Program Overview

Introduction to the Fast Track Bachelor Admission Program

The Fast Track Bachelor Admission (FTBA) program at RWTH Aachen University offers a direct-entry pathway for high-achieving international students who are passionate about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). This program is only available for five selected STEM degree programs.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

To be eligible for the FTBA program, applicants must:

• Graduate from secondary school in 2026 or have graduated in 2025 and be qualified to study at a university in their home country.
• Have above-average school grades in STEM subjects.
• Have taken the TestAS in German and scored in the top 20 percent (i.e., in the 80th to 100th percentile) on the Engineering or Mathematics/Computer Science/Natural Sciences module.
• Have strong German language skills (B1.2 to C1).
• If applying for Computer Science, also need B2-level English proficiency.

Application Information

Application Deadlines

The application deadlines for the FTBA program are as follows:

• Applicants from RWTH’s Chinese partner universities: June 2025
• Studienbrücke program graduates: Probably June 26, 2026 (the exact date will be announced by the Goethe-Institut in early 2026)
• All other applicants: May 31, 2026

Application Process

To apply for the FTBA program, follow these steps:

1. Schedule a 30-minute online interview with RWTH’s FTBA Team (between January and May 2026)
2. Submit your complete application package by email to the FTBA team as a single PDF. Students participating in the Goethe-Institut’s Studienbrücke Program should upload their applications via the Goethe-Institut’s Studienbrücke portal.

Required Documents

The required documents for the FTBA application include:

• Completed FTBA application form
• Transcripts of records of the last two years of secondary school (in German or English)
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• A one-page statement of purpose in German: Why do you want to study at RWTH Aachen University?
• TestAS score report (in German) in the appropriate subject module (in Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, or Natural Sciences)

Program Fees

The one-time fee for the FTBA support package is €3,500. Additional costs include the standard university semester fee and housing costs, which are not included in the FTBA package and must be paid separately.

Personalized Advising

The FTBA team is available to answer any questions and provide support to prospective students.

Student Testimonials

The FTBA program has received positive feedback from students, who appreciate the seamless transition into their studies and the support provided by the program. Some students have shared their experiences:

• Toan Phuc Huy Le, B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, FTBA student in winter semester 2021/22, FTBA tutor
• Khue Thao Anh Nguyen, B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering and Management, specializing in Mechanical Engineering, FTBA student in winter semester 2023/24, FTBA event organizer
• Yiqi Cao, B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, FTBA student in winter semester 2023/24, FTBA tutor
• Anton Shavin, B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, M.Sc. in Automotive Engineering, FTBA student in winter semester WS2014/2015, FTBA alumnus

These students have highlighted the benefits of the FTBA program, including the opportunity to make friends from different cultural backgrounds, receive excellent guidance, and participate in various activities. They have also appreciated the support provided by senior FTBA students and the weekly seminars that help them improve their understanding of lecture topics.