Mechanical Engineering (Maschinenbau) is one of the best-known bachelor's programmes at RWTH Aachen University, Germany's largest technical university, and it is the programme most international applicants look at first when they consider RWTH. It is a bachelor's degree taught in German, which is the single most important fact to get right before you apply. If you were expecting an English-taught engineering degree with an IELTS or TOEFL requirement, this programme works differently, and the rest of this guide explains how.
This guide covers the acceptance picture, the semester fee and living costs, admission requirements, the German test you need, and what the German post-study residence permit means for graduates.
RWTH Mechanical Engineering Acceptance Rate
RWTH does not publish an acceptance rate for the Mechanical Engineering B.Sc., and we did not find an official figure. The programme's admission status is the more useful signal. In the 2026 information we reviewed, the bachelor's Mechanical Engineering programme is listed as an open-admission (zulassungsfrei) programme, which means applicants who meet the formal entry requirements are admitted without a competitive numerus clausus selection. Admission rules can change from year to year, so confirm the status on RWTH's current programme and application pages before you apply.
For open-admission programmes, RWTH's application notice for the winter semester lists an application deadline of 20 October via RWTHonline. Check the official deadline for your intake before relying on that date.
Tuition and Cost of Attendance
Like most RWTH bachelor's programmes, Mechanical Engineering charges no tuition fee, including for non-EU international students. You pay a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) each semester instead. It covers the student body and social contributions and a public transport pass.
- Semester contribution: RWTH's financing page points to the AStA for the current breakdown. 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. Confirm the current amount on the AStA page, because it changes each semester.
- Proof of funds: A non-EU student applying for a German study visa must show funds. The 2026 blocked account requirement is EUR 11,904 per year (about EUR 992 per month), per German Federal Foreign Office and DAAD guidance. A blocked account typically costs EUR 70 to EUR 150 to set up.
- Living costs in Aachen: We could not verify a city-specific living-cost figure for Aachen from an official source, so budget using the blocked-account amount as your minimum and check RWTH's accommodation and cost-of-living pages for current rent estimates.
Admission Requirements
For international applicants to the Mechanical Engineering 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, which RWTH requires for this bachelor's programme
- Application through RWTHonline by the published deadline for your intake
- Proof of funds for the student visa, if you are applying from outside the EU or EEA
Because the programme is taught in German, English proficiency is not the main language requirement here. See the English and German proficiency section below for the full picture.
How to Get Into RWTH's Mechanical Engineering B.Sc.
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Plan around German, not English. Mechanical Engineering B.Sc. is German-taught, so C1 German is the gate. A strong IELTS or TOEFL score will not replace it.
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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. Build time for preparation and retakes into your timeline.
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Confirm open-admission status for your intake. The programme is listed as open admission for the winter semester, but check the current year's notice before you plan around it.
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Apply through RWTHonline before the deadline. For the winter semester, the application notice lists 20 October for open-admission bachelor's programmes. Confirm the date for your year.
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Prepare your visa funds and the semester contribution together. The blocked account and the semester fee are both part of your first-year budget, so arrange the blocked account before you apply for your student visa.
English Proficiency and German Language Requirements
This programme is taught in German, so IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo are not the tests that gate admission. RWTH requires C1 German for this bachelor's programme. Accepted certificates are:
| German test | Accepted level |
|---|---|
| DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang) | DSH-2 or DSH-3 |
| TestDaF | Level 4 in all four sections (TDN 4) |
| Goethe-Zertifikat | C1 or higher |
| ÖSD (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom) | C1 |
| telc Deutsch | C1 Hochschule |
Applicants with a German school-leaving certificate from Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, German-speaking Switzerland, or the German-speaking communities in East Belgium or South Tyrol are generally exempt, as are applicants with a first professionally qualifying German-language degree from a German higher education institution. Check RWTH's current language-skills page for the full list before you book a test.
For how this compares with the rest of RWTH's programmes, 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 look for qualified work, provided your livelihood is secured during that period. The permit is not extendable, and during it you may take up employment of any type. 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, and confirm current rules on make-it-in-germany.com or the BAMF website.
RWTH does not publish a mechanical-engineering-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, so treat it as unverified. Mechanical engineering is a broad field, and outcomes depend on your specialisation and German language level, which affects most professional roles in Germany.
FAQ
Is RWTH's Mechanical Engineering bachelor's programme taught in English? No. The bachelor's programme is taught in German, so you need C1 German. IELTS and TOEFL are not the gate for this degree.
What IELTS score do I need for RWTH mechanical engineering? You do not need IELTS for this bachelor's programme. You need C1 German, shown through a recognised certificate such as DSH, TestDaF, Goethe-Zertifikat C1, ÖSD C1, or telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule.
Does RWTH charge tuition for international students? RWTH does not charge tuition for this bachelor's programme, including for non-EU students. You pay a semester contribution each term instead, and the amount changes each semester.
Is the programme competitive to get into? The programme is listed as open admission for the winter semester, meaning eligible applicants are admitted without NC selection. Confirm the status for your intake, because admission rules can change.
How much money do I need to show for a German student 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.
Can I stay in Germany after graduating? Yes. Under Section 20 of the Residence Act, graduates can receive a job-seeker residence permit of up to 18 months. It is not extendable, so plan to move into a qualifying job or another residence title before it expires.