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
- Nearly 30 research groups
- More than 600 graduates per year
- Active programme of both fundamental and application oriented research and interdisciplinary attitude
- Great network (national and international universities + industrial partners and research institutions)
- Semester dates
- Fall semester (courses): mid of October – mid of February
- Spring semester (courses): mid of April – mid of July
- Exam dates can stretch across the full non-lecture period between terms.
- Language
- Language of instruction and examination in B.Sc. Sustainable Engineering and M.Sc. Maschinenbau 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 M.Sc. Aerospace Engineering is offered in English.
- You can find information about the grade distributions of the undergraduate and graduate study programmes at the faculty of mechanical engineering here. (opens in new tab)
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 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 – Sustainable Engineering“
- Master of Science (M.Sc.) „Maschinenbau“
- Master of Science (M.Sc.) „Paper Science and Technology – Papiertechnik und biobasierte Faserwerkstoffe“
- Master of Science (M.Sc.) „Aerospace Engineering“
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 further down.
Entrance qualification & language
- Sufficient knowledge of German language is mandatory in order to enroll in the first three programmes.
- Sufficient knowledge of English language is mandatory in order to enroll in the Master “Aerospace Engineering”.
- 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.
- In order to apply for a Master programme, the Department of Mechanical Engineering uses an multi-stage admission process. Students with a bachelor's degree in “Maschinenbau” of 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 .
Information about necessary entrance qualifications, the inline application process and 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
- Digitalisation as a common thread in your Bachelor programme
- Numerous courses related to the topic of sustainability
- close support through tutorials in small groups, project assignments and mentoring systems
- industrial internship (duration = 6 weeks)
- various international exchange programmes
Maschinenbau – Sustainable Engineering
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. In addition, the socially relevant topics of digitalisation and sustainability play an important role in our course offerings. 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.).
More detailed information
More information on the study programme
More information about the application process
Want to know what students like about this study programme? Check the different insights we're offering here , for example of the #studentsofTUdarmstadt
With an appropriate bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, it is either possible to apply for the more general master programme in “Maschinenbau” or for the more focused master programme in “Aerospace Engineering” or “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
In the Master programme “Maschinenbau” you have the option of choosing one of four specialisations (Sustainable Use of Resources; Clean Energy and Process Engineering; Future Automotive Systems; Digital-based Production and Robotics) or you can choose to keep all options open by studying general Mechanical Engineering. Each specialisation consists of different electives, few non- engineering and non-natural science lectures from other departments (for instance law, economics), multiple projects, lab-classes, and the master's thesis. After finishing all requirements successfully you are awarded the degree of Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Mechanical Engineering. Please find more detailed information here.
- 120 Credit Points (CP) in 4 semesters, hence two years when studying according to the study plan .
- Possibility to choose one of the following specialisations:
- Sustainable Use of Resources
- Clean Energy and Process Engineering • Future Automotive Systems
- Digital based Production and Robotics or general mechanical engineering
- Wide range of electives (62 – 68 CP)
- A look beyond the horizon in the Studium Generale (6 – 12 CP)
- Research and application-oriented projects
- Possibility of external project work in the industry (6 CP)
- 6-month masters thesis
- Various opportunities to study abroad
Aerospace Engineering
The aerospace industry is a constantly growing sector and thus an extremely important and decisive global economic factor. Aerospace science and technology drives innovations in a variety of disciplines and is therefore to be regarded as a pioneering field of technology. The curriculum of the Master programme “Aerospace Engineering” teaches important and essential basics as well as modern and future- oriented technological aspects of aerospace engineering to provide prospective students with competences for the creation of engineering system solutions. Due to its international and global character and relevance, this master ́s degree programme is offered in English by internationally renowned aerospace engineering experts. Please find more detailed information here.
- 120 CP in 4 semesters, hence two years when studying according to the study plan .
- Wide range of electives (62-68 CP)
- Possible with or without specialisation
- A look beyond the horizon in the General Studies (6-12 CP)
- Research and application oriented projects
- Insight into the practical application of knowledge: lecturers and cooperation professorships from the industry
- Optional 12-week project internship
- 6-month master ́s thesis
- A variety of opportunities to study abroad
Paper Science and Technology
Discontinuing study programme. Applications are no longer accepted.
During the master programme “Paper Science and Technology” 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. Please find more detailed information here.
- 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)
There are several compulsory research projects, that must be done during your studies in Darmstadt – in the Bachelor programme as well as in the Master programmes. 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 24 weeks, in which you are expected to work a total of 900 hours. The bachelor's thesis is a smaller and less difficult research project.
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 or have a look here. Please note that paid GSR-jobs require a valid visa with a work allowance.
You already have your Master's degree and are interested in doing a doctorate? You'll find more information here.
