Data Science (MSc) Technische Universität Ilmenau

A double degree programme with LUT University in Finland is available as an optional study track.

Courses are held in English (100%).

Dive deeper into the world of data and actively shape the future. Our English-language Master’s degree programme in Data Science builds on a solid Bachelor’s background and offers you a unique opportunity to deepen your knowledge and engage with cutting-edge technologies. This programme is specifically designed to operate at the intersection of scientific innovation and industrial progress.

In particular, you will be introduced to AI-supported decision-making based on existing mathematical models to address important societal issues. Furthermore, there is a special focus on the quantification of uncertainties as well as causal and Bayesian inference. You will also learn state-of-the-art techniques in the field of reinforcement learning and data assimilation, which are continuously being developed to make better predictions and decisions in critical areas such as climate change, weather forecasting, and medical research. Furthermore, you will be familiarised with IT tools such as cloud computing and data management, which are essential for modern data analysis.

Winter semester 

• Application period for students with certificates from non-EU/EEA countries: 16 January – 15 May
• Application period for students with certificates from EU/EEA countries, Switzerland, or the UK: 16 April – 15 September

Summer semester 

• Application period for students with certificates from non-EU/EEA countries: 1 August – 15 November
• Application period for students with certificates from EU/EEA countries, Switzerland, or the UK: 16 October – 15 March

Foreign applicants who need to apply for a visa to enter Germany should submit their visa application at least three months before the programme begins in April or October.

This programme will be offered for the first time beginning in the 2026 summer semester (April).

Compulsory Data Science (advanced topics) 29%
Elective area (specialisation) 21%
Individual projects 21%
Soft skills and languages 4%
Master's thesis 25 %

No tuition fees

Approx. 275 EUR per semester (including a train ticket and reduced prices in the university canteen and cafeterias)

Approx. 860 EUR per month (including apartment rent)

Admission is partly based on a points system. Points are awarded as follows:

• Academic Background:

  • 30 points for a Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Statistics, or a comparable field

  • 25 points for Mathematics

  • 20 points for Computer Science

• Final Grade of Previous Degree:

  • "Very good" (1.5 or better on the German scale) earns 10 points

  • "Good" (2.0 or better) earns 5 points

• Subject-Specific Knowledge: Up to 15 points are awarded based on the content and scope of your completed coursework. To receive the full 15 points, modules must be documented in the following areas, each with at least the specified number of credit points (CP):

  • 15 CP in Analysis and Linear Algebra

  • 5 CP in Mathematics of Data Science

  • 15 CP in Optimisation and Numerics

  • 10 CP in Probability Theory and Statistics

  • 5 CP in Discrete Mathematics

  • 15 CP in Programming, Algorithms, and Theoretical Computer Science

  • 5 CP in Databases

  • 10 CP in Software Development

  • 10 CP in Machine Learning

  • 5 CP in Ethical and Social Aspects of Data Sciences

  • 10 CP for the Bachelor's thesis

  Alternatively, if the following requirements are met, five points may be awarded:

  • 15 CP in Analysis and Linear Algebra

  • 10 CP in Optimisation and/or Numerics

  • 10 CP in Probability Theory and Statistics

  • 10 CP in Programming, Algorithms, and/or Theoretical Computer Science

  • 5 CP in Databases

  • 5 CP in Machine Learning

  • 5 CP for the Bachelor's thesis or project work

Please note that a final assessment of eligibility can only be made once a complete application has been submitted, including transcripts and detailed module descriptions. We aim to provide clear and supportive guidance; however, eligibility cannot be guaranteed without a full evaluation.

Applicants must provide proof of their proficiency in English at level C1 by means of one of the following certificates: Language certificates | Technische Universität Ilmenau.

Winter semester 

• Application period for students with certificates from non-EU/EEA countries: 16 January – 15 May
• Application period for students with certificates from EU/EEA countries, Switzerland, or the UK: 16 April – 15 September

Summer semester 

• Application period for students with certificates from non-EU/EEA countries: 1 August – 15 November
• Application period for students with certificates from EU/EEA countries, Switzerland, or the UK: 16 October – 15 March

Foreign applicants who need to apply for a visa to enter Germany should submit their visa application at least three months before the programme begins in April or October.

This programme will be offered for the first time beginning in the 2026 summer semester (April).

