Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel was born in Paris, France, to Elise Strobel and Theodor Diesel, Bavarian immigrants who ran a small business producing leather goods. Living in France exposed him to a more international and industrialized environment than he might have experienced in Bavaria, likely sparking an early interest in engineering.

Due to the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War, the Diesel family was forced to flee Paris. Rudolf was sent to Augsburg, Germany, to live with his aunt and uncle, Professor Christoph Barnickel. This displacement further solidified his connection to his German heritage and provided him with a more structured educational environment.

Diesel excelled at the Königliche Kreis-Gewerbeschule in Augsburg, demonstrating a strong aptitude for mathematics and science. This school provided him with a solid foundation in technical subjects, preparing him for advanced studies in engineering.

Diesel received a scholarship from the Royal Bavarian Polytechnic in Munich (later the Technical University of Munich), allowing him to pursue his higher education without significant financial burden. This scholarship was a recognition of his academic potential and facilitated his future success.

Due to illness, Diesel was temporarily expelled from the Royal Bavarian Polytechnic. During this time, he worked as a machinist in Sulzer Brothers Machine Works in Winterthur, Switzerland. This practical experience exposed him to real-world engineering challenges and further motivated him to pursue a career in engineering.

Diesel graduated from the Royal Bavarian Polytechnic with top honors. He excelled in his studies and demonstrated exceptional engineering abilities. His graduation marked the culmination of his formal education and prepared him for a career as an engineer and inventor.