Materials Science and Engineering

In response to the new challenges of contemporary society, there is an ever greater intertwining of expertise in the natural and engineering sciences. Modern education in the engineering sciences must, in turn, prepare students not only in classical disciplines, serving the needs of specific industries, but it must also address the need for interdisciplinary training.

The master's program in Materials Science and Engineering rises to this challenge by offering a scientific, interdisciplinary education in engineering, involving a total of seven departments (BGU, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Informatics, Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics and Physics). Key objectives of the program include, enabling students to physically and mathematically model complex technical-physical processes and systems accounting for the materials to be employed, that is, to theoretically comprehend and apply the fundamental disciplines of engineering and to chemically and physically describe them. Additionally, the program accounts for the current paradigm shift away from deterministic models towards predictive science. It is this that makes the TUM MS&E program unique, as it is designed to give students a probabilistic view of the material properties of physical and engineering science systems from the start and, thus, to convey the necessity of stochastic modeling, which has not yet made its way into the curricula of other programs.  

The MS&E program finds its institutional home in the Munich School of Engineering (MSE). Founded in 2010 with the aim of advancing interdisciplinary education in the engineering sciences, the MSE has established a number of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs to this end. Students of the MS&E master's program, thus, benefit from proven structures and networks that provide optimal conditions of study.

Upon successful completion of the master’s degree program in Materials Science and Engineering, students

• have in-depth knowledge of modeling, calculation, prediction, monitoring and testing of innovative material solutions for complex applications across all technology sectors;
• recognize the need for the quantification of predictive quality, the probability distributions of results, and the quantification of risk and uncertainty;
• are able to design and implement scientific and interdisciplinary projects in the field of materials science as applied in the engineering disciplines;

• and have acquired the methodological and cognitive skills that enable them to develop and carry out research in this field or, alternatively, to seamlessly progress to doctoral studies.

Graduates are qualified to pursue opportunities in research, development, and teaching at research institutions and universities, as well as in interdisciplinary industries, such as the aerospace and energy sectors, medical technology, testing, measurement and monitoring technology and other sectors in which interdisciplinary engineering plays a central role.

In the first part of the program (semesters 1 and 2), students acquire sound fundamental disciplinary knowledge. In required modules, offered exclusively in English, students are familiarized with materials science, multi-scale models, numerical methods, non-linear fluid and solid mechanics and the quantification of uncertainties.

In the second part of the program (semesters 2 and 3), students begin to focus their studies to specialize in one of four areas: Multiscale Material Principles, Materials in Engineering Applications, Uncertainty Quantification & Mathematical Modeling and Material Characterization, Testing & Surveillance. Specialization is completed in two stages: In Area I (specialization specific), students select modules for their elective studies from a limited set of offerings listed in the module catalog. In Area II (individual elective), students select from a broad range of elective modules to suit their specific desired focus. Sample curricula for each of the four areas of specialization are available for your perusal. Modules from both areas I and II are taught chiefly in English, otherwise in German.

Fundamental disciplinary training and specialization are supplemented with scientific skills modules (recommended in semesters 2 and 3), as well as with required and elective internship modules in practical scientific work. The Advanced Research Internship (recommended in semester 3) is a special feature of the program. Integrated into an established research team, students prepare a scientific paper under supervision, which ideally results in their first independent contribution to the scientific discourse in their area of research. Required and elective modules are taught in English or German.

The program concludes in semester 4 with the master’s thesis module. The thesis should be written in English.

A stay abroad is explicitly recommended for students and is offered either as part of the Advanced Research Internship or in the specialization phase in the third semester.

Required language skills for admission:

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

Languages of instruction:

The language of instruction for this program is English. Some elective modules are offered in German.

• 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 
• 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
• Proof of English Language Proficiency
• Abstract (in English)
• Curricular Analysis
• Letter of Motivation (in English)
• Complete and Current Résumé
• Passport
• 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.
• Please note that you may enroll in this degree program, as long as you submit the required graduation documents (transcript & diploma) within one year.

• 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.
• Please note that you may enroll in this degree program, as long as you submit the required graduation documents (transcript & diploma) within one year.

Application period for the winter semester: 01.04. – 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
• Description of the Aptitude Assessment (appendix 2, German) (PDF 313 KB)