Neuroengineering – Elite Master Program

Type of Study: Full-time

Standard Duration of Studies: 4 Semesters

Credits: 120 ECTS  + optional 30 ECTS for Research Excellence Certificate

Main Locations: Munich

Start of Degree Program: Winter Semester

Language of Instruction: Englisch

Costs: semester fee, no tuitions fees

Professional Profile: Electrical and Computer Engineering

As an emergent research and technological field, neuroengineering requires a new kind of engineer who is firmly educated in fundamental neuroscience as well as engineering theory and is able to apply and combine the methods from both domains. The purpose of the neuroengineering master program at TUM is to educate such a new generation of interdisciplinary engineers and to equip them with the ethical sensitivity to integrate societal values and stakeholders into their future work.

Students not only enhance their knowledge in neuroengineering, but also develop research skills through the coursework and thesis. Apart from the cutting edge knowledge and technical skills acquired, students also develop their basic soft skills. Beyond the skill sets of only one or two disciplines, Neuroengineering students become proficient in neuroscience, engineering, mathematics, psychology, and informatics, which is specifically geared towards solving complex engineering problems with high societal impact. Students are able to combine several aspects of neuro-inspired systems and are able to define an own research focus, thereby going beyond the ability to conduct research with the ability to identify an individual research field that allows a smooth transition into doctoral studies.

The main career opportunities for graduates of the master's degree program in MSNE are in academia and in research-orieted industry. MSNE perfectly prepares students for a start to doctoral studies at TUM or elsewhere in the world. Two thirds of all MSNE graduates are following this path, propeled by a professional network students are building during their Masters and further propeled in case of first research publications, all together bolstering a smooth transition into PhD studies.

Further MSNE graduates are employed mainly in research oriented industry (e.g. medical engineering domain, hardware & software development, AI/ML-focused companies) or they are entrepreneuring.

The application for admission to the master’s degree program in Neuroengineering are to be completed and submitted using our TUMonline portal. Once you have created your account there, you can enter your personal data and information about your education and upload the required documents. The application is submitted electronically.

If you are admitted, you will be required to submit some additional documents as certified copies in paper form before you can be enrolled at TUM. As a rule, prospective students with an international university entrance qualification need to request a pre-examination documentation from uni-assist in advance.

How to apply for a Master's Degree Program - Step by Step

Applicants with a university entrance qualification from outside the EU/EWR require a preliminary check of the certificates by uni-assist before applying online. Since this can take up to four weeks, we recommend that you initiate the process early.

The APS certificate is required for applicants from India, China and Vietnam.

In addition, there are some special requirements for applicants from certain countries: Special Conditions for Certain Countries.

Applicants must also submit one of the recognized language certificates listed here or an authenticated copy of an original document issued by your university verifying that the language of instruction in your bachelor’s degree program was at least 50% English.

For your application, you need to upload the following documents in TUMonline:

• Passport
• Preliminary Record Examination issued by Uni-Assist for non-EU Applicants (VPD)
• APS Certificate (only for applicants from China, India, Vietnam)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Transcript of Records or Bachelor Certificate Transcript (certified)
• List of Credits in Excel sheet form (*)
• Statement of Purpose (*)
• Essay (*)
• Proof of the Proficiency in the English language

(*) Downloads for your application:

• Template for Statement of Purpose
• Template for List of Credits
• Instructions for the Essay

Depending on your previous education and background, we may require additional application documents. You will find a list of required documents when you apply online via TUMonline.

This FAQ helps you finding answers to questions send in by other applicants frequently. We are happy to answer all remaining questions!

