About the university
TU Dortmund University was founded in 1968 and has about 29,500 students. It is a public university in North Rhine-Westphalia with 17 departments on a North and a South Campus in Dortmund. As a public university it charges no tuition fee, only a semester contribution of about €320.
Its English-taught master's include Data Science, Automation and Robotics, Manufacturing Technology, Sustainable Energy Systems, Process Systems Engineering, Biopharmaceutical Engineering, Physics and Technomathematics.
For Indian students, the main draws are the tuition-free MSc Data Science and the engineering master's with low English entry points: several accept IELTS 5.5. The bioprocess and chemical engineering programmes say directly that applicants from India need an APS certificate before applying.
TU Dortmund's international office puts student hall rents at €290–€450 a month and warns that the waiting list can take up to a year.
- Founded
- 1968
- Type
- Public university in North Rhine-Westphalia
- Students
- 29,454 (winter semester 2024/25, Hochschulkompass)
- Departments
- 17 departments; more than 6,500 employees
- Campuses
- North Campus and South Campus in Dortmund
- Tuition
- No tuition fee; semester contribution about €320 (summer 2026)
- Intakes
- October for all English-taught master's; April also for some
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
=691 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €640
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter) or April (summer); non-EU applicants apply via uni-assist by 15 May (winter) or 15 January (summer)
- English
- B2: e.g. IELTS Academic 5.5
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €640
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter) or April (summer); non-EU applicants apply via uni-assist by 15 May (winter) or 15 January (summer)
- English
- C1: IELTS Academic 7.0, PTE Academic 76, TOEFL iBT 95 (pre-2026 scale) or Cambridge C1 Advanced
- Postgraduate
MSc Manufacturing Technology (MMT)
- Fee / year
- €640
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter semester only); non-EU applicants apply via uni-assist 1 January–15 May
- English
- B2: IELTS Academic 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 72 (pre-2026 scale), or Cambridge B2 First
- Postgraduate
MSc Sustainable Energy Systems
- Fee / year
- €640
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter) or April (summer); see the international office for deadlines
- English
- C1: IELTS Academic 7.0, PTE Academic 76, TOEFL iBT 95 (pre-2026 scale) or Cambridge C1 Advanced
- Postgraduate
MSc Chemical Engineering: Process Systems Engineering
- Fee / year
- €640
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter semester only); non-EU applicants apply via uni-assist 1 January–15 May
- English
- B2: IELTS Academic 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 72 (pre-2026 scale), or Cambridge B2 First
- Postgraduate
MSc Biochemical Engineering: Biopharmaceutical Engineering
- Fee / year
- €640
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter semester only); non-EU applicants apply via uni-assist 1 January–15 May
- English
- B2: IELTS Academic 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 72 (pre-2026 scale), or Cambridge B2 First
- Postgraduate
MSc Technomathematics (Industrial Mathematics)
- Fee / year
- €640
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter semester only); non-EU applicants apply via uni-assist by 15 May
- English
- B2, checked by placement test or interview
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €640
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter) or April (summer); non-EU applicants apply 15 January–15 May (winter) or 15 November–15 January (summer)
- English
- B2: IELTS Academic 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 72 (pre-2026 scale)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Data Science | 2 years (4 semesters) | €640 | ≈ ₹67,840 |
| MSc Automation and Robotics | 2 years (4 semesters) | €640 | ≈ ₹67,840 |
| MSc Manufacturing Technology (MMT) | 2 years (4 semesters) | €640 | ≈ ₹67,840 |
| MSc Sustainable Energy Systems | 2 years (4 semesters) | €640 | ≈ ₹67,840 |
| MSc Chemical Engineering: Process Systems Engineering | 2 years (4 semesters) | €640 | ≈ ₹67,840 |
| MSc Biochemical Engineering: Biopharmaceutical Engineering | 2 years (4 semesters) | €640 | ≈ ₹67,840 |
| MSc Technomathematics (Industrial Mathematics) | 2 years (4 semesters) | €640 | ≈ ₹67,840 |
| MSc Physics | 2 years (4 semesters) | €640 | ≈ ₹67,840 |
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 TU Dortmund 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
- TU Dortmund's English-taught offer is at master's level; check the German-language programme pages for bachelor's entry rules and the German level required.
