Master of Science in Microsystems Engineering University of Freiburg

Every day we use products that are smaller, smarter, more powerful and always connected. The hidden heroes behind these breakthroughs are microsystems – tiny, high‑performance devices that are now indispensable in automotive, medical, communications, energy and many more sectors. At the Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK) you can become the engineer who designs them.

Why choose a career in Microsystem Engineering?

• Universal demand: Companies across all industries are hunting for microsystems experts.
• Cutting‑edge tech: Work with clean‑room facilities, wafer‑fab equipment and the latest MEMS/CMOS platforms.
• Broad expertise: Choose a specialisation that fits your passion – Circuits & Systems, Biomedical Engineering, Materials & Fabrication, or Photonics.

World‑class research hub: Study at one of the largest, internationally recognised microsystems centres.

Personalised mentorship: 220 students : 22 professors → This is an ideal student‑to‑faculty ratio.

Hands‑on experience: State‑of‑the‑art clean‑room & labs from day one

Industry‑ready thesis: Conduct real research in a professor’s group, using IMTEK’s cutting‑edge infrastructure.

The Master’s programme in Microsystems Engineering is built around a rigorous first year that establishes a solid theoretical foundation across all core disciplines. After completing this intensive core stage, students can tailor their studies through a wide selection of advanced electives and a dedicated concentration, culminating in a research‑driven Master’s thesis performed in one of our cutting‑edge labs.

Core modules (mandatory – five courses)

• Microelectronics
• Micromechanics 
• Microsystems Design Lab 
• MSE Technology & Processes 
• Signal Processing 

Choose five out of eight advanced electives

• Assembly & Packaging Technology
• Micro‑optics
• Modelling & System Identification
• Probability & Statistics
• Sensors
• Biomedical Microsystems
• Micro‑actuators
• Microfluidics

Tailor Your Path (Semesters two to four)

Choose one concentration area and gain access to a full suite of specialised lectures and hands‑on lab courses tailored to that field. This flexible structure lets you dive deep into the topics that matter most to your career goals.

• Circuits & Systems
• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials & Fabrication
• Photonics

Internships are not mandatory in the curriculum, but students are free to take a leave of absence to complete a placement at a company.

We welcome graduates who have built a solid foundation in the core sciences and engineering fundamentals. Ideal candidates hold a Bachelor’s degree in:

• Mechatronics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Electronics and Communication

or any closely related discipline with an outstanding GPA / final grade.

A strong background in mathematics, physics, chemistry, mechanics, electronics, and materials science is required.

190 EUR per semester:

• Administrative fee: 80 EUR
• Contribution to the constituted student body: 7 EUR
• Contribution to the student union: 103 EUR

Participants must ensure that sufficient funding is available to finance their participation in a course of study. The average cost of living in Freiburg for one month is currently approx. 850 EUR to 1,000 EUR.

Some details:

• Rooms in private accommodation, including extra costs: 350 EUR – 700 EUR
• Rooms in student residences, including extra costs: 250 EUR – 550 EUR
• Private expenses amount to around 350 EUR per month.
• Health insurance is available for approx. 120 EUR per month.
• Transport: A special student ticket for regional transport costs approx. 96 EUR per semester.

Qualified students can secure research or teaching assistant positions within the Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK) as well as at the many research institutes located in Freiburg.

Students who earned an excellent undergraduate record (a final grade of 1.5 or better on the German grading scale) are eligible to apply for the Deutschlandstipendium.

https://uni-freiburg.de/en/studies/during-your-studies/financing-your-studies/deutschlandstipendium/

The university offers the following career services:

• Company visits – on‑site tours and presentations at partner firms
• Employer talks & panels – direct conversations with recruiters and industry experts
• Application advice – personalised help with CVs, cover letters, and interview preparation

As Freiburg is an attractive city, finding a suitable and affordable place to live can take a little while. The University of Freiburg offers all newly enrolled international students the possibility to apply for student housing via the International Office. In addition to these dormitories, which are run by the Studierendenwerk Freiburg (www.swfr.de/en), several independent residence halls are listed on the university website (https://uni-freiburg.de/internationaloffice/housing/). The Studierendenwerk Freiburg and the International Office also offer a list of available private rooms.

The University of Freiburg was founded in 1457 as a classical comprehensive university, making it one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Germany. Awarded for its excellence in both research and teaching, the university also boasts a long history, with numerous Nobel laureates. Brilliant scholars and creative thinking distinguish it today as a modern, top-notch university, well equipped for the challenges of the 21st century. As an organisation with around 24,500 students, 288 degree programmes, and 6,536 employees (2021), the University of Freiburg is committed to family friendliness, equal opportunities, and environmental consciousness in its day-to-day operations. The structure of the university is multifaceted, ranging from 11 academic faculties – from the humanities and the social and natural sciences all the way to engineering – to 19 research centres. This goes to show that we are a dynamic, large-scale institution with a diverse educational offering. As studies, research, and continuing education are all an integral part of this offering, we maintain a close relationship with the city and the region as well as with the international academic community. Bilateral partnerships, research projects, joint study courses and memberships in international networks such as the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and of EUCOR – The European Campus are examples of the university's strong transnational relations. All our students, including those from abroad, can take courses at the Universities of Basel (Switzerland) and Strasbourg (France) without having to enrol. Via EUCOR, The European Campus mobility grant, they also receive allowances for travel expenses to their partner institutions.

Freiburg im Breisgau is a city in south-western Germany on the edge of the Black Forest. Freiburg was founded by Konrad and Duke Bertold III of Zähringen in 1120 as a free market town – hence its name, which translates to "free town". Freiburg holds a central position in Europe at the border triangle of Switzerland, France, and Germany, and is the city with the most hours of sunshine per year in Germany. It is nestled in one of the oldest cultural landscapes north of the Alps, a location which has had an unmistakable influence on the town. The university plays an essential part in the quality of life in Freiburg; both in the academic sphere and in the perception of the general public, the activities of the university are of central importance. Since its founding, teaching, learning and research have formed an indivisible whole.

With approx. 230,000 inhabitants, Freiburg has a friendly size, offering the safe surroundings of a smaller city whilst at the same time excelling in terms of culture, shopping and infrastructure. Both the inhabitants and the city government of Freiburg attach great importance to ecological values and sustainable development. This "green city" atmosphere influences many aspects of city life – from the numerous cyclists on the streets to cutting-edge solar energy research. Surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of the Black Forest and the wine-growing regions of the Rhine Valley, Freiburg is a popular destination for tourism and leisure activities.