Bioeconomy (MSc) Technical University of Munich

The language of instruction is usually English. This means that most of the modules are offered in English. Some courses may, however, be taught in German. To learn more about the language of instruction for each module, contact the departmental student academic advisor of this programme.

In addition to five compulsory subjects, two specialisations are offered: the Major in Social Sciences and Sustainability or the major in Natural Sciences and Engineering. Students who have already completed a combination of economics with engineering and natural sciences in their Bachelor’s programme (for example, successful graduates of the BSc Bioeconomy or the BSc Sustainable Management and Technology) and who are aiming for a further technical-scientific specialisation can choose a larger number of modules from the technical-scientific area. They then complete the Master’s in Bioeconomy with a Major in Natural Sciences and Engineering. Graduates who prefer a stronger focus on economics and social sciences can complete the Master’s in Bioeconomy with a Major in Social Sciences and Sustainability.

The Master’s degree programme in Bioeconomy, including the Master's thesis, comprises four semesters of standard study time. Including the Master’s thesis, the programme encompasses a total of 120 ECTS credits.

Application Period

Winter semester: 1 April to 31 May
Summer semester: 1 October to 15 January

Please refer to the following website for more information on tuition fees at TUM: https://www.tum.de/en/studies/fees/tuition.

The programme is divided into the following four areas:

• Fundamentals in Economics and Sustainability:

• Advanced Empirical Research, Operations Research, Behavioural Public Economics, Principles of Life Cycle Assessment, Advanced Environmental and Resource Economics

• Elective Courses in Natural Sciences and Engineering:
  • Renewable Materials: Biogenic Polymers, Biological Materials, Renewables Utilisation, Wood-based Resources, Material Application for Renewable Resources 
  • Biotechnology: Enzymatic Biotransformations, Sustainable Chemistry, Microbial and Plant Biotechnology, Catalysis, Enzyme Engineering
  • Energy: Energy Efficient Buildings, Production of Renewable Fuels, Geothermal Energy Systems, Energy and Economics, Wind Power, Biogas Technology
  • Simulation: Artificial Intelligence for Biotechnology, Seminar in Optimisation Methods and their Applications, Modelling and Optimisation of Energy Systems, Basics of Numerical Methods and Simulation
• Elective Courses in Social Sciences and Sustainability:
  • Economics: Advanced Development Economics, Personnel and Organisational Economics, Advanced Seminar in Behavioural Economics, Environmental Behaviour and Support for Climate Policies, Economic History and Comparative Development, Advanced Seminar in Environmental and Development Economics
  • Management: Corporate Sustainability Management, Innovation in Bioeconomy, Advanced Sustainability and Life Cycle Assessment, Sustainability and Risk Management
• Master’s Thesis

In detail:

• Programme structure: overview of modules (PDF, German) (PDF 87 KB)

4,000 EUR

Please refer to the following website for more information on tuition fees at TUM: https://www.tum.de/en/studies/fees/tuition.

For more information, refer to: https://www.tum.de/en/studies/fees.

You hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent of at least 140 ECTS in Management, Business Administration, Economics, related Social Sciences or in a comparable Bachelor’s programme.

You should have successfully completed some of the following modules worth at least:

• 5 ECTS in empirical methods,
• 10 ECTS in business (management) / „Betriebswirtschaftslehre“,
• 10 ECTS in economics / “Volkswirtschaftslehre”,
• 10 ECTS in mathematics and statistics or/and
• 10 ECTS in circular economy and sustainability.

You need sufficient English language skills if you wish to apply for this programme. Evidence of your language proficiency has to be submitted before the end of the application deadline. 

Learn more about recognised certificates and other ways to prove your English language skills.

German skills are not required for admission.

Application Period

Winter semester: 1 April to 31 May
Summer semester: 1 October to 15 January

Many international students can have their fees waived or receive scholarships to finance them. You can find all information on waivers and scholarships here.

Please refer to the following page for more details: https://www.tum.de/en/studies/during-your-studies/living-and-working/jobs-and-internships.

For details about accommodation near the Straubing campus, please visit: https://www.cs.tum.de/en/tumcs/straubing/housing.

TUM has its own career service, which offers application checks, career counselling and a mentoring programme.

https://www.community.tum.de/en/career-service/