Mechanical Engineering Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Degree: Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Regular program length: 4 semester (full-time program)
Credit points (ECTS): 120 credit points
Language of instruction: German; selected study variants in English
Higher semester: no
Higher semester: winter and summer term
First semester: September 30 for winter term, March 31 for summer term
Higher semester: September 30 for winter term, March 31 for summer term
First semester: July 15 for winter term, January 15 for summer term
Higher semester: July 15 for winter term, January 15 for summer term
Program details
Degree and duration
Regular program length of 2 years leading to a "Master of Science (M.Sc.)" degree; 120 credit points (corresponding to the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System - ECTS) must be completed. Individual prorgram length may differ from regular program length.
Studieninhalte
Der Masterstudiengang Maschinenbau lässt viel Raum für individuelle Gestaltung. Neben allgemein verbindlichen Modulen im Umfang von 20 Leistungspunkten (ECTS) gibt es einen Wahlbereich aus Maschinenbau und weiteren Disziplinen (28 LP) sowie eine Vertiefungsrichtung (40 LP). Dazu kommen überfachliche Qualifikationen (2 LP) und die Masterarbeit mit 30 LP. Die Verteilung der Inhalte auf die einzelnen Semester ist nicht vorgegeben. Als Vertiefungsrichtung kannst du eine von folgenden wählen.
- Allgemeiner Maschinenbau
- Energie- und Umwelttechnik
- Fahrzeugtechnik
- Mechatronik und Mikrosystemtechnik
- Produktentwicklung und Konstruktion
- Produktionstechnik
- Theoretischer Maschinenbau
- Werkstoffe und Strukturen für Hochleistungssysteme.
Innerhalb der Vertiefungsrichtung werden ein Wahlpflichtmodul „Grundlagen und Methoden der Vertiefungsrichtung“ und zwei Schwerpunkte im Umfang von je 16 Leistungspunkten (ECTS) gewählt.
Qualification profile of the graduate
Graduates of the Master's degree program in mechanical engineering at KIT are able to participate independently in value-added processes in engineering and contribute through their research-oriented education to science. They are especially qualified for a responsible position in industry, science, and technical services and acquire qualifications that allow pursuing doctoral studies.
Graduates acquire broad and in-depth knowledge of engineering fundamentals. This is ensured by a compulsory area, which includes mathematical methods of engineering, modeling and simulation as well as the processes of product development. As a result, they are able to deal independently with the state of research and to further refine methods. They can develop, evaluate, and interpret comprehensive and interdisciplinary simulation studies. From their understanding of market demand and value-added processes, they are able to develop products of mechanical engineering. The methods and practices that are used can be reflected and adapted to changing conditions in order to optimize the own approach.
In the specialization area, consisting of two major fields and associated lectures, graduates acquire the essential knowledge, how to transfer the general fundamentals into concrete issues of mechanical engineering. Thus, they are qualified to play an important role in complex research and development projects as well as to participate competently in the innovation process and are professionally prepared for future leadership roles.
In other natural sciences, economics, and social sciences related lectures, students acquire further skills. Thereby they are, inter alia, in a position to make well thought out decisions, taking into account social, economic, and ethical constraints.
Graduates of the Master's program in mechanical engineering at KIT have broad and in-depth knowledge. This solid foundation enables them to analyze and synthesize complex systems. They can also develop, reflect, evaluate, and shape independently and sustainably systems and processes of mechanical engineering, taking into account technical, social, economic, and ethical constraints. They deal constructively with their own, with others’ views, and present their work results in an understandable form. Graduates are able to independently identify tasks, to obtain the information necessary to their solution, to select methods, to acquire skills and thus to contribute to added value. They are in a position to choose a concrete occupational area of mechanical engineering.
Career prospects
Der Masterstudiengang Maschinenbau vermittelt Einblick in aktuelle Technologien, ein vertieftes Verständnis der fachlichen Inhalte und eine anwendungsbezogene Spezialisierung. Nach dem Masterabschluss bieten sich dir Einstiegsmöglichkeiten in verschiedenste Branchen, wie Fahrzeugtechnologie, Spezialmaschinen- und Anlagenbau, Kraftwerkstechnik, Produktionstechnik, intelligente Automation oder Werkstofftechnik. Die Aufgaben erstrecken sich von Forschung und Entwicklung über Projektleitung, Qualitätsmanagement, Aufbau und Inbetriebnahme, Produktionsleitung bis hin zu Beratung und Vertrieb.
