Undergraduate Admissions

The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is a leading technical university in Germany, consistently ranked among the top institutions globally. It is a member of TU9, an alliance of Germany's most prestigious technical universities. While TUM emphasizes providing an affordable education, it introduced tuition fees for newly enrolled international students from non-EU/EEA countries starting in the Winter Semester 2024/25. For these students, bachelor's programs typically cost between €2,000 and €3,000 per semester, in addition to a mandatory semester fee. Students from the EU/EEA and those with German educational qualifications are exempt from tuition fees.

To support international students, including undergraduates, TUM offers various scholarships and financial aid programs funded through budget resources from the Bavarian government and other sources. These awards aim to recognize academic excellence, address financial need, and promote social engagement, helping students manage their study and living costs in Germany. While an application fee is not required for international applicants to TUM, these scholarships serve as crucial financial support once admitted and enrolled.

Eligibility criteria vary depending on the specific scholarship:

1. Scholarship for International Students (funded by the Bavarian Government):

• Nationality: Open to international students who are not eligible for BAföG (German federal student financial aid) due to their nationality.
• Academic Level: Must be enrolled in a bachelor's degree program at TUM from the 3rd semester onward. Master's students can apply from the 2nd semester, or from the 1st semester if their bachelor's degree was completed at TUM.
• Academic Performance: Applicants must demonstrate good academic records.
• Financial Need: Proven financial need is a key requirement.
• Thesis Submission: For bachelor's students, submission of the bachelor's thesis must not be before June 30 (summer term) and December 31 (winter term).

2. TUM Tuition Fee Waiver Scholarships:

• Nationality: Primarily intended for international students from non-EU/EEA countries who are required to pay TUM's international tuition fees.
• Academic Level:
  • Need-based waiver: Available for students in their 1st semester of bachelor's or master's programs.
  • Merit-based waiver: Available for high-achieving students in their 3rd semester or later of bachelor's or master's programs who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance at TUM.
• Financial Need: For need-based waivers, applicants must demonstrate that they and their family do not have sufficient financial resources to pay the tuition fee.
• Academic Performance: For merit-based waivers, outstanding academic performance is required.

3. Deutschlandstipendium:

• Nationality: Open to currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students with university entrance certificates from Germany or abroad.
• Academic Performance: Primary criteria are academic achievement and aptitude.
• Other Factors: Social engagement, a sense of responsibility, and special circumstances such as physical handicaps or an immigrant background are also considered.

4. Oskar Karl Forster Scholarship for books and learning materials:

• Academic Level: Currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students who have completed at least two semesters at TUM.
• Academic Performance: Applicants should demonstrate outstanding academic achievements.
• Financial Need: Must have a low income.
• Previous Award: May not have previously received financial support from this specific scholarship fund.

The benefits provided by TUM scholarships vary:

1. Scholarship for International Students (funded by the Bavarian Government):

• Stipend: A one-time financial aid between €500 and €1,800 per semester.
• Duration: Students can reapply every semester, with a maximum funding period of 36 months. The financial assistance is intended to help with living expenditures and study-related costs.

2. TUM Tuition Fee Waiver Scholarships:

• Tuition: Successful applicants are granted a waiver of the international tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students. No cash payments are made; instead, the tuition fee amount is reduced or waived.
• Duration: Merit-based waivers generally cover tuition for two semesters. Need-based waivers can cover the tuition fees for the standard duration of the degree program. Reapplication is possible.

3. Deutschlandstipendium:

• Stipend: €300 per month.
• Coverage: Provides financial support and non-material support through a network of talented individuals, private individuals, and companies.

4. Oskar Karl Forster Scholarship for books and learning materials:

• Books/Materials: Grants ranging from €100 to €500 for books and learning materials.

All students, including those with scholarships, are required to pay a semester fee, which varies by campus location (e.g., €97 in Munich).

