Informatics
Admission criteria
The program does not require a portfolio or work samples for admission. Required application documents focus on transcript, curricular analysis, statement of reasons, scientific essay, and proof of English; optional certificates for internships or research competitions may be uploaded but are not stated as a scored admission dimension.
Written materials matter for applicants not admitted or rejected in stage 1. TUM requires a statement of reasons in English explaining why the applicant chose the program and TUM, highlighting special motivation and relevant qualifications beyond the bachelor's degree such as internships, study-related training, or time abroad. Borderline applicants must also submit a scientific essay in English, scored for structure, completeness/correctness of argument, and scientific grounding. In stage 2, the statement of reasons is worth up to 24 points and the essay up to 27 points.
This is the decisive admission dimension. Stage 1 is scored out of 57 points almost entirely from academic background: up to 50 points for curricular fit with TUM Informatics competencies and up to 7 points for grades. TUM explicitly checks foundational informatics, theoretical computer science, functional programming and verification, and mathematical foundations against the TUM bachelor's curriculum. Applicants with at least 51 points pass stage 1 directly; in stage 2, qualification from the first degree must be weighted at least as highly as the written materials.
Test scores are used mainly as threshold/formal proof rather than the main competitive ranking factor. Proof of English is required for the English-taught program; accepted examples include TOEFL iBT 88 or IELTS Academic 6.5 overall, and TUM also accepts certain degree-based proofs of English. In addition, applicants whose bachelor's degree is from Bangladesh, China, India, Iran, or Pakistan must submit GRE General or GATE, with minimum GRE scores listed as Quantitative 164 and Analytical Writing 4.0. A separate TUM written test is used only for applicants in the middle score band after stage 2, so tests are relevant but not the primary driver for most applicants.