The Technical University of Munich Scholarships 2027 provide several funding options for international students pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Germany, including full tuition fee waivers for eligible non-EU students, the €300-per-month Deutschlandstipendium, and TUM’s dedicated International Student Scholarship worth €500 to €1,800 per semester. These awards work differently: tuition waiver scholarships can cover the international tuition fee for part or all of the standard study period, the Deutschlandstipendium combines academic performance with personal achievement and social engagement, while the International Student Scholarship is intended for students who have already completed part of their degree at TUM and can demonstrate both good academic performance and financial need. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about the Technical University of Munich Scholarships, including their benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
Since the winter semester 2024/25, TUM has charged tuition fees to many newly enrolled international students from countries outside the European Economic Area. This makes the University’s tuition waiver scholarships particularly valuable: instead of receiving a cash payment, successful students have some or all of the international tuition fee removed from their student account.
Technical University of Munich Scholarships Summary
- Level of Study: Bachelor’s / Master’s
- Institution: Technical University of Munich (TUM)
- Study Destination: Germany
- Courses Offered: Eligible degree programmes offered by TUM
- Scholarship Coverage: Full tuition fee waiver / €300 per month / €500–€1,800 per semester
- Program Period: Depends on the scholarship and normal duration of the degree
The three major TUM scholarships covered in this guide are:
- TUM Tuition Fee Waiver Scholarships
- Deutschlandstipendium
- Scholarship for International Students of TUM
Technical University of Munich Scholarships Deadline
The application period depends on the scholarship and whether you are beginning or continuing your studies.
TUM Tuition Fee Waiver Scholarship Deadline
TUM offers several waiver scholarships for international students from non-EU/EEA countries who are required to pay tuition fees.
Under the current official schedule:
Need-based waiver for new bachelor’s students
- Applications for the following winter semester are accepted from May 15 to July 15.
Need-based waiver for new master’s students
- For the following winter semester: January 1 to May 31
- For the following summer semester: November 1 to January 15
Merit-based waiver for new master’s students
- For the following winter semester: January 1 to May 31
- For the following summer semester: November 1 to January 15
Merit-based waiver for students in their third semester or later
- For the following winter semester: May 31 to June 30
- For the following summer semester: November 30 to December 31
These are the recurring application periods currently published by TUM.
Deutschlandstipendium Deadline
TUM has confirmed that the next application period for the 2027/28 Deutschlandstipendium funding year will take place in summer 2027.
The exact application dates have not yet been published. TUM states that the new dates will be announced on its scholarship page from spring 2027.
Scholarship for International Students Deadline
TUM has not yet published the application period for the International Student Scholarship for the 2027 winter semester.
In the latest winter competition, applications were accepted during October. TUM also requires outstanding application documents, including the TUM grade report and recommendations, to be submitted by the relevant semester-specific document deadline.
Applicants should therefore check the official scholarship page when the 2027 application period is announced rather than relying on a previous-cycle date.
Technical University of Munich Scholarship Coverage
TUM Tuition Fee Waiver Scholarships
The tuition waiver scholarships are the most valuable direct form of financial support available to many fee-paying international students at TUM.
The exact coverage depends on the category under which you apply.
Need-based waiver for students beginning their degree
Eligible bachelor’s and master’s applicants who demonstrate that they cannot afford the international tuition fee can receive:
- Full waiver of the international tuition fee
- Coverage for the standard duration of the degree programme
- No cash payment
The scholarship is applied directly against the tuition fee charged by TUM.
Merit-based waiver for new master’s students
High-achieving master’s applicants can generally receive:
- Full waiver of the international tuition fee
- Coverage for two semesters
- Opportunity to apply again for further funding
Selection is based primarily on academic performance in the degree that qualified the applicant for admission to the TUM master’s programme.