- Indian applicants need an APS certificate for the student visa.
Postgraduate
- Non-EU/EEA applicants with a bachelor's from outside the EU apply through uni-assist; the usual windows are 1 January–15 May for winter and November–15 January for summer.
- Each programme checks your bachelor's content: for example Data Science asks for a grade of 2.7 or better (German scale) and a short statistics project report, Physics 2.9 or better, and MMT minimum credits in maths, mechanics and production subjects.
- Three-year bachelor's degrees can qualify: MMT asks for 180 ECTS and Physics for a first degree of at least three years.
- The chemical and biochemical engineering programmes state that applicants from India need an APS certificate before applying, plus at least two recommendation letters and a statement of purpose.
Documents
- Bachelor's degree certificate and transcript (certified copies)
- Proof of English (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Cambridge as the programme lists)
- CV and letter of motivation or statement of purpose
- Two recommendation letters (MMT, Process Systems Engineering, Biopharmaceutical Engineering)
- APS certificate
- 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 Academic | 5.5 for Data Science, MMT, Physics and the chemical engineering master's; 7.0 for Automation and Robotics and Sustainable Energy Systems |
| TOEFL iBT | 72 (B2 programmes) or 95 (C1 programmes) on the pre-2026 scale |
| PTE Academic | 76 for Automation and Robotics and Sustainable Energy Systems |
| Cambridge | B2 First (B2 programmes) or C1 Advanced (C1 programmes) |
| German | Not required for the English-taught master's; basic German courses are offered |
Accommodation and living costs
Student hall providers include the Studierendenwerk Dortmund, and the international office warns that waiting times can be up to a year, so apply to several residences early.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Student hall roomTU Dortmund international office slides, March 2026 | €290–450per month | ≈ ₹30,740 – ₹47,700 |
| Shared-flat (WG) roomElectricity, internet and broadcasting fee may be extra | €350–500per month | ≈ ₹37,100 – ₹53,000 |
| Minimum living budgetAs given in the MSc Data Science DAAD entry | €861per month | ≈ ₹91,266 |
Campus and location
TU Dortmund has a larger North Campus and a smaller South Campus, with 17 departments covering engineering, natural sciences, social sciences and cultural studies.
- Research concentrated in five profile areas.
- More than 6,500 employees.
- Semester contribution includes a public transport ticket.
- Basic German courses are available to students on English-taught programmes.
Careers and graduate outcomes
TU Dortmund's engineering, data science and statistics graduates look for jobs 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 TU Dortmund charge tuition fees?
No. You pay only a semester contribution of about €320, which includes a public transport ticket.
What are the application deadlines for Indian applicants?
Most English-taught master's take non-EU applications through uni-assist from 1 January to 15 May for the October start. Programmes with an April start usually close on 15 January.
What IELTS score do I need?
Several programmes accept IELTS Academic 5.5 (B2), including Data Science, Manufacturing Technology and Physics. Automation and Robotics and Sustainable Energy Systems ask for IELTS 7.0 (C1).
Do I need APS for TU Dortmund?
Yes. The chemical and biochemical engineering master's say applicants from India need an APS certificate before applying, and it is required for the student visa in any case.
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
- DAAD International Programmes: MSc Data Science (TU Dortmund) (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD International Programmes: Automation and Robotics (TU Dortmund) (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD International Programmes: Manufacturing Technology (TU Dortmund) (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD International Programmes: Sustainable Energy Systems (TU Dortmund) (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD International Programmes: Process Systems Engineering (TU Dortmund) (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD International Programmes: Biopharmaceutical Engineering (TU Dortmund) (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD International Programmes: Technomathematics (TU Dortmund) (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD International Programmes: MSc Physics (TU Dortmund) (opens in a new tab)
- TU Dortmund international office: accommodation (opens in a new tab)
- TU Dortmund international office: housing costs slides (March 2026) (opens in a new tab)
- TU Dortmund: international student numbers news (opens in a new tab)
- Hochschulkompass: TU Dortmund profile (opens in a new tab)
- Make it in Germany: working while studying (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings 2027 (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.tu-dortmund.de (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details