Mechanical Engineering M. Sc.

The mechanical and plant engineering industry works innovation based on future challenges every day. Regarding the digital revolution, highly qualified engineers must develop solutions in the fields of industry 4.0, efficient processes and sustainable production. 

The aim of the Master Degree Course Mechanical Engineering is to educate students in fundamentals of engineering science and – according to that – in core competences to prepare them for challenges and their career. This enables them to find tomorrow’s solutions.

In the master's program in mechanical engineering, students acquire fundamental engineering expertise and methodological knowledge. Through the possibility of setting industry-specific focal points, they acquire both competencies for solving complex problems in the respective engineering discipline and the ability to work on interdisciplinary challenges beyond subject boundaries.

For example, specializations in materials science are just as conceivable as in thermodynamics or fluid mechanics. Through the targeted combination of modules from different research areas, students also have the opportunity to develop highly individual cross-sectoral or interconnecting qualification profiles. For example, students can combine modules from the field of logistics with those from the field of energy, or modules from the field of aerospace with those from the field of medical technology.

With the knowledge and skills acquired, graduates are able to solve application-oriented and scientific problems in mechanical engineering. Graduates have equally broad knowledge as well as knowledge in selected special fields.

After completing the master's program in mechanical engineering, you will have opportunities in many different areas. These include mechanical engineering, plant engineering, and vehicle construction, as well as the aerospace industry, supplier companies, and engineering firms.

In addition, attractive career opportunities are available in the following areas: at universities and research institutions, at government agencies, and in the service sector.

Have you developed a business idea during your studies and want to start a company? We can support you in this as well!

Study Structure

The Master Degree Courseallows you to create your own individual study course plan. The Program is structured as follows:

• Master Modules, divided into main subject areas fundamentals of engineering sciences, core subjects of mechanical engineering, related areas and engineering science flexibilization
• Practical courses
• Supplementary Subjects
• Research Internship (term project, team project, practical research course)
• Key Competences (language courses, soft skills workshops, …)
• Master’s Thesis

Contents

The program includes modules on

• Engineering fundamentals (e.g. manufacturing technologies, automation engineering, gas dynamics, nonlinear continuum mechanics, finite elements, motion engineering)
• core subjects of mechanical engineering (e.g. electrical machines, robot dynamics, networked control systems, planning of technical logistics systems, interfaces and particle technology) and on
• related subjects (e.g. real-time systems, fundamentals of energy management, management science, project organization and management in software engineering, fundamentals of biophysics).

In Detail:

• module list

You apply with your entrance qualification for master's degree program.

If your degree certificate is not yet available at the time of application, you may only apply if you can prove that you have earned at least:

• 140 credits from a bachelor’s program with a standard duration of 6 semesters,
• 170 credits from a bachelor’s program with a standard duration of 7 semesters,
• 200 credits from a bachelor’s program with a standard duration of 8 semesters.

Proof of the required credits must be provided via a transcript of records confirmed by your student office/examination office (stamped and signed). Please submit your bachelor’s degree certificate immediately upon receipt, but no later than one year after starting the master’s program, to the Admissions and Enrollment Department of the TUM Center for Study and Teaching.

If you did not obtain your master’s entry qualification (e.g., bachelor’s degree) in Germany, you must have your application documents pre-checked by the University Application Service for International Students (uni-assist e.V.). You will then receive a preliminary review documentation (VPD)

Language Certificate

The language of instruction in this program is German and/or English. Please check which proof of German/English language proficiency is required.

GRE or GATE

Applicants who have completed their undergraduate studies in Bangladesh, China, India, Iran, and Pakistan will need a GRE (General) with minimum scores in the areas listed below to complete their application materials. The minimum scores required are:

• Verbal Reasoning: no minimum score.
• Quantitative Reasoning: 164
• Analytical Writing: 4.0
• Institution code: 7806, Department code: 5199 ("all other departments")

Alternatively, a GATE test may be submitted. The lower limit here is the "minimum qualifying score of the respective year".

Module Handbook

Universities often provide a so-called module handbook, which describes all modules in the program. The term “curriculum” is also commonly used. Each description must include the module contents and the competencies taught. This is essential for the subject-specific qualification review as part of the aptitude assessment. A study plan alone is not sufficient!

If your university does not provide a module handbook, please obtain written confirmation of this. In that case, you are required to compile the course contents of the relevant subjects yourself.

Grade and credit history (Formular zur Leistungsübersicht)

The link to “Master-EV” for creating the form will be provided during the online application.

Fill out the form to the best of your knowledge. Compare, if necessary, the module descriptions of the compulsory subjects in the TUM bachelor’s program in Mechanical Engineering with the descriptions of your own subjects. Please note that the information must be provided in German or English.

! Please note changes to the admission process for the Master’s program in Mechanical Engineering, effective for all applications submitted on or after April 01, 2026 (Readable version, FPSO, March 3, 2026, Apendix 2).

Questions regarding allocation will not be answered.

We trust you, as a master’s applicant, to know best which of your completed courses belong to which subject group. When deciding whether a module you completed can be “credited,” the name of the module at your university does not matter, but rather the equivalence of the acquired competencies compared to those taught in the corresponding TUM module. The content, scope, and depth of the material covered will also be considered.

Please provide:

• Exact title of the course (corresponds to the module title)
• Grade (use the given formula or the TUM calculator “Bavarian Formula” if necessary)
• ECTS credits (state the ECTS credits awarded by your university upon successful completion of the module or convert your credits/points into the European ECTS system)
• weekly hours per semester (at TUM one SWS (Semesterwochenstunde); at TUM, 1 SWS equals one 45-minute class per week; a lecture with 2 SWS corresponds to a weekly 90-minute class during the semester; convert your teaching hours accordingly)

After submitting the entered modules, you will receive a PDF file via Master-EV, which you must upload in the applicant portal.

Internship Proof

Proof of at least an 8-week industrial internship or completed relevant vocational training can optionally be submitted with the application. How this activity is considered in the aptitude assessment can be found in Annex 2 of the subject examination and study regulations.

In detail

• Entrance qualification for master's degree program
• uni-assist e.V.
• Proof of German/English language proficiency
• Bavarian Formula
• MOdule list or the Bachelor's Degree Program in Mechanical Engineering: Curriculum - TUMonline - Technische Universität München

• Degree Certificate and Diploma or Subject and Grade Transcript of Studies to Date
• Transcript of Records
• Proof of German or English Language Proficiency
• Curriculum (e.g. module description)
• Complete and Current Résumé
• Passport
• if applicable: Proof of Internships or Professional Experience (optional)
• Preliminary Documentation (VPD) if the qualification for graduate studies (e.g. a Bachelor’s) was obtained 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. 

Please consider the specific requirements for documents for application and enrollment at TUM.

• Application for Enrollment (signed)
• Degree Certificate and Diploma (authentic document)
• Transcript of Records (authentic document)
• 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 consider the specific requirements for documents for application and enrollment at TUM.

Program-specific information

Introductory event
The introductory event for first-semester students of your Master's degree programme usually takes place in the last week before the start of lectures. The date and place will be communicated to all first-semester students in good time by e-mail. A first impression is provided in advance by the short presentation from the last introductory event.

Where can I find help and contact persons for my degree programme?
Legally binding regulations for your degree program can be found in the statutes and regulations of TUM. Answers to frequently asked questions can be found in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). You are also welcome to contact your responsible contact persons (academic advisor, examination board, internship office, etc.) at any time by e-mail and/or make an appointment in person or by telephone. Please also note the general office hours without appointment.

TUMonline
TUMonline is TUM's campus management system. For example, TUMonline is used to apply and administer your degree program (registration for courses, exams, etc.). You will find further links in the FAQs.

Timetable
There are no predefined timetables for your Master's degree programme. Based on the module lists or in your study tree in TUMonline and the registration rules, which you can find in the FPSO of your degree program, you can put together your personal individual timetable. As a guide to how many modules should be completed in a semester, the generally valid curriculum for your Master's degree programme, which you can find in the programme documentation, serves as a guide. Assistance in creating your personal timetable in TUMonline is provided by the IT Service of TUM.

Scripts and lecture notes
Some lecturers offer scripts or other lecture notes for their courses, which are professionally printed by the student council's print shop and sold to enrolled students. Information about the offer and the opening hours of the script sale can be found here. Lecture notes are often also made available on the Moodle learning platform. You will receive more information from the lecturers directly in the course.