Merit-based waiver for continuing students
Bachelor’s and master’s students from their third semester onward who achieve excellent results at TUM can also receive:
- Full waiver of the international tuition fee
- Funding for two semesters
- Opportunity to reapply
The amount saved depends on the tuition fee charged for the student’s individual degree programme.
These scholarships remove tuition fees but do not provide a monthly stipend for accommodation, food, health insurance, or other living expenses.
Deutschlandstipendium
The TUM Deutschlandstipendium provides:
- €300 per month
- Normally at least two semesters of funding
- Potential funding up to the standard duration of the degree, subject to continued eligibility
- Opportunities to connect with companies and other TUM scholarship sponsors
Half of the monthly scholarship is funded by the German federal government and half by private sponsors or companies.
TUM awards around 800 Deutschlandstipendium scholarships each year, making it one of the University’s largest scholarship programmes.
Selection does not depend only on grades. TUM also considers the applicant’s personal achievements, social engagement, responsibilities, employment experience, and difficult personal circumstances.
Scholarship for International Students of TUM
TUM’s dedicated Scholarship for International Students provides:
- €500 to €1,800 per semester
- One-time financial support each semester
- Opportunity to apply again in subsequent semesters
- A maximum total funding period of 36 months
The scholarship is financed through funds provided by the Bavarian government.
Unlike the tuition waiver scholarship, this award is paid as financial assistance rather than simply reducing the student’s tuition account.
Applicants must demonstrate both:
- Good academic performance
- Genuine financial need
Because students can reapply each semester, the scholarship can provide useful ongoing support, although renewal is not automatic.
Eligibility Criteria for Technical University of Munich Scholarships
Applicants must first satisfy the academic and admission requirements of their chosen TUM degree programme. Individual scholarship requirements are explained below.
TUM Tuition Fee Waiver Scholarship Eligibility
These scholarships are primarily intended for international students from non-EU/EEA countries who are required to pay TUM’s international tuition fees.
The exact criteria depend on the waiver category.
Need-Based Waiver for New Students
Applicants beginning a bachelor’s or master’s degree must:
- Be required to pay international tuition fees at TUM
- Apply for an eligible TUM degree programme
- Demonstrate that they and their family do not have sufficient financial resources to pay the tuition fee
- Provide detailed evidence of income, assets, bank accounts, and family circumstances
TUM considers the financial position of the student and may also assess the income and assets of parents or a spouse.
Successful students can receive the tuition waiver from their first semester for the standard duration of the degree.
Merit-Based Waiver for New Master’s Students
Applicants must:
- Be applying to a TUM master’s degree or be in the first semester of their master’s programme
- Be liable for international tuition fees
- Have an outstanding academic record
- Provide an official ranking certificate from the institution where they completed the degree used for TUM admission
The ranking document must show where the applicant stands within the relevant graduating cohort.
Merit-Based Waiver for Continuing Students
Current TUM bachelor’s and master’s students can be considered from their third semester onward if they:
- Are required to pay the international tuition fee
- Have demonstrated outstanding academic performance at TUM
- Submit their current TUM Examination Report
- Meet the University’s scholarship selection criteria
Funding is competitive, and the number of tuition waivers is limited.
Deutschlandstipendium Eligibility
The Deutschlandstipendium is open to both German and international students.
You can apply if you:
- Are already enrolled in a degree programme at TUM, or
- Have applied for admission and received a TUM applicant number
- Are studying at bachelor’s or master’s level
- Will normally have at least two semesters remaining when funding begins
International students who are newly admitted to TUM are also eligible. Their most recent academic qualification is used when evaluating their previous performance.
TUM currently uses a minimum grade of 2.40 in the German grading system for most applicants. Students below this threshold may still be considered in specific circumstances, such as illness, disability, caring responsibilities, or childcare.
Selection can also take into account:
- Academic achievement
- Social or voluntary engagement
- Employment and internships
- Personal responsibilities
- Family circumstances
- Difficult educational or personal circumstances
You cannot normally receive the Deutschlandstipendium if you already receive another merit-based scholarship worth €30 or more per month.
