Student initiatives
Students of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) are active in a huge variety of projects, initiatives and clubs – from business consulting to development cooperations. They campaign for human rights, coach young people and promote on-campus intercultural exchange. By applying their academic knowledge, our students often embody TUM’s mission of thinking and acting like an entrepreneurial university. In the process, they have formed friendships and networks across Europe and the rest of the world.
How can I start my own project?
There are a number of ways in which TUM can help you set up your own project or initiative.
- TUM: Junge Akademie der TUM: Apply to the scholarship program for exceptionally talented and dedicated students and start your own project with the potential to contribute to society.
- Projects with AStA and the TUM Student Council Realize your own projects with support from mentors – you can even earn ECTS credits for the work you do here.
- Create your own campus group: Start your own initiative with other students and have your project accredited as a campus group by the student body council.
Academic Engagement
Biotechnology student initiative: In line with our motto “let life sciences meet you – get connected”, we organize regular events for students, doctoral candidates and young academics both at national and local level in collaboration with various institutes and companies, thus acting as an interface between academia and industry. We offer excursions, lecture evenings, seminars, continuing education programs and the ScieCon life sciences recruitment fair, which draws participants from all over Germany. Biotechnologische Studenteninitiative e.V.
Exchange of ideas: Students of Electrical and Computer Engineering can collect experience Europe-wide and make international contacts in workshops at universities and in companies. EESTEC
When debating at the club meetings or at tournaments, Munich students practice their communication and rhetoric skills – enabling them to join political debates and discussion. The club is a politically neutral platform. Debattierclub München
Model United Nations: Students re-enact the workings of the United Nations, create model committees and pass resolutions in the role of UN delegates. WorldMUN
Original and engaging lectures: TEDxTUM organizes conferences, inviting experts from all areas to present their ideas, share their experiences and speak about innovation and technology. TEDxTUM
VMSI – Association of Munich student initiatives
The Association of Munich Student Initiatives (VMSI) facilitates dialog and cooperation between the various student initiatives based in Munich and represents their common interests. VMSI
Campus-life
Theater group at the Garching campus: We are a diverse troupe of TUM students, doctoral candidates and staff members who stage plays in our spare time. During term time, we get together for weekly sessions of improvisation, technical exercises and games to improve our acting skills and have a bit of fun in the process! We are always looking to welcome new people – either as performers or backstage. We are passionate about drama and are convinced it is a cultural enrichment to life at the Garching campus. AcTUM – Drama im Vier(t)akter [four-stroke drama]
Social hub for the Garching campus: With events like Pasta Friday, Pizza Week or the weekly pub quiz, the C2 bar is a fun place for students to hang out. C2 – Campus−Cneipe
Welcome to Freising: Current and past students make everyone feel at home in Freising by organizing numerous events and opportunities to make new friends. Freisinger Studentenleben
By students for students: The campus magazine for biotechnology and life sciences reports on the latest research developments, campus news and student life. Link to Facebook-page
Cinema in the lecture hall: Every Tuesday and Thursday during the semester, the tu film transforms the Carl-von-Linde lecture hall in the city center and the MW 1801 lecture hall in Garching into real cinemas with a cinema projector and snack stand.
Innovation and sustainability
Providing water for the world: School-goers and students are challenged to build their own energy-independent desalination plants in a biennial competition. DeSal Challenge
Since 1985, speakers from nature conservation organizations and the worlds of research and business have delivered talks on environmental technology, health, consumer rights and climate protection. “Umwelt” lecture series
Fostering sustainable development of African communities through research-based solutions: We are a non-profit organization, which unites students, researchers, alumni and friends of TUM. All of us work on the question, how energy transition can foster sustainable development of communities in Africa. In addition, we are an accredited university group of TUM. TU eMpower Africa e.V.