Recognition of achievements from a previous degree programme
Information on a possible recognition of credits from another degree programme can be found in the FAQs in the "Recognition of achievements" section.

Important from the very beginning: The study progress control!
At the beginning of your studies, please familiarize yourself with the study progress control, which is regulated in §10, paras. 2 and 4 of the APSO of the TUM:

"[…] (2) In Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes, a number of module examinations based on the foundations of the respective degree programme must be completed by the end of the second semester, to be determined in the FPSO.
(4) In four-semester Master's degree programmes, the modules defined in the respective FPSO
1. at least 30 credits by the end of the third semester,
2. at least 60 credits by the end of the fourth semester,
3. at least 90 credits by the end of the fifth semester,
4. at least 120 credits by the end of the sixth semester. […]"

If you do not comply with these requirements, the achievements that have not yet been completed are considered  to have been definitively failed, which will lead to disenrollment. Related university degree programmes, in particular Master's degree programmes in a comparable subject area, can no longer be studied after disenrollment due to definitive failure of achievements, at least in Germany. Worried you won't reach the necessary credits? Please contact your contact persons from the Academic Advisory Service or the Examination Board in good time! We are happy to support you!

Specialist literature
Specialist books, journals and materials can be obtained directly from the Mechanical Engineering Branch Library or via interlibrary loan.

General information

Fit for TUM service fair
From organizing studies to housing and university life: Learn everything you need to know about general university facilities and offers at the digital service fair "Fit for TUM". This is how you arrive safely at TUM.

Housing
TUM supports you in your search for accommodation with various offers.

Financing
TUM advises you on various options for financing your studies.

Mobility
In order to reach the various TUM locations in the vicinity of Munich, we recommend using the public transport of the MVV and MVG. You can subscribe to a discounted Deutschlandticket for students.

Here you can find the general dates and deadlines at TUM.

Binding examination dates for your degree program can be found in TUMonline.

The exam registration for your degree program usually takes place during the following periods:

• May 15 – June 30 for exams following the summer semester
• November 15 – January 15 for exams following the winter semester

Here you will find all relevant documents relating to your degree programme:

• General Academic and Examination Regulations
• Program-Specific Academic and Examination Regulations
• Aptitude Assessment: See Attachment 2 of FPSO
• Degree Program Documentation: Select degree program → Information on Degree Program → Program Profile
• Module Catalog
• Timetable: Your degree program does not have a fixed timetable. You choose your modules according to your own preferences from the current offer in TUMonline.
• Guidelines for Safeguarding Good Scientific Practice and for Dealing with Scientific Misconduct (only available in German)

Here you will find all relevant forms for your degree program:

Recognitions

(Recognition of Achievements from Previous Studies / Semester Abroad)
Application for Recognition of Study and Examination Achievements
Letter of justification for the inclusion of a module in the Engineering Flexibilisation pillar 

Transfer of Study and Examination Achievements by Parallel Studies within TUM

Application for Transfer of Study and Examination Achievements by Parallel Studies (Antrag auf Leistungsnachtrag)

Modules

Current note: The application procedure for the integration of modules from other degree programs is currently being modified. In the meantime, please do not submit any applications based on the old form. You will receive all the necessary information and forms in good time before the next integration date (deadline 31.07.2026).

Internships

Internship proof

Examinations

Application for withdrawal from the examination

Written work

Minimum requirements for academic theses (formatting, cover page and declaration of independence)

Certificate documents

Activity list and routing slip (for recording special activities during the studies for documentation in the Diploma Supplement)

Exam Registration

All relevant times around exam registration can be found under Dates and Deadlines. 

Exam Deregistration 

Deregistration from an exam can usually be carried out independently in TUMonline up to 7 days before the respective exam date.

Withdrawal from exams

• Only reasons beyond the student's control will be accepted. The reasons for missing an exam must be substantiated by appropriate documentation. In the event of illness, a medical certificate must be submitted.
• The withdrawal request must be submitted immediately via email at bpa.me@ed.tum.de (Bachelor's Examination Board MW) or mpa.me@ed.tum.de (Master's Examination Board MW).
• Important: A withdrawal from an exam for approved reasons is equivalent to a deregistration from the exam. According to the Bavarian Higher Education Innovation Act, only failed exams may be retaken during a leave-of-absence semester. If you have been granted an approved exam withdrawal for a particular exam, this exam is not considered a repeat exam in the following semester and therefore cannot be taken as a repeat exam during a leave of absence semester.

Medical Certificate

• The medical certificate must be issued by a qualified physician and be based on an examination conducted on the day of the exam. A simple certificate of incapacity for work is not sufficient. The certificate must state the beginning and end of the exam-related incapacity due to illness.
• The certificate serves as the basis for the examination board’s decision on whether an incapacity to take the exam existed. Therefore, the certificate must clearly detail the impact of the illness on the student's ability to perform on the day of the exam. A mere confirmation that the student was unable to take the exam is not sufficient.
• A diagnosis does not need to be included, but the relevant physical and psychological effects caused by the illness must be clearly described so that it is evident why participation in the exam was not possible, for example, required bed rest or inability to travel to the exam location.
• Additionally, the certificate should always include a health prognosis stating that the condition is acute and not chronic or long-term.
• If inpatient hospital treatment is required on the day of the exam, an appropriate hospital certificate must be provided. 

Interruption of an Exam / Retroactive Withdrawal

• If an exam must be interrupted due to sudden illness during the exam, this must be reported to the supervisory staff, and a withdrawal request, along with a medical certificate issued on the day of the exam, must be submitted immediately to the Bachelor’s/Master’s Examination Board of Mechanical Engineering.
• If the exam is completed regularly, a withdrawal cannot be approved afterward.
• If a student takes an exam despite being aware of health issues or other performance-impairing circumstances, they cannot claim these impairments retroactively. See also the Academic Progress Check regulations.

When does it make sense to withdraw from an exam?
At TUM, there is usually no limit on the number of exam attempts or the repetition of individual exams - as long as you are within the permissible study progress (credit limits) according to § 10 of the General Academic and Examination Regulations. However, when is it necessary or sensible to withdraw from an examination?

1. Basic examinations HM1 and TM1 in the Bachelor's degree program in Mechanical Engineering: Participation in the two basic examinations, Higher Mathematics 1 and Technical Mechanics 1,hanics 1 is mandatory. They only have one retry at a time. The exams must be passed by the end of the second semester at the latest! An exam that has been registered but not taken will be considered a failed attempt. Accordingly, if you are unable to attend an examination date at short notice (e.g., due to illness or other valid reasons), you must immediately withdraw from the examination (with the submission of appropriate proof). This is how you prevent a failed attempt due to "no-show".
2. Problems with the study progress check in the Bachelor's or Master's degree: If you only just reach the credit hurdle of the study progress review, you should immediately apply for a withdrawal from the exam in question in the event of illness or other valid reasons in order to meet the immediacy of the valid reasons according to §10 General Academic and Examination Regulations. Valid reasons can only be given if the report is made immediately.

Please note that even in the case of recognized exam withdrawals, this does not automatically trigger an extension of the deadline. You must apply for this separately. The examination board decides on the granting of an extension of the deadline and § 10 General Academic and Examination Regulations applies.

Examination Notices

You will be informed by the Graduation Office and Academic Records Garching by e-mail that you can retrieve the official examination notice via TUMonline. Three days after dispatch, the notice is deemed to have been delivered! The objection period of one month runs from the date of service. An objection must always be filed in writing with the TUM Center for Study and Teaching - Studium und Lehre - Recht. If you have any questions about the decision, please contact the examination board responsible for you first. 

Exam results

You can find out your exam results in the following ways:

• Account statement from TUMonline: All results are listed here (for your own check).
• Transcript of Records from TUMonline: Only the passed exams are listed here.

Audit review

If students are unable to attend the examination for reasons beyond their control, they can apply for an alternative date. To do this, an informal application must be submitted immediately to the responsible examination board. The application must be accompanied by copies of the reason for the impediment (e.g. stay abroad, internship, illness, etc.). After receipt of the documents by the Examination Board, they will be reviewed and, if the subsequent inspection is approved, forwarded to the responsible examiner. For the purpose of scheduling an appointment with the responsible examiner, please give the Examination Board your consent to forward your personal data (e-mail address). Please note: Private reasons (e.g. holiday trips) cannot be taken into account. Inspection by an authorized representative is not possible (except in the case of pending opposition proceedings or legal disputes). review.

