Human Factors Engineering

Technical systems are becoming increasingly more comprehensive and powerful, and their users more and more heterogeneous. As a result, it is all the more necessary to consistently align technologies with the needs and skills of users. Students in the Master’s degree program Human Factors Engineering (M.Sc.) learn to design technical systems, products and processes that generate the greatest possible benefit for people.

This highly interdisciplinary program equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to develop technical systems that support people effectively and efficiently, are easy to use, have no harmful effects, and inspire widespread social acceptance. They do so in the context of globalization, demographic change and the Digital Transformation.  Students learn to align requirements from the Engineering Sciences, Informatics, Psychology, Medicine, Design, the Movement and Health Sciences, and the Social Sciences while always taking their ethical and societal dimensions into account. Here, students may choose their own specialization in the areas of Biomechanical Human Modeling, Human-Centered Systems Engineering, or Human-Machine Interaction Design.

Graduates of the program are experts in human-oriented technology development. They are able to design interfaces between humans and technology and thus living and working environments, industrial products and assistance, information, and communication systems in a way that best meets the needs of different target groups. This makes them highly qualified to work in science and a wide range of industries, particularly in Research & Development.

For a comprehensive description of the program, please refer to the degree program documentation:

• Degree program documentation for the Master’s program in Human Factors Engineering (PDF, German) 

In the Master's degree program HFE, 120 credits (ECTS) must be earned on a modular basis:

• Required modules: 42 ECTS
• Subject Specializatio elective modules: at least 30 ECTS
• Interdisciplinary Project elective modules: at least 10 ECTS
• Extradisciplinary elective modules: at leat 8 ECTS

• Master’s Thesis: 30 ECTS

In the first three semesters, methodological basics ( required modules and modules to align the different qualification profiles from the Bachelor's degree programs) are taught and, building on this, specializations in different application domains, technologies, and methods are offered. In the “Subject Specialization” electives, students must build on this with a specialization (amounting to at least 30 credits). Students can choose from a selection of modules, which are assigned to three key areas (Biomechanical Modeling, Human-Machine Interaction Design, Human-Centered Engineering), each of which imparts methodological skills for analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

The Master’s thesis is completed in the fourth semester.

• Overview degree program structure
• Overview of modules

The languages of instruction for this program are German and English.

• Information on exams
• Contact Examination Board
• Information on studying abroad

The tuition fees for international students from third countries for this degree program are 6,000 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

• Degree Certificate and Diploma or Subject and Grade Transcript of Studies to Date
• Curricular Analysis
• Curriculum (e.g. module description)
• Complete and Current Résumé
• Letter of Motivation (optional)
• Passport
• Proof of German Language Proficiency
• Proof of English Language Proficiency
• Preliminary Documentation (VPD) by uni-assist - for international applicants only

• 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.

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

Application period for winter semester: 01.04. – 31.05.
Application period for summer semester: 01.11. – 15.01.

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
• Description of the aptitude assessment (PDF 165 KB)