You have completed your previous (academic) education abroad and are now planning to study for a Bachelor's or Master's degree in mathematics in Germany? Then you have come to the right place at the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology!
With our study programs we offer you an excellent education in various application areas of mathematics and prepare you optimally for your professional career in industry, banks and insurance companies as well as in the university environment. We look forward to getting to know you!
Get to know the degree programs in the field of Mathematics: At the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology we offer one Bachelor's program (three years) and four Master's programs (two years).
The Department of Mathematics focuses on the field of "Applied Mathematics" and thus serves the interfaces with physics, chemistry and biotechnology as well as engineering and economics. At the same time, we also cover the classical areas such as algebra, analysis, geometry and probability theory. With this profile, we are one of the leading mathematical centers in Germany and Europe.
In the bachelor's program Mathematics, most courses are taught in German. Therefore, you need an official language certificate for German to be admitted to our bachelor's program. Only in the third bachelor's year, some courses are also offered in English.
In our master's programs, the language of instruction is primarily English, with only occasional modules taught in German. Therefore, an official language certificate in English is sufficient for our master's programs.
Information on the required language certificates can be found on the central TUM website.
In order to be admitted to a degree program, you must apply online to TUM by the deadline. Please consult the central website of the TUM for details on application procedures and deadlines as well as step-by-step instructions. Please pay special attention to the instructions for international applicants.
Our tip: Apply as early as possible! We recommend that you submit your application right at the beginning of the application period. The earlier we receive your application, the sooner we can send you the admission confirmation and you can then – if necessary – apply for your visa in good time.
We are convinced that our students benefit from early contact with companies or research institutes. Therefore, an internship of at least four to six weeks is compulsory for all Bachelor's and Master's students. Our own Career Service supports you in your search of a suitable internship.
The internship also offers many advantages to international students: Use this opportunity to prepare for your career, to intensify and apply your theoretical knowledge in a practical setting and to gain intercultural experience within a German company. You may even meet your future employer.
It is possible that your theoretical knowledge from your Bachelor's degree is not sufficient to successfully participate in a Master's degree course at the TUM. Within your application process, we will check whether you will have to take additional prerequisite courses in order to qualify for our Master's courses.
Whether and which prerequisite courses you have to complete and pass within the first year at the Department of Mathematics, can be seen in your admission letter or in your applicant account in TUMonline. Please be aware that under certain circumstances you may have to visit up to two foundation courses.
Coming to the TUM from abroad: how to organize your stay in Germany
Once you have been admitted to a mathematics degree program, there are a few important things you need to do:
International students who do not come from the European Union or a few other selected countries need a student visa before entering Germany. The issuing of a visa can often take many weeks or even months. Therefore it is essential that you inform yourself about the process well in advance: Please contact the German Embassy in your country regarding the application process and documents required.
Our tip: apply early!
Send your application documents for a study place at the TUM as early as possible within the relevant application period. The sooner you apply for a program at the Department of Mathematics, the sooner you will receive your letter of acceptance and can start to apply for a student visa.
Questions on visa issues?
Inform yourself on the website of the German Federal Foreign Office
Enrollment at TUM is only possible with proof of health insurance. Exceptions apply only to students over the age of 30, doctoral students, or participants in the Studienkolleg. Whether your foreign health insurance is sufficient here depends largely on the country you come from.
The same applies to all students: Please contact a German statutory health insurance company before enrolling and clarify your insurance status. In all cases, the statutory health insurance company must send a digital message to TUM regarding the respective insurance status in order for enrollment to take place.
EU / EEA / countries with social security agreements
For countries of the European Union, the European Economic Area or with social security agreements, the health insurance of your home country is usually sufficient. In this case, a German statutory health insurance will exempt you from the insurance obligation. Ask them for a "proof of insurance certificate" or an "exemption from compulsory insurance".
Countries outside the EU / without social security agreement
If you come from a third country or a country without a social security agreement, you usually have to take out German health insurance. Please contact a statutory health insurance fund in Germany to clarify your insurance obligation.
Questions on health insurance?
The TUM informs you about mandatory health insurance in Germany.
Given Munich's reputation as one of Germany's most attractive cities, accommodations are becoming increasingly scarce and costly and the search for an affordable place to live can be a genuine challenge. Munich has Germany's highest rental rates and the city's population is growing from year to year.
Student residence halls or private accommodation?
Unlike in other countries, German universities do not operate residence halls. Most are run by the student unions. The TUM cannot provide any rooms for students but we are trying to help with information, tipps and addresses.
