship — TUM has launched 103+ startups; students have direct access to incubators, funding, and mentorship
• TUM Global & Alumni Office — Networking events, city tours, and a global alumni network of 92,500+ professionals worldwide
• Job Fairs at TUM — Regular on-campus recruiting events attracting top German and international employers
• Post-Study Work Visa (Germany) — International graduates can remain in Germany for up to 18 months after graduation to seek employment

For personalised guidance on TUM admissions, connect with the experts at Polygon Campus today.