Mechanical Engineering (Maschinenbau) Technical University of Darmstadt

Courses are held in German (60%) and English (40%). The official language of the programme is German, and evidence of German language proficiency is required.

The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering at TU Darmstadt is a research-oriented and academically rigorous programme that offers students a high degree of flexibility and individual specialisation.

One of the programme’s core strengths lies in its highly customisable structure. There are no compulsory courses, enabling students to choose from a wide range of modules across different fields of general mechanical engineering. This also includes the possibility to decide for one of four more specific, future-oriented study areas such as Future Automotive Systems, Digital Based Production and Robotics, Clean Energy and Process Engineering and Sustainable Use of Resources. The curriculum encourages interdisciplinary thinking and supports students in exploring interfaces with computer science, electrical engineering, and other related disciplines.

Collaboration and team-based learning play a central role. Students are actively involved in research, design, and development projects, working closely in teams and often in cooperation with industry partners. This practical orientation ensures that theoretical knowledge is consistently connected to real-world challenges. A strong emphasis is placed on activating teaching methods, which support independent problem-solving, creativity, and innovation.

Internationalisation is another defining feature of the programme. With access to over 100 partner universities around the globe, students are encouraged to gain international experience and broaden their perspectives through exchange semesters, joint projects, or internships abroad. At the same time, close cooperation with leading companies and research institutes provides excellent opportunities for networking and career development within the industry.

The Master’s programme not only prepares students for advanced technical roles but also equips them with the systems-thinking and project management skills required to lead complex engineering projects. Whether students aim to pursue a career in research, industry, or continue with a doctorate, they benefit from a first-class education in a vibrant academic environment.

For more details, please visit our homepage or the "course organisation" section.

At the beginning of each semester, we're happy to welcome our new students and introduce them to the study programme, the study regulations and the most important contact people to ensure that you are well prepared for the MSc Mechanical Engineering programme. The "Getting Started" orientation programme takes place at the beginning of April for the summer semester and at the beginning of October for the winter semester.

The general mode of study of the Mechanical Engineering programme involves attending classes in person. Nevertheless, additional online studying material is available for several modules, ranging from recorded lectures, online tutorials or digital course material to live streaming of lectures. Please note that most of the exams can only be taken in person in Darmstadt.

Your complete application package (also including an up-to-date transcript of records and the equivalence list of our department) must have been received in paper form by TU Darmstadt by the dates listed for "Maschinenbau" on this website.

Please always check the information on the website of the international admission office!

Applicants with a German school leaving certification (Abitur) and a German Bachelor's degree should apply at TU Darmstadt via the standard track.

Applications will be processed immediately. We strongly encourage early applications. During the formal entrance examination, proof of the required entrance competencies is verified on the basis of the submitted documents. If the entrance competencies cannot be clarified positively or negatively during the formal entrance examination, a substantive entrance examination will then be conducted. In this case, we will invite you to the exam by e-mail.

Compulsory Elective Courses Ia – Fundamentals (Choose at least one out of three):

• Machine Dynamics (German)
• Sustainable Systems Design (English)
• Transport Phenomena (English)

Compulsory Elective Courses Ib – Digitalisation (Choose at least one out of three):

• Digitalisation in Production (German)
• Machine Learning Applications (English)
• Smart Products, Engineering & Services (English)

Core Elective Courses from Mechanical Engineering (Choose out of more than 50 elective courses, e.g.:)

• Advanced Vehicle Propulsion Systems (English)
• Biofabrication and 3D Bioprinting (English)
• Circular economy and recycling (German)
• Composite Structures (English)
• Driver assistance systems and automated driving (German)
• Electrochemical Process Engineering (German)
• Energy Systems I-III (German)
• Foundations of Space Systems (English)
• Laser Measurement Technology (English)
• Lean Production (English)
• Mechatronic Systems I-II (English)
• Nano- and Microfluidics I-II (German)
• Quality Management (German)
• Robotics in Industry: Fundamentals and Applications (English)
• Virtual Product Development A: CAD Systems and CAx Process Chains (German)

Elective Courses from the Natural Sciences and Engineering (Choose out of more than 80 elective courses, e.g.:)

