Campus Location and Transportation
Aachen is located in the westernmost part of Germany, at the tripoint where Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands meet. The main campus is located at Templergraben 55. Public transportation within the city is convenient—Aachen Westbahnhof is just a 3-minute walk from the main campus; several bus lines (such as 3A and 3B) connect the main train station to the various campuses. From Aachen, you can quickly reach major German cities such as Cologne and Düsseldorf by train, and travel westward directly to international cities like Maastricht in the Netherlands and Liège in Belgium. How does a RWTH Aachen University Urkunde compare in terms of academic standards?
Academic Programs
RWTH Aachen University operates under a structure comprising ten faculties:
| Schools | Key Academic Fields |
|---|---|
| School of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Natural Sciences | Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| School of Architecture | Architecture |
| School of Civil Engineering | Civil Engineering |
| School of Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering, Economic Engineering (Mechanical Specialization) |
| School of Earth Resources and Materials Technology | Materials Science, Mining Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering |
| School of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology | Electrical Engineering, Information Technology |
| School of Humanities | Philosophy, Social Sciences |
| School of Economics | Business Administration, Economic Engineering |
| School of Computer Science | Software Systems Engineering, Data Science |
| School of Medicine | Medicine |
The ten colleges offer a total of approximately 190 degree programs, covering undergraduate, master’s, and teacher education. Its flagship programs are concentrated in Mechanical Engineering (19th globally / 1st in Germany), Materials Science (28th globally / 1st in Germany), Computer Science (45th globally / 3rd in Germany), and Electrical and Electronic Engineering (45th globally / 3rd in Germany).
Why Is It So Popular?
RWTH Aachen University is hailed as “the MIT of Europe”, and there are four key reasons for its popularity:
- First, its elite status and top-tier rankings. RWTH Aachen University is one of Germany’s 11 elite universities and a founding member of the TU9 Alliance. In the 2025 THE World University Rankings, it was ranked 92nd globally.
- Second, unparalleled industry collaboration. World-renowned companies such as BMW and Siemens have established research centers in Aachen. The Institute of Materials Science in the Department of Mechanical Engineering alone receives funding from over 320 companies. Students can participate in industrial research projects early on.
- Third, exceptional value for money. As a public university, tuition is free, with semester fees of only 200–350 euros per semester (including a public transportation pass). Annual living expenses are approximately 100,000 RMB.
- Fourth, graduates are highly competitive in the job market. In the 2025 QS Graduate Employability Rankings, RWTH Aachen University ranked third in Germany. Starting salaries for recent graduates from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering generally range from 50,000 to 65,000 euros. An extensive alumni network provides strong support for career development.
Proportion of International Students and Cultural Diversity
RWTH Aachen University is one of Germany’s most international universities. In the 2025/26 winter semester, the number of international students reached 15,881, accounting for 36% of the student body—a record high. Students come from 141 countries, with China being the largest source country (3,532 students), followed by India (2,526 students) and Turkey (1,910 students). More than 9,000 international students from over 130 countries are studying at RWTH Aachen University. World-renowned companies such as Microsoft, Ford, and Philips have established research centers in Aachen and collaborate closely with the university.
