Study in Germany – TU Munich, LMU, RWTH Aachen and other universities. Complete Guide 2026

It’s seven in the morning in October, and you’re standing in Marienplatz in Munich. The Glockenspiel has just finished its chime, and the air smells of pretzels from a nearby stall and coffee from Viktualienmarkt around the corner. Soon, you’ll hop on the U-Bahn and head to your computer science lecture at TU Munich – one of the best technical universities in the world. Tuition for this semester? Around 85 EUR in administrative fees, plus a ticket for all public transport in Munich. This isn’t a “too good to be true” scenario; it’s the daily reality for thousands of international students, including many from Poland, who have chosen Germany as their study destination.

Germany is a country that breaks one of the most fundamental rules of global education: the world’s best universities don’t have to cost a fortune. Three German universities rank in the QS World top 60 – TU Munich (#37), Heidelberg University (#47), and LMU Munich (#54) – and none of them charge tuition fees for students from the European Union. The only expense is the Semesterbeitrag, a semester fee of 150–350 EUR, which most often includes a public transport pass (Semesterticket) for the entire region. Compare this to Imperial College London, where annual tuition exceeds 38,000 GBP, or ETH Zurich, where living in Zurich alone costs 2,000 CHF per month – and you’ll begin to understand why Germany is the number one destination for high school graduates planning to study abroad.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about studying in Germany: from the Numerus Clausus system and the recognition of the Polish Matura in the Anabin database, through English-taught programs at TUM, LMU, RWTH Aachen, Heidelberg, Humboldt, and FU Berlin, all the way to living costs, Studienkolleg, DAAD scholarships, and what daily student life looks like in Munich, Berlin, or Aachen. If you’re looking for a top-tier education at a fraction of the cost, this article is for you.

Rankings and Reputation of German Universities

German universities don’t dominate rankings in the same way as Oxford or MIT – but that’s because the system is designed differently. In Germany, there isn’t one “super-university” that gathers all the talent and funding. Instead, you have dozens of very good universities, several of which are among the absolute world leaders.

In the QS World University Rankings 2025, three German universities made it into the top 60: TU Munich at #37 (the best technical university in continental Europe alongside ETH Zurich), Heidelberg University at #47 (the oldest university in Germany, founded in 1386), and LMU Munich at #54 (Bavaria’s flagship research university). Further down are Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (#120), RWTH Aachen (#106), and Freie Universität Berlin (#96); all with zero tuition fees.

In subject-specific rankings, Germany looks even stronger. TU Munich is number one in continental Europe for computer science, mechanical engineering, and food science. RWTH Aachen is one of the best engineering universities in the world – comparable to Imperial College London in mechanical engineering, and it costs literally nothing. Heidelberg University dominates in natural sciences and medicine. LMU is a powerhouse in physics (Werner Heisenberg lectured here), law, and humanities. Humboldt University – the alma mater of 29 Nobel laureates, including Albert Einstein – has some of the strongest philosophy and social science departments in Europe. FU Berlin excels in political science and international relations.

Key fact: 11 German universities hold the status of Exzellenzuniversität (University of Excellence), selected by the federal government to receive additional research funding. Among them are TUM, LMU, Heidelberg, RWTH Aachen, Humboldt, and FU Berlin. This isn’t just a prestige ranking – it represents real funding and real quality.

Step-by-Step Admissions: Anabin, uni-assist, and Numerus Clausus

The application process for German universities looks completely different from the UK’s UCAS, the Netherlands’ Studielink, or Denmark’s Optagelse. There’s no single centralized system – each university has its own rules, although most use the intermediary service uni-assist to verify foreign diplomas. Understanding a few key concepts will allow you to navigate this system without stress.

