Plastics Engineering Rosenheim Technical University of Applied Sciences

Plastics are much better than you might think. They are far more than just everyday materials and are, without a doubt, one of the most important materials for our future. From 3D printing and innovative protective clothing to plastics for renewable energy and medical care, the possible applications are virtually limitless. Plastics enable the development of new products and solutions that make our lives more efficient, safer, and more environmentally friendly. In the Bachelor’s degree programme in Plastics Engineering, you’ll learn everything you need to hit the ground running in this exciting, future-oriented industry!

Most technical innovations wouldn’t have been possible without plastics. Don’t you believe it? Take a look on the university website at our overview of the 20 most important innovations of the past 20 years – and discover how important plastics were then and still are today.

Our conclusion: Plastics are indispensable and, when used skilfully, excellent materials!

Plastics play a key role in areas such as lightweight construction, robotics, information technology, and healthcare. They enable new technologies and revolutionise existing systems. Whether in medical technology, personal mobility, or energy supply – plastics are a crucial foundation for all future technologies.

Do you want to help shape our future? In the Plastics Engineering degree programme, you can dive into this exciting and dynamic field. And you’ll have one very important experience – plastics are much better than you think!

The plastics engineering department at TH Rosenheim is particularly research-intensive. Numerous research projects run concurrently, many in cooperation with renowned companies, as well as large-scale basic research projects funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). This offers students in the Bachelor's programme in Plastics Engineering a wide range of opportunities to participate in innovative and significant projects.

In the Plastics Engineering programme, you have the option of starting your studies in English. To begin your studies, you must have English skills at level B2 and German skills at level A2. For the first three semesters, you will study Plastics Engineering part-time. This gives you time to further improve your German and reach level B2 during these first three semesters. From the fourth semester onwards, you will continue your studies in German, together with your fellow students who began their studies in German.

You can take German courses at Rosenheim Technical University of Applied Sciences that will bring you to German level B2 (see scheme below). You should normally reach this level by the beginning of your fourth semester. You must reach German level B2 by the end of your fifth semester at the latest.

In the first three semesters, the focus is on the fundamentals that every engineer should master. These include modules in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and engineering mechanics. In the fourth and fifth semesters, you will learn a great deal about the specific properties of plastics – how they behave, what they are suitable for, the possibilities for processing them, and how their properties can be tested. In many modules, you will also carry out practical measurements or produce your own test components.

During the practical semester, which takes place in the sixth semester, or in the accompanying practical parts of the degree programme, you will already apply much of your knowledge and skills. In four modules, you can choose from an extensive list what you would like to focus on in more depth. These modules are listed in the study plan as FWPMs (elective compulsory modules).

In the seventh and eighth semesters, you will learn methods that are important for a professional and responsible approach to plastics. You will learn how to create life cycle assessments and how to properly integrate aspects of sustainability.

The full-time or part-time undergraduate degree programme provides the option for a dual study programme in cooperation with leading industrial companies, e.g. BMW, KraussMaffei Technologies, Brückner Group and Krones. Scholarships are provided for outstanding undergraduate students through the Stahlgruber Foundation.

One of the advantages of studying Plastics Engineering at TH Rosenheim is its strong practical orientation and close cooperation with industry. The degree programme includes a mandatory preliminary internship (“Vorpraxis”) of at least eight weeks, which should be completed before the start of the programme or no later than the beginning of the fourth semester.

The preliminary internship provides hands-on insight into industrial processes relevant to plastics engineering. The training must cover at least one of the following areas:

• processing of plastics (e.g. injection moulding, extrusion, fibre-reinforced composites),
• mechanical processing of plastics and metals, or
• manufacturing processes and working methods of production machines and equipment.

Relevant prior experience may be recognised upon application. A completed apprenticeship in the field or a relevant professional activity of twelve months or more can be fully credited. Shorter relevant experience or practical training may be partially recognised for up to six weeks, according to the training plan for the preliminary practical training.