Wer einen guten Masterabschluss hat, kann sich um eine Promotion bemühen und später als „Dr.-lng.“ in Wissenschaft und Wirtschaft gehobene Positionen anstreben.
Characteristic features of the degree program
- Breites Lehrangebot, viele Wahlmöglichkeiten
- Forschungsorientierte Lehre
- International vernetzt (CLUSTER, CESAER, EUCOR…)
- Doppelabschlussprogramme mit Hochschulen in Südkorea, China und Argentinien
- Unterstützung bei Gründungsvorhaben (Gründerschmiede, Pioniergarage)
- Zahlreiche Hochschulgruppen für alle Interessen
Admission requirements
Admission requirements
A bachelor's degree in either engineering or natural sciences or at least an equivalent degree whose modules correspond in content and scope to those of the KIT bachelor's degree, as well as 12 weeks of industrial internship (see admission regulations).
Language skills necessary for international applicants
Applicants without university entrance qualifications awarded by a German-speaking secondary school need to submit proof of the following language skill:
- German language skills: for application, skills of at least B1-level are necessary. All certificates are accepted; a certificate of attendance of a B1-level course is sufficient. For enrollment, a DSH2 certificate or equivalent needs to be presented.
- or English language skills of at least B2-level, e.g. proven by Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of at least 90 points in the internet-based test or equivalent. Proof of English language skills is not required for applicants who
- have completed a degree program at a university with English as the sole language of instruction
- have attended at least 5 years of English language classes in secondary school, can provide a higher education entrance qualification and have received minimum grades of 4 (sufficient, D) or at least 5 points in the last two school years of these English language classes.
- Can proof of sufficient knowledge of the English or German language not be provided until the end of the application deadline, admission can be granted under the provision that one of the above-mentioned certificates of either the English or the German language will be provided during enrollment.
Contact the International Students Office for additional information.
Entrance test
There will be an entrance test for this degree program for the application phase for the summer semester 2025 on March 12, 2025.
What does this mean for applicants?
Applicants who are unable to provide proof of the minimum knowledge and minimum requiremenets required in accordance with §7 of the admission regulations will have the opportunity to provide proof of the required skills by passing the entrance test.
The examination modalities will be announced in the invitation to the test. Registration to take the exam is possible from February 1 to March 2, 2025.
For further information, please contact InSL.
Application portal
Application for the 1st semester
opens May 15, 2025.
Application for a higher semester
opens May 15, 2025.
Contacts
Student advisor
Student advisory services (ZSB)
+49 721 608 - 44930
Karin Schmurr ∂does-not-exist.kit edu
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
Zentrale Studienberatung (ZSB)
Engelbert-Arnold-Str. 2
76131 Karlsruhe
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
Studierendenservice
Kaiserstr. 12
76131 Karlsruhe
First point of contact for international applicants
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
International Students Office (IStO)
Adenauerring 2
76131 Karlsruhe
Printed matter
Module handbook
Statutes and regulations
| Titel | Stand | Download |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 KIT 026 New Announcement of the Statutes for Admission to the Master’s Program of Mechanical Engineering at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) | 07-17-2024, published 07-17-2024 | PDF (German) PDF (English) |
| Titel | Stand | Download |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 KIT 001 Studien- und Prüfungsordnung des Karlsruher Instituts für Technologie (KIT) für den Masterstudiengang Maschinenbau | 17.01.2025, veröffentlicht 22.01.2025 |
Teaching calendar
WT 2024/25
10-21-2024 to 02-15-2025
ST 2025
04-22-2025 to 08-02-2025
WT 2025/26
10-27-2025 to 02-21-2026
ST 2026
04-20-2026 to 08-01-2026
WT 2026/27
10-26-2026 to 02-20-2027
ST 2027
04-19-2027 to 07-31-2027
WT 2027/28
10-25-2027 to 02-19-2028
ST 2028
04-18-2028 to 07-29-2028
Lectures will not take place:
- From 12-24 to 01-06
- the week after Pentecost
- on all public holidays in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg