The city of Munich in Germany is home to the Technical University of Munich (TUM), one of the country’s leading public research universities. Founded in 1868, TUM was named a University of Excellence for the fourth consecutive time in 2026. The university has major German locations in Munich, Garching, Weihenstephan, Straubing, and Heilbronn. Garching is TUM’s largest campus.
Major international rankings place TUM among the country’s top institutions. The QS World University Rankings 2027 placed TUM 25th worldwide and first in Germany and the European Union, while the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 placed it 27th worldwide and first in the European Union. TUM is organized into seven schools covering engineering and design; computation, information, and technology; natural sciences; life sciences; medicine and health; management; and social sciences and technology.
Students and researchers from around the world study and collaborate at TUM. The university emphasizes research, innovation, international cooperation, diversity, and interdisciplinary education.
Learn more about the current cost of attending the Technical University of Munich below.
Study Costs at the Technical University of Munich
Before applying, candidates should understand that TUM does not have one tuition rate for all students. Costs depend on the applicant’s nationality, degree program, campus, enrollment date, and eligibility for an exemption or waiver. All enrolled students generally pay a semester fee, while many newly enrolled students from outside the European Economic Area must also pay tuition.
Application Costs
Standard degree applications are submitted through the TUMonline application portal. Many applicants who earned their entrance qualification outside Germany must also obtain preliminary review documentation, known as a VPD, through uni-assist.
Uni-assist currently charges 75 euros for the first chosen course of study in a semester and 30 euros for each additional chosen course of study. Applicants should check the page for their chosen program because separate program-specific costs may apply.
Tuition Fee Costs
All enrolled students generally pay a basic student union fee each semester. The current semester fees are 97 euros for programs assigned to Munich, Garching, Weihenstephan, and Heilbronn and 82 euros for programs assigned to Straubing.
Since the winter semester of 2024/25, newly enrolled students from countries outside the European Economic Area generally have to pay tuition for bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. The exact amount depends on the program. Students from EU and EEA countries and students who meet one of TUM’s exemption or waiver conditions may not have to pay this tuition.
Bachelor’s Tuition Costs
The usual costs per semester are as follows:
- 97 euros in Munich, Garching, Weihenstephan, and Heilbronn
- 82 euros in Straubing
- Usually 2,000 or 3,000 euros in additional tuition for newly enrolled bachelor’s students from outside the EEA who are not exempt
The Technical University of Munich offers undergraduate programs in a wide range of fields. Most bachelor’s degree programs have a standard duration of six to eight semesters, although students should confirm the duration and tuition amount on the individual program page.
Master’s Tuition Costs
The usual costs per semester are as follows:
- 97 euros in Munich, Garching, Weihenstephan, and Heilbronn
- 82 euros in Straubing
- Usually 4,000 or 6,000 euros in additional tuition for newly enrolled master’s students from outside the EEA who are not exempt
TUM offers more than 100 master’s degree programs in numerous fields. Depending on the program, students may earn qualifications such as a Master of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Education, or Master of Business Administration. A master’s degree generally qualifies graduates to pursue doctoral research.
Ph.D. Tuition Costs
TUM does not charge tuition for doctoral research. Entry in the doctoral candidacy list is mandatory, but enrollment as a doctoral student is voluntary. Doctoral candidates who choose to enroll must pay the applicable semester fee.
- No tuition fee for doctoral research
- 97-euro semester fee for enrolled doctoral candidates assigned to Munich, Garching, Weihenstephan, or Heilbronn
- 82-euro semester fee for enrolled doctoral candidates assigned to Straubing
At TUM, doctoral candidates work on research projects under academic supervision. The university offers several doctoral pathways with different organizational and funding arrangements. Candidates may be employed by TUM, receive an external scholarship, work with another research institution or company, or finance their research independently.
Eligible doctoral candidates may apply for TUM Graduate School internationalization support for approved research stays, conferences, and other international activities. As of July 2026, standard support is generally up to 1,600 euros. For eligible activities beginning on or after October 1, 2026, the standard amount is scheduled to change to 1,300 euros. Qualifying research stays of at least four weeks may receive up to an additional 1,400 euros. Eligibility and application rules vary, so candidates should consult their Graduate Center before making financial plans for doctoral study at TUM.
Other Academic Costs at the Technical University of Munich
In addition to tuition and semester fees, students should budget for living costs, accommodation, transportation, health insurance, learning materials, and personal expenses. Actual costs vary considerably according to the campus location and the student’s lifestyle.
Accommodation
Finding housing is an important part of preparing to study at TUM. The university does not own or operate residence halls, although it provides information and housing-search resources. Many student residences are operated by local student unions, and students can also consider private residence halls, shared apartments, private rentals, guesthouses, and youth hostels. Demand is high, particularly in Munich, so students should begin searching as early as possible.
Transportation
The former Munich semester ticket has been replaced by the discounted Deutschlandticket for students. As of July 2026, it costs 43 euros per month and is sold as a subscription. It allows students to use local and regional public transportation throughout Germany, including eligible buses, trams, underground trains, and local trains. It is not included in TUM’s semester fee.
Books and Miscellaneous Expenses
TUM does not publish one standard annual amount for books, projects, and other learning materials because these costs depend on the degree program and individual course requirements. Students can reduce expenses by using the TUM University Library, borrowing materials, buying used books, or sharing resources.
Eligible undergraduate and graduate students who have completed at least two semesters at TUM may also apply for the Oskar Karl Forster Scholarship, which offers grants of 100 to 500 euros for books and learning materials.
Living Expenses
Living expenses differ significantly by location. TUM estimates that a single person in Munich or the greater Munich area should generally budget between 1,300 and 2,000 euros per month. The estimate includes major expenses such as rent, food, transportation, communications, and health insurance. In Heilbronn or Straubing, the estimated range is approximately 900 to 1,200 euros per month.
For a German student visa, applicants can demonstrate adequate financial resources in several ways. In 2026, a blocked account containing at least 11,904 euros is one accepted option. However, this legal minimum should not be treated as a complete estimate of the amount needed to live in Munich, where actual expenses may be considerably higher.
Prospective students should review the official page for their chosen degree program and check their TUMonline account for the exact tuition and semester fees that apply to them. They should also prepare a realistic budget for housing, transportation, health insurance, food, learning materials, and other personal expenses.
Hopefully, this article on the cost of studying at the Technical University of Munich for international students was informative and helpful. Explore the available program options in Germany at our Available Courses for International Students. You can also visit our Study in Germany Page for more information about German universities, application procedures, living costs, and scholarship opportunities.