Repeat examinations

Repeat examinations are failed examinations for which you were registered and did not pass (grade 5.0) or were registered and did not appear (X n.e.). Withdrawing from an examination for recognized reasons is equivalent to deregistering from an examination. You will not be automatically registered for repeat examinations. All students must register for all exams independently in TUMonline via the study tree.

As a rule, examinations can be repeated as often as desired until passing, provided that the required academic progress to APSO § 10 is maintained.

Exceptions are:

• For Bachelor's students: According to § 38 para. 2 FPSO, the basic examinations HM 1 and TM 1 must be passed by the end of the 2nd semester and may only be repeated once within this period. The final thesis may only be repeated once within the required study progress.
• Bachelor’s thesis and Master’s thesis: The final thesis may only be repeated once within the required academic progress.

Compensation for disadvantages

APSO § 19 defines:

"If a student credibly demonstrates that he or she is unable to take the examination in whole or in part in the intended form due to a long-term or permanent physical disability or chronic illness, this can be compensated for by a corresponding extension of the working hours or a different design of the examination procedure."

The application for compensation for disadvantages must be submitted immediately at the beginning of the lecture period, but no later than 15 November in the winter semester and 15 May in the summer semester. The application for disadvantage compensation must be submitted to the responsible examination board. The application for compensation for disadvantages must be accompanied by a medical certificate. After receipt of your application for compensation for disadvantages, the examination board will examine with appropriate proof whether and, if so, in what form the compensation for disadvantages can be granted. You will receive a notification from the examination board. 

Further information about disadvantage compensation (including the application form) can be found on the central TUM page on the topic.

Compensation for disadvantages will not be granted in the case of acute, temporary illnesses or injuries. If necessary, please apply for a withdrawal from the examination due to severe restrictions. 

If you have any further questions, please also check our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). 

Recognition 

Recognition of academic achievements is only possible if there are no “substantial differences in the acquired competencies (learning outcomes)” (see BayHIG Art. 86; Lisbon Recognition Convention, Art. VI.1). If you have completed courses and examinations at a recognized university in Germany or abroad, for example during previous studies or a study abroad period, and these are relevant to your current degree program, you may submit an application to check whether recognition is possible.

Recognition of examination achievements is only possible if the maximum number of credits to be earned within the respective elective areas, as defined in Annex 1 of the relevant FPSO, has not yet been reached.

There are three options for having examination achievements recognized:

1. Recognition in cases of equivalent content

The assessment of content equivalence for a module within your curriculum structure is carried out by the module coordinator on the basis of the module description submitted by the student.

It is the student’s responsibility to assess in advance, based on the module handbook, whether the module to be recognized could be equivalent in content to the TUM module for which recognition is being requested.

2. Recognition as an “Individual Master’s Module”

The assessment of academic relevance, without the achievement of an equivalent module, is carried out by the Academic Program Director on the basis of the module description and a written justification submitted (Begründungsschreiben) by the student.

For an Individual Master’s Module, 5 ECTS are awarded, even if a higher number of ECTS was completed at the external higher education institution.

3. Recognition as “Recognized Supplementary Subject from a Study Abroad Semester” or “Recognized External Supplementary Subject”

You may submit an application for blanket recognition of a maximum of two supplementary subjects (three under the former study regulations). For blanket recognition of supplementary subjects, the course must have a clear engineering relevance to your degree program, and each achievement completed abroad or at a non-TUM institution must correspond to at least 3 ECTS.

For supplementary subjects completed abroad or at a non-TUM institution, 3 ECTS will be credited, even if more than 3 ECTS were awarded abroad or externally. In addition, it must be demonstrated that the achievement completed abroad or at a non-TUM institution corresponds to the level of a Master’s degree program.

The Examination Board for Mechanical Engineering cannot provide an assessment of the academic relevance or content equivalence of modules in advance. The evaluation is carried out only after a formal application for recognition has been submitted to the Examination Board.

Application Procedure

Please submit the fully completed and signed form “Application for Recognition of Examination Achievements” together with all relevant supporting documents to the Examination Board for Mechanical Engineering at: mpa.me@ed.tum.de

Please ensure that you carefully observe the information provided on the application form as well as the applicable deadlines.

Recognition of Achievements from Previous Studies

Master-level achievements completed in a previous degree program can be submitted for recognition.

This also applies to voluntary additional achievements completed during a preceding Bachelor’s degree program, provided that the respective grade and ECTS were not included in the calculation of the Bachelor’s final grade and that the module is part of your current Master’s degree program.

Pursuant to APSO § 16 paragraph 4, sentence 3, an application for recognition of examination achievements from previous studies may be submitted only once within the first year of study to the responsible Examination Board. The “first year” refers to the first academic year of your current degree program for which recognition is requested. Compliance with the deadline is determined by the date on which the application is submitted.

Applications for recognition cannot be submitted prior to enrollment in the Master’s degree program. A preliminary assessment in advance is likewise not possible.

In the case of voluntary additional achievements completed within a TUM Bachelor’s degree program, the application for recognition may only be submitted after the Bachelor’s certificate has been issued.

Recognition of Achievements from a Study Abroad Semester

Master-level achievements completed during a study abroad period can be submitted for recognition 

Pursuant to APSO § 16 paragraph 4, sentence 4, the application for recognition of credits earned during a semester of leave of absence may only be submitted in the semester, which is following the semester of leave of absence for one time.

If you are on leave of absence during your semester abroad, your application for recognition will only be processed after the end of the leave of absence period.

Please Observe the Following Regulations

• Upgrading to a higher subject semester is carried out in accordance with § 4 (5) sentence 1 of the Enrollment Statutes (Immatrikulationssatzung) in the currently valid version. One semester is credited for every 30 ECTS acquired. If at least 22 additional ECTS beyond a multiple of 30 have been earned, one further full semester will be credited.
• The turnaround time for an application for recognition may take several weeks. During this period, we kindly ask you to refrain from inquiries regarding the status of your application. Once processing has been completed and your recognitions have been entered, they will be visible in your TUMonline academic record.
• Approved credits are marked with an *) in the grade report. You can find your approved credits in the corresponding position in your study tree.
• Recognition is only possible for achievements that are part of your curriculum. Recognition as an additional subject (Zusatzfach) is not possible.

• Recognition of a TUM module that is not part of the degree program is not possible. Recognition is only feasible if an equivalent module is included in the respective degree program. However, you may apply for the inclusion of the module in the degree program by contacting the module administration at module.studium@ed.tum.de with the subject line “Module Inclusion ME.” The form “Application for Inclusion of Internal TUM Modules” can be found under Forms. Please also refer to the FAQs under “Modules from other Degree Programs.”

   

Transfer of Study and Examination Achievements by Parallel Studies within TUM

As soon as you are enrolled simultaneously in more than one Master’s degree program, achievements that you wish to “transfer” are treated as a credit transfer (Leistungsnachtrag), not as recognition.

• A credit transfer is only possible for achievements completed during the period of parallel enrollment.
• A credit transfer will only be carried out if the respective module is identical in both degree programs, meaning it has the same module number.
• If you commence the second degree program after beginning the first and wish to use achievements from the first program in the second, this constitutes recognition of achievements from previous studies.
• Credit transfers do not result in an upgrade to a higher subject semester.

For submission, please use the form “Application for Transfer of Study and Examination Achievements by Parallel Studies within TUM (Antrag auf Leistungsnachtrag)". Kindly send the fully completed and signed form to the Examination Board for Mechanical Engineering at: mpa.me@ed.tum.de

Please monitor your academic progress on a regular basis. In the case of double degree studies, only those achievements that have been submitted in due time via the “Application for Credit Transfer of Achievements Completed at TUM (Doppelstudium)” and have been officially recorded will be considered for the Study Progress Check. Responsibility for timely submission lies with you. Applications submitted late or not submitted at all may result in the required ECTS not being achieved by the relevant deadline. 

If you have any further questions, please check our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). 

Academic Progress Check

The academic progress check serves to verify whether the degree program is being completed within the prescribed time frame. For exam deadlines and credit requirements, please scroll to the bottom.

Extending or Suspending Deadlines for Requirements

Extending or suspending deadlines for requirements can only be granted for valid reasons in accordance with § 10 of the General Academic and Examination Regulations. Valid reasons are those beyond your own responsibility.

1. Extending or Suspending Deadlines for Requirements Due to Illness

• Extending or suspending deadlines for requirements can only be granted in cases of long-lasting, ongoing illness that prevents proper academic progress and that does not constitute a permanent chronic condition.
• The illness must be reported immediately to the responsible examination board and supported by meaningful medical certificates.
• A retrospective claim of illness after the examinations is not possible if no immediate notification has taken place.
• Anyone who takes exams despite being aware of their illness (including psychological problems) knowingly takes a risk and cannot subsequently claim illness as a reason for failing to meet the credit requirement.

