Technische Universität München
München, GERMANY

University Info   |   Exchange Student Info

Departments of Engineering

Civil, Geo & Environmental Engineering
Electrical & Computer Engineering
Mechanical Engineering   

Fast Facts

• 17 Nobel prizes have been awarded to TUM professors and alumni since 1927, e.g. to Rudolf Mößbauer (Physics) and Ernst Otto Fischer (Chemistry)
• More than 800 start-ups have come from TUM (as of 2016). The university offers advice and entrepreneurial support.
• TUM is responsible for encouraging dialogue in society. Our aim is to equip our students with the capacity to accompany social change with a sense of responsibility. Our broad portfolio including the TUM School of Education, the TUM School of Management and the Munich Center for Technology in Society (MCTS), coupled with our role as supporting university of the Bavarian School of Public Policy, give us a unique framework for holistic evaluation and steering processes. We actively seek out dialogue with the general public. Society should know what we are working on in science and technology for our future, and how we are preparing young people for tomorrow’s challenges. Dialogue with society helps us align our research and teaching priorities.
• TUM has established interdisciplinary research areas in: Health & Nutrition • Energy & Natural Resources • Environment & Climate • Information & Communications • Mobility & Infrastructure.
• Modernization of research areas, the alignment of teaching programs with future-ready competency profiles and an entrepreneurial management structure: The Technical University of Munich has embarked on an extensive structural reform. With the restructuring of the TUM School of Life Sciences, TUM has established the first of seven schools with innovation-friendly governance structures.
• TUM feels at home all over the world. With offices and research centers in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe it is represented in the most important higher education and research markets worldwide. Its representatives initiate cooperative research projects, provide interested students, graduates and researchers with information and help attract the best talents to TUM. In 2002, TUM was the first German university to open its own campus abroad: TUM Asia in Singapore.

Introduction

TUM has been combining scientific expertise with entrepreneurial thinking for more than 150 years. Achievement of top results in all its core fields of education and research: engineering and economics, natural and life sciences, medicine and sports resulted in TUM being ranked the No. 1 university in Germany and among the top 100 universities worldwide according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the Academic Ranking of World Universities.

Our graduates are active around the globe and TUM professors are making important contributions to world research. With more than 600 professors and over 9,000 additional staff, we offer academic and research opportunities to almost 48,000 students. More than 15 percent of our staff and around 20 percent of our students come from abroad, creating a university culture which is cosmopolitan and hospitable. In Europe and worldwide, TUM maintains over 400 university partnerships and collaborates with many international research institutions.

At TUM, you have a unique chance to experience the energized spirit of an entrepreneurial university in the very heart of Europe.

Terms of Exchange

Study Level

• Undergraduate students:  Accepted
• Graduate students:  Accepted
• Computer Science majors:  NOT Accepted

Eligibility Requirements

Students must be in their third year of study or beyond during the exchange period.

Language of Instruction

German and English

There are a limited number of English courses at the undergraduate level. Most English courses are at the graduate level, which are available to very advanced Bachelor's students with the necessary prerequisites. Please note that very few courses are offered in English at the TUM Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Undergraduate students who are interested in applying to TUM through Global E3 should contact the international coordinator at TUM during the Global E3 application process to discuss their study plans.

Language Proficiency Requirements

For courses in either German or English, we recommend a minimum language ability of B2 according to The Common European Framework in the respective language of instruction.

Study Period

Fall (Winter semester), Spring (Summer semester), or Academic Year

Academic Calendar   |   Semester Dates (including exam period)

Winter:
Lecture Period: mid-October to mid-February,
Exam Period: typically mid-February to mid-March

Summer:
Lecture period: mid-April to mid-July
Exam Period: typically mid-July to mid-August

Academic Information

Available Disciplines

• Bioprocess Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
• Engineering Science
• Environmental Engineering
• Games Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering (with the following specializations)
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Automotive and Combustion Engine Technology
  • Energy and Process Engineering
  • Mechatronics and Information Technology
  • Medical Technology and Engineering
  • Nuclear Technology

Course Content

Course descriptions - can be viewed without registering for an account

More detailed course syllabi may be accessed through a research institute's website or gathered with the help of departmental international coordinators. 

For courses taught in English, please also visit our website.

Information on courses in English can also be found on the departmental international websites.

Enrollment Requirements

Students are generally asked to take at least 50% of their courses at their host department.

