# Computer Science (Informatik) (MSc) at RWTH Aachen

The research-oriented computer science master at Faculty 9, covering theoretical computer science, graphics and interaction, hardware and software systems, AI and data, and software development methods, plus a free-choice application area such as physics, biology or mechanical engineering. Home to the Center for Artificial Intelligence and several DFG-funded Collaborative Research Centers. Note this is the German-taught programme — the English-taught alternatives are Software Systems Engineering, Data Science and HCIS.

University: RWTH Aachen University (Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen) (https://studygermany.dev/universities/rwth-aachen.md)
City: Aachen (https://studygermany.dev/cities/aachen.md)
HTML page: https://studygermany.dev/programmes/rwth-aachen-msc-computer-science/

## At a glance

- Degree: MSc
- Language of instruction: German
- English requirement: English proficiency per Section 3 of the General Examination Regulations.
- German requirement: German proficiency required — this is the German-taught computer science master. The specific level (DSH-2 or C1) is not stated on the programme page; verify before applying.
- ECTS: 120
- Duration: 4 semesters
- Intake: Winter & summer
- Tuition: €0 per semester (public university)
- Semester contribution: €375.19
- Semester ticket included: yes (Deutschland-Semesterticket)

Fee notes: €0 tuition for all students including non-EU/EEA — RWTH is an NRW public university and states it does not charge tuition to international students from non-EU countries. Semester contribution €375.19 for WS 2026/27 (Mobilitätsbeitrag €234.57 including the Deutschlandsemesterticket plus the Zuid-Limburg/NL extension, Sozialbeitrag €128.00, Studierendenschaftsbeitrag €12.62). This WS 2026/27 total is reconstructed from official components rather than published by RWTH as a single figure; the fully confirmed figure is €338.05 for WS 2025/26 (RWTH Amtliche Bekanntmachung 2025/177). Semester ticket included: the mobility component funds the Deutschlandsemesterticket plus Arriva buses and regional trains in South Limburg (NL).

## Admission requirements

- Prior degree: First degree covering applied, technical and theoretical computer science plus mathematics, per Section 3 of the Master’s Examination Regulations
- Minimum grade: Open admission (no NC); the examination board checks competencies
- Prerequisite credits: Applied CS: programming, algorithms, databases, software engineering; Technical CS: operating systems, data communication, system programming; Theoretical CS: formal systems, computability, logic; Mathematics: discrete mathematics, analysis, linear algebra, stochastics
- Also required: GRE General Test required for non-EU/EEA applicants: Quantitative Reasoning above the 75th percentile, Verbal Reasoning above the 15th percentile, Analytical Writing at least 3.5 (ETS institution code 8504). EU/EEA citizens and Bildungsinländer are exempt. This GRE requirement is set out in the subject-specific examination regulations and is easy to miss. Master's applicants — EU and non-EU alike — apply directly via RWTHonline. RWTH verifies foreign documents internally: no uni-assist, no VPD, no application fee. Applicants may apply to at most 10 Master's programmes. APS certificate required for applicants from China, India and Vietnam.

## Application deadlines

- Non-EU applicants, winter semester: 2026-03-01 (PASSED as of the last site build; the window usually repeats next cycle). Non-EU / foreign-degree applicants. Supporting-document deadline for restricted-admission subjects: 1 August.
- EU / German-degree applicants, winter semester: 2026-07-15 (PASSED as of the last site build; the window usually repeats next cycle). EU/EEA applicants, current RWTH students and holders of a German degree.
- Non-EU applicants, summer semester: 2026-09-01. Non-EU / foreign-degree applicants. Supporting-document deadline for restricted-admission subjects: 1 February.
- EU / German-degree applicants, summer semester: 2027-01-15. EU/EEA applicants, current RWTH students and holders of a German degree.

## How to apply

- uni-assist required: no
- Application portal: https://online.rwth-aachen.de/
- Official programme page: https://www.informatik.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/npqg/lidx/1

## External resources

- [Official programme page](https://www.informatik.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/npqg/lidx/1)
- [Official RWTH catalogue entry](https://www.rwth-aachen.de/cms/root/studium/vor-dem-studium/studiengaenge/liste-aktuelle-studiengaenge/studiengangbeschreibung/~bcfg/informatik-m-sc/?lidx=1)
- [DAAD — Computer Science](https://www.daad.de/en/studying-in-germany/universities/all-degree-programmes/detail/rwth-aachen-university-computer-science-w44755/)
- [StudyCheck reviews](https://www.studycheck.de/studium/informatik/rwth-aachen-949)
- [Apply via RWTHonline (no uni-assist)](https://online.rwth-aachen.de/)


## Focus areas

- Theoretical Computer Science
- Graphics and Interaction
- Hardware/Software Systems
- AI and Data
- Software Development Methods and Tools
- Application Area

## Provenance

Last checked: 2026-08-09

- RWTH Department of Computer Science — Informatik M.Sc. (language requirements in German and English per the General Examination Regulations): https://www.informatik.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/npqg/lidx/1
- RWTH Aachen — Informatik M.Sc. official programme page: https://www.rwth-aachen.de/cms/root/studium/vor-dem-studium/studiengaenge/liste-aktuelle-studiengaenge/studiengangbeschreibung/~bcfg/informatik-m-sc/?lidx=1
- Inferred — specific German level (DSH-2 vs C1) not stated on the programme page; verify before publishing a level: https://www.informatik.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/npqg/lidx/1
- AStA RWTH Aachen — Semesterbeitrag / finance (WS 2026/27 components; WS 2025/26 total €338.05 confirmed): https://www.asta.rwth-aachen.de/en/about-us/finance/
- RWTH Aachen — Master's application route: direct via RWTHonline, no uni-assist, no VPD: https://online.rwth-aachen.de/
- Inferred — WS 2026/27 semester contribution €375.19 reconstructed from official AStA components; not published by RWTH as a single figure. Confirmed fallback €338.05 (WS 2025/26). Verify before publishing a hard number.: https://www.asta.rwth-aachen.de/en/about-us/finance/