• Additive Manufacturing I-II (English)
• Aerodynamics II (English)
• Basics of Economics for Engineers (German)
• Biofluid Mechanics (German)
• Energy Efficiency and Energy Flexibility in Production (German)
• Finite Element Methods in Structural Mechanics (English)
• High-Accuracy Methods for Computational Fluid Dynamics (English)
• Lightweight Construction Materials (English)
• Machine Design I-II (German)
• Measurement Techniques in Fluid Mechanics (German)
• Software Defined Vehicles (German)
• Space Flight Mechanics (English)
• Structural Integrity and Fracture Mechanics (English)
• Sustainability and Circularity of Vehicles (German)
• Work Organisation in Intercultural Context (English)

The compulsory elective areas offer a wide range of different topics so that you can study the subjects that interest you the most. In addition, the programme offers the following elective areas:

• Advanced Design Project (team work on recent research topics)
• External Project Work (conduct a project at an industry partner for 12 weeks)
• Laboratory Tutorial
• General Studies (take courses from other departments)
• Master's thesis (six months, full-time)

You will find detailed module descriptions in the download section of our website.

PDF Download

In addition to the intercultural and language courses offered at TU Darmstadt, students can spend part of their studies abroad as part of a double degree programme or various international exchange programmes.

External Project Work

The internship serves to increase the understanding of knowledge already acquired in lectures from the Bachelor's degree programme in a practical environment. In this way, the internship allows students to gain insight into various activities in the working world. It thus serves as preparation for possible future fields of work. The project work aims at the individual activity of the students. The students perform a practice project within a company. The project as well as the company is chosen by the students.

Duration: The project has a duration of 180 hours, and it has to be done within the scope of a full-time occupation of at least 12 weeks.

No tuition fees

The registration fee totals about 350 EUR per semester. This includes administrative fees and the semester ticket ("Deutschlandticket"). The area of validity of the semester ticket will be extended to all transportation organisations and lines participating in the "Deutschlandticket" offer throughout Germany.

Registration fees

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering that is equivalent to the Bachelor's degree "Maschinenbau - Sustainable Engineering"

More information is available on our website.

Applicants must provide proof of sufficient German language skills, e.g.:

• DSH-2
• „Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz – Zweite Stufe“ (DSD-II) – Niveaustufe C1
• „Goethe-Zertifikat“ C1
• „Goethe-Zertifikat“ C2
• ÖSD Zertifikat C1
• ÖSD Zertifikat C2
• telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule

For the most recent information on the accepted language certificates or equivalence of other German language certificates, please check this website as well as this website or contact the International Admission Office.

Your complete application package (also including an up-to-date transcript of records and the equivalence list of our department) must have been received in paper form by TU Darmstadt by the dates listed for "Maschinenbau" on this website.

Please always check the information on the website of the international admission office!

Applicants with a German school leaving certification (Abitur) and a German Bachelor's degree should apply at TU Darmstadt via the standard track.

Applications will be processed immediately. We strongly encourage early applications. During the formal entrance examination, proof of the required entrance competencies is verified on the basis of the submitted documents. If the entrance competencies cannot be clarified positively or negatively during the formal entrance examination, a substantive entrance examination will then be conducted. In this case, we will invite you to the exam by e-mail.

Financial funding for international students in their final study phase: An application for “Leistungsorientierte Studienabschluss-Förderung” can be submitted twice a year. The application periods are as follows: 1 to 15 April and 1 to 15 October.

Deutschlandstipendium: The Deutschlandstipendium has been supporting outstanding students at universities with one year of financial assistance since 2011. An application is only possible once enrolled.

Students can be employed as tutors or student researchers, for example.

Jobs & part-time work @ Department of Mechanical Engineering

TU Darmstadt's International Affairs Department assists international students in their search for accommodation through its Housing Assistance Office. A major science hub, Darmstadt is home to multiple research institutions, three universities, and many high-technology companies, all of which attract people from around the world. A wide variety of accommodations that vary in size, furnishing, and rent are available in Darmstadt and its vicinity. As the university does not own or manage student housing, we support students in finding housing in private and public student dormitories or on the private market. In order to improve your chances in finding the optimal place to live, we recommend that you start your search early. We are happy to assist you in this process. Please make sure to register online on the housing assistance website for international students.

Our services include the distribution of an “Accommodation Guide” that includes links to private and public student dormitories, hotels and youth hostels, and a “Housing Guide” that provides tips on how to search for accommodation in Darmstadt.

Please find more information on this website and also here. We also invite all our students to the Engineer Your Future Day each summer.

• Mentoring by professors as well as the MasterPlus programme by the international office, departmental peer-to-peer mentoring as part of the Getting Started Programme
• Open office hours offered by the MechCenter – the Office for Student Affairs of the Department of Mechanical Engineering
• Support by the International Student Service