International Prospective Students

Information about studying at the TU Darmstadt

In Darmstadt we develop technology involving people as well as their needs. Therefore, the unique ideas of individuals and the power of a team shape our mechanical engineering departement greatly. If you want to experience this open and curious interaction and want to take part in developing solutions for future topics, get to know us and your possibilities to study at TU Darmstadt. Maschinenbau – We engineer future!

We invite Exchange Students as well as Degree Seeking International Students to apply for our undergraduate (Bachelor), graduate (Master) or PhD programs. Helpful information concerning applications, deadlines and language proficiencies are also given by the Department for International Admission.

Department of Mechanical Engineering

  • The mechanical engineering department consists of 27 research groups.
  • In total the Mechanical Engineering Department has more than 600 graduates per year, taking into account bachelor's as well as master's degrees
  • Active programme of both fundamental and application oriented research and interdisciplinary attitude.
  • Close relations with other national as well as international universities and with a lot of industrial partners.
  • Semester dates
    • Fall semester starts mid of October and courses end mid of February.
    • Spring semester starts mid of April and courses end mid of July.
    • Exam dates can stretch across the full non-lecture period between terms.
  • Language of instruction and examination is German for most of the lectures.
    • Upon consultation with the appropriate professor single exams, research projects or bachelor's and master's theses may be written in English.
    • The number of English taught lectures and courses within the master's programme is increasing.
  • You can find information about the grade distributions of the undergraduate and graduate study programmes at the faculty of mechanical engineering in our Download section.
  • Maschinenbau – We engineer future!

Each year, our faculty receives a large number of exchange students from all over the world. In most cases, exchange students stay at our university for one academic year. The academic year consists of two terms, called semesters. The winter semester courses begin in mid October and end in mid February, while the summer semester courses start in mid April and end in mid July. Nonetheless, it is also possible to come for one semester only or apply for a Summer School.

Admission

Language proficiency

Your knowledge of the German language should enable you to perform studies at TU Darmstadt. With the official nomination, the respective home university takes the responsibility for the students’ language qualifications.

Application for admission

In order to be able to apply as an exchange student at the TUD, you first need to be nominated by your home university. After this, you will have to fill out an “Application for admission” online. After sending the online-application, a PDF-file will open up, which also has to be completed. The application form and further information can be found here.

Studies

Lists of classes and lectures

Students accepted as exchange students rather than as regular students can choose their classes out of the entire curriculum – bachelor's or master's level and from all departments. Usually most classes are taken within the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The research groups offer a wide variety of classes and research possibilities. Please use the “Course Schedule” Link at the top of the page of the following link for a list of classes and lectures. If you need further descriptions of the lectures, please find the respective bachelor's and master's Module Handbooks (german: Modulhandbücher) in our Download section.

Transfer of credits

To transfer credits to your home university, please contact your home student advisor before coming here to ensure that a transfer of your selected study programme is possible. Our University gives credits for courses and lectures according to the European Credit System (ECTS).

Patenprogramm

The 'Patenprogramm' has been initiated by a group of mechanical engineering students. They help incoming exchange students with additional information about the city, living in Darmstadt, and the studies of mechanical engineering in general. In addition they help in selecting courses and give useful hints to prepare for the exams.

You can find more information about thePatenprogramm and you are also very welcome to join their Facebook group.

Programmes and Degrees

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Technische Universität Darmstadt offers several degree programmes:

  • Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) “Maschinenbau – Mechanical and Process Engineering” (MPE)
  • Master of Science (M.Sc.) “Maschinenbau – Mechanical and Process Engineering” (MPE)
  • Master of Science (M.Sc.) ”Paper Science and Technology – Papiertechnik und biobasierte Faserwerkstoffe” (PST)

Together with several other Departments, the Department of Mechanical Engineering currently participates in several interdisciplinary Master study programmes.

Please find detailed information about the programmes at the end of this page.

Language

Sufficient knowledge of German language is mandatory in order to enroll in one of our programmes. Information about necessary certificates can be found on the website for International Admission.

MechCenter

The MechCenter team (Office for student Affairs of the Department of Mechanical Engineering) will be happy to help with further questions concerning the programmes or the application center.

  • 180 CP in 6 semesters, hence 3 years if studying according to the study plan
  • fundamental knowledge in mathematics and applied natural sciences
  • close support through tutorials in small groups, project assignments and mentoring systems
  • industrial internship (duration = 6 weeks)
  • various international exchange programmes

“Maschinenbau – Mechanical and Process Engineering” (MPE)

To understand the various relations of the complex world of the future, it is necessary to develop a holistic perspective. Therefore, we emphasise a sound training in fundamental issues. Our German taught bachelor programme consists of compulsory classes as well as several elective classes that are offered by the different research groups of our department. To solve tomorrow's problems as a future engineer, your knowledge in mathematics, engineering sciences and computer sciences will be completed by team assignments and a class about philosophy for mechanical engineers. You will then be able to write your first scientific work: the Bachelor-Thesis. The thesis will be accompanied by an introductory course to scientific working and writing. After completing all requirements successfully and having performed a 6 week industrial internship, you graduate with the title Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.).