2. Extending or Suspending Deadlines for Requirements Due to Other Reasons

• Extending or suspending deadlines for requirements may be granted in exceptional circumstances that were objectively not self-inflicted.
• Maternity protection or parental leave may also justify extending or suspending deadlines for requirements.
• Even in the case of extending or suspending deadlines for requirements for other reasons, immediate notification to the responsible examination board is required.

3. Reasons That are not Considered Valid

• Working to finance your studies, voluntary activities (including student clubs), caring for sick relatives, searching for accommodation, etc. (according to German examination law) are not considered valid reasons.

Definition of Immediate Notification

In legal terms, "immediately" means "without culpable delay," i.e. as soon as the obstacle occurs or is foreseeable.

Decision on Extending or Suspending Deadlines for Requirements 

• Extending or suspending deadlines for requirements are always decided by the examination board in accordance with § 10 General Academic and Examination Regulations.
• The decision is made in the examination board meeting after the end of the semester.

Please Note

According to the regulations of the General Academic and Examination Regulations, the existence of valid reasons does not automatically entitle you to an extension of deadlines. The examination board also considers your entire academic progress in its decision.

Application Process

• An application for extending or suspending deadlines for requirements must be submitted as a single compiled PDF via e-mail to the responsible examination board.
• Relevant supporting documents must be attached to the application, such as a qualified medical certificate or other evidence that credibly demonstrates the valid reason.
• Strongly recommended: Attend the personal office hours of the secretary to the examination board for clarification of your individual situation before submitting the application.

Medical Certificate

• A medical certificate for applying for extending or suspending deadlines for requirements due to long-term illness must describe how the specific impairment affected your studies, i.e. to what extent the illness prevented your participation in or progress in your studies.
• It must state when the initial examination/treatment by the relevant doctor took place and exactly when you were ill.
• If the illness is still ongoing, a health prognosis by the attending physician is also important. 

When and How Academic Progress Check Takes Place

• Examination results achieved by the end of the first week of lectures, including the credits awarded for them, are assigned to the previous semester in accordance with § 14 General Academic and Examination Regulations. The relevant date is the date of the examination, not the date of the assessment. Academic Progress Check only takes place after grades have been finalized.
• It is checked that all module examinations are valid at the time of grade finalization and that the corresponding credits have been recorded in TUMonline.

Please note

• Pay attention to the examination date. To which semester will your achievement be assigned?
• Recognition requests (including for the engineering internship in the Bachelor's Degree Programm) must be submitted no later than the end of the first week of lectures if the credits are still needed to meet the credit requirement.
• Term papers/theses, including the presentation, must be submitted or held by the end of the first week of lectures at the latest.

Examination Deadlines and Credit Requirements

The applicable General Academic and Examination Regulations, especially § 10 APSO and § 38 of the Program-Specific Academic and Examination Regulations, are decisive.

Bachelor's Degree Program:

• By the end of the 2nd semester, the basic examinations Higher Mathematics 1 and Technical Mechanics 1 must have been successfully passed.
• By the end of the 3rd semester, at least 30 ECTS must be achieved.
• By the end of the 4th semester, at least 60 ECTS must be achieved.
• By the end of the 5th semester, at least 90 ECTS must be achieved.
• By the end of the 6th semester, a total of 120 ECTS must be achieved.
• By the end of the 7th semester, a total of 150 ECTS must be achieved.
• By the end of the 8th semester, a total of 180 ECTS must be achieved.

Master's Degree Program:

• By the end of the 2nd semester, at least one passed Master's module must be proven. This module may not be from the engineering flexibility pillar (Flexi pillar (§ 38 of the Program-Specific Academic and Examination Regulations).
• By the end of the 3rd semester, at least 30 ECTS must be achieved.
• By the end of the 4th semester, at least 60 ECTS must be achieved.
• By the end of the 5th semester, at least 90 ECTS must be achieved.
• By the end of the 6th semester, a total of 120 ECTS must be achieved.

There is no mandatory internship in your degree program (unless it was assigned as a requirement). Voluntary internships can be completed. Under certain circumstances, a leave of absence may then make sense. 

Statement for a Leave of Absence Semester

If you wish to take a leave of absence for an internship, you will need a so‑called “Statement from the School.” You can obtain it as follows:

• If it is a voluntary internship, please also contact the Internship Office and obtain confirmation that the School approves the internship due to its subject-related relevance to your studies. To verify this relevance, please forward information about the company and your expected tasks to the Internship Office.
• If it is a voluntary internship abroad, please contact the international advising office of your degree program (see contact details: International Exchange).

You can also find further information on the leave-of-absence semester in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

There is the possibility of a stay abroad at a European or non-European partner university. Double degree programmes have been agreed with selected universities. You can find more information about the various options for a stay abroad on the website of the TUM Global & Alumni Office.

At the TUM School of Engineering and Design, there is also a contact person for international affairs who will support you in planning and organization (contact see Student counseling > International Exchange).

What is research practice and where can I find topics?

The prerequisite for registering for research practice is enrollment in a master's program.

In the master's programs (enrollment in the 2019/2020 academic year or later), you can choose between

• a semester paper
• a team project, or
• a research internship.

For information on content, etc., please refer to the respective module descriptions. You can search for topics on the homepages of the chairs and in the database of the mechanical engineering student council, for example. When selecting a topic, please note who is authorized to propose topics in your degree program.

Who can be my supervisor?

The authorization to set topics is regulated in the examination and study regulations (FPSO §37a) of the respective degree program. Below you will find the current authorization to set topics (as of October 2021).

In all Master's degree programs in the field of Mechanical Engineering Thesis:

• expert examiners that offer master modules in the respective degree program (except for master modules included in the section "Flexibilation in Engineering Sciences"),
• expert examiners of the Departments
  • Aersopace and Geodesy,
  • Engineering Physics and Computaion,
  • Mobility Systems Engineering,
  • Mechanical Engineering,
  • Materials Engineering,
  • Energy and Process Engineering,

of the TUM School of Engineering and Design as well as

• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Timo Oksanen (Professorship of Agrimechatronics),
• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Gaderer (Professorship of Regenerative Energy Systems),
• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jakob Burger (Professorship Chemical Process Engineering)
• Prof. Dr. Allister Loder (Professorship of Mobility Policy).

What is the workload of my research practice?

The workload of a scientific thesis is reflected in the credits. You can either complete a term project, a practical research course or a team project. All three options are assessed with 11 credits = 330 working hours each (equivalent to 2 months full-time work).

The period for writing this thesis is 6 months in each case.

Can I give back a research practice which has already been registered?

No.

It is only possible to return a topic for the final thesis.

Can I extend the processing time?

Yes. Upon request, an extension of up to one month is possible. The application is submitted via the ED portal.

In case of illness, the period for writing this thesis may be extended by the duration of inability. The application for this must be submitted via ED-Portal (a medical certificate must be provided). 

Please see Final Thesis for further information.

Can the research practice be written outside of TUM?

Yes, but the issue and initial supervision must be carried out by a TUM supervisor.

There is no entitlement to supervision of a thesis that is written externally. The topic is always set by an expert examiner from TUM. If you would like to work on an interesting topic in a company, please contact the relevant chair/department (= topic setter) at an early stage to inquire whether a thesis can be written externally. Please note the following summary of the examination regulations:
The topic is always set by an expert examiner in accordance with APSO §18 (4), sentences 1 and 3.

Those setting the topics may offer students the opportunity to complete the topic externally, e.g., in cooperation with a company.
Under no circumstances may students present a topic already specified by an external partner to the examiners and demand supervision from the university.
A student research project is an examination and is therefore subject to the regular examination procedure. Examiners must be able to view the student research project in its entirety and be in a position to evaluate it.
The written paper may not contain any declaration prohibiting the publication of the student research project or parts thereof. (Restrictive notes are not permitted. Faculty Council decision, valid from WS17/18).
Copyright/usage rights requirements (contact: Till von Feilitzsch): There is no obligation to publish student research projects. The copyright remains with the student.

Can I submit my research project during my semester off?

No. You are not permitted to submit any academic work (research project, thesis) during your semester off. This means that you must submit your academic work before the start of your semester off or you may only begin it after it has started. The requirements for submission are set out in §14 (1) sentence 4 of the APSO in its currently valid version, i.e. if you registered your research practice/thesis in the previous semester, you can still submit it until the end of the first week of lectures in the new semester (= leave of absence semester). See also “Leave of absence.” An exception is leave of absence due to pregnancy or parenthood (also for men).

How do I register my research practice?

All research practices (in the ED portal under the menu item Project Work) starting on or after April 15, 2025, must be registered via the ED portal.

The procedure is similar to that for registering theses. For detailed instructions, please refer to Final Thesis.

The general procedure is as follows:

1. The chair registers the project work in the ED portal.

2. The students confirm their registration in the ED portal.

3. The School Office approves the registration.

4. The students upload the project report.

5. The chair enters the grade in the portal.

6. The project work data is transferred to TUMonline.

How do I submit my research practice?

Submission is done directly via the ED portal. For detailed instructions, please refer to Final Thesis.

When will the next allocation round take place?

The current allocation round is for the practical courses in the first half of the Summer Semester 2025. The preference submission began on 03.03.25.
 

Who are practical courses relevant for?

For some degree programs at the School of Engineering and Design, practical courses are a mandatory part of the curriculum. If this applies to your program, you will find a dedicated entry for it in your study plan. This will also indicate how many ECTS credits you need to earn through practical courses as part of your studies.

In some programs, such as the M.Sc. in Civil Engineering, certain practical courses can be recognized as elective subjects but are not a compulsory component of the curriculum.

What are practical courses?

Practical courses are an introduction into methods and proceedings required in all fields of engineering. Students are taught typical problems of the day to day work of engineers and which tools and software they use to manage them. Complementing the focus of study, a further specialisation of the students skills in practical oriented or fundamental knowledge is provided in these courses.

Practical courses are usually held in small groups, enabling students to develop solutions to realistic challenges alone or in small teams. With close guidance and councelling by the courses lecturers, they can resolve emerging issues and debate further questions. This way, the approach of independent learning of the project seminar in the bachelor's degree is continued in the master's study.

How many credits do I get for participating in a practical course?

Most practical courses have a workload of 4 ECTS credits. This correlates to 60 hours of attendance in classes and 60 hours of self-study.

Which practical courses can I choose?

You choose your desired courses from a catalog of currently about 150 modules depending on your field of study. You can find a complete list of all modules in your study tree in TUMonline.

Please note, that not all courses take place every semester. If a course appears in your study tree, this does not mean that it is offered in the current term.

In which semester do I need to do the practical courses? 

You can pass your two practical courses in an arbitrary semester. There are no general requirements regarding the study progress or the semester of your participation. Furthermore, there are no requirements wether the courses are held over the semester or during the semester brake.

Can I do a practical course instead of my mandatory internship?

No, practical courses are modules that complement the individual focus of study in a master's degree. They cannot replace a manufacturing or engineering internship in the bachelor's degree.

How do I register for practical courses?

All places for practical courses are allocated in central registration procedures in TUMonline.

The easiest way to find them is via the "Courses" tab on your TUMonline home page. If you search for "Practical Courses" in the desired semester, a single course linked to all current registration procedures appears. Here, you can choose between three independent procedures. One for the practical courses accompanying the semester and one for the block courses in the first and second half of the semester, respectively. Because the registration periods usually differ between them, not all  procedures are necessarily open for new registrations at any time. If the button "Continue" is displayed, this means that the procedure is currently active and open for registrations. However, if the Button "Show Details" is visible, this procedure has no active registration period at the moment.

If you select a procedure with an open registration period, you find a list of all contained practical courses. Here, you can select the groups you would like to participate in and assign a priority to your registration. Then, your selection has to be confirmed at the bottom of the page.

How does the central allocation process work?

Generally, there are two registration periods per semester. During the first one, all places for the courses accompanying the semester and the block courses of the first half of the semester are distributed. In the second period, the places for the block courses in the second half of the semester are allocated. In both cases, the procedure is the same:

First, all students get the chance to register their priorities in a two-week time window. At the end of this period, the first fixed places are allocated regarding the criteria, listed in the paragraph below. Usually, most places get distributed at this this time.

However, for all students who did not receive a fixed place during this first allocation, the registration stays open from this point on. They can still change their preferences and remain on the waiting list for already filled groups. From there, everyday at 10 pm, new places are distributed between all participants. The registration process closes when the last course in it begins.

Students are informed about all upcoming registration procedures and deadlines via email in advance.

What factors determine wether I receive a fixed place or not?

Places in all registration procedures are allocated after the following criteria:

• Master's before bachelor's
• Completed semesters
• Chance

What are the deadlines of the current registration procedures?

The exact dates and deadlines for an upcoming registration phase are always announced by us via email a few weeks in advance.

The expected dates for the winter term are:

Courses accompanying the semester

Selection of preferences: Late August to September
Allocation of fixed places and free registration: September

Block courses (Beginning between 01.10. and 31.12.)

Selection of preferences: Late August to September
Allocation of fixed places and free registration: September

Block courses (Beginning between 01.01. and 31.03.)

Selection of preferences: Late November to December
Allocation of fixed places and free registration: December

The expected dates for the summer term are:

Courses accompanying the semester

Selection of preferences: Late February to March
Allocation of fixed places and free registration: March

Block courses (Beginning between 01.04. and 30.06.)

Selection of preferences: Late February to March
Allocation of fixed places and free registration: March

Block courses (Beginning between 01.07. and 31.09.)

Selection of preferences: Late May to June
Allocation of fixed places and free registration: June

Does the time of my registration influence the allocation?

No, the allocation process does not work on a "First Come First Serve" premise. Alone the demand and aforementioned criteria influence the likelihood of receiving a fixed place.

During the free registration phase, after the first allocation, the new registrations of each day are also processed with the same criteria.

How do I make sure that my preferences are registered correctly?

In the tab "My courses" on the "Courses" page in TUMonline you can find all preferences and fixed places associated with your account. Here, every course group you want to register to should be displayed at least with the status "requirements met". This means that your registration has passed the requirements check and is pending for a fixed place allocation.

Can I deregister from a single group inside a registration procedure?

No, unfortunately this function is not (yet) available in TUMonline. Students can deregister from whole registration procedures, but not from individual groups. If you want to deregister a single group in a procedure where you received multiple fixed places, please contact that courses supervisor or hochschulpraktika@ed.tum.de 

If you want to deregister from all of your fixed places in a procedure, you can use the button on the bottom of its group view.

Can I receive another fixed place in a registration procedure after I've already been assigned one?

As soon as you receive a fixed place in a registration procedure, you can not get assigned further places. However, this does not affect other registration procedures.

If you want to register for an additional group in a procedure with an active fixed place assignment, please check the available capacity of that group in TUMonline and contact either the courses supervisor or hochschulpraktika@ed.tum.de.

Will I have better chances to get my preferred course, if I just register for a single group?

Our registration procedures will always try to assign you the groups with the highest priority possible. However, some of the courses in our procedures have up to 50 times more applicants than available places. Therefore, you might also need some luck to get into one of the highly demanded groups.

If you just register for a single course in one of our procedures, your registration will not be treated with a higher priority.

The number of set priorities does not affect the allocation process.

Who can I contact for further questions?

We are glad to answer your questions at hochschulpraktika@ed.tum.de

Master's Thesis

Admission

A prerequisite for admission is that at least 80 credits have been earned and all additional requirements (Auflagen) have been fulfilled.
If the additional requirements have been fulfilled and examination results have already been published but are not yet formally valid in the system, students may be admitted to the Master’s Thesis provided that at least 80 ECTS credits have been achieved based on the published results (admission under reserve).

The Registration takes place via the ED-Portal. The student must confirm in the ED-Portal that all admission requirements have been fulfilled. Final Theses in the ED-Portal
 

Thesis Examiner / Thesis Supervisor 

The authorization to act as examiner (Themensteller/in) is regulated in the Subject-Specific Academic and Examination Regulations (FPSO) of the respective degree program. For Thesis, the relevant provisions can be found in § 46.

The legal provisions set out there may be updated by resolutions of the Examination Board. The currently valid authorization to act as examiner is listed below.

Examiners for the Master's Thesis are:

• qualified examiners from the Departments of
  • Aersopace and Geodesy,
  • Engineering Physics and Computaion,
  • Mobility Systems Engineering,
  • Mechanical Engineering,
  • Materials Engineering,
  • Energy and Process Engineering,

of the TUM School of Engineering and Design, as well as

• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Timo Oksanen (Professorship of Agrimechatronics),
• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Gaderer (Professorship of Regenerative Energy Systems),
• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jakob Burger (Professorship Chemical Process Engineering),
• Prof. Dr. Allister Loder (Professorship of Mobility Policy).
   

