Schools and Research Centers

Promoting pioneering research and readying talented minds to tackle the challenges of the future: this is why we networked our Schools and research centers across disciplinary boundaries – in a novel matrix structure that fosters innovation.

Our Schools at a glance

Seven Schools form the academic foundation of TUM and, with the departments within them, cover the major domains of science. This new structure breaks away from mono-disciplinary faculties. The Schools’ research and teaching focus on furthering sustainable innovation for the good of humankind, nature and society, with transdisciplinary connections forged by Integrative Research Institutes and other scientific institutions.

Students walking through the entrance hall of the newly finished building for the TUM Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering on the Garching campus (Image: Andreas Heddergott / TUM).

TUM School of

Computation, Information and Technology

We combine our expertise in mathematics, informatics, electrical engineering and information technology to shape the digital transformation.

www.cit.tum.de

TUM School of

Engineering and Design

By connecting our technical, functional and creative engineering skills and expertise, we design solutions for a livable future.

www.ed.tum.de

Meeting at the physics research group of Prof. Laura Fabietti

TUM School of

Natural Sciences

We conduct cutting-edge research in physics, chemistry and biosciences as we strive to understand the basis of our existence and shape our world.

www.nat.tum.de

TUM School of

Life Sciences

From molecules to global food supplies, our research, teaching and innovation follows a holistic approach in examining the ecosystem of humans, animals, nature and the climate.

www.ls.tum.de

Students walking over a bridge at the Heilbronn campus

TUM School of

Management

By networking our knowledge of business and our technological expertise, we create entrepreneurial solutions to the challenges facing society.

www.mgt.tum.de

Pre-service teacher student using a touch screen at the digital teaching-learning-lab TUM-DigiLLabLehr-Lern-Labors TUM-DigiLLab.

TUM School of

Social Sciences and Technology

Working at the interface of social sciences and technological expertise, we further our understanding of the social, political, ethical and legal dimensions of science and technology.

www.sot.tum.de

Under development: TUM School of

Medicine and Health

Promoting health and treating disease: from the fall of 2023, this new School will combine the strengths of what is currently the TUM School of Medicine and the TUM Department of Sport and Health Sciences.

TUM as a University of Excellence

Transforming our university for the future

This is the most extensive reform in our university’s history, which stretches back over 150 years. We are fundamentally transforming the structure of TUM – moving from a faculty-based system to a new, innovation-fostering matrix of Schools and Integrative Research Institutes. The goal? To systematically network experts and students, thereby ensuring our sustained success as a leading university in international competition. This transformation is a crucial part of the TUM Agenda 2030, our future-focused concept from the Excellence Strategy of the federal and state governments.

More about our University of Excellence status

Structure of TUM

Organization and Governance

How does TUM function as a modern scientific enterprise and one of the leading universities in Europe? From the TUM Board of Management to other bodies and central service institutions – get an overview of our university's overall structure.

Organziational structure

Integrative Research Institutes

Situated at the interfaces between our Schools, Integrative Research Institutes (IRIs) tackle future-focused issues with far-reaching implications. They bring together approaches, tools and expertise from research and teaching in various subjects, striving to find novel solutions to system-wide challenges.

Clusters of Excellence

We connect our researchers with those from other research institutions, pooling their expertise in high-performance research partnerships. TUM is currently involved in four Clusters of Excellence – researching the origins of the universe and life, sustainable energy supplies, quantum technology and systems neurology.

Overview of our Clusters

Prof. Boekhoven (left) writing structural formulas onto a whiteboard

Scope for creativity

Innovation Networks and Mission Networks

Transdisciplinary teams made up of leading scientists and talented junior researchers pursue visionary research approaches, uncover potential for innovation at interfaces between disciplines and pool the knowledge and expertise of TUM to tackle decisive issues of human-centered engineering.

Innovation Networks Mission Network CirculaTUM

View of the research campus Garching at dusk with the IAS rising up in the background

Institute for Advanced Study

As IAS Fellows, outstanding scientists from around the globe enjoy the creative scope to pursue unconventional research projects at TUM.

IAS homepage

Corporate Research Centers

Acting independently of our Schools, Corporate Research Centers conduct basic research into decisive, highly specific areas of science, as well as application-oriented research in cooperation with industry.

Support for researchers

Technical infrastructure, research funding and more

We offer excellent conditions for research, from our Technology Core Facilities’ (TCFs) outstanding equipment, infrastructure and expertise in high-performance technologies to access to research funding, and numerous other services that promote exceptional science.

Explore research services