• Will a Bachelor degree from my university be accepted by TUM?
  If your university is rated H+ on Anabin, your degree will most likely be accepted. If you are unsure please ask the Student Service Centre (studium@tum.de)
• Why are non-EU Applicants encouraged to apply earlier (March vs. May Deadline)?
  Based on our experience regarding student visa issues, we recommend all non-EU Applicants to apply as early as possible, ideally before March. The final deadline for applications (EU as well as non-EU Applicants) is end of May. Admission decisions for applications provided in April or May might not be available before end of July or August, which might result in severe problems in obtaining a visa.
• Is it necessary to have any kind of health insurance for the application?
  You do not need any health insurance when you apply. But you will need it to enroll and have to present the confirmation from a health insurance provider in Germany at the admission office once you are in Munich. Please see TUM's information on student health insurance for details.
• My language test score (e.g., TOEFL) is too low. Can I still get admission?
  A language proficiency certificate with sufficient score is mandatory in order to apply. So you can not apply for the program.
• Do I have to provide reference letters?
  Effective for MSNE applications with intended start of study Winter Semester 2022/2023, TUM has changed the set of mandatory application documents: Instead of reference letters, TUM Online prompts you for an written essay.
• Do I have to provide GRE or GATE test scores?
  MSNE does not request GRE or GATE test scores in the application process.
• I am currently a Master student in another program (at TUM or another university). Can I switch to MSNE and transfer my credits to MSNE?
  Even if you already are a Master student at TUM, you have to go through the application process for MSNE like everybody else and you can only start in the winter semester. After enrollment, you can apply for recognition of your Master courses. This is only possible for those courses that are considered identical to the respective courses in MSNE. It is up to the respective professor to decide on whether your request will be accepted. Please do not ask whether any of your courses could be recognised before you enrol in MSNE! It is not our task to predict how many credits you might get recognised before it is clear whether you will actually start the MSNE program or not.
• I speak German. Can I submit my motivation letter in German or can the interview be held in German?
  Since the MSNE program is an English language program, proficiency of the English language is required. Therefore – and to give all applicants the same chance – your motiviation letter has to be in English and the interview will be conducted in English as well.
• Can I send my application documents via email?
  We do not accept any application documents sent via email. All documents have to be uploaded to the online applciation system.
• Re-Application for MSNE (Applicants with Admission & Deferral)
  Applicants who successfully applied in previous year intake(s) (= applicants who passed MSNE assessment process and therefore received an admission letter for MSNE Master Program by TUM) but who deferred their start (= did not enrol) must apply once again in case they want to start at the next opportunity. MSNE study program only offers a winter intake. They are prompted to provide all documents once again in TUM Online application system, within the regular application period. There is no need to update form sheets or to modify the documents, since the assessment result (admission) is already given. Please upload an updated CV. Instead of a "List of all Credits in Excel-Form Sheet", you may upload the admission letter or a personal letter explaining their re-application status.
• How to contact MSNE students and lecturers, preview on lecture materials, visiting MSNE...?
  A good source of information on lecture content is to browse the TUM Online Module Catalogue. The TUM Online Courses Cataloge lists the schedule of classes and lecturers. You don't have to register in TUM Online for this purpose. You may approach lecturers directly as well. Hence, most requests including questions on organizational issues and will get forwarded with some delay to msne@ei.tum.de  anyway. Most lecturers do not share lecture materials used in classes in advance. In case you are already studying at TUM - why not having a visit in one of the lectures. Please approach us in advance (msne@ei.tum.de )and we inform the lecturer on your site visit. If you are visiting TUM, you may request for a personal appointment with the MSNE Program Coordinator (msne@ei.tum.de ), adding a list of questions and topics to your request. You may approach MSNE students directly as well. Some MSNE students have agreed to be contacted by prospective applicants. Have a look at the MSNE Students Blog ( -> Link to MSNE Student Blog, operated by students, no official TUM service).

MSNE has designed a set of onboarding activities, enabling a smooth transition into Neuroaneginnering master studies at TUM:

• Sophomore MSNE students are volunteering in a  MSNE Buddy program, helping new students arriving and smoothening their start in Munich.
• Administrative information starts with a MSNE Newsletter (~mid of September) for all admitted students, providing information how to prepare best for the program.
• We share a literature recommendation list for all first-semester mandatories.
• We send out self tests and surveys, helping students to level themselves and to link to supporting first-semester courses such as MSNE Make-Up Modules
• In 2021 and 2022, we started with a MSNE Project Week, a MSNE student initiative offered in last week before the lecture period starts. This Project week also includes student-driven voluntary trainings and workshops, preparing for a smooth start to MSNE studies.
  We strongly recommend all admitted students to arrive in Munich at the begin of October, having a first week to settle, and a second week for attending the voluntary MSNE-Project Week.
• We offer an official MSNE Student Welcome Event (now part of MSNE Project Week), discussing and introducing the MSNE
• We pre-arranged for all your seats in MSNE mandatory courses, so there is no race for the best spots! All MSNE students have guaranteed seats in MSNE mandatories.
• Admitted students may approach MSNE team (msne@ei.tum.de) in order to get information on general 3-weeks mathematical primer courses offerred by TUM (starting End of September, Germn language only)
• Students may find all recommended literature and a detailed syllabus by browsing the module catalogue using TUM-Online system.

Furthermore, your School and TUM are supporting your onboarding in various fashion.

The MSNE curriculum spans a total of 11 mandatory modules (58 ECTS). Due to an included lab part, all MSNE mandatory modules are exclusive for MSNE students, with guaranteed seats for all MSNE students. Most lecturers allow for 1-2 more students in the classes, limited to students of partnering ENB Elite Master Programs and PhD Programs. Latest after second semester, MSNE students must have pased 4 mandatory modules. Students must pass all mandatory modules in order to graduate in MSNE.