Cooperation with a Company – May a thesis be carried out in a company and may it contain a confidentiality clause?

There is no entitlement to supervision of a thesis that is prepared externally. The topic must always be assigned by a qualified examiner of TUM.
If you wish to work on an interesting topic within a company, you must therefore contact the relevant chair or academic unit (= examiner/supervisor) at an early stage to clarify whether the thesis may be carried out externally.

Please note the following examination regulations:

• The topic is always assigned by a qualified examiner in accordance with APSO § 18 (4), sentences 1 and 3.
• Examiners may offer students the option of completing the thesis externally, for example in cooperation with a company.
• Under no circumstances may students approach an examiner with a topic that has already been defined by an external partner and request supervision from the university.
• A thesis is an examination component and is therefore subject to the regular examination procedure. Examiners must be granted full access to the thesis and must be able to assess it without restriction.
• The written thesis may not contain any declaration prohibiting the publication of the thesis or parts thereof. (Confidentiality clauses are not permitted. Resolution of the Faculty Council, valid from Winter Semester 2017/18.)

Provisions regarding copyright and rights of use (contact person: Till von Feilitzsch):

• There is no obligation to publish the thesis. Copyright remains with the student.
   

Registration

Registration is carried out via the ED-Portal. Within the ED Portal, you must confirm that you meet the required admission requirements. All relevant information can be found in the ED-Portal Wiki. The supervising chair registers you for the thesis in the portal. You will then receive an email asking you to confirm the registration of the thesis and the details entered in the portal. Only after your confirmation will the registration be reviewed by the Examination Board. You will subsequently receive approval or rejection of the topic by email. All portal notifications are sent to your TUM email address.
 

Scope

The workload of an academic thesis is reflected in the number of credits awarded. A Master’s Thesis (including the seminar) comprises:

• 30 credits = 900 working hours = 6 months of full-time work
• Processing period = 6 months
• A Master’s Thesis may be submitted no earlier than four months after the start of the processing period.

Please note that, as part of the Master's Thesis module, the online seminar Academic Research and Writing in Engineering, including the preparation of an exposé, must be completed as a compulsory component.

Information on the Master's Thesis process can be found under: Final Theses in the ED-Portal
 

Submission

The written thesis must be submitted digitally via the ED-Portal.  For further information, please refer to the ED-Portal Wiki.

Please check the ED-Portal for your individual processing period. Your thesis must be submitted within the specified submission deadline.

If the deadline (submission deadline for the thesis) falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday, the deadline is extended to the next working day.

Important:
You must be enrolled at TUM at the time of submitting your thesis.

If your enrollment expires on a weekend, the thesis may not be submitted on the next working day unless your enrollment has been extended. This also applies to exchange students.
 

Information Regarding Enrollment in Connection with the Thesis Presentation

In principle, enrollment is mandatory. However, if the presentation takes place no later than one week after the start of lectures of the following semester, you are not required to enroll for that following semester — provided that the presentation of the thesis is the only remaining requirement in your degree program.

For further questions regarding enrollment, please contact the TUM Center for Study and Teaching – Application and Enrollment Office at studium@tum.de.
 

Information on Withdrawal of a Registered Thesis

The topic of a thesis may be returned only once, for valid reasons and upon application to the responsible Examination Board, within the first third of the processing period (within the first two months). See: Final Theses in the ED-Portal
 

Extension of the Processing Period

For information on extending or suspending the processing period, please refer to: Final Theses in the ED-Portal

An application for an extension or for suspension of the processing period must be submitted without delay via the ED-Portal. For suspension, please also refer to the section Medical Certificates in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

If you have detailed questions regarding the extension or suspension of the processing period, please contact your responsible Examination Board.
 

May I complete a final thesis during a leave of absence?

During the leave of absence, you are generally not permitted to submit a thesis.

This means that you must either submit your thesis before the start of the leave semester or begin the thesis only after the leave semester has ended.

For submission, the provisions of § 14 (1) sentence 4 of the currently valid APSO apply. This means: if you registered your thesis in the previous semester, you may submit it until the end of the first week of lectures of the new semester (= leave semester). If you submit the thesis within this period, the presentation must also take place by the end of the first week of lectures.

Please be sure to also review the information under “Leave of Absence” on the main website and in our FAQs under the point “Leave of Absence”.
 

Minimum Formatting Requirements

• Language: The language used on the title page (German or English) must correspond to the language in which the thesis is written. For theses written in German, the English title must also be stated.

The minimum formatting requirements can be found here.

You can find information on working with AI (Artificial Intelligence) here..

Please observe the TUM guidelines regarding English spelling in thesis titles..
 

Confidentiality Clauses

See section Thesis – subsection “Cooperation with a Company – May a thesis be carried out in a company and may it contain a confidentiality clause?”above.
 

What happens, if the chair or professorship sets requirements that different from those of the Examination Boards?

Please ensure that you comply with the minimum formatting requirements. The cover page of your thesis may be designed in coordination with your supervising chair or professorship as usual.
 

Is my presentation included in the thesis grade?

The presentation on the thesis is considered as a coursework (Studienleistung) and is obligatory. However, the presentation on the thesis is not included in the assessment of the final grade for the thesis.
 

Is my presentation relevant for the official completion date of the thesis?

Yes.

The ungraded presentation of your thesis is considered as a coursework (Studienleistung). Therefore, the presentation is important for the final date of your thesis if you have not already given it before submitting your thesis.
 

Correction Period for the Thesis

In accordance with APSO § 18 (11), the thesis is generally to be assessed by the examiner who assigned the topic within a period of two months.
 

What happens if I do not complete my thesis by the end of the 6th semester?

As a rule, 120 ECTS credits must be completed by the end of the 6th semester. 

An exception to the academic progress check is set out in § 10 (6) sentence 1 of the currently valid General Academic and Examination Regulations for Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes at the Technical University of Munich (APSO). According to this provision, one additional semester is granted for the final completion of examination components if at least 90 ECTS but fewer than 120 ECTS have been achieved by the end of the 6th semester.

However, all module examinations not yet completed by that time are deemed to have been taken for the first time and failed. The subsequent sentence provides that if 120 ECTS have not been completed by the end of the 7th semester, any outstanding module examinations are deemed to have been definitively failed.

If the first attempt of the final thesis has not been submitted by the end of the 6th semester, the thesis is deemed to have been failed for the first time. As a result, the first attempt is converted into a second attempt. The end of the semester is defined by the APSO (§ 14 para. 1 sentence 4): the thesis may be submitted until the end of the first week of lectures of the following semester, as all examination components submitted by that date are allocated to the previous semester. It is sufficient that both the written thesis and the presentation are completed within this period. The grading may take place at a later date.

If the continued thesis (second attempt) is not submitted on time or not passed during the 7th semester, the Master’s Thesis is deemed to have been definitively failed. As only two attempts are permitted for the final thesis, the overall degree examination is then also deemed to have been definitively failed.

The additional 7th semester does not require a formal application. It is sufficient to re-register as usual.

Please also note the information provided at
https://www.tum.de/studium/studienabschluss/exmatrikulation/ → “Disenrollment on Account of Passed Final Examination”:

You must be enrolled in order to submit the written thesis. For the presentation, an enrollment is not required if it is the final remaining examination or academic component and takes place no later than the first week of lectures of the immediately following semester.

If you have any questions, please make sure to contact the responsible Examination Board or the academic advising service for the Mechanical Engineering degree programmes in good time.
 

How do I apply for a Master’s Graduation Certificate?

Please refer to the section Graduation Certificate in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

If you have further questions, please also consult our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Here you will find information on frequently asked questions about your degree programme.

Academic Progress Check

• For questions regarding academic progress check (hardship cases), please refer to the academic progress check.

