History
How did RWTH Aachen become that what it is today? An excellent university with around 40,000 students and outstanding reputation in research and industry. Let yourself go on an exciting trip through the history of RWTH Aachen. The University Archives has compiled its own, as well as from external sources, pictures and documents, to illustrate the history of RWTH Aachen.
Education
With 260 institutes in nine faculties, RWTH Aachen University is one of Europes leading institutions for science and research. Currently around 31,400 students are enrolled in over 100 academic programmes. Over 5,000 of them are international students hailing from 120 different countries.
Research
Work conducted in the research centres at RWTH Aachen University is strongly oriented toward the current needs of industry, commerce, and the professions. This has led to numerous innovations, patents, and licenses.The individual competence centres at RWTH Aachen collaborate very effectively across departments and faculties in interdisciplinary groups and forums, while still maintaining a strong focus on their own department specialisation. For instance, the computer science and biology departments - and even the social sciences - all have a clear connection to the school's engineering focus.
Career
The university's innovative force is also reflected in the high number of start-ups in the area: Over the past twenty years, about 1,250 spin-off businesses were founded and created around 30,000 jobs in the greater Aachen region.Excellence in teaching and research constitutes the basis from which our university works with other leading institutions and technical universities from around the world: to give an example, RWTH participates in the IDEA League, a network of the leading Universities of Technology in Europe, which defines standards for degree programmes and academic training.
RWTH Aachen University Key Statistics & Highlights
- #92 Ranking
- 6 PhDs
- 33 Scholarships
- 822 Academic Staff
- 45,628 Students
- 11,407 Students (int'l)
- 15,057 Students (female)
- Public Institution Type
RWTH Aachen University Overview
RWTH Aachen University Scholarships
RWTH Aachen University Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to RWTH Aachen University. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Provided by university
Grant
500 EUR
Deadline
31 May 2026
Scholarship for Completing Studies for Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1400 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) • DAAD
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1300 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Fully Funded DAAD EPOS Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1200 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Karl Schmidt Rottluff Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The PhD Prep Fellowship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jul 2026
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
649 EUR
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship of the German National Academic Foundation
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
$1,500 Annual Students’ Presentation Crafting Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
11 Jan 2027
Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
20 May 2026
PlagiarismSearch Essay Contest
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Read more about eligibility
Provided by university
Grant
500 EUR
Deadline
31 May 2026
Scholarship for Completing Studies for Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1400 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) • DAAD
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1300 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Fully Funded DAAD EPOS Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1200 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Karl Schmidt Rottluff Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The PhD Prep Fellowship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jul 2026
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
649 EUR
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship of the German National Academic Foundation
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
$1,500 Annual Students’ Presentation Crafting Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
11 Jan 2027
Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
20 May 2026
PlagiarismSearch Essay Contest
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Read more about eligibility
Provided by university
Grant
500 EUR
Deadline
31 May 2026
Scholarship for Completing Studies for Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1400 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) • DAAD
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1300 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Fully Funded DAAD EPOS Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1200 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Karl Schmidt Rottluff Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The PhD Prep Fellowship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jul 2026
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
649 EUR
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship of the German National Academic Foundation
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
$1,500 Annual Students’ Presentation Crafting Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
11 Jan 2027
Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
20 May 2026
PlagiarismSearch Essay Contest
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Read more about eligibility
Provided by university
Grant
500 EUR
Deadline
31 May 2026
Scholarship for Completing Studies for Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1400 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) • DAAD
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1300 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Fully Funded DAAD EPOS Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1200 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Karl Schmidt Rottluff Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The PhD Prep Fellowship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jul 2026
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
649 EUR
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship of the German National Academic Foundation
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
$1,500 Annual Students’ Presentation Crafting Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
11 Jan 2027
Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
20 May 2026
PlagiarismSearch Essay Contest
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Read more about eligibility
Provided by university
Grant
500 EUR
Deadline
31 May 2026
Scholarship for Completing Studies for Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1400 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) • DAAD
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1300 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Fully Funded DAAD EPOS Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1200 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Karl Schmidt Rottluff Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The PhD Prep Fellowship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jul 2026
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
649 EUR
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship of the German National Academic Foundation
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
$1,500 Annual Students’ Presentation Crafting Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
11 Jan 2027
Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
20 May 2026
PlagiarismSearch Essay Contest
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Read more about eligibility
RWTH Aachen University Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 1.8% Germany
Top 1.1% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
World University Rankings
92
By Times Higher Education
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 90 | 92 | 92 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
QS World University Rankings
105
By TopUniversities
Dropped 6 places compared to 2025
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 106 | 99 | 105 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
201
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 201 | 201 | 201 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
No 2026 Ranking
By U.S. News & World Report
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2026 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 218 | - | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Student services
RWTH also offers special support to students with disabilities and chronic diseases. Two designated helpers performing community service stand at the ready to deliver meals, accompany students to their courses and offer other assistance when needed.
