LMU Munich (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München)

About LMU

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München was founded in 1472 in Ingolstadt. It moved to Landshut in 1800 and then to Munich in 1826, and its main building sits on Geschwister-Scholl-Platz in the Maxvorstadt district. Other faculties are spread around the city, with medicine and life sciences concentrated in Großhadern and Martinsried. LMU is a comprehensive university: humanities, law, economics, social sciences, natural sciences and medicine all sit under one roof.

There is no tuition for the standard bachelor programs at LMU, unlike at its neighbour TUM. LMU states that it has charged no tuition fees since the winter semester 2013/14. Students pay a semester fee to the Munich Student Union, and LMU lists the current amount on its fees page.

Language and program choice

LMU bachelor degrees are taught in German. The application page asks every international applicant for evidence of German proficiency and reserves the exemption for master, doctoral and double degree programs taught in English. If you see an English-language course list for an LMU program, it is most likely a master or exchange offering. Plan for a recognized German certificate at the level the program asks for, usually tested through DSH or TestDaF.

Applying with a North American diploma

Your certificate must qualify you for university study in Germany. LMU points applicants to the anabin and DAAD databases to check this. The DAAD guide for US high school graduates (June 2025) describes the national standard: a diploma with specified academic units, an unweighted GPA of at least 3.0, and AP exams with scores of 3 or more. For humanities, social sciences, law and economics, the guide lists four APs including English, a foreign language, and mathematics or a natural science; for other fields the mix is different. Applicants without the APs usually go through a Studienkolleg first.

Canadian diplomas are judged province by province; IB holders who do not yet have their final certificate need a recognition letter from the Bavarian ZAST office, as described on the LMU page.

How the application works

1. Check which office handles your case. Most applicants without German nationality apply to the International Office.
2. For bachelor entry from summer 2027, get a VPD from uni-assist first; LMU says processing can take about eight weeks and a VPD is valid for one year.
3. Apply to LMU for your program by the deadline: 15 July for the winter semester, counted as the date LMU receives the application.
4. Include certified copies of your certificates and, unless they are in English, French, Italian, Catalan, Latin, Portuguese, Romanian or Spanish, certified translations.

LMU states that a new application portal will be used for summer semester 2027, with details promised from December 2026. Check the applications page close to your application date, because the process is changing.

Costs and paperwork

With no tuition, your main costs are the semester fee, rent and health insurance. Munich housing is tight and expensive, so apply to student residences as soon as you have an admission letter. North American students need a German student visa or residence permit and proof of funds; read the requirements on the German mission site for your country rather than relying on summaries.

Tips for a smooth start

Use the time before the application to raise your German to a confident academic level. StudyBrix decks such as critical reading and reasoning and study skills for university help with the habits German lecture courses expect. Our Germany guide explains the system, including the Studienkolleg route.