Technical University of Munich
Founded in 1868, the number 1 technical and number 1 overall university in Germany for 11 years running. QS World 2026 number 22 globally, the best university in the European Union. Around 52,000 students, of which 45 percent are international. As an EU citizen you study practically for free: zero tuition, only a Semesterbeitrag of roughly 85 to 150 EUR per semester.
About the Technical University of Munich
Technical University of Munich (TUM), in German Technische Universität München, is a public research university founded in 1868 by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. With over 155 years of tradition, it has been number 1 in Germany for 11 years running and, according to QS, the best university in the European Union. It counts 19 Nobel laureates among its students, professors and researchers. Its motto, "The Entrepreneurial University", reflects its culture geared toward innovation, startups and technology transfer.
TUM is QS World 2026 number 22 globally, the highest position ever reached by a German university in the history of the ranking. By subject area it is number 18 in the natural sciences and number 19 in engineering worldwide, plus in the global top 25 for data science and artificial intelligence and for chemistry. Main location: Munich, Bavaria, one of the most prosperous and safe cities in Europe. TUM has campuses in Munich, Garching, Weihenstephan, Straubing and Heilbronn, organized into 7 Schools. Around 52,000 students, of which 45 percent are international, with over 160 international partnerships.
Strong specializations at TUM: Engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil, aerospace, automotive), Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (one of the best in Europe, a powerful AI hub), Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology), Business and Management (TUM School of Management, triple crown accredited), Medicine (Klinikum rechts der Isar), Life Sciences and agriculture at Weihenstephan. TUM has around 200 study programs, of which over 70 master's programs are in English. At bachelor's level the English-language offering is more limited, but growing, especially in Computer Science, Management and Engineering.
For Romanian students, TUM is one of the best opportunities in Europe. As an EU citizen you study practically for free: TUM does not charge tuition for EU students (plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), unlike non-EU students who, from the winter semester 2024 to 2025, pay between 2,000 and 6,000 EUR per semester. The only mandatory fee for Romanians is the Semesterbeitrag (semester contribution), roughly 85 to 150 EUR per semester, depending on the campus and whether it includes the transport pass. The Romanian Baccalaureate is recognized through uni-assist for the equivalence check. APS is NOT required for Romanians (EU citizens). Cost of living in Munich: roughly 950 to 1,400 EUR per month (one of the most expensive cities in Germany).
How to apply to TUM
Check your Baccalaureate equivalence through uni-assist
First step: check whether your Romanian Baccalaureate is recognized as equivalent to the Abitur (HZB, Hochschulzugangsberechtigung). In most cases, the assessment goes through uni-assist, the central service that verifies international diplomas and calculates the equivalent grade on the German scale (1.0 the best, 4.0 the minimum pass). Important: as a Romanian EU citizen, you do NOT need an APS (Akademische Prüfstelle), the procedure required only for certain non-EU countries. The uni-assist fee is roughly 75 EUR for the first application.
Apply directly or through uni-assist to TUM
TUM has around 200 programs across 7 schools: Engineering, Computer Science, Natural Sciences, Management, Medicine, Life Sciences. Depending on the program, you apply either directly through the TUMonline portal or through uni-assist. Deadlines: for the winter semester (start in October), applications are generally due by 15 July, while for competitive programs or those with numerus clausus even earlier (15 January for certain master's programs). Check each program's page for specific requirements (grades, letter of motivation, CV, portfolio).
Prove your German (TestDaF, DSH, Goethe C1)
For German-taught programs (most bachelor's degrees) you need a C1 level: accepted are TestDaF (TDN 4 on all 4 modules), DSH-2, Goethe-Zertifikat C1 or C2, or telc C1 Hochschule. TUM offers German courses for admitted students, but the C1 level is usually required at enrollment. Start preparing your German at least 1 to 2 years ahead if you are starting from scratch.
Or prove your English (IELTS 6.5 plus) for EN programs
For English-taught programs (over 70 master's plus a few bachelor's in Computer Science, Management, Engineering) you need IELTS 6.5 plus or TOEFL iBT 88 plus, depending on the program (some require 7.0). This is the ideal path for Romanians who do not want to learn German at an academic level. Tip: at bachelor's level the English offering is limited, so for fully English-taught studies carefully check whether your program exists in English at TUM before applying.
EU citizen registration in Munich (Anmeldung)
As a Romanian (EU) citizen you do not need a study visa. After arriving in Munich, you register at the Bürgerbüro for Anmeldung (registration of your residence address), a mandatory step for any resident. You will need a rental contract (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) and your Romanian ID card or passport. Then open a German bank account and arrange your health insurance (public, roughly 120 EUR per month for students, or the European Health Insurance Card at the start).
Imatrikulation plus payment of the Semesterbeitrag
After your acceptance is confirmed, you complete the Imatrikulation (official enrollment) on TUMonline, upload your original documents and pay the Semesterbeitrag (semester contribution), roughly 85 to 150 EUR per semester. As an EU citizen you do NOT pay tuition, only this contribution which covers student services (Studentenwerk) and, optionally, the transport pass. Start of the academic year: October (winter semester) or April (summer semester). Arrange your accommodation early, Munich has a very competitive rental market.
Costs for Romanians
Tuition plus Semesterbeitrag (EU citizens)
Cost of living in Munich (monthly)
Free EU studies
As an EU citizen, you automatically pay tuition equal to zero EUR, the same as German students. You do not have to do anything special, only prove your Romanian citizenship through your ID card or passport. The only fee is the Semesterbeitrag (85-150 EUR per semester). A non-EU student pays 2,000-6,000 EUR per semester, so your EU citizen advantage is up to 12,000 EUR savings per year.
