Master's in Automotive Production Engineering (MAPE) Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt

All classes are held in English.

The programme aims at providing graduates with the skills required to successfully plan, develop and control production systems in the field of the automotive industry. They are familiar with current manufacturing and engineering technologies and able to expand their professional knowledge.
In particular, graduates should be able to work in an international working environment, dealing successfully with intercultural challenges.

The following modules are part of the curriculum:

1. Advanced manufacturing technologies
2. Engineering processes in automotive industry
3. Production and logistics networks
4. Production system and plant development
5. Cost engineering & risk management
6. Automation and equipment technologies
7. Group projects
8. Scientific research seminar
9. Technology development and management
10. Digital technologies in engineering
11. Electives I-II
12. Master's thesis

The knowledge gained in the Master's programme Automotive Production Engineering is supposed to enable the students to take on skilled specialist and managerial responsibilities in the areas of production planning, plant engineering, and production in the automotive sector (car manufacturers, suppliers, factory outfitters/plant/equipment manufacturers) and make it possible for them to participate in complex projects or to manage such projects.

1. Applicants with a Bachelor's degree from outside of Germany must first apply via uni-assist from as soon as possible until 1 December for the following summer semester at the latest.
   If you acquired your Bachelor's degree outside of Germany, uni-assist has to verify your eligibility to study in Germany and to convert your grades to the German grade system. You will have to submit all required documents to uni-assist online. The process takes four to six weeks.
2. PRIMUSS - THI application portal: from 15 November until 15 January for the following summer semester
   You will have to apply online at the PRIMUSS university application portal. In case of admission, you will have to send all required documents by post later on.

Please check the THI website to get up-to-date information regarding the application periods.

THI charges fees of currently 500 EUR per semester for students from third countries (citizenship outside the EU and European Economic Area).

The fees are planned to increase to 1,200 EUR per semester (Master's programmes) from summer semester 2026 onwards. When more details are available, you will find further information on our homepage.

THI students who started their studies earlier are not affected by this reform.

Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt does not cooperate with recruitment agencies. Applicants will have to apply on their own. Apart from the uni-assist fee, there is no application fee.

To stay updated on the most recent study orientation dates, please visit www.thi.de/go/events-studyorientation.

The standard period of study for the Master's programme amounts to three theoretical semesters, whereby the third semester is used primarily for the completion of the Master's thesis. The programme is offered as a full-time course. Within the range of subjects, students are conveyed an in-depth and detailed theoretical, technical and practical understanding of production systems in the automotive sector. This understanding goes beyond the strategic, planning and operative development processes of these systems with regard to product development.

In the first semester, knowledge, skills and competencies in the field of technology development and innovation management, engineering processes, production and logistics networks, scientific research seminar, advanced manufacturing technologies, and cost engineering and risk management in the automotive industry are conveyed.
The second semester includes the following compulsory modules: production system and plant design, automation and equipment technologies and digital technologies in engineering. In the group project, students practice working on a bigger task as part of a project team and are given the opportunity to try out all project stages.

Additionally, two individual electives (e.g. design, AI, negotiation, entrepreneurship,...) can be selected either in the first or second semester.

The Master's programme concludes with the Master's thesis in the third and last semester. The thesis is complemented by seminars.

There are practical elements in all modules, stressing the application-oriented profile of this Master's programme, e.g. by providing project and thesis topics set by partner companies (especially for the dual programme). Courses provide also practice in university labs, company and fair visits, etc.

Language and culture courses are offered throughout while the university is in session. German students have the opportunity to learn another foreign language.

In the course of the dual study programme, students are advised to do their internships at their respective company during their semester breaks with the option of complementing their practical experience with an entire semester before their Master's theses. The companies are responsible for organising and devising the internship, but they are advised to refer to the curriculum of this programme.

The Master's degree programme offers the opportunity to do an optional internship semester after the two theoretical semesters and before the Master's thesis semester. The students have to find an appropriate internship by themselves. The International Office offers courses for application training and will assist the students. It is common and recommended to write the Master's thesis within a company as an alternative to write it within the university.
Students of the dual Master's degree programme will complete two internships over semesters one, two and three, adding up to three months. Their Master's thesis is to be written within the company.

Positions for taking part in the dual Master's degree programme are provided independently from the university only by companies – students have to arrange such contracts with a company on their own before the start of the Master's course. Suitable companies can be located in Germany or the students' home countries – students should search for dual programmes on the companies' websites. It is advisable to apply at the students' home location to companies that have their headquarters or other sites in Germany.

1,200 EUR

THI charges fees of currently 500 EUR per semester for students from third countries (citizenship outside the EU and European Economic Area).

The fees are planned to increase to 1,200 EUR per semester (Master's programmes) from summer semester 2026 onwards. When more details are available, you will find further information on our homepage.

THI students who started their studies earlier are not affected by this reform.

All students will have to pay a student union fee of 72 EUR per semester.

Student organisations estimate that the cost of living is approx. 990 EUR or more per month, depending on individual needs and expectations. Mandatory health insurance in Germany will cost a student around 145 EUR per month.

Usually, non-EU students will have to provide proof of financial means with a blocked account for visa purposes. It should contain approximately 992 EUR per month for up to 12 months.

Bachelor's degree in production engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, planning or technology, mechatronics, automation technology or equivalent with at least 210 ECTS credits or equivalent degree requirements (a minimum of seven semester at a German university with a workload of 25-30 hours per ECTS).
Also specific experiences in production related topics are required and checked in an aptitude test on the basis of documents provided by the applicant (NO interview). Production experiences can be collected within suitable internships, professional jobs, a Bachelor's thesis and other project work.
Applicants with a Bachelor's degree from a country other than Germany will have to send their documents to uni-assist for preliminary inspection documentation prior to their application at THI. Please allow several weeks for this process.

The Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt can only make a legally binding decision about your eligibility for your desired study programme after reviewing the documents you submit with your application. We can’t provide a definitive assessment or evaluate your chances of acceptance until we have your full application, including your educational history.

Furthermore, it is possible to find out if you’re qualified to study in Germany before applying. Detailed information is available at the following link: www.uni-assist.de/en/tools/check-university-admission.

Additionally, you can find out about the qualification requirements via the study and examination regulations (=Studien- und Prüfungsordnung = SPO). Find these on the following page under the respective statutes: https://www.thi.de/en/university/university-profile/university-management/legal-department/.

Thank you for your understanding. You are very welcome to apply, and we will check your application documents.

Applicants applying for an English-language Master's programme must provide proof of sufficient English language skills at level B2. Proof of having passed the examination must be submitted by the time of enrolment at the latest. A list of all accepted certificates can be found here: https://www.thi.de/en/university/university-profile/university-management/legal-department/general-statutes/.

1. Applicants with a Bachelor's degree from outside of Germany must first apply via uni-assist from as soon as possible until 1 December for the following summer semester at the latest.
   If you acquired your Bachelor's degree outside of Germany, uni-assist has to verify your eligibility to study in Germany and to convert your grades to the German grade system. You will have to submit all required documents to uni-assist online. The process takes four to six weeks.
2. PRIMUSS - THI application portal: from 15 November until 15 January for the following summer semester
   You will have to apply online at the PRIMUSS university application portal. In case of admission, you will have to send all required documents by post later on.

Please check the THI website to get up-to-date information regarding the application periods.

There are different scholarships available to enrolled students, such as the Deutschlandstipendium. All students will have to look and apply for specific scholarships themselves! Most scholarship programmes are based on performance (grades, voluntary work, etc.) The economic situation of applicants is usually not taken into consideration. A certain level of German language skills (at least B2) is required for many scholarships.

The International Office also offers scholarships. Enrolled international students will be notified of the call once a year via the communication channels of the university.

International students at Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI) are strongly advised to start gaining practical experience early to earn money during their studies and improve their job prospects. Besides looking for working student positions, students are also encouraged to seek low-level jobs in gastronomy or similar sectors to earn money and improve their German language skills. In addition to internship positions posted on the university platform, students should actively consider research and teaching assistant roles at THI. Please note that international students face legal limits on the number of working days allowed (see Study and work).

The International Welcome Center offers workshops and events in English to help international students prepare for their entry into the German market, especially in preparing for the internship search and applications.

Important: German employers expect students to take the initiative in applying for jobs and to have a good command of German. For internships, a minimum German language level of B1/B2 is required, while for entry-level jobs after graduation, B2/C1 is generally expected. Therefore, international students should start learning German as early as possible to increase their employability.

Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt does not run any student residence halls / dorms. You will have to start looking for accommodation on your own as soon as possible. At least 500 EUR per month should be budgeted for accommodation.

Here are some facts about finding accommodation in Ingolstadt or Neuburg.

Workshops to prepare for the German job market

For most jobs German is still a necessary key qualification and prerequisite. Even the best degree will hardly help you later if you do not speak German well. We will not only provide you with the best possible support in your studies, but we will also offer a variety of German courses to help you learn German quickly and well.

• Service point and counselling
• Online info session for admitted degree-seekers
• Support with city registration and residence permits
• Orientation days and networking events
• Mentoring programme
• German courses and language support programmes
• Cultural events, excursions and company tours
• Workshops to prepare for the German job market
• Student clubs, such as N.I.C.E. (Network & International Culture Exchange)

Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI) is an institution that specialises in business and technology and is characterised by innovative study concepts and modern facilities. We are currently training over 8,000 students in more than 70 study programmes in engineering, computer science, business, life sciences and sustainability.
Our students will graduate as sought-after specialists and managers. An extremely dynamic and successful region with a distinctly strong economic structure provides for excellent framework conditions. The relatively small student body guarantees individual guidance, a familial atmosphere, and close cooperation between students and professors.
One of the core features of studying at our university is its orientation towards practical application. Internships and projects, as well as continuous cooperation with regional companies, are fundamental components of every study programme.
The Ingolstadt campus was completed in 1999, and a new tract of buildings opened in 2014. In 2021, the Neuburg campus opened its doors with its Faculty of Sustainable Infrastructure. Modern equipment and facilities create an atmosphere that adds to students' success and enjoyment. Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt is proud of its commitment to offer the highest possible level of quality in research and education. It is possible to explore Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt by visiting the interactive 360° THI campus tour.

The campus is only a short walk from Ingolstadt's appealing old city. The view from the lecture halls is of a castle and other medieval buildings. Ingolstadt lies in the centre of Bavaria, one of the most prosperous German federal states, and it is only an hour by car from the metropolitan areas of Munich and Nuremberg. The opportunities to take part in leisure activities in the area – which is close to the Alps as well as to the beautiful Altmühl valley – are unlimited. With the headquarters of Audi (the international automotive company) and a large number of innovative corporations in the city, Ingolstadt is proud to be one of the strongest economic regions in Germany. Opportunities to participate in sports activities are provided by the university as well as by various amateur and competitive sports clubs. Bavarian charm and the Bavarian way of life – including summer evenings in beer gardens and the diverse cultural events on offer – make daily life in Ingolstadt particularly attractive for students.