Anabin (anabin.kmk.org) is the German database for recognizing foreign qualifications. Good news: the Polish Matura (high school leaving certificate) has H+ status in Anabin, which means direct university admission (Direkter Hochschulzugang) without the need for Studienkolleg or additional tests. However, you must meet one condition: you need to have passed a minimum of two subjects at an advanced level (including one from the group: mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, or a foreign language at an advanced level). If your Matura doesn’t meet these conditions, you might be required to attend a Studienkolleg, a one-year preparatory course. You can find more about Matura conversion in our guide to the Polish Matura and studying abroad.

Numerus Clausus (NC) is a concept you must understand, as it determines your chances of admission to the most popular programs. NC is the minimum GPA (grade point average) threshold required for admission to a given program – it’s set each semester based on the number of applicants and available places. For programs with NC (zulassungsbeschränkt), such as medicine, psychology, law, computer science at LMU, or management at TUM, you need sufficiently high grades to meet the threshold. Programs without NC (zulassungsfrei) admit everyone who meets the formal requirements. The NC mechanism transforms the question “will I be admitted?” into “is my GPA high enough?”

uni-assist is a platform through which most German universities verify the diplomas of international applicants. You register on uni-assist.de, upload your translated documents (certified translation into German or English), and pay the verification fee: 75 EUR for the first university + 30 EUR for each subsequent one. uni-assist checks if your qualifications meet German requirements and forwards the assessment to the universities. Some universities (e.g., TUM, Heidelberg) have their own application portals and do not require uni-assist – check this individually.

Step-by-step:

1. Check requirements: Visit the website of your chosen program, check the NC (if applicable), required documents, and deadlines.
2. Translate documents: Your Matura (high school diploma) + certificate officially translated into German or English.
3. Take a language exam: German: DSH-2, TestDaF 4x4, or Goethe C1; English: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90. Prepare with prepclass.io for TOEFL and IELTS.
4. Submit your application: Via uni-assist or directly through the university portal.
5. Submit Matura results: After receiving them in July, immediately forward them to the university.
6. Await decision: Typically July–August for the winter semester.

Remember: for medical programs, applications are processed through the centralized system hochschulstart.de (formerly ZVS); this is a separate procedure with its own deadlines and criteria, including the Medical Aptitude Test (TMS).

Programs and Universities – What to Study in Germany?

Germany offers over 1,900 English-taught programs at BSc and MSc levels – but let’s be honest: at the Bachelor’s level, most programs at public universities are taught in German. English-taught Bachelor’s degrees are primarily found at private universities and a few programs at top public institutions. At the Master’s level, the situation changes dramatically; hundreds of MSc programs are entirely in English, often with no tuition fees. Let’s discuss six key universities for international high school graduates.

TU Munich (TUM) – full TUM guide; is undoubtedly the best technical university in Germany and one of the best in Europe. QS #37 worldwide, #1 in Germany. Computer Science at TUM is absolutely top-tier – the BSc in Informatics program is taught entirely in English, with an aptitude test instead of a traditional NC. The TUM School of Management offers a Management & Technology program, combining management with engineering: a unique model, ideal for those interested in tech-management. The Garching campus (north of Munich) is a modern research hub, and the city offers an ecosystem of technology companies: BMW, Siemens, Allianz, Celonis, Lilium. Semesterbeitrag: ~85 EUR. Practice for the SAT exam on okiro.io; an SAT score can strengthen your application for English-taught TUM programs.

LMU Munich (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität) is a classic research university – where TUM is a technical university, LMU is a comprehensive university with strong departments in natural sciences, law, medicine, economics, and humanities. Physics at LMU is where Nobel laureates work; Werner Heisenberg, Max Planck, and Wilhelm Röntgen have their roots here. LMU is particularly strong in medicine (LMU Klinikum – one of the largest university hospitals in Europe), biological sciences, and economics. Most Bachelor’s programs are in German, but many modules and materials are available in English, and Master’s programs are increasingly taught entirely in English.