DAAD and Deutschlandstipendium
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service): scholarships for international students, including Romanians, for master's and research, covering accommodation plus a monthly stipend. Deutschlandstipendium: 300 EUR per month for students with strong academic performance, funded half by the state, half by private sponsors, also available at TUM. There are also scholarships from foundations (Studienstiftung, Konrad-Adenauer, Friedrich-Ebert).
Bursa Germania (Romanian Ministry of Education)
As a Romanian student, you are eligible for the Bursa Germania scholarship of the Romanian Ministry of Education if you gain admission to a German public university. Many Romanian cities and counties also have scholarship programs for their students abroad (check with your local city hall). Important: these scholarships can be combined with German ones, but they must be applied for in parallel, with their own deadlines.
Want to apply to TUM?
We help you check your Baccalaureate equivalence through uni-assist, choose the right program at TUM, apply correctly (directly or through uni-assist) and take advantage of free studies for EU citizens (tuition equal to zero EUR). Our mentors have been through the process. The mentoring session is 100 percent free.
Talk to a mentorFrequently asked questions
How hard is it to get into the Technical University of Munich?
TUM is a selective university, but admission for EU citizens depends mainly on your Baccalaureate grade converted to the German scale (1.0 the best). Many programs have open admission or are aptitude-based (Eignungsfeststellungsverfahren), not a fixed American-style acceptance rate. Competitive programs (Computer Science, Management, Automotive Engineering) may have a numerus clausus, so a good converted Baccalaureate average (roughly 1.5 to 2.0 German, that is a Baccalaureate over 9) is recommended. Compared with the US Ivy League, TUM has no standard essays or interviews, but focuses on academic results plus, sometimes, an aptitude test.
How much does TUM cost for Romanians exactly?
As an EU citizen, tuition equals zero EUR. You pay only the Semesterbeitrag (semester contribution), roughly 85 to 150 EUR per semester, that is under 300 EUR per year in total fees. Cost of living in Munich: accommodation 450-800 EUR per month, food 250-400 EUR per month, student health insurance roughly 120 EUR per month, transport plus extras 100-150 EUR per month. Total cost of living: roughly 950 to 1,400 EUR per month. Munich is the most expensive city in Germany, but free tuition compensates enormously. By comparison, a non-EU student pays 2,000-6,000 EUR per semester in tuition.
As a Romanian (EU) do I really study for free at TUM?
Yes. TUM does not charge tuition for EU students (plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein). The only mandatory fee is the Semesterbeitrag, roughly 85-150 EUR per semester, which covers student services (Studentenwerk) and, optionally, the transport pass. From the winter semester 2024 to 2025, TUM introduced tuition only for non-EU students (2,000-6,000 EUR per semester), under the Bavarian BayHIG law. As a Romanian citizen you are fully exempt from these study fees, which is one of your biggest advantages.
Are TUM programs in English or German?
Both. TUM has around 200 programs, of which over 70 master's are in English. At bachelor's level, most programs are in German (you need C1: TestDaF, DSH-2 or Goethe C1), but the English offering is growing, especially in Computer Science, Management and Engineering. For English-taught programs you need IELTS 6.5 plus or TOEFL iBT 88 plus. Tip: if you want fully English-taught studies, carefully check whether your program exists in English at TUM, because at bachelor's level the German offering is dominant.
Do I need an APS as a Romanian to apply to TUM?
No. The APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) procedure is required only for students from certain non-EU countries (for example China, India, Vietnam). As a Romanian (EU) citizen, you do NOT need an APS. For you, the Baccalaureate equivalence check is done through uni-assist (or directly at the university, depending on the program), which assesses the diploma and calculates the equivalent grade on the German scale. The uni-assist fee is roughly 75 EUR for the first application.
What are the strongest programs at TUM for Romanians?
TUM is renowned for: Engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil, aerospace, automotive, one of the best in Europe), Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (global top 25 for data science and AI), Sciences (Physics, Chemistry number 22 in the world, Mathematics, Biology), TUM School of Management (business, triple crown accredited AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA), Medicine (Klinikum rechts der Isar), Life Sciences and agriculture at Weihenstephan. By subject area, TUM is number 18 in the world in the natural sciences and number 19 in engineering.
Can I stay in Germany after graduating from TUM?
Yes, as an EU citizen! Unlike the United Kingdom or the US where you need a work visa, as a Romanian (EU) citizen you have the automatic right to work in Germany without a visa. Germany is the largest economy in the EU, with Munich as a powerful hub for tech, automotive and engineering: BMW, Siemens, Allianz, Google, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, SAP have major offices here. Main industries: automotive, engineering, software and AI, finance, biotech, energy. TUM graduate salaries: Engineering and Computer Science 50,000-65,000 EUR starting in Munich; Management 48,000-60,000 EUR; Medicine 50,000 EUR plus (resident). With an EU diploma you can work anywhere in the EU without a visa.
What level of German or English do I need at TUM?
It depends on the language of the program. For German-taught programs you need a C1 level: accepted are TestDaF (TDN 4 on all 4 modules), DSH-2, Goethe-Zertifikat C1 or C2, or telc C1 Hochschule. For English-taught programs you need IELTS 6.5 plus or TOEFL iBT 88 plus (some programs require 7.0). Important tip: if you are starting German from scratch, begin preparing at least 1 to 2 years before applying, because C1 is a high academic level. For Romanians without German, the English-taught master's path is the most practical.
Our mentors from Europe
They studied at Bocconi, Sciences Po, TU Delft, ETH Zurich and other EU universities. Now they guide you.