Studying for a Master's Degree in Munich

Hi everybody ,
I came to Munich 6 months ago, and I am interested to do my masters degree in mechanical engineering or similar technical degree. Since my German is not good yet, I am interested for studying on english language. Can someone
give me any info about english speaking schools in Munich. Or if anyone is already student here in Munich would be very helpful. Thanks.

How about doing what most people have to do ... try this: http://www.google.com ... it helps!

A quick search revealed the following: http://www.fh-muenchen.de/home/fhm/englisch/d_mech.pcms

It appears the München Fachhochschule offers some courses in English.

It'll probably be difficult to do a masters in English. For one thing, the standard German educational system doesn't even have a masters degree. They've got a Diplom, which they consider equivalent to a masters degree, but it is much more like a glorified bachelors degree. That said, more and more universities in Germany are offering masters degrees in an attempt to become a bit more internationalized. Of course, trying to find courses taught in English is another thing. For mechanical engineering, the Technical University (TUM) is probably what you're looking for, and I believe they do occasionally do courses in English.

If you check that link in more detail these are simply sub-courses in English which contribute credits in only a minor way towards a German based diploma.
As IPJ points out (good Lord, I'm agreeing with IPJ!) there's no such thing as a "Masters" here. The German Diploma comes a close second. There are some British and US Universities which have partnerships with German Universities such that some studies here contribute to a Masters degree award, but you are unlikely to find a study course 100% in English here...

Of course, you could learn German, possibly as part of your study. Others have done it and survived... You'll be a better person as a result, and surely eminently more employable internationally...

YL6

according to the European directive that was suposed to make cerificates valid across borders, a German Uni Diploma is the same as a British Bachelor degree with Honours. The Germans just like to think that it is a Masters since they need justifification for spending an average of 7 (or is it 6 ??) years at uni to get a degree.

I actually have both a Diplom and a BA (Hons) and they are deemed to be the same level.

Yeah, they also consider the Aussie honours degree equivalent. They insist that it's superior to a US bachelors, but in fact their course load (at least, in my field) is exactly equal to or even less than what is required for a US bachelors. The only difference is that not all bachelors degrees in the US require a thesis (mine did).

Hang around for a few years and they will probably offer a Masters in Engneering. Masters are becoming popular very quickly and more and more Unis are wanting to participate.

I'm doing a Masters. It is the firstof its kind in Germany and I am in the first intake. However, it neither in Engineering nor in Munich.

If you are stuck in Germany anyway, spend a year learning German and then enrol for engineering, taking the classes you haven't had before. Work parttime (with student tax and health insurance status) and inquire as to howfar away a masters course is.

Oh, just remembered. Fees are coming in 2006. Approx. 500 euro/semester

I am thinking of going back to college too as work is very boring so i have been looking into this a bit.

Some German Unis do offer Masters courses, but not many as yet. Apparently in the future more will as there is an effort to standardise academic qualifications across europe. However even the ones available now require 2 years to complete though.

try the OU:
OU masters/engineering
good luck

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) lists English-language university programmes in Germany. Link

If you don't speak German, Open University is your best bet. Unless you are willing to invest a year or more just studying German. I have heard good things about Open University. Check them out. Good Luck!

Yes, the OU are fab
I think there are quite a few peeps on here studying with them (inc. me)
They offer an MEng degree - search for M03 on their website if you are interested.
(Or try clicking on this link, but I'm not sure if it works for people who aren't already students with the OU.)

The TUM Electrical Engineering department offer two Master of Science degrees (all in English)

1)MSc Communications Engineering 2)Msc Microwave Engineering

Both programs are two years - 3 semester of study/Exams an Internship and 6 months for thesis.

I just completed the Msc Microwave Eng degree myself in October last and found the courses etc of very high standard and lots practical experience.

how do they spread that over 6 years? A BSc didn't involve that much work!

I think they only do three courses per semester or something, and then the final six months or year is just thesis research.

Hi, you can check the Master of Engineering in International Automotive Engineering at FH Ingolstadt if you are interested in cars which is one of the biggest industries in Germany (really?! )!

The programme is entirely in English, and almost free i.e. you pay only a registration fee of 85 Euro per semester. The Bavarian Education ministry intends to introduce a school fees of 500 Euro but it should not take effect until 2007 or so (??) Yes, Masters is a new thing in Germany and the school is interested to have more students for this course so I guess if you apply before the school fees' introduction comes in place, you are most likely avoid having to pay fees in the end.

I have friends in the programme. They said that it is hectic but they learn a lot! It is also practical-driven which Fachhochschule is well-known for, which appeals to studies such as engineering. Nothing against OU but "practical" i.e. hands-on learning is more apt for engineering.

The course lasts only 1 year i.e. 2 semesters and another semester is for thesis. Most of the people I know end up working for BMW, Audi or even Siemens.

Ingolstadt is a nice town of about 100,000 inhabitants where I say that Audi is the god-father there! There is also ContiTemic, Bayern Oil and even ExxonMobil there. You see, very automotive driven! It's only about 45 minutes' drive from Munich, and I have friends who live in Munich and commute. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have on Ingolstadt or the school.

If not, you should check DAAD as one of the above thread said. The website is in English so you can search for programmes in Germany conducted in English. If not, do an immersion course in German??

Good luck!

There are atleast 30-40, if not more, English language Master's programs in German Institutes. The duration of the programs is usually between 3-4 semester.

The best site to lookup for Education System in Germany is

Campus Germany

Study in English

The look up the Daad site to narrow down your choice of Univs

Look up for courses

I find these sites very informative and hopefully they will be of some help to you.

As was talked aboot a little in a past post. The TU Electrical Engineering department offers some Masters degrees fully in English. They are:

1. Master of Science in Communication Engineering (Communication Systems)
2. Master of Science in Communication Engineering (Communication Electronics)
3. Master of Science in Microwave Engineering

I really recommend the courses (Nanotechnology, Quantum and Molecular Electronics) by Prof. Lugli. They're extremely interesting.

its not munich but i remember seeing that hamburg do lots of engineering courses in english. maybe check them out if you decide you arent too bothered about munich.

i'm doing my masters in electrical eng and IT at FH rosenheim. u cud check out this option if u r interested. 90% of the course is in english