RWTH Aachen is the third major German technical university alongside TUM and KIT – and probably the best option for an international student who wants to study engineering. Why? Because many engineering programs at RWTH do not have a Numerus Clausus; they are zulassungsfrei, meaning that if you meet the formal requirements (high school diploma + language), you get in automatically. RWTH Aachen is a powerhouse in mechanical engineering (#1 in Germany), electrical engineering, computer science, and materials engineering. Aachen is a city at the tripoint of Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands – smaller and cheaper than Munich, but with a strong technical ecosystem and proximity to KU Leuven (30 min by train) and Maastricht University (40 min).

Heidelberg University; the oldest university in Germany (1386), located in a picturesque town on the Neckar River with a castle on the hill and a charming old town. Heidelberg is an absolute powerhouse in natural sciences and medicine. Its medical faculty – with Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg – is one of the best in Europe, and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) is a partner institution. Molecular biology, biochemistry, and physics are fields where Heidelberg competes with Cambridge. The city has 160,000 inhabitants, 30,000 of whom are students; a proportion that creates an incredible academic atmosphere.

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin – the university of Einstein, Hegel, Marx, and Bismarck. Humboldt is the oldest university in Berlin (1810) and one of the most prestigious humanities institutions in Europe. Philosophy, history, social sciences, German studies; these are the departments where Humboldt continues to dominate. Berlin as a city is in a completely different league than Munich: cheaper (significantly!), more multicultural, with a legendary art and startup scene. The Semesterbeitrag at Humboldt: ~330 EUR, but it includes a ticket for all public transport in Berlin and Brandenburg (ABC zone).

Freie Universität Berlin – the second Berlin university with the title Exzellenzuniversität. FU Berlin is strong in political science (one of the best in continental Europe), international relations, computer science, and earth sciences. The Dahlem campus is a green, quiet part of Berlin with parks and villas; far from the stereotype of chaotic Kreuzberg. FU Berlin offers several English-taught Bachelor’s programs, including North American Studies and several interdisciplinary tracks.

Cost of Study and Living in Germany

This is the section where Germany starts to look like the best deal in European higher education. Zero tuition fees at public universities is a fact; the only mandatory expense is the Semesterbeitrag (semester fee). In practice, this means: TUM charges ~85 EUR, Humboldt ~330 EUR (but includes a ticket for all public transport in Berlin), RWTH Aachen ~315 EUR, Heidelberg ~180 EUR, LMU ~160 EUR, FU Berlin ~330 EUR. Annually, this amounts to 170–660 EUR – less than the cost of one week in a London dormitory.

One important exception: the state of Baden-Württemberg (where Heidelberg, KIT, Freiburg are located) introduced tuition fees of 1,500 EUR per semester in 2017 for students from outside the EU/EEA. As a Polish citizen (= EU), this does not apply to you; you only pay the standard Semesterbeitrag. But if you have friends from outside Europe interested in Heidelberg, they should be aware of this.

The main cost is daily living expenses, and here, the differences between cities are huge. Munich is the most expensive student city in Germany – but Berlin, Aachen, or Heidelberg are significantly more affordable. A realistic monthly budget looks like this:

Accommodation is by far the largest expense. In Munich, a room in a student dormitory (Studierendenwerk) costs 350–500 EUR, while a room in a shared apartment (WG) costs 500–800 EUR. In Berlin: dormitory 250–400 EUR, WG (Wohngemeinschaft, shared apartment) 400–650 EUR. In Aachen: dormitory 200–300 EUR, WG 300–500 EUR. Key advice: register with the Studierendenwerk immediately upon admission – waiting lists for dormitories can be long, especially in Munich. Food costs 200–300 EUR per month if you cook and use the Mensa (university cafeteria, a meal for 2–4 EUR). Transport: if your Semesterbeitrag includes a Semesterticket, 0 EUR for public transport. Health insurance: mandatory, ~110 EUR/month for students (statutory Krankenkasse rate). Books and materials: 30–50 EUR. Entertainment: 50–150 EUR.