Information on funding opportunities is available at: https://www.tu-ilmenau.de/en/international/service/we4you-student-service/funding-opportunities.

Temporary jobs are available at local enterprises. In some departments of TU Ilmenau, students are regularly employed as scientific assistants.

Various student dormitories are available on campus. Rent for the residences ranges from 220 EUR – 412 EUR per room per month, depending on the type of accommodation. Advance registration is required via the Studierendenwerk Thüringen administrative office.

Information about the residences and the registration process can be found at: https://www.stw-thueringen.de/en/housing/.

Student applicants have a good chance of getting a room if the application for a room is submitted in good time, approx. three months before the start of the semester.

Of course, there is also the option to look for a privately rented apartment/room in Ilmenau or the surrounding area. For further information on privately rented accommodation, please contact TU Ilmenau's international student service, we4you, at: https://www.tu-ilmenau.de/en/international/service/we4you-student-service/team.

TU Ilmenau's we4you career counselling service provides assistance to international students, enabling an easier transition from the classroom to the working world.

Through individualised career counselling, workshops on CV writing, and interview practice, we give students the tools they need to succeed in today's job market. Opportunities for internships and part-time or graduate jobs are further promoted by our industry network and accessible job portal. Visits to local and nationwide job fairs are also on the agenda. These activities and events seek to equip students with the tools to confidently pursue their professional aspirations in the region surrounding the university, in Germany, and beyond.

For more information, please visit: https://www.tu-ilmenau.de/en/international/service/we4you-student-service/career-counseling.

TU Ilmenau's international student service, we4you, supports prospective and current students during the application and arrival process, everyday student life, and beyond. The we4you team provides advice, organises events and excursions, and helps our students feel comfortable in Ilmenau.

For online and on-site we4you support, please visit: https://www.tu-ilmenau.de/en/international/service/we4you-student-service

Technische Universität Ilmenau is a state university with a strong research focus. Located in Central Germany, TU Ilmenau has had a long tradition in engineering and natural sciences since 1896, making it a sought-after destination for interdisciplinary research and education. With five faculties dedicated to delivering cutting-edge and sustainability-oriented programmes, the university offers 20 Bachelor's degree programmes, 27 Master's degree programmes, and doctoral education designed for real-world impact. Interested students can apply for a programme in the fields of engineering (e.g. Biomedical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering), technology (e.g. Computer Science, Micro and Nanotechnologies, Renewable Energy Technology), mathematics (e.g. Business Mathematics), natural sciences (e.g. Biotechnical Chemistry, Technical Physics), or economic and social sciences (e.g. Media and Communication Science, International Business Economics). Many of the university’s programmes are taught in English, and the large number of registered patents per staff provides just one example of the university’s many innovation activities. Students at Technische Universität Ilmenau enjoy a great supervision ratio, access to excellent facilities conducive to research-driven learning (including modern labs and makerspaces), and career counselling and events to support global professional connections. The international student service, we4you, assists students in integrating into the university’s vibrant campus community, which comprises over 100 nationalities. Through its extensive national and international partnership network and mobility options, Technische Universität Ilmenau fosters the expertise and personal development of its students and staff.

Ilmenau is a vibrant hub of innovation and enterprise, where tradition intertwines with a strong focus on the future. The university town with its approximately 40,000 residents is situated in the centre of Germany in the federal state of Thuringia. Thuringia is known for its rich cultural heritage, with influential historic figures such as Goethe, Bach, and Luther having strong ties to the region. Thuringia offers stunning green landscapes, meandering rivers, and idyllic lakes, with the Thuringian Forest covering large areas of the state.

Ilmenau, located in the picturesque valley of the Ilm River and nestled in the northern foothills of the Thuringian forest, is more than a living monument to the past. Once renowned for its exquisite glass and porcelain craftsmanship, Ilmenau pulsates with a dynamic energy as a science and technology centre.

For TU Ilmenau students, this blend of heritage and innovation offers ample opportunities, such as forging connections with experienced and visionary mentors, fellow students, and pioneering companies. It allows them to immerse themselves in a realm where theoretical knowledge meets real-world application.

Ilmenau is well-connected by public transport and positioned at an equal distance (about two hours) from the major German cities of Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich, as well as their international airports.