Graduation certificate

• What certificate documents will I receive after graduation?
  Your graduation documents consist of the following documents:- Certificate- 
  Diploma Supplement- Transcript of Records (ToR)- Grading table
• When will I receive my report card at the earliest?
  If at least 180 credits have been earned in the Bachelor's programme and at least 120 credits in the Master's programme in accordance with the respective FPSO. For registered additional subjects, please contact your responsible examination board before issuing your certificate.
• How do I apply for my Bachelor's/Master's certificate?
  After booking the last required successfully completed examination to pass the Bachelor's or Master's degree program, the Study and Examination Management of the Examination Board will automatically send you an e-mail within a few working days with the following request:
  1. Check your proof of achievement for completeness and accuracy, especially the titles of the scientific papers.
  2. Contact  the responsible examination board again with possible correction requests. Even if no correction needs to be made, we still need positive feedback from you.
• How long does it take to complete the final documents? When will I receive a certificate of graduation?
  The preparation of the final documents is carried out by the "Graduation Office and Academic Records" department in Garching and usually takes 4 to 6 weeks.The order for the preparation of your graduation documents will be sent to the "Graduation Office and Academic Records" department within a few working days after your positive feedback to the examination board. You will be notified of this. You will then receive a certificate of graduation within a few working days. You will receive an e-mail as soon as the certificate of completion has been issued. Immediately afterwards, you can download the document from your student file. The graduation certificate, which is provided with an advanced digital seal in accordance with EU Regulation 910/2014, will then be available for download in TUMonline in the "Student File" application. Further information and contact details can be found on the TUM page on graduation documents. For exmatriculation: Please read all information on the TUM page for exmatriculation.
• Is it clear on the certificate how many semesters I needed to graduate?
  No. There is no semester number on the certificate. The date of the last performance (submission of the thesis/presentation date if it took place after the six-month processing period or last examination) is the date of the certificate. In the Bachelor's programme, the last achievement can also be the recognition of the industrial internship.
• Is it clear on the report card how many times I have taken an exam?
  No. The certificate itself only lists the grade of your thesis (with the topic of your thesis) and the overall grade.
• Assignment of the examination performance - How are my modules assigned in the Transcript of Records (ToR)?
  TUMonline automatically assigns your best-graded examination results (taking into account the examination requirements in the applicable subject examination and study regulations). If you still prefer other modules, please contact the secretary of your examination board directly (see box on the right side of the screen for contact details). 

Modules and Courses

• Course changes and module lists
  Where and how do I find out about changes to the course catalogue/module lists?
  Take a look at "My Studies" in TUMonline. Changes in the module lists are applied directly there. Please note that changes only take effect at the beginning of the respective following semester (01.10. and 01.04.) and are therefore visible in "My Studies". 
   
• Free Subjects
  What are free subjects?
  The correct name is "additional subjects" (see below).  
   

• Courses
  What are courses?
  TUM explains courses.

  How do I register for courses?
  Follow the explanation for registering for courses. You can also find  more information here.
  
  How are places allocated for courses?
  For the winter semester 2020/2021, the registration process in TUMonline has been  changed. For normal courses, such as lectures, exercises, etc., there is usually no restriction on participation. Anyone who registers can participate in the course. Please note: For university internships, places are allocated via the registration system in TUMonline according to certain criteria.
   

• Module handbook
  Where can I find the module handbook?
  The instructions for generating your module handbook can be found under Documents. 
   
• Specialisation certificate
  (only valid for students of the degree programme M.Sc. Entwicklung, Produktion und Management im Maschinenbau) 
  
  Who can get a certificate?
  Students enrolled in the Master's degree program in Development, Production and Management in Mechanical Engineering who develop a specific focus in the degree program through their choice of modules have the opportunity to receive a certificate of specialization in addition to their Master's certificate. You can see whether you have earned the credits according to the specifications in your study tree in TUMonline.
  
  What are the possible priorities?
  Three different specializations are possible: Development and Design, Production Engineering and Logistics, Management in Mechanical Engineering- For a certificate in the field of development and design, you need at least 25 credits from the Master's module specialization area of the same name, of which at least 10 credits from the core modules of this specialization area and at least 5 credits from the other pillar modules of this specialization area. The requirements for the minimum occupancy rules in the area of the Master's modules, which are defined in the Examination and Study Regulations for the Development, Production and Management in Mechanical Engineering degree programme, continue to apply without prejudice.- For a certificate in the field of Production Engineering and Logistics, you need at least 25 credits from the Master's module specialisation area of the same name, of which at least 10 credits from the core modules of this specialisation area and at least 5 credits from the other pillar modules of this focus area. The requirements for the minimum registration rules in the area of the Master's modules, which are defined in the Subject Examination and Study Regulations for the Development, Production and Management in Mechanical Engineering degree program, continue to apply without prejudice.- For a certificate in the field of Management in Mechanical Engineering, you need at least 25 credits from the Master's module specialization area of the same name, of which at least 10 credits from the core modules of this specialization area and at least 5 credits from the other pillar modules of this focus area. The requirements for the minimum registration rules in the area of Master's modules, which are defined in the Subject Examination and Study Regulations for the Development, Production and Management in Mechanical Engineering degree programme, continue to apply without prejudice.
  
  How do I apply for the certificate?
  If you have completed all the achievements you need to graduate, please contact the Master's Examination Board in Mechanical Engineering and let them know that you want to apply for a certificate in addition to your degree certificate. The Master's Examination Board will then make all necessary entries in TUMonline. Then please print out your Transcript of Records and contact your program coordinator, who will take care of issuing the certificate. You will receive the contact details of the contact person when applying for the degree certificate at the Master's Examination Board in Mechanical Engineering.
   
• Modules from study programs outside of one's own course of study
  I would like to contribute a TUM module from another degree program. Is that possible?
  If you would like to take an internal TUM module that is not integrated into your degree program, you can submit an application for integration of a TUM module to the degree program at the module administration under module.studium@ed.tum.de with the subject "Module Integration ME". The programme managers then check the relevance of the content for your degree programme. If they agree, as well as the responsible examination board, the module coordinator and, if applicable, the exporting TUM school, the module can be integrated into your degree program. Binding submission deadlines are 31.01 for the following summer semester and 31.07 for the following winter semester. 
  Current note: The application procedure is currently being modified. In the meantime, please do not submit any applications based on the old form. You will receive all the necessary information and forms in good time before the next integration date (deadline 31.07.2026). 
  
  I would like to contribute a module from another university in Germany or abroad. Is that possible?
  Yes, you must submit an application for recognition. See Recognition. 
   
• TUMonline
  Where can I get help with questions about TUMonline?
  First, read theTUMonline Instructionsfor students. Get more helpon the website of TUM-IT. Please also note the specialAssistancefor the exam registration area.
   
• Additional subjects
  Can I take modules that are not included in my degree programme?
  Yes, you can theoretically take any module offered at TUM and whose individual admission requirements you meet. In TUMonline, select "Free Registration" when registering for exams. Such modules are visually separated in the TUMonline account statement as "additional subjects". The assessment and credits of the additional subjects are not relevant for the calculation of grades in your degree programme and are not included in the total number of credits.
  
  Do the additional subjects have to be passed?
  No. Failed additional subjects are not listed in the certificate.
  
  Which achievements can be listed as additional subjects in the certificate?
  All examinations taken at TUM that are not used for graduation.
  
  Are the additional subjects listed in my certificate documents?
  Yes. The Transcript of Records (attachment to the certificate) contains all examinations completed in a structured form.

General

• Leave of Absence
  How do I apply for a leave of absence?
  Leave of absence is regulated in §§ 11 and 12 of the Enrollment, Re-registration, Leave of Absence and Exmatriculation Statutes of the Technical University of Munich. The following information regarding the leave of absence semester can be found there: reasons for leave of absence, duration, application deadlines, procedure. Please note that the approval of leave semesters is per student and not per degree program, i.e. leave semesters will also be credited to future degree programs. Further information can be found on the TUM page on leave of absence. The application for leave of absence can be downloaded from TUMonline. Please submit this application to the TUM Center for Study and Teaching, Department of Application and Enrollment (address is on the leave of absence form).
  
  Can I take my first attempts during the leave of absence?
  No. The exception is leave of absence due to pregnancy or parenthood. See also under Parental Leave/Maternity Protection (see below).
  
  Can I take repeat examinations during the leave of absence?
  Yes, you can take repeat exams. Withdrawing from an examination for recognised reasons is equivalent to deregistering from an examination. According to the provisions of the Bavarian Higher Education Innovation Act, only failed examinations can be written as repeat examinations during the leave of absence. If you have been notified of a withdrawal from an examination with a recognised reason (approved withdrawal from the examination), this examination is not considered a repeat examination in the next semester and can therefore not be taken as a repeat examination during the leave of absence.
  
  Is there a credit limit for repeat examinations during a leave of absence?
  No.
  
