Robotics, Cognition, Intelligence

Robotics is being transformed: whereas previously automatized industrial robots were principally used in production processes, today they have entered into many areas of life. They have left the factories and now encounter people in their everyday lives.

Whereas previously, specialists had to service them, today this can be done by anyone: thus robots do the vacuum cleaning at home or mow the lawn. Further still, people and robots cooperate more and more closely, without any walls between them. Tomorrow, robots will be both part of everyday life and of the human body. After all, today, wearable robotic exoskeletons already help paralyzed people to walk. As the distinctions between humans and machines blur, robotics developers are faced with new challenges. Robots must be able to react autonomously to unforeseen situations and to adapt. It is impossible to foresee every interaction and every action in advance, and to program accordingly. Therefore, through the use of artificial intelligence, robots too have to be able to learn.

The “Robotics, Cognition, Intelligence” Master’s program is a joint program of the Departments of Informatics, Electrical Engineering, and Information Technology as well as Mechanical Engineering – it provides the basis upon which to participate in these fascinating developments.

As a graduate, you will have acquired a broad methodological and theoretical grasp of the foundations of robotics, cognition, and intelligent autonomous systems. In addition to informatics, you are also familiar with those aspects of electrical and mechanical engineering relevant to you.

You possess knowledge of classic robot control systems as well as of the areas of perception, image processing, and artificial intelligence. You are familiar with procedures relating to signal processing; sensory data analysis and fusion; and programming. You have a firm grasp of behavioral control as well as machine learning and human-robot interaction. Through cooperation with industry partners, you will have been able to gain your first experience of practice-led projects.

The broad spectrum of elective modules will have enabled you to create an individual competency profile.

Opportunities for graduates of the Robotics, Cognition, Intelligence master's program arise in research and industry. By way of example, career opportunities open up in aviation and aerospace, microelectronics, consumer electronics, biomedical engineering, or the automotive sector.  

The duration of the Robotics, Cognition, Intelligence master's program is four semesters.

The program offers a high degree of flexibility when it comes to selecting your own specialties. In addition to acquiring the theoretical and methodological foundations, elective modules in informatics as well as mechanical and electronic engineering allow you to pursue your own choice of specialties.

The degree concludes with the master‘s thesis, in which you apply acquired knowledge and skills in a practice-oriented project.

• Program structure

Required language skills for admission:

You need sufficient German and English language skills if you wish to apply for this program. 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 languages of instruction for this program are German and English. This means that you need to complete modules in both German and English in the course of your studies.

• Information on exams
• 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 German Language Proficiency
• Proof of English Language Proficiency
• Curricular Analysis
• Essay
• Letter of Motivation
• Complete and Current Résumé
• Passport
• Preliminary Documentation (VPD) if the qualification for graduate studies (e.g. a bachelor’s) was obtained outside the EU/EEA (from winter semester 2025/26: outside Germany)

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 winter semester: 15.02. – 31.05.
Application period for summer semester: 01.09. – 30.11.

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 333 KB)