Most students in Germany live in privately rented apartments as there are not enough places in student residences. Their inexpensive rooms are popular and the waiting lists correspondingly long. Waiting times are between one and four semesters. Should you nonetheless wish to apply for a room in a student residence, you must contact the Studentenwerk München (Munich Student Union). Unfortunately, exchange students are not eligible to apply for these rooms.
We encourage you to look into private and church-run residence halls as well. The private ones are usually more expensive but easy to organize from abroad, the church-run residences quite often consider social commitment and denominational aspects.
Tips for finding accommodation in Munich and the surrounding area
Please be aware, that your search for accommodation may take several weeks. Information on which areas of Munich are reasonably priced and which are more expensive as well as on how to understand accommodation adverts in Germany can be found in the TUM Guide for finding accommodation. We also have the following tips:
1. Plan plenty of time for your search
Apply to the Studentenwerk and at the same time to private student residences for a room as soon as you have been accepted as a student. Do not only look in Munich but also in Garching, Neufahrn, Eching, Oberschleißheim and Unterschleißheim.
2. Start your studies if possible in the summer term
Many more students begin their studies in the winter term, so it is much more difficult to find accommodation from September to December than in spring for the summer term.
3. Be active in your search
Use all available options: websites, facebook groups, word-of-mouth, newspapers, posters in the university canteen etc. Try publishing well-formulated searches as well.
4. Make contact as soon as possible!
Make contact with the landlord as soon as you see an appropriate offer. The sooner you make contact, the more likely you are to be successful. Do not be afraid to call the landlord directly, emails often remain unanswered.
5. Make a good impression
Bring a resume and proof of income or bank statements with you when you visit the apartment. If possible, also provide a letter of recommendation.
6. Beware of scammers
Do not transfer any money for deposit or rent from abroad before you have seen the accommodation and signed the rental contract!
Student Residences?
Exchange students can apply for a Service Package of the Studentenwerk Munich.
The Master's courses at the Department of Mathematics take place almost completely in English. Nonetheless, you should start to learn German – at the latest during your stay. Good German language skills will make your stay much easier and more enjoyable and are also very important for the compulsory internship as well as any potential job you may wish to pursue after your studies.
Free German courses within the TUM Language Center
If you already have the opportunity to attend a German course before entering the country, take advantage of it. Here at the TUM Language Center, there are free German language courses available at different levels. However, due to the high demand there is no guarantee that you will get a place.
The "German Matters Program for full-time students
The German Matters Program is an offer for international Master's students of Mathematics and Informatics which aims to teach substantial German language skills as fast as possible. Apply for this program before the semester starts!
In both the winter and summer semesters, orientation events are held the week before lectures begin. In addition to the introductory days for all new students, which are organized by the student council, there are also special introductory events for international master students at the Department of Mathematics. Details about these events will be sent to you by email.
Please mark this important week in your calendar and consider it in your travel planning.
Central orientation events
Central orientation events are also held each semester to help international students arrive and settle in (September and March). Furthermore, International Campus Life offers an orientation and support program that helps to facilitate the transition process to a new university environment.
Campus Tour
The Department for Mathematics is located on the TUM Campus Garching north of Munich. With bus, U- or S-Bahn tubes you can reach the campus in about 25 minutes from Munich city center. Informatics is in the same building.
Take a virtual trip around the Campus Garching.
Our buddy program helps you settle in the new academic environment. Please do not forget to register for this program right after the admission.
Our TUM buddies study mathematics themselves and are competent student contacts for all your questions. They not only know the lecturers but also Munich's most beautiful beer garden and they support you in settling in socially at TUM.
Doctorate studies at the Department of Mathematics
Of course, our professors also supervise international doctoral students in the course of their doctoral studies. Please contact the Graduate Office for all relevant information.
Double Degree: your options in Mathematics
The Department of Mathematics currently has Double Degree agreements with the EPFL (Switzerland) and the KTH Stockholm (Sweden). If you study mathematics at one of these European partner universities, then you can attain a Master's degree from the Technical University of Munich in addition to that of your home university.
Generally, those taking the double degree program spend two to three semesters at the TUM and two semesters at their home university. During this time, they attain further subject-specific and intercultural skills and finally receive two degree certificates acknowledging the achievements at both universities.
Should you be interested in the Double Degree Program with the Department of Mathematics, please contact the International Office of your home university for further information. In order to apply to the TUM, you must first be selected and nominated by your own university.