About the university
Paderborn University is a public university in North Rhine-Westphalia, founded in 1972. It has about 16,800 students in five faculties, and around 70 degree programmes. As a public university it charges no tuition fee, only a semester fee of about €325.
Its English-taught master's are mainly in computer science, computer and electrical engineering, physics, materials, manufacturing and economics. Its patron is the computer entrepreneur Heinz Nixdorf, and the Heinz Nixdorf Institute works on computer science and technology. It teaches around ten master's programmes in English.
Indian students mostly look at the English-taught MSc Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Electrical Systems Engineering. The university says demand for its English-language master's has risen sharply, and international students now make up about 18% of all students. Most technical master's start in both October and April.
Paderborn is in North Rhine-Westphalia. Private rooms cost about €280–€380 a month according to the international office, which is low by German standards.
- Founded
- 1 August 1972, as a comprehensive university
- Type
- Public university in North Rhine-Westphalia
- Students
- 16,816 (November 2025)
- International students
- 17.8% of students (November 2025)
- Faculties and programmes
- 5 faculties; around 70 degree programmes
- Tuition
- No tuition fee; semester fee €325.50 (summer 2026)
- Intakes
- Winter (October) and summer (April) for most English-taught master's
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
1201–1400 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €651
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- Summer (April) or winter (October) start; apply via uni-assist by 30 November (summer) or 31 May (winter)
- English
- IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 80, PTE Academic 75, Duolingo 105 or Cambridge CAE grade B
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €651
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- Summer (April) or winter (October) start
- English
- IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 80 or Cambridge CAE grade B; mostly taught in English (at least 24 credits in English)
- Postgraduate
MSc Electrical Systems Engineering
- Fee / year
- €651
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- Summer (April) or winter (October) start
- English
- IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 87 or Cambridge First (FCE)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €651
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- Summer (April) or winter (October) start
- English
- IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 87 or Cambridge First grade B; non-EU applicants also need the GRE unless their grade is better than 1.3
- Postgraduate
MSc International Economics and Management
- Fee / year
- €651
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- Summer (April) or winter (October) start
- English
- B2: IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 87 or Cambridge First grade A; compulsory modules in English. German A2 needed, or 240 hours of German courses during the programme
- Postgraduate
MSc Physics (international master's programme)
- Fee / year
- €651
- Duration
- Master's; standard length is set in the examination regulations
- Intakes
- Summer (April) or winter (October) start; apply via uni-assist by 30 November (summer) or 31 May (winter)
- English
- IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 79 or Cambridge CAE/CPE
- Postgraduate
MSc Optoelectronics and Photonics
- Fee / year
- €651
- Duration
- Master's; standard length is set in the examination regulations
- Intakes
- Summer (April) or winter (October) start; apply via uni-assist by 30 November (summer) or 31 May (winter)
- English
- IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 79 or Cambridge CAE/CPE
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €651
- Duration
- Master's; standard length is set in the examination regulations
- Intakes
- Summer (April) or winter (October) start; apply via uni-assist by 30 November (summer) or 31 May (winter)
- English
- IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 79 or Cambridge CAE/CPE
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Computer Science | 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS) | €651 | ≈ ₹69,006 |
| MSc Computer Engineering | 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS) | €651 | ≈ ₹69,006 |
| MSc Electrical Systems Engineering | 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS) | €651 | ≈ ₹69,006 |
| MSc Additive Manufacturing | 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS) | €651 | ≈ ₹69,006 |
| MSc International Economics and Management | 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS) | €651 | ≈ ₹69,006 |
| MSc Physics (international master's programme) | Master's; standard length is set in the examination regulations | €651 | ≈ ₹69,006 |
| MSc Optoelectronics and Photonics | Master's; standard length is set in the examination regulations | €651 | ≈ ₹69,006 |
| MSc Materials Science | Master's; standard length is set in the examination regulations | €651 | ≈ ₹69,006 |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Paderborn University with similar universities in Germany.
Scholarships
- Master's and doctoral students
DAAD scholarships
Value: Monthly stipend; amount depends on the programme
Eligibility: Competitive awards; check the DAAD database for awards open to Indian applicants.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Bachelor's programmes are taught in German, so you need German at university level.
- International applicants apply through uni-assist; uni-assist checks whether your Class 12 gives direct entry or only Studienkolleg entry.
- Contact the International Office (io-info@zv.uni-paderborn.de) for the rules that apply to Indian school certificates.
Postgraduate
- Apply through uni-assist for all English-taught master's (select North Rhine-Westphalia, then Paderborn University).
- Deadlines for international applicants: 31 May for winter (October) and 30 November for summer (April), as given by the Computer Science and Physics departments.
- Each programme sets minimum credits in core subjects; Computer Science also asks for a grade of 3.0 or better (German scale), and Electrical Systems Engineering 2.5 or better.
