Mechanical Engineering (Maschinenbau) is one of the larger engineering bachelor's programmes at TU Berlin, and it is a useful one to understand because it is admission-free. That makes it a very different admissions question from Computer Science at the same university. The main barrier is not a grade cut-off but the German language requirement, because the bachelor's programme is taught in German.
This guide covers the acceptance picture, the semester contribution, admission requirements, the German test you need, and what the German post-study permit means for graduates.
TU Berlin Mechanical Engineering Acceptance Rate
TU Berlin does not publish an acceptance rate for the Maschinenbau B.Sc., and we did not find an official figure. The programme's admission status is the more useful signal. Recent admission information lists Mechanical Engineering as admission-free (zulassungsfrei), and for the 2025/26 winter semester reporting indicated that all applicants who met the formal entry requirements could receive an offer.
Admission rules can change from year to year, so confirm the current status on TU Berlin's programme pages before you apply.
Tuition and Cost of Attendance
The Mechanical Engineering B.Sc. charges no tuition fee, including for non-EU international students. You pay a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) each term instead.
- Semester contribution: TU Berlin's semester fee page lists EUR 360.49 for the 2026 summer semester. It includes a Semesterticket for Berlin public transport. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount 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 Berlin: Rent is the largest variable and differs widely by district. We could not verify a current city-specific figure from an official source, so check current rent estimates before you commit to a flat.
Admission Requirements
For international applicants to the Maschinenbau B.Sc., the core requirements are:
- A higher education entrance qualification recognised as equivalent to the German Abitur, with official transcripts and certified translations
- German language proof at C1 level, required for bachelor's teaching
- Application through TU Berlin's application portal by the deadline for admission-free programmes
- Proof of funds for the student visa, if you are applying from outside the EU or EEA
English proficiency does not gate this degree. The German certificate does.
How to Get Into TU Berlin's Mechanical Engineering B.Sc.
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Plan around German, not English. The programme is German-taught, so a strong IELTS or TOEFL score will not replace the German certificate.
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Book a recognised C1 German certificate early. TestDaF with TDN 4 in all four sections is the most common route, and DSH-2 or DSH-3 is also accepted. Build in time for preparation and at least one retake.
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Use the admission-free status to plan your timeline. Because the programme is admission-free, the bottleneck is your German certificate and your documents, not a competitive selection. Start the German test early so your documents are ready by the deadline.
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Confirm the deadline for your intake. Admission-free programmes usually have a later deadline than restricted ones, but confirm the date on TU Berlin's current application pages.
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Arrange your blocked account and semester contribution together. Both are part of your first-year budget, and the blocked account must be set up before you apply for your student visa.
English Proficiency and German Language Requirements
The Maschinenbau B.Sc. is taught in German, so IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo are not the tests that gate admission. The accepted German certificates include:
| German test | Accepted level |
|---|---|
| TestDaF | TDN 4 in all four sections (4-4-4-4) |
| DSH | DSH-2 or DSH-3 |
If you want an English-taught engineering degree, look at TU Berlin's master's programmes instead. Those have their own English requirements, usually IELTS or TOEFL, and are set programme by programme.
For context on the wider university, see the TU Berlin 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 time. 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.
TU Berlin does not publish a mechanical-engineering-specific employment rate or starting salary in the sources we reviewed, so we have not quoted one. Outcomes depend on your specialisation and on your German level, which affects most professional engineering roles in Germany.
FAQ
Is TU Berlin's Mechanical Engineering bachelor's taught in English? No. The B.Sc. is taught in German, so you need C1 German. English-taught engineering options are mainly at master's level.
What IELTS score do I need for TU Berlin Mechanical Engineering? You do not need IELTS for the bachelor's degree. You need a recognised German certificate at C1 level, such as TestDaF TDN 4 in all sections or DSH-2 or DSH-3.
Is Mechanical Engineering at TU Berlin competitive? The programme is listed as admission-free, so eligible applicants meeting the formal requirements can receive an offer. The main hurdle is the German certificate. Confirm the status for your intake.
Does TU Berlin charge tuition for international students? No tuition for this bachelor's programme, including for non-EU students. You pay a semester contribution each term, which was EUR 360.49 for the 2026 summer semester.
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.