Technical University of Munich for Kenyan Students
Entry Requirements by Level
Academic Requirements
Zero tuition at public German universities. Students pay only a semester fee (~€150/semester). Living costs in Munich average €900–1,200/month.
Fees & Deadline
Academic Requirements
Minimum GPA: —/5.0. Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required. Many TUM Masters use an Application Score system — research, grades, motivation letter, and references all weighted. MBA at TUM School of Management is NOT free (€35,000–40,000).
English Language
IELTS: 6.5+ overall. TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic also accepted — contact admissions for equivalencies.
Fees & Deadline
Application deadline: May 31 for Winter Semester (October start); November 30 for Summer Semester.
Academic Requirements
Minimum GPA: —/5.0. Master's degree required (or Bachelor's with First Class Honours for some programmes). Fully funded positions available. Most PhD positions at TUM are funded as research assistant contracts (Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter) — approximately €2,000–2,500/month gross salary.
Specific Requirements
Research proposal required. Identify and contact a potential supervisor before applying. References from two academic supervisors.
Documents Required
Available Scholarships
DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS)
by German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) · Masters, Phd
Learn more →Deutschlandstipendium
by German Federal Government + private sponsors · Undergraduate, Masters
Learn more →Frequently Asked Questions
Can Kenyan students study at TUM for free?
Yes — TUM is a public German university with zero tuition for all students including internationals. You only pay a semester contribution of approximately €150 per semester. However, budget €900–1,200/month for living costs in Munich, one of Germany's more expensive cities.
Is KCSE accepted at TUM for undergraduate entry?
Not directly — Kenyan KCSE alone is not sufficient for direct undergraduate entry at German universities per the anabin database. You will need to complete 1–2 years at a recognised Kenyan university first, or attend a Studienkolleg (German preparatory college) for 2 semesters.
Can I apply to TUM Masters with a Kenyan degree?
Yes — if your Kenyan bachelor's degree is from a recognised university (check anabin.kmk.org), you can apply directly for Masters programmes. First Class or strong upper-second class is competitive. Many Masters programmes are taught in English.
What is DAAD and how do Kenyans apply?
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) is Germany's main scholarship organisation. It offers stipends for students from developing countries including Kenya. Visit daad.de or contact the German Embassy in Nairobi for bilateral scholarship opportunities specific to Kenyan students.
Tips for Applying to TUM
TUM is Germany's highest-ranked university (#37 QS) and genuinely free — zero tuition, just ~€300/year in semester fees. The challenge for Kenyan undergraduates: KCSE alone isn't enough for direct entry. But for Masters applicants with a recognised Kenyan degree, TUM is directly accessible. Combine with a DAAD scholarship (apply through the German Embassy in Nairobi) and you have one of the best-value elite university experiences in the world.
Official source: Technical University of Munich ↗Plan Your Germany Student Visa
Check visa requirements, documents and costs for Kenyan passport holders applying to Germany.
Cost of Living in Munich
Munich is Germany's most expensive city. Student halls (Studentenwerk) priority given — apply early.
Semester ticket covers local public transport at reduced rates.