A precise comparison of admission requirements at Technical Universities (Technische Universität – TU) and traditional Universities (Universität – Uni) in Germany – and when to apply to each depending on your subject
| Type | Technische Universität (TU) | Universität (Uni) |
|---|---|---|
| Fields of study | Strong focus on engineering, IT and technical / natural sciences | Covers all major fields (sciences, humanities, law, medicine, etc.) |
| Character | More application-oriented, but still research-focused | Primarily academic and research-oriented |
| Reputation | Often highly prestigious in technical fields (e.g. TU Munich) | Academically renowned, especially in humanities and social sciences |
Your secondary school certificate must be equivalent to the German Abitur.
Recognition is usually checked via:
the Anabin database, or
the central application service uni-assist.de.
➡️ Conclusion:
There is no major difference between TUs and Unis here – both follow the same academic criteria for recognition.
| Requirement | TU | Universität |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor programmes | Usually C1 level in German (e.g. DSH, TestDaF) | Essentially the same requirements |
| Master programmes | Many Master’s degrees at TUs – especially in technical fields – are offered in English | Depends on the subject – some Master’s degrees at Unis are German-only |
| English language certificate | Often required for international technical programmes (TOEFL/IELTS) | Required only for international or English-taught programmes |
Some technical study programmes at TUs do not have a strict Numerus Clausus (NC) and therefore do not demand an extremely high grade average.
In contrast, certain programmes at traditional Universities – such as:
Psychology,
Medicine,
are highly competitive and require very high grades.
➡️ Practical implication:
If your school grade average is moderate, your chances at a TU in subjects like
Computer Science (Informatik) or Electrical Engineering (Elektrotechnik) are often better
than your chances of getting into Psychology or Medicine at a classical university.
| Item | TU | Universität |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance test (Aufnahmetest / aptitude test) | Rare at Bachelor level | Also rare |
| Motivation letter | Frequently required for Master’s programmes at TUs | Also common in many Master’s programmes at Unis |
| Personal interview | Used in some specialised TU programmes | Sometimes used in Master’s programmes at Unis, especially in selective fields |
| Your career goal | Best fit |
|---|---|
| Entering the technology / IT job market | Prefer a TU |
| Pursuing literature, philosophy, humanities | Prefer a Universität (traditional Uni) |
| A long-term academic career with a PhD | Both Uni or TU, depending on your research field |
| A prestigious degree in engineering | Well-known TUs such as TU München, TU Berlin, RWTH Aachen, etc. |
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Zulassung | Admission to a degree programme |
| NC (Numerus Clausus) | Grade threshold / minimum grade for admission |
| Bewerbung | Application process for a study place |
| Motivationsschreiben | Motivation letter / statement of purpose |
| Sprachnachweis | Proof of language proficiency |
| Studienkolleg | Foundation / preparatory year for applicants whose school certificate is not fully equivalent to Abitur |
Editorial note
The authors and editorial team of this website aim to provide accurate information
based on thorough research and multiple sources.
Nevertheless, errors or not fully verified details may occasionally occur.
Therefore, please treat the information in this article as a preliminary, non-binding guide
and always refer to official university websites, admission offices and competent authorities
for definitive and up-to-date requirements.
