• Why should I choose Munich?
• Do I need to be able to speak German?
• How and when do I apply?
• Will I be able to get student housing?
• What kind of medical insurance will I need?
• How much money will I need for my exchange program?
• Will I need a visa before I come to Germany?
• When should I plan to come to Munich?
• When do I register?
• Will I be able to participate in sports?
• Can I apply for financial assistance?
• What do I need to know about examinations and grades?

With its 850 years of history and over 84,000 students studying at 11 institutions of higher learning, the city of Munich offers a unique environment of historical tradition and state-of-the-art technology and research. The city’s two largest universities are the Ludwig Maximilians University and the Technische Universität München, both recently recognized by the German Federal Government for their academic excellence. LMU covers subjects in the humanities, natural sciences and business, whereas TUM combines above others mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and information technology, architecture, physics, chemistry, life sciences and business. Both universities have medical schools and additional professional schools. As an exchange student at TUM you have the option of researching and taking specialized courses in your major subject as well as combining several general requirements in your major with a selection of electives.

Only very fluent speakers of German are advised to register for a full semester load of courses all taught in German. Fortunately in the process of internationalization nearly all departments at TUM offer a number of courses in English and all departments offer the possibility of conducting research work in English. Many elective courses in business administration and international relations are offered in English, and at LMU area studies courses are offered in the language of the area targeted. For those students who feel they would need German language work before the semester begins, there is a 4-week pre-study intensive course every September before the winter term begins; and of course there are semester-long German courses offered at all levels throughout the academic year.

As an exchange student you will need to be nominated by your home university. During your stay at TUM you will need to follow your university’s regulations for paying tuition and fees as well as for transferring credit back to your program. After you have been nominated by your university to participate in exchange the International Office of your university will need to send TUM International Office the following documents:

• Online application printed and signed by applicant and bearing signature and stamp of the international office of the home university
• letter of motivation
• Curriculum vitae
• study program
• transcript of records
• 1 original foto (no copied or scanned version)

Deadline for application is 31. May (for students who wish to study at TUM for the winter term), 31. October (for students who wish to study at TUM for the summer term).

As there is much demand for student housing in Munich, the international office has taken over the placement of all TUMexchange LAOTSE and Double Degree students to insure that they are given priority for student housing. Unless you notify us that you do not want to live in the dorms, we will automatically reserve a place for you. Dormitory rooms are typically single rooms with kitchenettes and private bathrooms. All dorms in Munich currently have internet access. Meals are not provided in the dorms, but there are student cafeterias on all 3 campuses where noon meals are served at very reasonable prices. In addition to the refectories, where warm meals are served, there are also cafeterias for snacks and beverages that are open the entire day. The application for the Erasmus- Partneruniversity- and other programs at TUM does not include an offer for a room in a dorm. Please find a room on the privat market with the list of hints on finding accommodation.
Program students from Weihenstephan (Freising) will receive a room offer from there. The International Office forwards applications by WZW program students to its colleagues. You will receive information directly from them.

German law requires that all students have German National medical insurance, and international students are expected to have equivalent coverage. Because very few international health insurance packages match up exactly with what the German state insurances have to cover, it is advisable to purchase German insurance once you are here. You will need to have done this before you will be allowed to register. The insurance companies have representatives in the registration hall during registration. There will be information about insurance at orientation as well. Student insurance costs about 65-66 euros per month and offers full medical and dental coverage. This does not belong to following students: Students originating from countries in the EU /EWR nations must obtain the International Health Insurance Certification (former E111 or E128) or EHIC-Card from their insurer in their home country. Students originating from countries outside the EU, who are insured in their home country and with which Germany has a social treaty must also present a certificate entitling them to German healt insurance coverage.

You will be provided with housing in a student residence hall. Rent with utilities ranges from 160/360 € monthly. Most German students don’t spend a lot of money on books, as manuscripts for the lectures are provided by the Fachschaft, or students' organization, in each department. According to current calculations students need an average amount of 830€ / month (incl. rent, but leisure activities are not included) for living in Munich. For every semester being enrolled at TUM, you need to pay a fee of 42 € for the student services organization if you are from a partneruniversity of TUM. If you are from no partneruniversity of TUM, you need to pay 542€.

Students from many countries including the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, will be able to get their student visas after they have arrived in Germany. TUMI orientation offers help with this. If you need a visa to enter Germany, please apply for a student visa at the German embassy or consulate in your home country. You will need your letter of admission to TUM to do this.

The winter term at TUM officially begins on October 1st and runs until the end of March. Summer term begins the 1st of April and officially ends on September 30th. Many exchange students take advantage of the pre-study course, given every September, which includes an intensive German course plus is an excellent way to get acquainted with Munich and TUM before the winter semester starts. You also will want to take part in the TUMInternational orientation which takes place in the first two weeks of each semester. Winter term lectures begin mid October and go until mid-February, and summer term lectures start mid- April and run until mid-July. As many exams are held in the weeks after lectures have ended, in some of your courses, you may have to request that you be given an oral exam rather than extend your stay until the written exam is given several weeks after lectures have concluded.

Approximately 6 weeks before the beginning of the term you will receive an email from the International Office of TUM. Included in this email you will receive the date when you can get your student card. Please note that you will need proof of German national health insurance before you will be able to get these documents. Registration for courses takes place after lectures begin. It is a good idea to start with more courses than you need transfer credit for. You may decide not to complete a number of the courses because of a schedule conflict or because you are unable to complete an exam in a course. As there is no official drop date, you can decide at anytime which courses you will concentrate on and finish.

As a former Olympic City, Munich prides itself in its sports facilities. TUM has a sports science department, and as a TUM student you will be allowed to use the ZHS (Central University Sports) facilities. They offer an extensive selection of sports. Please check these on the ZHS website (information German only).

Students who attend the pre-study course and successfully complete the German language requirement can apply for a 250 euro-rebate in the scholarship office once the semester has started the end of October. Work study at 8 euros an hour is available in many of the departments. You may want to consider doing an internship as part of your exchange program. If you substitute the internship for a semester of course work, you will want to stay enrolled at TUM to retain your student status. Internships are listed and updated on TUM Jobs&Praktika.

Many examinations are held during the weeks at the end of a semester after lectures have ended. If a test conflicts with your plans to return home, you should request an oral exam from the professor teaching the course. Professors are not obligated to offer an oral test, but if they do it will most probably be to your advantage. You should also request to be graded on the ECTS grading scale. Presently departments are only able to issue transcripts to students who are completing degrees at TUM. You will receive a certificate for each course you have successfully completed. The certificate will include information about the course contents, the number of ECTS credits and your performance. Please make arrangements with your exchange coordinator to have all these results put into one document, the student-reported record of study, which can then be stamped and sent to your home university so that you will be able to transfer the credits you have earned.

Contact: incoming