Total annual cost of studying in Germany (tuition + living) is approximately: 9,600–13,800 EUR in Munich, 8,000–11,400 EUR in Berlin, 7,200–9,600 EUR in Aachen. Compare this to the annual costs at UCL (tuition 28,500 GBP + London living = over 50,000 EUR) or even at University of Amsterdam (tuition 2,530 EUR + Amsterdam ~1,200 EUR/month = ~17,000 EUR) – Germany unequivocally wins on value for money.

Scholarships and Financial Support

Although tuition is zero, living costs still need to be covered. Fortunately, the scholarship system in Germany is well-developed – and it also covers students from the EU.

DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst); the German Academic Exchange Service – is the world’s largest organization funding international academic exchange. DAAD offers scholarships for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD studies. For international students, key programs include: DAAD Study Scholarships (covering ~934 EUR/month + health insurance + travel allowance) and DAAD RISE (paid research internships in German laboratories for the summer). Applications are made via daad.de; deadlines are usually in October–November for the following academic year.

Deutschlandstipendium – a scholarship funded half by the federal government and half by the private sector: 300 EUR/month (150 EUR from the state + 150 EUR from a private sponsor; a company or foundation). Awarded for academic achievement and social engagement. You apply directly to the university – each university has its own selection process. Approximately 28,000 students in Germany receive the Deutschlandstipendium; it’s not a lottery, but a real opportunity.

BAföG – the German equivalent of a student social grant. As an EU citizen, you are eligible for BAföG after 5 years of legal residence in Germany or if you work in Germany (or your parent has worked there). Amount: up to 934 EUR/month, half of which is a grant, and half a low-interest loan. If you start your studies directly after high school, BAföG is probably not immediately available to you – but it’s worth checking individually, as there are exceptions to the rules.

University scholarships: TUM offers TUM International Scholarships and Deutschlandstipendium. RWTH Aachen has the RWTH Scholarships program. LMU offers LMU Mentoring Programs with a scholarship component. Heidelberg has Heidelberg Excellence Scholarships. Each university publishes a list of scholarships on its website – check the “Finanzierung” or “Scholarships” section.

Student jobs: As an EU citizen, you can work in Germany without restrictions during your studies. The minimum wage is 12.82 EUR/hour (2025). Popular forms of work include: HiWi (Hilfswissenschaftler; student assistant, 10–20 hours/week, 12–15 EUR/hour), Werkstudent (working student, up to 20 hours/week during the semester, unlimited during holidays – tech companies in Munich pay 15–20 EUR/hour), and standard Minijobs (up to 520 EUR/month tax-free).

You can find more about studying in the Netherlands in our guide to studying in the Netherlands, and about British universities in our guide to studying in the UK.

Student Life in Germany

Germany is a country where student life is organized around a few institutions so fundamental that without them, you won’t understand the German academic experience. Let’s start with the most important: Mensa. A German university cafeteria is not a dirty canteen with bland soup – it’s a place where for 2–4 EUR you get a full, warm meal with a choice of main courses, salads, and desserts. The Mensa at TUM Garching serves Bavarian dishes, a sushi bar, and vegetarian options. The Mensa at Humboldt in Berlin has a terrace overlooking Unter den Linden. For a student who needs to manage a budget, Mensa is a lifesaver; it literally cuts food expenses in half compared to cooking at home.

The second institution: WG (Wohngemeinschaft), or shared apartment. In Germany, living in a WG isn’t an economic necessity – it’s a lifestyle. Students deliberately choose WGs, even if they could afford a single apartment, because shared cooking, movie nights, and spontaneous kitchen parties create a community you won’t find living alone. Searching for a WG is mainly done through the portal wg-gesucht.de; you need to write a convincing “WG-Bewerbung” (something like a cover letter to potential flatmates) and go through a “WG-Casting” (a visit during which potential flatmates assess if you’re a good fit). It sounds absurd, but that’s really how it works – and it’s truly worth it.