The conference focused on ways to improve equal access for students with disabilities and on creating greater awareness of issues of concern for disabled and/or chronically ill students and their special needs among teaching staff, in particular.Housing services
In addition, a special room was set up in 2009 where students with disabilities can study or rest, and a conference on "barrier-free university teaching" was held in November, which was organised by the RWTH Integration Team Human Resources, Gender and Diversity Management in collaboration with the student union representative for students with disabilities and chronic diseases.
Library services
RWTH Aachen University Library
Help with literature searches
Aquisition requests
Courses on literature searches and procurement
Information on reference management with the programs EndNote and Citavi, financed by campus licenses
Information on the fees for printed and electronic dissertations
Equipment for and access to the library for disabled persons
Internet workstations
ICT services
- eduroam – worldwide up to date
- Your own email address
- VPN - Work from home securely
Medical services
In Germany, you typically select and register with a General Practitioner (GP) who acts as your "family doctor" (Hausarzt). The GP will refer you to other specialists such as eye specialists, dermatologists, etc.
Campus life
The way of life in the region around the River Meuse is relaxed. Here, high culture and subculture, past and present, science and the arts are not opposites but interesting facets of the same city. Living in one of the most densely populated and at the same time greenest city centres is something Aacheners take entirely for granted. In a region famed for both science and the arts.
And when the paths of academic disciplines cross inadvertently, the housewarming party with flatmates becomes a great place to discuss the sociological significance of mechanical engineering or the finer detail of business studies techniques. In an open, non-threatening atmosphere among friends like it should be.
Sports facilities
The Center hosts extensive leisure and sports facilities such as gyms, fitness rooms, weights rooms, a pool, a beach sports area, a football field, a modern running track as well as tennis courts. For sports such as climbing or riding, the Sports Centre cooperates with various sports centres in and around Aachen. Most water sports courses offered by the Sports Centre take place at Wildenhof, a university-owned property the Rursee lake.
Student clubs
In addition, RWTH Aachen University has a very active staff sports association, which offers a range of sports and activities, from volleyball, football and table tennis to water sports and even the card game skat. Taking part in sport is a great way of meeting colleagues from different disciplines and departments. Partners of RWTH employees can also participate in the sports on offer.The city of Aachen has numerous private sports centres and gyms, tennis, squash and badminton courts, an ice rink and a climbing wall. There are also several golf courses within easy reach of the city, five indoor swimming pools and one outdoor pool.
Accreditation
The implementation of accreditation processes is based on decisions made by the German Rectors' Conference, HRK for short, and the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs, KMK for short, related to the restructuring of the classification system. Accreditation is a particular tool for quality assurance and control.
RWTH Aachen University Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
Germany Country
Aachen City
#2 Branch Campus
Germany Country
Essen City
RWTH Aachen University Student Reviews & Awards
4.4
Based on 100 reviews
- 5 Star 54 Reviews
- 4 Star 24 Reviews
- 3 Star 15 Reviews
- 2 Star 4 Reviews
- 1 Star 3 Reviews
How Students Rated This University
- Student Diversity 4.0
- Admission Process 4.5
- Career Development 4.1
I fulfilled my dream of studying this program.
I was glad to get the enrollment into this program and now i am studying into this. what i liked mostly about this is the structure of the curriculum and the teaching style of the professors. My overall study experience is very wonderful and i am really enjoying my studies at RWTH Aachen University.
I graduated in animal science.
I have more then six years experience. Now, working as a teacher.
PhD assistants and staff very supportive
The professors are excellent, my study experience with them was really good. The PhD students who are assigned to help the professors are also very helpful. The program staff are also very friendly and helpful in assisting me throughout my study.
Studied here? Share your experience
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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Student DiversityHow diverse was the atmosphere at your university?
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Admission ProcessHow simple was it to apply to your programme?
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Career DevelopmentDid the university provide support for your career development?