Responsibility in Science, Engineering and Technology (RESET)

Responsibility has become a key concern in current discussions around governance, economic growth, sustainable development, and social progress – captured, for example, by the frameworks of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In an environment of increasing economic and political uncertainty, RESET takes serious challenges such as:

• How can we anticipate and govern the social, ethical, or environmental impacts of scientific and technological change? 
• What is sustainable, reflexive, or democratic innovation? 
•  Which inter- or transdisciplinary forms of knowledge production enable responsibility? 
• How do notions of responsibility differ across regulatory, cultural, and policy contexts? 
• How should expert knowledge and technical possibilities shape democracies, markets and societies?
• Conversely, how can we democratize expertise and technology development?

The program draws its interdisciplinary strength and symmetry from a diverse student body – with backgrounds in the natural sciences and engineering as well as the social sciences and humanities – and specifically targets students with previous work or research experience. An innovative term structure and hands-on immersive learning based on case studies, projects and an internship foster new forms of collaboration across institutions and disciplines.

RESET conveys the knowledge, methods and analytical tools necessary for understanding and responding to the unique challenges resulting from the increasing interconnectedness of science, technology, society, politics and economics. With its distinctive focus on issues of responsibility and responsiveness, the program combines rigorous training in science and technology studies (STS) with project-based immersion in engineering, science, citizen engagement and policy-making. In particular, graduates are able to identify, analyze and critically discuss social, economic, political, cultural and legal aspects of science and technology. 

Students benefit from small course sizes, individual support from RESET’s teaching staff and a range of services offered by the Elite Network of Bavaria, which the program is affiliated to. They are able to acquire expert knowledge at the cutting edge of international technoscience research as well as extensive communication and project management skills. The language of instruction is English and international student groups and projects help prepare students for a global working environment.

RESET graduates will be able to work in a range of fields, including government, international organizations, innovative firms (both established companies and start-ups), NGOs, think tanks, research and higher education management, consulting, or pursue a career in academia.

The first semester is dedicated to introducing students to the social, economic, political, media and legal aspects of innovation, controversies and responsibility in science and technology. This is facilitated by an innovative term structure, immersive projects, and by hands-on training in STS research methods.

The second semester provides in-depth introductions to STEM fields, complemented by three elective specialization lectures and seminars in key STS fields.

The third semester primarily serves to gain practical experience through an internship and a research project. Students also publish a blog and organize an interdisciplinary science workshop.

The fourth semester is reserved for the Master’s thesis, through which students learn how to carry out research that is highly relevant to stakeholders in academia, industry, government and NGOs.

• Overview degree program structure
• Program structure: Overview of modules

Required language skills for admission:

You need sufficient English language skills if you wish to apply for this program. Evidence of your language proficiency has to be submitted before the end of the application deadline. Learn more about recognized certificates and other ways to prove your English language skills.

This evidence of your language proficiency confirms that you comply with the minimum language requirements for admission to the program. Depending on the program and your individual background, it may be necessary for you to keep working on your language skills during your studies. Be sure to take a look at the services of our Language Center.  

Language of instruction:

The language of instruction for this program is English.

• Contact Examination Board
  Chair: Prof. Dr. Christian Djeffal
  Secretary: Hedi Schmid

• Information on exams
• Information on studying abroad

The tuition fees for international students from third countries for this degree program are 4,000 euros per semester.

Many international students can have their fees waived or receive scholarships to finance them. You can find all information on waivers and scholarships here.

Please note: The semester fee as a contribution to the student union must be paid additionally. It varies depending on where you are studying. You can find all information on the semester fee here.

Minimum requirements to apply for a Master’s program at TUM are a recognized undergraduate degree (e.g. a Bachelor’s) and the successful completion of the aptitude assessment procedure. The aptitude assessment allows the TUM school to which you are applying to evaluate your individual talents and motivation for study.

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents.

If you receive an offer of admission, you will additionally have to submit individual documents as notarized hardcopies by post to be enrolled.

Generally, applicants with a qualification for postgraduate studies (e.g. a Bachelor’s) obtained outside of the EU / EEA must have their documents reviewed in advance through uni-assist.

In detail:

• Applying for a Master’s program: Application, admission requirements and more  
• Important information about your application from the TUM school

• Degree Certificate and Diploma or Subject and Grade Transcript of Studies to Date
• Transcript of Records
• List of Best Credits
• Form for proof of successful participation in either a lecture, seminar or project in the field of social-scientific methodology
• Proof of English Language Proficiency
• Letter of Motivation
• Essay
• Complete and Current Résumé
• if applicable: Proof of Internships or Professional Experience (optional)
• Preliminary Documentation (VPD) if the qualification for graduate studies (e.g. a bachelor's) is obtained outside the EU/EEA

We may require additional documents depending on your educational background and your country of origin. Complete the online application to receive a comprehensive list of the required documents. 

• Application for Enrollment (signed)
• Degree Certificate and Diploma (certified copy)
• Transcript of Records (certified copy)
• Most Current Photo (as for ID)
• Digital notification of your health insurance status from a German public health insurance provider (requested by applicant)

We may require additional documents depending on the type of educational background you earned and your country of origin. After accepting an offer of admission in TUMonline, you will receive a list of documents you must submit to TUM in hardcopy for enrollment.

Application period for the winter semester: 01.01. – 31.05.

Information about applying for a higher subject semester

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents. Please be aware that we can only process your application if you upload all required documents within the application period.

We will review your application as soon as it is complete. Please check your TUMonline account regularly, to see if we have any queries to your documents or if you have to amend one or more documents.

After receiving admission, you will see in TUMonline which documents you have to submit for enrollment, and in which form. Please note that you always have to send the signed application for enrollment and all notarized hardcopies by post.

We recommend that you submit the documents for enrollment as soon as possible after receiving admission. If individual documents are not available by then, you can submit them up to 5 weeks after the start of the lecture period. You will, however, only be enrolled once we have received all documents.

You can check the status of your application at any time in your TUMonline account.

Selection takes place through an aptitude assessment procedure. The aptitude assessment is a two-part procedure after the submission of an official application to a program. In this procedure, the TUM school determines whether you meet the specific requirements for its Master’s degree program.

In the initial stages, the grades you obtained during your Bachelor’s program, as well as your written documents, will be evaluated using a point system. Depending on the amount of points accumulated, applicants are either immediately admitted, rejected or invited to an admissions interview. 

• Aptitude Assessment for Master