Urban Student

RWTH Aachen University

RWTH Aachen University is one of Germany’s leading technical universities, located in Aachen near the borders with Belgium and the Netherlands. Founded in 1870, it holds University of Excellence status under the German Universities Excellence Initiative and is particularly renowned for engineering, ranging from mechanical and electrical engineering to computer science.

Why students choose RWTH Aachen

  • Strong international reputation in mechanical, electrical and industrial engineering.
  • University of Excellence status recognising research strength across disciplines.
  • Close ties to Germany’s automotive and manufacturing industries.
  • Large international student population, particularly within engineering programmes.
  • Extensive research institutes and laboratories across the Aachen campus.

Campus and location

RWTH Aachen’s facilities are spread throughout the city of Aachen, in western Germany near the tripoint with Belgium and the Netherlands, giving students easy access to neighbouring countries.

What students say

Students commonly point to strong academic rigour and well-resourced research facilities as standout features, alongside a genuinely international student body drawn from many countries. A recurring theme is that admission and coursework can be demanding, reflecting the university’s research-intensive reputation, but this is generally framed positively as evidence of academic quality. Engineering students in particular note good access to industry contacts through the university’s ties to German manufacturing and automotive firms.

Courses offered