The application process for TUM scholarships typically involves submitting an online application with required documents:

1. Scholarship for International Students (funded by the Bavarian Government):

• Application Portal: Applications are typically submitted online via a link provided during the application period.
• Required Documents:
  • Motivational letter (100-200 words in English or German, explaining financial status).
  • CV/resume.
  • Residence permit.
  • TUM grade report (downloadable from TUMonline).
  • Two recommendations (not older than one semester).
  • Proof of applicant's income for the past 12 months (e.g., bank statements of all bank accounts, work contract, scholarship notification).
  • Proof of parents' income or spouse's income for the past 12 months, if applicable (certified German translation required if not in German or English).
  • Further documents if applicable (e.g., internship contract, loan contract, BAföG notification).
• Tips: Prepare all documents as PDFs in advance. Ensure they are complete and submitted within the application window.

2. TUM Tuition Fee Waiver Scholarships:

• Application Portal: The link to the application form is provided on the TUM website during the application period.
• Required Documents:
  • For need-based waivers: Detailed evidence of income, assets, bank accounts, and family circumstances to assess financial need.
  • For merit-based waivers (3rd semester or later): Current TUM Examination Report.
  • Depending on how ranking is verified, original ranking documents may need to be submitted by post.
• Tips: Carefully review the specific requirements for each waiver category (need-based vs. merit-based, 1st semester vs. later semesters) and apply during the designated period.

3. Deutschlandstipendium:

• Application: Further details on the application process are available on the TUM website.
• Required Documents: Will likely include academic transcripts, proof of social engagement, and possibly essays or personal statements to highlight aptitude and special circumstances.

The deadlines for TUM scholarships can vary by semester and specific award.

1. Scholarship for International Students (funded by the Bavarian Government):

• Applications typically open in October and close in November (e.g., November 15) for the winter semester, and open in April and close in May (e.g., May 15) for the summer semester.
• For Summer Semester 2026, the application window was from April 13, 2026, to April 26, 2026.
• Results are typically sent out by mid-July for the summer semester and by mid-December for the winter semester.

2. TUM Tuition Fee Waiver Scholarships:

• For waivers starting from the 3rd semester or later (merit-based): Applications are usually from May 31 to June 30 for the following winter semester, and November 30 to December 31 for the following summer semester.
• For 1st or 2nd semester (Master's - high-achieving) and 1st semester (Bachelor's and Master's - financial need) waivers, deadlines differ, for example, January 1 to May 31 for the following winter semester for Master's high-achieving.

3. Deutschlandstipendium:

• Deadlines are announced annually on the TUM website.

The selection for TUM scholarships is based on a combination of academic merit and financial need, along with other qualitative factors:

1. Scholarship for International Students (funded by the Bavarian Government):

• Merit: Good academic records are essential.
• Need: Proven financial need of the applicant is a primary criterion. Receipt of other waivers or scholarships is included as income.
• Selection Process: The number of awards is limited, and applications are assessed based on the submitted documents proving merit and need.

2. TUM Tuition Fee Waiver Scholarships:

• Need-based waivers (1st semester Bachelor's and Master's): Selection is based on detailed evidence demonstrating that the applicant and their family do not have sufficient financial resources to cover the tuition fee.
• Merit-based waivers (3rd semester or later Bachelor's and Master's): Selection is based on outstanding academic performance demonstrated during studies at TUM. The number of these scholarships is limited.

3. Deutschlandstipendium:

• Academic Excellence: Outstanding academic achievement and aptitude are the primary criteria.
• Personal Qualities: Social engagement, a sense of responsibility, and special personal circumstances (e.g., physical disabilities, immigrant background) are also taken into consideration.
• Number of Awards: The number of Deutschlandstipendium grants at TUM has significantly increased over the years, with a large network of scholarship holders.

In general, reviewers look for comprehensive applications that clearly demonstrate eligibility according to the specific scholarship criteria. For financial aid, providing clear and well-documented proof of income and expenses is crucial. For merit-based awards, strong academic performance and relevant achievements are key.