- Non-EU applicants to Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Systems Engineering and Additive Manufacturing need the GRE (around 157 Quantitative); Computer Science and Computer Engineering waive it for a converted grade below 1.8.
- Include module descriptions with your application; International Economics and Management rejects applications without them.
Documents
- Bachelor's degree certificate and transcript
- Module descriptions or module catalogue from your bachelor's
- Proof of English (IELTS, TOEFL or the test your programme accepts)
- GRE score report where required
- School-leaving certificate (Class 12)
- APS certificate (listed by the German Missions in India for the student visa)
- Valid passport
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 for Computer Science, Computer Engineering and IEM; 6.0 for Electrical Systems Engineering and the Physics department's programmes |
| TOEFL iBT | 80 (Computer Science, Computer Engineering); 87 (Electrical Systems Engineering, IEM); 79 (Physics department) |
| PTE Academic | 75 for Computer Science |
| Duolingo | 105 for Computer Science |
| Medium of instruction letter | Not accepted on its own for Computer Science |
Accommodation and living costs
The Studierendenwerk Paderborn houses 1,602 students on and near the campus, with utilities included in the rent. Waiting lists can take up to nine months, so apply early. Many students rent private rooms or shared flats.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Private roomInternational office figure, including electricity, gas and water | €280–380per month | ≈ ₹29,680 – ₹40,280 |
| Deposit for a private roomUsually two months' rent, returned after move-out | €560–760one-off | ≈ ₹59,360 – ₹80,560 |
Campus and location
Paderborn University has its main campus in Paderborn, plus research buildings at the Fürstenallee campus.
- Five faculties: Cultural Studies; Economics; Mechanical Engineering; Natural Sciences; Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics.
- Heinz Nixdorf Institute for interdisciplinary computer science and technology research.
- About 2,700 staff and 257 professorships (January 2025).
- The semester fee includes the Germany-wide semester ticket for public transport.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Paderborn graduates in computing and engineering often look for jobs in the region's IT and manufacturing firms and across Germany. The figures below are general German rules, not a promise of a job.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Job-search permit after graduating | Up to 18 months | Make it in Germany |
| Work allowed while studying | 140 full days or 280 half days a year (student assistant jobs at the university don't count) | Make it in Germany |
Studying in Germany
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Germany. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in Germany
- Public
Often chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Data Science & AI
- Public
Often chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT
Photo: juhotski, CC BY-SA 3.0 PublicOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Life Sciences
Photo: TU Berlin/Pressestelle/Ulrich Dahl, Copyrighted free use PublicOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Business & Management
Photo: Seeott, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich) (official website, opens in a new tab)
Munich, GermanyOften chosen for Life Sciences, Medicine & Health Sciences, Law
Photo: Hermann Luyken, CC0 PublicHeidelberg University (official website, opens in a new tab)
Heidelberg, GermanyOften chosen for Medicine & Health Sciences, Life Sciences
FAQs
Does Paderborn University charge tuition fees?
No. You pay only the semester fee, €325.50 for summer 2026, which includes a Germany-wide public transport ticket.
When can I start a master's?
Most English-taught master's start in both October and April. International applicants apply via uni-assist by 31 May for October and 30 November for April.
Do I need the GRE for MSc Computer Science?
Yes, for most non-EU applicants: at least 157 in Quantitative Reasoning and 4.0 in Analytical Writing. It can be waived if your grade converts to better than 1.8 on the German scale.
What IELTS score do I need?
6.5 for Computer Science, Computer Engineering and International Economics and Management; 6.0 for Electrical Systems Engineering and the Physics department's master's.
Can I work while I study?
Yes, within German student work rules. See our Germany guide for the current limits and the job-search permit after graduation.
Sources
- Paderborn University: English-taught master's programmes (opens in a new tab)
- Paderborn University: MSc Computer Science (opens in a new tab)
- Paderborn University: Computer Science information for international students (opens in a new tab)
- Paderborn University: MSc Computer Engineering (opens in a new tab)
- Paderborn University: MSc Electrical Systems Engineering (opens in a new tab)
- Paderborn University: MSc International Economics and Management (opens in a new tab)
- Paderborn University: Physics department international master's programmes (opens in a new tab)
- AStA Paderborn: semester fee (opens in a new tab)
- Paderborn University in figures (opens in a new tab)
- Paderborn University: history (opens in a new tab)
- Paderborn University: housing options (opens in a new tab)
- Studierendenwerk Paderborn: housing (opens in a new tab)
- Make it in Germany: working while studying (opens in a new tab)
- Make it in Germany: visa for studying and job search after graduation (opens in a new tab)
- Paderborn University: MSc Additive Manufacturing (opens in a new tab)
- German Missions in India: student visa documents (APS certificate) (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD scholarship database (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings 2027 (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.uni-paderborn.de (opens in a new tab)
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