The third institution: Biergarten. Bavaria (Munich) is a place where the tradition of beer is almost religious. The Englischer Garten (a huge park in central Munich) has several Biergartens where, after lectures, you can sit under a chestnut tree with a liter mug of beer (Maß) for 10–12 EUR and a pretzel for 3 EUR, surrounded by a thousand people in the same mood. Augustiner-Keller, Hofbräuhaus, Hirschgarten (the largest Biergarten in the world – 8,000 seats!) are places that define Munich life. In Berlin, the tradition is different – here it’s about Spätis (late-night shops with cheap beer), techno clubs (Berghain, Tresor), Currywurst at three in the morning, and spontaneous picnics in Tempelhof (a park on a former airport). Heidelberg has the intimate atmosphere of a student town; narrow streets, historic pubs (Zum Roten Ochsen, operating since 1703), and evening strolls up Philosophenweg hill with views of the castle and the Neckar valley.

The Polish student community in Germany is significant – it’s one of the largest international student groups in Germany (after Chinese and Indian students). Polish student associations operate at most universities, and geographical proximity means a weekend visit home is a matter of a few hours by train (Munich–Kraków: 6 hours, Berlin–Poznań: 3.5 hours by train). FlixBus and Deutsche Bahn offer affordable connections, and the Semesterticket often includes regional trains.

One thing no one will tell you directly: the German academic system is more independent than the British one. No one will send you reminders about deadlines, no one will check if you attend lectures. You are expected to organize your studies yourself, register for exams yourself, and keep track of deadlines yourself. This isn’t a flaw; it’s preparation for German work culture, where autonomy and Eigenverantwortung (personal responsibility) are highly valued.

After graduation, you are entitled to an 18-month job-seeking visa (Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Arbeitsplatzsuche) – this applies to non-EU citizens. As a Polish citizen (EU citizen), you do not need a visa; you have full access to the German job market from day one. The average starting salary for an engineering graduate in Germany is 48,000–55,000 EUR gross per year, in IT: 50,000–60,000 EUR, in consulting: 55,000–70,000 EUR. Germany has the strongest economy in Europe – and needs skilled workers, especially in STEM.

If you’re planning exam preparation, check out prepclass.io for TOEFL and IELTS practice with AI feedback, and okiro.io for SAT preparation – useful if you’re applying to programs that accept the SAT. What SAT score is needed for studies in Europe? Check our guide to SAT scores.

Summary – Why Germany is the Best Option for International High School Graduates?

Let’s summarize it simply: Germany offers top-tier global universities with zero tuition fees, full recognition of the Polish Matura, geographical proximity (a weekend visit home is a matter of hours, not days), the strongest economy in the EU with a chronic shortage of STEM workers, and a significant Polish student community, thanks to which you never feel entirely alone. This is not a compromise; it’s the best offer in European higher education, period.

Of course, Germany has its challenges. Language – most Bachelor’s programs require German, and learning from scratch to C1 is at least a year of intensive work. Bureaucracy; Anmeldung (registration), Krankenkasse (health insurance), Sperrkonto (blocked account) – these are processes that require patience. The housing market in Munich is tight and expensive. But these challenges are solvable – and the benefits are so immense that thousands of international students, including many from Poland, decide to study in Germany every year and don’t regret it for a moment.

Next steps:

1. Check your Matura in Anabin (anabin.kmk.org) – confirm H+ status and requirements for your chosen program.
2. Take a language exam: German (TestDaF/DSH) or English (TOEFL/IELTS). Prepare for TOEFL and IELTS with prepclass.io, and for SAT with okiro.io.
3. Register on uni-assist.de and gather documents (certified translation of your Matura, language certificate).
4. Submit your application by July 15 for the winter semester (but check individual deadlines – some programs have earlier cut-offs).
5. Read our guide to TU Munich; if computer science or engineering interests you, TUM is your university.
6. Check what SAT score you need for studies in Europe – if you plan to apply to multiple countries simultaneously.

Good luck; Germany awaits. And a Biergarten tastes much better when you know your studies cost less than one semester at a British university.