Computer Science (Informatik) is one of the most popular bachelor's programmes at RWTH Aachen University, and the B.Sc. in Computer Science is the undergraduate degree most international applicants compare against other European options. It is a six-semester, 180-ECTS bachelor's programme that starts in the winter semester. Unlike many computer science degrees in English-speaking countries, it is not taught entirely in English. It is partly in German and partly in English, which means the language requirements are two-sided: you need C1 German and B2 English. This guide sets out what that means in practice.
It also covers the acceptance picture, fees and living costs, admission requirements, the language tests that apply, and what Germany's post-study residence permit offers graduates.
RWTH Computer Science Acceptance Rate
RWTH does not publish an acceptance rate for the Computer Science B.Sc., and we did not find an official figure. The more useful signal is admission status. The programme's information page from RWTH's computer science faculty describes the bachelor's programme as not subject to a local numerus clausus (NC), meaning it is not a restricted-admission programme. Applicants who meet the formal entry requirements can enrol within the published enrolment window, which for the winter semester 2026 was listed as 1 August to 15 October 2026.
Admission rules can change, so check the current programme and admissions pages before you apply rather than relying on a figure from a previous year.
Tuition and Cost of Attendance
RWTH does not charge tuition fees for its bachelor's programmes, including the Computer Science B.Sc. and including for non-EU international students. You pay a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) each semester, which covers student body and social contributions and the Semesterticket public transport pass.
- Semester contribution: The RWTH-linked figure for summer semester 2025 was about EUR 298, and a third-party source puts summer semester 2026 at about EUR 358. The amount changes each semester, so check the AStA page for the current breakdown.
- Proof of funds: Non-EU applicants generally need to prove funds for a German study visa. For 2026 the blocked account requirement is EUR 11,904 per year (about EUR 992 per month), per German Federal Foreign Office and DAAD guidance. Setting up a blocked account typically costs EUR 70 to EUR 150.
- Living costs in Aachen: We did not find an official Aachen-specific living-cost figure, so use the blocked-account amount as a minimum and check RWTH's accommodation pages for current rent estimates.
Admission Requirements
For international applicants to the Computer Science B.Sc., the core requirements are:
- A higher education entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung) recognised as equivalent to the German Abitur, with official transcripts and certified translations
- German language proof at C1 level, required for all bachelor's programmes at RWTH
- English language proof at B2 level, which RWTH requires for this programme because part of the instruction is in English
- Enrolment or application through RWTH's online system within the published window for your intake
- Proof of funds for the student visa, if you are applying from outside the EU or EEA
How to Get Into RWTH's Computer Science B.Sc.
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Plan for two languages, not one. The programme is partly German and partly English, so you need both C1 German and B2 English. Missing either can block enrolment.
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Book a recognised C1 German certificate early. Accepted certificates include DSH-2 or DSH-3, TestDaF at level 4 in all four sections, Goethe-Zertifikat C1 or higher, ÖSD C1, and telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule. Plan for preparation time and a possible retake.
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Confirm the English certificate RWTH accepts. B2 is the required level. We did not verify the complete list of accepted English tests for this programme, so check RWTH's language-skills page before you book an English test.
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Apply or enrol within the published window. For the winter semester 2026, the window was 1 August to 15 October 2026. Confirm the dates for your intake, since they change.
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Plan your visa funds and semester fee together. The blocked account and semester contribution both need to be in your budget before you arrive.
English Proficiency and German Language Requirements
This is a mixed-language bachelor's programme. Part of the instruction is in German and part is in English. That means you need two separate language proofs, and the German one is the bigger hurdle:
- German: C1 level. This is required for all RWTH bachelor's programmes. Accepted certificates are DSH-2 or DSH-3, TestDaF at level 4 in all four sections, Goethe-Zertifikat C1 or higher, ÖSD C1, and telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule. Applicants with a German school-leaving certificate from certain German-speaking regions, or with a first professionally qualifying German-language degree from a German institution, are generally exempt.
- English: B2 level. This is required for this programme specifically, because of its English-taught components. We did not verify which English tests RWTH accepts for this requirement, so check the programme's language page before assuming IELTS or TOEFL will count.
IELTS and TOEFL are therefore not the complete picture for this degree. A strong English score helps with the English requirement, but it does not replace C1 German. For the wider RWTH picture, see the RWTH Aachen guide.
Career Outcomes and Post-Study Relevance
Germany's main post-study route is the job-seeker residence permit under Section 20 of the Residence Act. After completing a degree in Germany, you can receive a residence permit of up to 18 months to find qualified work, provided your livelihood is secured during that period. You can take up any type of employment during this time. The permit is not extendable, so before it expires you need to move into a qualifying job or another eligible residence title. Apply at the local immigration office before your student status ends. Confirm the current rules on make-it-in-germany.com or the BAMF website before you plan around the route.
RWTH does not publish a computer-science-specific employment rate or starting salary in the sources we reviewed. A third-party summary quotes about 92% of RWTH graduates finding work within six months, but we could not verify that figure against an official source. Demand for software and computing skills in Germany is strong, but that is a general market observation, not an RWTH statistic. German-language ability matters more for many employers than it does in English-speaking markets, so the C1 German you need to enrol will also shape your job options.
FAQ
Is RWTH's Computer Science bachelor's taught in English? Partly. It is taught in both German and English, so you need C1 German and B2 English.
What IELTS or TOEFL score do I need for RWTH computer science? RWTH's published requirement for this programme is B2 English plus C1 German. We did not verify which English tests RWTH accepts for it, so check the language page before assuming IELTS or TOEFL counts. C1 German is required regardless.
Is the programme restricted by numerus clausus? The Computer Science B.Sc. is not subject to a local NC, so it is not a restricted-admission programme. Confirm the current status for your intake.
Does RWTH charge tuition for international students? No tuition for this bachelor's programme, including for non-EU students. You pay a semester contribution each term, and it changes each semester.
How long is the degree? Six semesters, with 180 ECTS credits, starting in the winter semester.
Can I stay in Germany after graduating? Yes. Graduates can receive a job-seeker residence permit of up to 18 months under Section 20 of the Residence Act. It is not extendable, so plan to move into a qualifying job or another residence title before it expires.