  I cannot register for exams via TUMonline during the leave of absence semester (or parental leave). What do I have to do?
  It should be possible to register for repeat examinations. If you have any problems, please contact your responsible examination board immediately.
  
  Can I submit/start an academic thesis (research practice, thesis) during the leave of absence?
  No. During the leave of absence, you are not allowed to carry out any academic work (research practice, thesis). This means that you must submit the academic paper before the start of the leave of absence semester or you may only start it afterwards. The requirements according to §14 para. 1 sentence 4 of the APSO in the currently valid version apply to the submission, i.e. if you have registered your research practice/thesis in the previous semester, you can submit it until the end of the first week of lectures of the new semester (= leave of absence). By the end of the first week of lectures, the presentation must also be given when the final thesis is submitted. (Exception parental leave).
  
  Can the processing time of an academic paper (research practice, thesis) be interrupted by a semester off?
  No, this is not possible. Scientific work must be started AND completed before the leave of absence semester or must be started AND completed after the leave of absence.
  
  Can I have my achievements recognised during the leave of absence?
  Please see under the point Recognition of Examinations.
  
  Will my semester continue to be counted during the leave of absence?
  In principle, no. According to ImmatSatzung § 4 para. 5 sentence 1 in the currently valid version, one semester is credited for every 30 credits acquired. From 22 additional credits, another full semester will be credited. These credits do not include  the industrial internship and do not include  the re-examinations.
  
  Do I also have to pay tuition fees if I am on leave?
  Yes, the student union fee, etc. must also be paid during the leave of absence. Binding information is only available from the TUM Center for Study and Teaching Student Financing.
  
  Can I take a leave of absence if I have not reached the required number of credits in the previous semester?
  No, this is not possible. The study progress check in accordance with the General Examination and Study Regulations (APSO) § 10 always takes effect at the end of the semester.If the student has not reached the required number of credits at the end of the examination period, the student will be exmatriculated at the end of the semester in which the final failed notification was sent out (usually the following semester). It is then no longer possible to continue your studies or take a leave of absence for the following semester; applications for leave of absence that have already been submitted are irrelevant due to the exmatriculation.
   
• Corona semester
  What applies from the summer semester 2022?
  Since the summer semester 2022, no special rules have applied with regard to study progress, standard period of study or other aspects of examination law. If a corresponding extension of the deadlines has been granted in the "Corona semesters" (summer semester 2020, winter semester 2020/21, summer semester 2021 and/or winter semester 2021/22), this will remain in place.
  
  How will the study progress monitoring be postponed through the Corona semesters?
  For students who were enrolled in the summer semester 2020, winter semester 2020/2021, summer semester 2021 and/or winter semester 2021/2022 and were not on leave of absence, the deadlines for the provision of the minimum credit amounts within the framework of the study progress review for the further course of study were extended by the university management by one semester in each case (provided that there was an entitlement to an examination in the respective semester(s)). These examination regulations (extension of the study progress control in the above-mentioned Corona semesters) were made in order to take into account the Corona-related restrictions. This regulation was made centrally for all students and did not require a separate application to the responsible examination board. 
   
• Parental leave/maternity leave
  How long can I take leave of absence due to parental leave?
  According to the enrollment, re-registration, leave of absence and exmatriculation statutes, leave of absence due to parental leave is possible for up to six semesters (in total, not per child). During this time, achievements can be made at TUM.
  
  What regulations apply to parental leave/maternity leave?
  According to APSO § 20, it is possible to take examinations despite a leave of absence, but repeat examinations can, but do not have to be taken.
   
• Feedback to the student council
  What is the task of the student council and how do I reach them?
  The Mechanical Engineering Student Council represents all students in the field of Mechanical Engineering in university policy committees and provides support during their studies. Feedback on the degree programs B.Sc. and M.Sc. Mechanical Engineering
   Feedback on the degree program M.Sc. Automotive Engineering
  Feedback on  the degree program M.Sc. Energy and Process Engineering
  Feedback on the degree program M.Sc. Development, Production and Management in Mechanical Engineering
  Feedback on the degree program M.Sc. Mechatronics, Robotics and Biomechanical Engineering
  Feedback on the degree program M.Sc. Medical Engineering
   

• Enrollment/withdrawal from university
  Who is the responsible contact person for enrollment/exmatriculation?
  If you have any questions about enrollment/exmatriculation, please contact the Application and Enrollment Office, Arcisstraße 21, 80333 Munich, studium@tum.de.
  
  When will I be exmatriculated?
  Please read all information on the TUM page for exmatriculation.

  When will I be exmatriculated after successfully completing my studies?
  If you do not apply for exmatriculation at the Application and Enrollment Office, your exmatriculation will take place automatically at the end of the semester (31.3./30.9.) in which your graduation documents are issued, further information can be found on the TUM "Exmatriculation" page.

  When can contributions be refunded?
  Read the general information from TUM on the reimbursement of fees.

  How long do I have to be enrolled?
  You must be enrolled by the time of the last examination or submission of the final thesis. During the correction period of your last examination, enrolment is no longer required. Please note that the presentation for the final thesis is a course achievement in the sense of the APSO. The date of the presentation is decisive for your graduation if it takes place after the 6 months of processing time. You must be enrolled for the lecture. Exception: The lecture takes place up to and including one week after the start of lectures in the following semester (§14 para. 1).
  
  What does a day-specific exmatriculation on application mean?
  Exmatriculation upon application generally takes place at the end of the semester, unless you request the immediate effect of exmatriculation (see general information from TUM on exmatriculation). In this case, the exmatriculation takes place on the day of application. This means that the review of the study progress check is carried out for those students who  were enrolled in the entire pre-semester. The deadline is thus the last day of the semester. An earlier exmatriculation on a day-by-day basis means that the progress of your studies in the event of early exmatriculation will not be checked in the current semester.

  Specific information about the Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering:
  A day-specific exmatriculation before the end of the semester protects the Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from a final failure even if HM1 and/or TM1 was not passed in the second attempt. (Background: HM1/TM1 are not basic and orientation examinations (GOPs) but basic examinations that must be successfully passed by the end of the second semester.) In the event of a day-specific exmatriculation up to the day before the examination date for HM1/TM1, students are no longer considered to be compulsorily registered for the examination date taking place for HM1/TM1. (Background: Enrollment at TUM is a prerequisite for registering for and attending an exam.) Please inform the Examination Board if you exmatriculate on request during the semester on a day-to-day basis, so that we can deregister you from the (compulsory) examinations if necessary. However, further studies in the same degree program can be refused: see § 8 ImmatS of the TUM: "Enrollment is to be refused if there is an obstacle to enrollment according to Art. 46 BayHSchG. It is to be refused if [...] the basic and orientation examination or section examination provided for the commencement of studies in the desired semester is not proven." I.e.: If you have failed the Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering HM1/TM1 even in the second attempt, you have exmatriculated on application to the exact day before the end of the second semester, you have reapplied for the same degree programme at a later date,  you will be denied enrollment. It is therefore no longer possible to continue studying in the same degree programme. If you are interested in another Bachelor's degree program at TUM (please note any changed application deadlines!), it is best to get an overview in the TUM study program database here and contact the responsible academic advisor. As long as the right to take examinations is maintained, you can apply again for the same or a related degree programme. However, please inquire  in advance at the university about the admission requirements.

• Ranking
  What is a semester-long ranking and where can I get it?
  You can download rankings during the semester under the following link https://app.srv.nat.tum.de/rnk/student. To do this, log in with your LRZ ID. If you have any problems retrieving the ranking, please contact bpa.me@ed.tum.de or mpa.me@ed.tum.de.
  
  Please note that
  • the ranking during the semester can be accessed after the winter semester from the end of May at the earliest / after the summer semester from the end of November at the earliest,
  • Rankings are created from the completed 2nd semester at the earliest and at the latest up to the completed 4th (Master's) or 6th (Bachelor's) semester,
  • it is not possible to issue a ranking during the current semester (evaluation only possible for the completed semester after the end of grades),
  • in the case of grade calculations for the Bachelor's degree, only the examination results of the compulsory modules of the degree programme are taken into account for the ranking up to the end of the fourth semester,
  • 30 ECTS per semester are taken into account when calculating grades for the Master's degree,
  • too few credits are weighted in the ranking with a grade of 4.1,
  • After successful completion of your studies, a grading table is automatically created together with the certificate by the Graduation Office and Academic Records department.
     
• Soft skills
  Where do I clarify my questions about soft skills?
  At the Center for Key Competencies.
  
  How does the recognition of soft skills work?
  Please see under Recognition.