Workload per Semester

While 30 ECTS is the normal fulltime study load for regular TUM students, we recommend a study load of 15 to 20 ECTS for exchange students.

Additional Application Materials

Students nominated by IIE to TUM should submit the following documents (single copy). Extensive information on the application procedure, including contact details, can be found online.

• Online application: Exchange students need to register online. After logging onto the registration platform, find the different sections of the application listed in the menu on the left. All sections should be completed. The fields marked with red stars are mandatory and have to be completed. By dragging your cursor over the yellow "i," you will find information on how to complete the particular field. You have the option to complete and save your application in multiple sessions. When a section is completely filled out, please tick the box next to "mark page as completed." A green check mark will appear next to the completed section in the menu on the left. You can submit your application once all the sections on the menu are marked with green check marks. No more changes will be possible after submitting the application! Important point: application for admission to the TUM is an integral part of the online application procedure. Late submissions cannot be considered.
• Letter of motivation in English or German (about 1 page giving the reasons for choosing TUM for your proposed period of study abroad).
• Document including the courses you are attending at the moment in your current semester (and so are still not listened in the transcript)
• 1 passport photo for your Student Card (not a scanned or copied photo!) - please stick on the online form
• Curriculum vitae (CV) in English or German. Transcript of records (detailing your academic performance to date, written / translated in German, or English and stamped and signed by the international program coordinator of your home university)
• copy of your ID-card / passport (if available)
• Learning Agreement: Please get in touch with your home university's program coordinator and the person responsible at TUM's International Center and the international coordinators responsible for your subject area in order to discuss your proposed course of study. Be sure to remember to ask your home university's international program coordinator to sign and stamp this document!
• Language Certificate not older than two years and depending on the language of instruction of the courses listed in your Learning Agreement; standardized tests as well as certificates issued by your home institution as well as language schools will be accepted. 

Application Deadlines

Please note that the International Center must have all hardcopy application documents present by the following dates:

For the Summer term:        October 31st
For the Winter term:           May 15th

Please note that mere online applications as well as late applications cannot be considered.

Recommendation letter from a professor or academic staff:

• NOT Required

TUM International Center will send students a letter of admission by e-mail in July for applications for the winter semester and in December for applications for the summer semester.

Housing

TUM’s International Center provides support to exchange students in finding accommodation.

In Munich, the majority of students live in private apartments. Only approximately 13% live in halls of residence. Unlike in other countries, German dormitories are not owned or operated by the university, but by external institutions. The “Studentenwerk” (Student Services) operates numerous large halls of residence in Munich. Unfortunately, we are not in a position to guarantee GE3 students accommodation in “Studentwerk” Halls of Residence or apartments.

Estimated Cost of Living

Cost of Living

Housing

Dorms: ca. € 280 – 400 per month
Private market: ca. € 250 (room in a shared apartment) – 600 per month

Academic expenses (e.g., books, stationery) – € 25-35 per month

Personal expenses – € 50-100 per month

Insurance

EU citizens and citizens from countries with a social insurance treaty: free of charge
All others: around € 76-78

Other administrative fees 

Student Services Fee: € 75 plus € 69,40 solidarity fee for semester ticket (compulsory for all TUM students)

Contact

Office Responsible for International Exchange Students

TUM Global and Alumni Office

Ms. Lucia Celinkovic - Welcome Office at the TUM Global & Alumni Office
Email  celincovic@zv.tum.de

City Info 

One of TUM’s advantages lies in its location. With a population of 1.4 million, Munich is often said to have a small town feel but all the advantages of a bustling metropolis. The city is clean and safe and this combined with a highly efficient public transport system makes living in Munich a pleasure. So it is no surprise that Munich consistently ranks among the World’s top 10 most livable cities.

Whether you are into mountain sports, rock concerts, opera or art exhibitions, watching a match of Munich’s favorite sons - FC Bayern Munich - or simply relaxing in the serenity of one of its nearby lakes, in Munich everything is right on your doorstep.

Even if Munich’s own countless offerings leave you wanting more, its central European location with quick and easy rail, air and road connections mean that other cities and regions such as Prague, Salzburg and Venice are only short trips away.

Last but by no means least, Munich is renowned for its world-leading companies in various fields including automotive and high-tech. The headquarters and R&D departments of companies such as BMW, Siemens, MTU and EADS are located here. As such, TUM students are well positioned to gain internships, research projects and permanent positions with these world leading companies.