Doctoral and exchange students are not eligible for the TUM Deutschlandstipendium.
Scholarship for International Students Eligibility
This scholarship is intended specifically for international students who are already studying at TUM.
Applicants must:
- Be international students who are not eligible for BAföG because of their nationality
- Be enrolled at TUM
- Be at least in the third semester of a bachelor’s degree
- Be at least in the second semester of a master’s degree
Master’s students may apply from their first semester if they previously completed their bachelor’s degree at TUM.
Applicants must also demonstrate:
- Good academic results
- Financial need
- Low personal income
- Low parental income or spouse’s income where applicable
Students planning to submit their final thesis very early in the relevant semester may not qualify because TUM sets minimum dates for submission of the bachelor’s or master’s thesis.
Students on an official leave of absence cannot receive payment during that period.
How to Apply for Technical University of Munich Scholarships?
The three scholarships have different application procedures.
How to Apply for the TUM Tuition Fee Waiver Scholarship?
(1) Apply for admission to an eligible bachelor’s or master’s programme through TUMonline.
After submitting the degree application, TUM will issue an application number. You need this number to apply for a waiver scholarship if you are not yet enrolled.
(2) Identify the correct waiver scholarship.
New students should determine whether they qualify for:
- Need-based tuition waiver, or
- Merit-based master’s tuition waiver
Students in their third semester or later can apply for the merit-based waiver based on their performance at TUM.
(3) Prepare the supporting documents.
For a need-based scholarship, TUM may request detailed financial evidence covering you, your parents, and your spouse where applicable.
This can include:
- Bank statements
- Evidence of income
- Tax assessments
- Pension statements
- Family documents
- Evidence of assets
- CV
For merit-based master’s applicants, the most important additional document is an official ranking certificate from the university where the qualifying degree was completed.
(4) Submit the waiver application through TUM’s scholarship portal.
Students already enrolled should use their TUM student number, while new applicants use their TUM application number.
(5) Monitor the application portal for the decision.
If the waiver is approved, you must formally accept it within the period indicated in the portal. The tuition fee will then be credited or waived rather than paid to you in cash.
How to Apply for the Deutschlandstipendium?
(1) Apply for admission to TUM or make sure you are already enrolled.
You can apply for the scholarship once you have either:
- A TUM matriculation number, or
- A TUM application number
(2) Complete the online Deutschlandstipendium application when the 2027/28 application portal opens.
The form considers not only your academic results but also your wider profile.
(3) Upload supporting evidence for the achievements you claim.
Depending on your circumstances, relevant documents may include evidence of:
- Academic achievement
- Employment
- Internships
- Voluntary work
- Social engagement
- Family responsibilities
- Childcare
- Illness or disability
- Other important personal circumstances
TUM does not require applicants to obtain professor recommendation letters specifically for the Deutschlandstipendium selection.
(4) Submit the application through the online portal.
Successful students receive €300 per month and may also be connected with the organisation or company sponsoring their scholarship.
How to Apply for the Scholarship for International Students?
(1) Confirm that you have reached the required semester of your TUM degree and that you are not eligible for BAföG because of your nationality.
(2) Prepare a short motivation letter.
TUM asks applicants to explain their financial situation in approximately 100–200 words, in either English or German.
Your explanation should be straightforward and supported by the financial documents you submit.
(3) Prepare the required scholarship documents, including:
- CV or résumé
- Residence permit
- Current TUM grade report
- Two recommendations
- Evidence of your income
- Bank statements
- Evidence of parents’ income
- Evidence of spouse’s income where applicable
- Additional financial documents where relevant
Documents not issued in English or German may require a certified German translation.
You can use our guide on how to write an academic CV for a scholarship to prepare your CV and our scholarship recommendation letter guide when approaching your referees.
(4) Submit the application through the TUM scholarship portal.
