Fundamentals and Applications of Mechanical Engineering, MSc University of Stuttgart

The FAME Master's programme is a completely redesigned, English-language study programme that opens the door to the most challenging and exciting jobs in research, development, and industry. Building on existing engineering knowledge, you will deepen your expertise in areas such as design and production engineering, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, materials science, control engineering, and project management.

In addition to modern laboratories and practical projects, you can expect close cooperation with industry partners and research institutions, including a one-semester internship in industry or at an institute. You will learn to analyse complex systems, develop innovative solutions, and implement them in an economical, sustainable, and technically excellent manner. We also prepare you in terms of language and culture to make it easier for you to start your career and/or life in Germany.

With a Master's degree in mechanical engineering, you will be qualified for creative or management positions in industry, research, or self-employment. You can actively shape the technological progress of our society.

The FAME Master’s programme comprises four semesters (120 ECTS), which must be completed in accordance with the examination regulations. The programme is divided into several blocks, each of which offers a wide range of options:

Engineering Fundamentals: This module consists of three courses designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in core engineering principles. If your previous Bachelor’s degree did not cover certain subject areas, you can make up for them here. If necessary, the admissions committee will provide guidelines on the subjects you are required to take.

Language and Culture: In this section, you choose a subject from the field of work culture and a language that you want to study in depth. For students from abroad, we offer special courses designed to make living and working in Germany easier, and if you come from Germany, there are also other offers to help you broaden your horizons.

Focus Fields: In the two focus fields, which you can choose yourself, you can choose from over 140 different subjects, which you can use to develop your individual study focus and personal profile. The subjects cover the entire spectrum of mechanical engineering in Stuttgart and are taught exclusively in English. Each Focus Field is supervised by a professor who is on-hand to answer your questions and provide guidance during your studies.

Engineering Practice Term: As an applied science, it is important to us that you also learn about practical life as part of an organisation. For this purpose, one semester of the programme is reserved for either a mandatory internship at a company (please refer to the internship guidelines) or a research project at a university research institute, depending on the profile you wish to pursue. In addition, you will participate in a compulsory supporting module (accompanying seminar) at the university to discuss and reflect on your experiences.

Master's thesis: You will complete your studies with a Master's thesis in one of your two focus fields. This will be closely supervised by the staff of the institute you choose for this purpose.

One semester of the programme is reserved for either a mandatory internship at a company or a research project at a university research institute.

Admission Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree of at least six semesters in duration (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering or in a closely related field of study.
• Knowledge and skills equivalent to those required to complete a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Restricted admission (NC)

In certain cases, interviews will be conducted with the applicants before the decisions can be made.

For detailed information about the admission process, required English proficiency, and criteria for determining eligibility, please refer to the admission regulations.

Language Requirements

The study programme courses are held in English, so an adequate knowledge of English at a C1 level is required. You need an appropriate language certificate or a university entrance qualification, or a Bachelor's programme of at least six semesters with English as the language of instruction.

Approx. 200 EUR per semester

Living expenses amount to about 1,050 EUR per month. Non-EU students will have to demonstrate that they have sufficient finances to cover living expenses for 12 months. EU citizens may apply for state-guaranteed loans during the time of enrolment. 

For more information, see the links on our website.

Please be aware that it may be very challenging to finance your whole studies by working. Non-EU citizens are allowed by law to work for a maximum of 120 days per year. Only students who are employed by the university in one of the institutes or departments ("Studentische/Wissenschaftliche Hilfskräfte") are exempt from this regulation, but other restrictions apply.

For more detailed information, please consult the following website: Financing your studies and working for international students.

• Internships, mentoring and getting on the career ladder 

• Counselling for students

Are more answers needed? Then don't hesitate to get in contact with the incoming service of our International Office by writing an e-mail to: incoming@uni-stuttgart.de.

Both the campus in Stuttgart-Vaihingen and the campus in the centre of Stuttgart have on-site halls of residence. Dorm rooms (ranging from 320 EUR to 650 EUR per month) are furnished. Some are equipped with a sink, and all have access to a kitchen and sanitary facilities, telephone and Internet. From the campus in Stuttgart-Vaihingen, the city of Stuttgart can be reached by suburban railway within ten minutes.

Intelligent systems to benefit society

The University of Stuttgart is one of the leading technically oriented universities in Germany with global significance. It sees itself as a centre of university-based, non-university, and industrial research. Furthermore, it takes on a role as a guarantor of research-based teaching, focused on quality and holism. The university promotes the transfer of knowledge and technologies to society in all its areas of expertise and competence. The "Stuttgarter Weg" (Stuttgart Way) means an interdisciplinary integration of engineering, natural sciences, humanities, management, economics and social sciences based on the fundamentals of cutting-edge research at a disciplinary level. Our vision is “intelligent systems to benefit society”.

Excellent research and teaching

The University of Stuttgart implements innovative concepts in research and teaching in order to provide knowledge and strategies for a meaningful and sustainable development. It focuses on basic research that is both knowledge-oriented and application-related. To facilitate this research, the university is actively part of regional, national and international research networks.

The university is committed to the principle of unity between research and teaching. Students acquire knowledge, expertise and the power of judgement, in accordance with the guidelines of scientific research and awareness. The university fosters fascination for the sciences, supporting its students and junior researchers at all stages of their careers. It promotes independent thinking and provides an environment for responsible action. In doing so, it educates individuals into becoming exceptional experts who think in an integrative and global manner and act responsibly in the sciences, economics and society.

A powerful region

Founded in 1829, at the beginning of the Industrial Age, the University of Stuttgart continues to prepare the way for innovation within an economically and scientifically powerful region and contributes to the economic success and prosperity of our society. This process combines the requirements of a social and cultural change, which allows for an early and extensive input of social interests in research and design as well as teaching and further education.

Open-mindedness

The University of Stuttgart stands for open-mindedness, individuality and community spirit. It brings together students who are eager to learn, highly motivated employees, outstanding teachers, and excellent researchers, as well as visionary thinkers and inventors. By means of its culture of integration, the university creates and conveys knowledge for shaping the future of our society.

The University of Stuttgart is nestled in one of Europe’s most vibrant industrial regions. This fosters many forms of interdisciplinary collaboration — for instance, in numerous Collaborative Research Centres (also known as CRC or sometimes CRC/TRR) and in application-oriented research assignments. The University of Stuttgart sets up a close relationship and a successful transfer of knowledge and technology between its research institutions and business enterprises in the region and beyond. This very practical orientation benefits research and teaching. At the same time, economic players profit from rapid access to new scientific knowledge and contact to experts in their specialised fields. There are numerous possibilities of collaboration for businesses. Furthermore, the university also maintains a close relationship with non-university research institutions such as the Max Planck Society, the Fraunhofer Society, the German Aerospace Centre, and the German Literature Archive Marbach. Thus, the optimal prerequisites for cutting-edge research at the highest level are all to be found in Stuttgart.