Admission to the bachelor programme

In order to apply for the bachelor programme, you need a higher education entrance qualification. This may be either a German Abitur or Fachabitur, or a foreign equivalent.

Information concerning other entrance qualifications, the online application process in general and language proficiencies are provided by the International Office.

With an appropriate bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, it is either possible to apply for the more general master programme in “Maschinenbau – Mechanical and Process Engineering” or for the more focused master programme in “Paper Science and Technology”. The according study plans ensure the continuous increase of your research orientated and technical knowledge. You will research, design and develop new simulations, processes and products in teams and work together with other disciplines and cultures. Due to several industrial joint part-time lecturers and professorships, up-to-date practice-oriented experience is included in the programmes.

Maschinenbau - Mechanical and Process Engineering

  • 120 Credit Points in 4 semesters, hence two years when studying according to the study plan.
  • 56 credit points in broad elective areas
  • Expand your horizons: 12 credit points in General Studies (e.g. economics, law, philosophy, politics,…)
  • Solve project assignments in teams (fundamental and applied research topics)
  • Mandatory industrial internship (duration: 12 weeks)
  • Master-Thesis (duration: 6 months)
  • Various international exchange programmes

The Master programme “Maschinenbau – Mechanical and Process Engineering” consists of different electives (out of our list of lectures), few non-engineering and non-natural science lectures from other departments (for instance law, economics), multiple projects, lab-classes, a research seminar, and the master's thesis. After finishing all requirements successfully and an additional 12 weeks internship the student is awarded the degree of Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Mechanical and Process Engineering.
During their studies, students may achieve an individual profile by choosing the lectures according to their interests, for instance in automotive engineering, production technology, aerodynamics, mechatronics, or others. As the research groups offer a wide variety of classes and research possibilities there are many different fields one can choose from.

Paper Science and Technology

  • 120 Credit Points in 4 semesters, hence two years when studying according to the study plan.
  • Interdisciplinary study programme: engineering and chemical engineering
  • Several elective areas with 34 CP altogether
  • Solve project assignments in teams
  • Mandatory industrial internship (duration: 12 weeks)
  • Master-Thesis (duration: 6 months)

During the master programme “Paper Science and Technology” (opens in new tab) the students are trained extensively in chemistry and engineering science, enabling them to work in the field of paper production and refinement, as well as in printing technology companies.
The programme consists of a certain number of compulsory courses, which can be, if necessary, adjusted individually to the student’s previous knowledge. Furthermore, seminars, projects, lab-classes, and non-engineering and non-natural science lectures of other departments (for instance law, economics), as well as a master's thesis make up the programme.

Application

The Department of Mechanical Engineering uses an multi-stage admission process. Students with a bachelor's degree in “Maschinenbau – Mechanical and Process Engineering” at the TU Darmstadt may apply directly for the consecutive study programme. All other applicants apply online. Further information about the next steps, a possible entrance requirements verification and contact persons, you may find in our Enroll section – (in German only).

Information concerning the online application process in general and language proficiencies are provided by the International Office.

There are several compulsory research projects, that must be done during your studies in Darmstadt. A professor or an Ph.D student will guide you through these projects. The most extensive activity will be doing research and preparing a written report and an oral defense for the master's thesis. You must complete the master's thesis within six months, in which you are expected to work a total of 900 hours. The written report for the thesis can be done in German as well as in English. When writing the thesis in English, the Professor has to first agree to this. The bachelor's thesis is a smaller and less difficult research project. Further smaller group projects with research focus are part of the bachelor's and master's study guidelines.

Another possibility to do research is to become Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) at one of the research groups of our department. Such positions are usually paid on an hourly basis. Depending on the amount of time you would like to invest you can find interesting research possibilities. To find the group and field of work you are most interested in, please check the websites of the research groups (mostly in German). There you might also find advertisements for job or thesis openings to get an overview. Please note that paid GSR-jobs require a valid visa with a work allowance.

The German foundation “Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung” shows in its recently published ranking that the “Technische Universität Darmstadt” tends to keep international top scientists longer than other German universities. This ranking is compiled by evaluating the duration of the research residency of all scholarship holders. These long stays are due to the fact that scholars at the TU Darmstadt can work on interesting science projects in application and research.

Application

Degree Seeking Students

Incomer

TU Darmstadt International