Only complete applications are considered, so applicants should check that recommendations and financial evidence have also been received.
Documents Required for Technical University of Munich Scholarships
The exact documents depend on the scholarship.
TUM Tuition Fee Waiver Scholarship Documents
For need-based applicants, documents may include:
- TUM application or student number
- CV
- Bank statements
- Evidence of income and assets
- Tax assessment documents
- Pension statements where applicable
- Parents’ financial documents
- Spouse’s financial documents where applicable
- Family documents such as birth or marriage certificates where relevant
Merit-based master’s applicants must also provide an official ranking certificate from their previous university.
Continuing TUM students applying on academic merit generally submit their current TUM Examination Report.
Deutschlandstipendium Documents
Applicants may need:
- Online scholarship application
- Academic results
- Evidence of employment or internships
- Evidence of voluntary or social engagement
- Documents supporting relevant personal circumstances
- Additional evidence requested in the application system
The exact supporting evidence depends on the information included in your application.
Scholarship for International Students Documents
Applicants should prepare:
- Motivation letter explaining financial circumstances
- CV or résumé
- Residence permit
- Current TUM grade report
- Two recommendation letters
- Bank statements
- Evidence of applicant’s income
- Evidence of parents’ income
- Evidence of spouse’s income where applicable
- Supporting evidence for scholarships, employment, loans, or other sources of income
TUM may request certified translations when financial or other official documents are not in English or German.
Website
To learn more about the Technical University of Munich Scholarships, please visit the official scholarship pages:
- TUM Scholarships and Tuition Fee Waivers for International Students
- TUM Deutschlandstipendium
- TUM Scholarship for International Students
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Technical University of Munich offer scholarships for international students?
Yes. TUM offers several funding options for international students, including tuition fee waiver scholarships, the Deutschlandstipendium, and a dedicated Scholarship for International Students.
External scholarships such as the DAAD Scholarship can also be used to study at eligible German universities.
Is the Technical University of Munich Scholarship fully funded?
TUM’s main scholarships should not generally be described as fully funded.
The need-based tuition waiver can cover the full international tuition fee for the standard duration of the degree, but it does not normally provide accommodation, living expenses, travel, or health insurance.
The Deutschlandstipendium provides €300 per month, while the International Student Scholarship provides €500 to €1,800 per semester.
Can international students study tuition-free at TUM?
Some international students are already exempt from TUM’s international tuition fee based on their nationality, educational background, residence status, or other legal conditions.
International students who are required to pay tuition may also qualify for a TUM waiver scholarship based on financial need, academic achievement, or specific personal circumstances.
How much is the TUM Deutschlandstipendium?
The Deutschlandstipendium provides €300 per month. TUM awards around 800 of these scholarships each year.
How much is the TUM Scholarship for International Students?
The Scholarship for International Students provides a one-time grant of €500 to €1,800 per semester.
Students can apply again each semester, with a maximum total funding period of 36 months.
Can first-semester international students receive a TUM scholarship?
Yes, depending on the scholarship.
New bachelor’s and master’s students can apply for need-based tuition waiver scholarships. New master’s students may also qualify for a merit-based tuition waiver, while newly admitted bachelor’s and master’s students can apply for the Deutschlandstipendium.
The dedicated Scholarship for International Students is mainly for students who have already completed part of their degree at TUM.
Can master’s students receive a full tuition waiver at TUM?
Yes. International master’s students who are required to pay TUM tuition fees may qualify for a full tuition waiver based on financial need or outstanding academic performance.
Need-based funding for new students can cover the standard duration of the programme, while the merit-based master’s waiver generally covers two semesters at a time and can be applied for again.
Can I combine a TUM scholarship with another scholarship?
It depends on the funding programmes involved.
For example, students receiving another performance-based scholarship worth €30 or more per month are generally excluded from the Deutschlandstipendium. Other TUM funding options have their own combination rules, and financial support already received may be counted when TUM assesses financial need.
