Master of Science [MS] (Chemical Engineering)
Field of Study:
RWTH Aachen University's MS in Chemical Engineering (Verfahrenstechnik) is a 3-semester (1.5-year), 90-credit program based in Aachen, Germany. The program is offered by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and is taught primarily in German — making German language proficiency a hard requirement for Indian applicants. RWTH ranks #105 globally (QS 2026) and its Chemical Engineering discipline ranks 53rd worldwide (QS Subject Rankings 2026), up from 65th the previous year. There are zero tuition fees — Indian students pay only a semester contribution of approximately €320 (~₹34,900) per semester.
The total 1.5-year cost for an Indian student is roughly €20,000–€24,000 (~₹21.8–26.2 lakhs). Germany's post-study work visa allows 18 months to find a job, and chemical engineering graduates in Germany earn €45,000–€61,000/year (~₹49–66.5 lakhs) at entry level.
Current Admission Status: Applications for Winter Semester 2026/27 are open. The deadline for non-EU/EEA international students (including Indians) is March 1, 2026. The program also accepts applications for the Summer Semester — deadline is September 1, 2026. The application portal is live at RWTHonline.
- Why Study MS Chemical Engineering at RWTH Aachen?
- RWTH Aachen MS Chemical Engineering Fees for Indian Students
- Cost of Living in Aachen for Indian Students
- MS Chemical Engineering RWTH Aachen Admission Requirements
- Curriculum Overview
- RWTH Aachen Chemical Engineering Rankings
- Scholarships for Indian Students at RWTH Aachen
- Placements & Career Outcomes
- ROI: Is RWTH Aachen MS Chemical Engineering Worth It for Indian Students?
- FAQs
Why Study MS Chemical Engineering at RWTH Aachen?
- Zero tuition fees: RWTH confirmed in 2026 it will not charge additional tuition for non-EU students — you pay only ~€320/semester.
- #53 globally in Chemical Engineering: QS Subject Rankings 2026 place RWTH among the world's top 53 in Chemical Engineering — a jump of 12 places from the previous year.
- Research-driven curriculum: The program is coordinated by the Aachener Verfahrenstechnik (AVT) — one of Germany's leading process engineering research groups with strong industry ties to BASF, Bayer and Covestro.
- 18-month post-study work visa: Germany allows graduates to stay and job-hunt without a prior offer — critical for Indian students targeting Germany's chemical and process industries.
- Work while studying: International students can work up to 20 hours/week during semester and full-time during breaks (140 full days/year).
RWTH Aachen MS Chemical Engineering Fees for Indian Students
Exchange rate used: 1 EUR = ₹109 (as of April 21, 2026). Rates fluctuate — verify before transferring funds.
| Fee Component | Amount (EUR) | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Contribution (per semester) | ~€320 | ~₹34,900 |
| Total Semester Contribution (3 semesters) | ~€960 | ~₹1.05 lakhs |
| Blocked Account Requirement (per year) | €11,904 | ~₹12.98 lakhs |
| Total Blocked Account (1.5 years) | ~€17,856 | ~₹19.46 lakhs |
The blocked account is not a fee — it is proof of funds required for your student visa. You retain and spend this money on living expenses throughout your studies.
Cost of Living in Aachen for Indian Students
RWTH officially recommends budgeting a minimum of €1,100/month (~₹1.20 lakhs).
| Expense Category | Monthly Cost (EUR) | Monthly Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €400–€600 | ₹43,600–₹65,400 |
| Food | €200–€300 | ₹21,800–₹32,700 |
| Health Insurance | €100–€150 | ₹10,900–₹16,350 |
| Study Materials | €20–€40 | ₹2,180–₹4,360 |
| Internet & Mobile | €20–€50 | ₹2,180–₹5,450 |
| Clothing & Miscellaneous | €50–€200 | ₹5,450–₹21,800 |
| Total (Minimum) | ~€1,100 | ~₹1.20 lakhs |
Accommodation note: Student housing via Studierendenwerk costs €250–€400/month. Off-campus shared apartments (WG) typically cost €400–€600/month. The semester contribution includes a Germany-wide public transport ticket — no separate commute cost.
Part-time work: Germany's minimum wage is €12.82/hour (~₹1,397/hour). Working 20 hours/week can offset up to €1,025/month (~₹1.12 lakhs) of living costs.
MS Chemical Engineering RWTH Aachen Admission Requirements
Intake & Deadlines
| Semester | Start | Application Deadline (Non-EU/EEA) |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Semester 2026/27 | October 2026 | March 1, 2026 |
| Summer Semester 2027 | April 2027 | September 1, 2026 |
Eligibility (Indian Equivalents)
- A completed Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
- Minimum 145 credit points from engineering, mathematics and natural science subjects (excluding internships).
- Required subject coverage: Mathematics (17 CP), Technical Drawing & CAD (4 CP), Machine Elements (9 CP), Mechanics (18 CP), Control Engineering (6 CP), Fluid Mechanics (6 CP), Thermodynamics (7 CP), Thermal and Material Transfer (6 CP) and Materials Science (8 CP).
- Missing credits up to 30 CP result in enrolment conditions (additional modules). More than 30 CP missing leads to rejection.
- A 16-week engineering internship is required — can be completed after enrolment but before thesis registration.
Application Process
- Apply online via RWTHonline — no physical documents required.
- Upload: Bachelor's degree certificate (or proof of final year enrollment), full transcript of records, detailed module descriptions/syllabus, CV and language certificates.
- The Examination Board reviews each application individually for subject eligibility.
- You do not need to have completed your Bachelor's at the time of application.
Language Proficiency Requirements (ELP)
This is a German-taught program. Indian students must prove proficiency in German at C1 level. There is no English language requirement for this program.
| German Test | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| TestDaF | Level 4 in all four sections (TDN 4×4) |
| DSH | Stage 2 (DSH-2) |
| Goethe-Zertifikat | C1 or higher |
| Telc Deutsch | C1 Hochschule |
Critical note for Indian students: This program is not available in English. Indian applicants must achieve C1-level German before applying. RWTH strongly recommends beginning German preparation in India before arrival. The Goethe-Institut has branches across India offering German courses at all levels.
Curriculum Overview
The 90-credit program spans 3 semesters:
- Semester 1 & 2 (Examination Period): Compulsory and elective modules covering chemical process fundamentals, thermal and material transfer, reaction engineering, fluid mechanics and process design.
- Core areas: Chemical and physical process steps (fundamental operations), biomass conversion, crude oil processing, filtration and separation technology, process simulation and design.
- Elective focus areas: Energy engineering, environmental process engineering, biotechnology-linked processes and computational process engineering.
- Semester 3 (Master's Thesis): An independent research project on a defined topic, typically in collaboration with one of AVT's research groups or an industry partner.
RWTH Aachen Chemical Engineering Rankings
| Ranking Body | Rank | Year |
|---|---|---|
| QS Subject – Chemical Engineering | 53rd worldwide | 2026 |
| THE Subject – Engineering (Overall) | 35th worldwide | 2026 |
| QS Engineering & Technology (All Fields) | 53rd worldwide | 2026 |
| QS World University Rankings (Overall) | #105 | 2026 |
| RWTH in Germany – Top 3 in Chemical Engineering | Top 3 | 2025 |
Scholarships for Indian Students at RWTH Aachen
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAAD Study Scholarship (Masters) | €934/month + travel allowance + health insurance | Bachelor's degree, strong academics, under 36 years | October 15, 2026 (for 2027 intake) |
| RWTH STIBET Scholarship (BEIS) | Partial funding | Outstanding enrolled international students | Rolling — check RWTH International Office |
| Deutschlandstipendium | €300/month | High academic achievement, social engagement | Varies by faculty |
| RWTH Completion Scholarship (STIBET) | Partial funding | Enrolled RWTH students nearing graduation | Round 1: Nov 25, 2025; Round 2: June 19, 2026 |
Apply for DAAD scholarships directly via the DAAD India portal (daad.in). Note that DAAD scholarships for Master's studies require strong German language skills — an advantage for applicants to this German-taught program.
Placements & Career Outcomes
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Employment rate within 6 months | ~93% (university data) |
| Average chemical engineer salary in Germany | ~€50,803/year (PayScale 2026) |
| Entry-level salary after MS (Germany) | €45,000–€61,000/year |
| Post-study work visa duration | 18 months |
Top employers of RWTH chemical engineering graduates include BASF, Bayer, Covestro, Evonik, Linde, Siemens Energy and engineering consultancies across Germany and the EU.
ROI: Is RWTH Aachen MS Chemical Engineering Worth It for Indian Students?
| Item | Amount (EUR) | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Total 1.5-year cost (fees + living) | ~€20,900–€24,900 | ~₹22.8–27.1 lakhs |
| Entry-level annual salary (Germany) | €45,000–€61,000 | ~₹49–66.5 lakhs |
| Break-even point | ~5–7 months of working | — |
With zero tuition fees and a 1.5-year program duration, the total investment is significantly lower than comparable programs in the US or UK. The entry-level salary covers the full program cost within the first year of employment. However, Indian students must factor in 1–2 years of German language preparation costs before applying.
RWTH Aachen's MS Chemical Engineering is one of the most cost-effective and research-intensive chemical engineering programs in the world. Zero tuition fees, a #53 global QS ranking in Chemical Engineering and access to Germany's world-leading chemical industry make this a high-ROI choice. The single non-negotiable requirement for Indian students is C1-level German — start preparation early via the Goethe-Institut India. The next application window for non-EU students is September 1, 2026 for Summer Semester 2027.
FAQs
Ques. Is the MS Chemical Engineering at RWTH Aachen taught in English or German?
Ans. The MS Chemical Engineering (Verfahrenstechnik) at RWTH Aachen is taught entirely in German. Indian students must prove German proficiency at C1 level through TestDaF (TDN 4×4), DSH-2, Goethe-Zertifikat C1 or equivalent before enrolling. There is no English-language version of this specific program. Indian applicants should plan for 1–2 years of German language preparation before applying.
Ques. What are the subject eligibility requirements for Indian students applying to MS Chemical Engineering at RWTH Aachen?
Ans. Indian applicants need a minimum of 145 credit points from engineering, mathematics and natural science subjects in their Bachelor's degree. Required subjects include Mathematics (17 CP), Mechanics (18 CP), Thermodynamics (7 CP), Fluid Mechanics (6 CP), Materials Science (8 CP) and Thermal and Material Transfer (6 CP) among others. Missing up to 30 CP results in additional enrolment conditions. Missing more than 30 CP leads to rejection.
Ques. What is the total cost of studying MS Chemical Engineering at RWTH Aachen for an Indian student?
Ans. RWTH charges zero tuition fees. Indian students pay only a semester contribution of approximately €320 (₹34,900) per semester. The total 1.5-year cost including living expenses is approximately €20,900–€24,900 (~₹22.8–27.1 lakhs). A blocked account of €11,904/year (₹12.98 lakhs) is required for the student visa — this money is yours to use for living expenses and is not a fee. Indian students should additionally budget for German language course costs before arrival.
Important Alert
- Application Deadline for Summer 2026 Intake - Sep 1, 2026
Tuition Fees
Other Expenses
| Head | Avg Cost Per Year |
|---|---|
| Accomodation | $5664 (EUR 4800) |
| Food | $2832 (EUR 2400) |
There are no tuition fees at RWTH Aachen University, but Semester Contribution Fee is 298,06 euros.
Previous Year Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| 2024 | |
| 2023 |
Important Dates
Application Deadline For Winter Intake is a tentative date.
| Event | Application Date |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline for Winter 2026 Intake | |
| Application Deadline for Summer 2026 Intake | Sep 1, 2026 |
Scores Required
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TOP Scholarships
| Scholarship name | Award amount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| University's Education Fund | 300 euros monthly | The RWTH Education Fund Scholarship supports the top 10% of students based on academic excellence, personal experience, extracurricular activities, community service, and social background, with approximately 20% of applicants receiving funding annually |
Key Resources for Your Study Abroad Journey
Course Guides
Masters in Engineering in Germany: Fees 2024, Top Colleges, Placements & Salaries
MS in Germany: MS in Germany: Deadlines, Fees, Scholarships, Jobs
Scholarship Grants & Financial Aids
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VueVille Future Technology Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 1,180/Yr$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| MAWISTA Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 7,895/Yr$6,691 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeEasy-to-Apply | |
| Kurt Hansen Science Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 11,800/Yr$10,000 | Level Of StudyDoctorate | TypeNeed-Based | |
| Bharat Petroleum Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Axol Science Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 2,360/Yr$2,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCompany-Sponsored |
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