Notwithstanding that, if you begin your studies as a part-time programme, the main internship is scheduled for your sixth semester. You will spend an entire semester at a company, working in areas such as development, design, production planning, or quality assurance.

Another key element is the industrial project work, which normally spans two semesters in collaboration with a company. Companies propose topics, from which students choose one. The project is conducted at TH Rosenheim, while a company supervisor provides guidance and practical input. This allows students to gain first-hand experience of industrial projects and understand the practical requirements of engineering practice.

With a university entrance qualification from abroad via uni-assist:

• 1 May – 30 November for a study start in March (summer semester – bilingual track)
• 15 February – 15 September for a study start in October (winter semester – German track)

With a German university entrance qualification via TH Rosenheim application portal:

• 1 November – 30 November for a study start in March
• 15 April – 15 September for a study start in October

A general or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification is sufficient to qualify for the study programme. Check whether you are eligible to apply at the DAAD database on admission requirements.

More detailed information on the admission requirements is available at the course website.

97 EUR student union contribution per semester

Each student needs about 992 EUR per month to cover living expenses, student accommodation, health insurance and other related costs in Rosenheim. We recommend calculating approx. 11,904 EUR per year in total.

For international students from non-EU countries

Proof of financial resources / blocked account: With a blocked account, you can provide evidence that you have adequate financial resources during the visa application process. The presumed annual requirement that must be paid into the blocked account when applying for a visa amounts to 11,904 EUR. Please see the information from the Federal Foreign Office: www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/visabestimmungen-node/sperrkonto-seite.

A limited number of student jobs are available at TH Rosenheim (e.g. for lab work, research projects or other support functions). Students can find part-time jobs at local companies or in Munich, which is a 35-minute train ride from Rosenheim. Basic knowledge of the German language significantly improves your chances of getting a student job.

Online job market at TH Rosenheim
You will find job postings on the internal online job market at TH Rosenheim.

Bavaria-wide job exchange
You will also find interesting job offers at: https://jobboerse.th-rosenheim.de/index.php/en.

More helpful tips
Our website also provides practical advice on working in Bavaria, Germany.

Students in the Bachelor's programme in Plastics Engineering who achieve particularly good academic results can apply for a scholarship from the Stahlgruber Foundation. The monthly scholarship is currently 300 EUR. Students in the Bachelor's programme in Plastics Engineering are eligible for funding from their third semester onwards.

Applying for jobs and starting your career

The Career Centre provides students and graduates with information and advice on applying for jobs, career planning and starting out in the world of work.

International students who need assistance with writing applications have the chance to arrange individual appointments in English and German.

Munich Student Union halls of residence

Fall out of bed and into your lecture hall – thanks to the Munich Student Union, this is possible for students in Rosenheim. The student service provider runs two halls of residence here with a total of 345 spaces. Student rooms for international students are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Room rates start at approx. 350 EUR per month. However, room reservations can only be made after being admitted to your degree programme in Rosenheim. Information for students looking for accommodation can be found at: http://www.studentenwerk-muenchen.de/en/accommodation.

Private rooms

Further information regarding accommodation in Rosenheim is available at: www.th-rosenheim.de/housing.

Rosenheim Technical University of Applied Sciences (TH Rosenheim): To study at Rosenheim Technical University of Applied Sciences (TH Rosenheim) is to study in one of Germany’s most beautiful and economically attractive regions. With its high-quality and wide-ranging selection of degree programmes, excellent studying conditions, close links with industry and research, and a strong practical connection, our university offers a promising outlook – for studying, leisure time and careers. To help international students feel at home, the university offers a variety of services, such as German language courses and tutors assisting with everyday university life.

Five USPs for studying at TH Rosenheim:

• Low tuition fees for high-quality education
• Practice-oriented education with more than 100 laboratories
• A welcoming atmosphere with close contact between lecturers and students
• German language courses and career workshops for free
• Mountains on the horizon and leisure activities at every turn