International exchange
Europe-wide student forum: From conferences in Budapest to cultural events in Ljubljana – AEGEE promotes cooperation and intercultural exchange between young people in Europe. AEGEE
At the “Asian-European Society at TUM” (AES), our core mission is to enhance mutual understanding among students from diverse cultural backgrounds, with a focus on Eurasian relations. Therefore, we organize a broad range of events to bring people together and to match interested students with potential employers both in Asia and Europe. Our event series includes speaker events on current topics as well as corporate workshops and social events. AES
Looking for work experience? The Munich local committee helps students find work experience abroad and supports international interns who have come to Munich. IAESTE
Are you looking to connect with students from your home country? Students of various countries have set up local student groups. You can find all country groups on our international students pages: Leisure time and networking: Student groups of different countries
TUM: Junge Akademie
During the 20-month scholarship period, members of TUM: Junge Akademie have the opportunity to realize their own projects, chosen for their strong practical focus and potential contribution to society. Overview of all projects at Junge Akademie
Action days, street science and science hacks: TUM: Junge Akademie organizes a wide range of activities that enrich campus life at TUM and help promote dialog between students, researchers and the general public. TUM: Junge Akademie
Social projects
Saving lives with stem cells: The AIAS e.V. team in Munich provides young people with information about leukemia and encourages students to sign up to the German bone marrow registry (DKMS). AIAS e.V.
Highlighting issues and effecting change: The Munich campus group uses art auctions, information stands and talks to raise awareness of human rights. Amnesty International
Travel for a good cause: Get as far as possible in only 36 hours, as a team of two without any money – and raise funds for an educational project in Tanzania (Jambo Bukoba e.V.). BreakOut
Taking responsibility: Students provide assistance for people in need in Germany and around the world, highlighting social problems and undertaking projects to tackle them. Campus for Change
From Munich to Burkina Faso: This student group is dedicated to improving people’s quality of life by helping them support themselves financially.
enactus Munich
Development cooperation: Engineers Without Borders is a non-profit recognized aid organization that has been successfully carrying out development cooperation in Africa and Asia for almost 20 years to improve the living conditions of people in need. With us, students work together with alumni from all disciplines on projects to improve infrastructure and education.
Workshops for pupils: The club “MPhasis” connects pupils from middle and secondary schools with companies that are looking for apprentices. They are taught soft skills and key qualifications in various workshops. MPhasis website
Listeners telephone – from students for students. Voluntary students help their fellow students with a sympathetic ear on the telephone. Nightline München e.V.
Students volunteering their time as career coaches help schoolkids from difficult homes and socially or economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Rock your Life
Getting involved: This TUM: Junge Akademie project group promotes social engagement at TUM. University students and employees can use the initiative’s new platform to apply for positions advertised by social institutions. TUMsocial
Free education for pupils: following the example set by Wikipedia students build up a free platform for pupils with loads of explanations, exercises, videos and lectures. Serlo.org
For every child on the planet: Students from Munich's universities work together to promote the rights of children worldwide through information work and campaigns. UNICEF university group Munich
Forging links: This TUM: Junge Akademie project group strengthens ties between TUM students, alumni and the university itself. It also organizes the TUM campus run. wachsTUM
Weitblick is a non-profit initiative formed by students who believe in equal education for all, world-wide. With us, Munich students from all fields of study can utilize their unique talents in creative ways and help bring life to different projects. Weitblick München
Entrepreneurship and economy
Business consulting: The students in 180 Degrees Consulting provide advice to charitable and social organizations. Their aim is to develop innovative, practical and sustainable solutions. 180 Degrees Consulting
Student consulting services: Academy Consult members gain experience in the working world by providing their consulting expertise to companies in a wide range of sectors. Academy Consult
Build a network throughout Germany: Organize career fairs, special theme days and training courses with Bonding student initiative. Bonding Student Initiative (German)
The world of aerospace: This student initiative puts members in touch with the aerospace industry in Munich and around the world. EUROAVIA München e.V.
Establishing contacts: Students from all faculties organize career forums, workshops and talks at all TUM campuses – bringing students and prospective employers together. IKOM
To learn more, see the Image-Video of IKOM.
Gain practical marketing experience with Germany's largest student initiative dedicated to marketing. Offers include talks, project work, trainings, symposiums, and social events. MTP Munich
Automotive industry: The student association furthers contacts between students and the automotive industry all over Germany, with one of its groups based in Munich. Studentischer Automobilverband e.V.
The desire to balance business ethics with economic interests brings together this association of Munich university students. Through various initiatives and events, they promote issues such as sustainability, corporate responsibility, green investments and social entrepreneurship, teaming up with institutes, NGOs and various companies to support their efforts. Sneep: local Munich chapter
Getting enthusiastic about entrepreneurship: Students learn about successful startups, work together with them – and invite entrepreneurs to their course of lectures. STARTmunich
Germany’s oldest entrepreneurial student intiative encourages and supports students from various degree programs and all Munich universities to act entrepreneurially. Students gain inside into professional life through workshops, their own projects, through starting up businesses and various club activities. Moreover, they can build on the support of more than 300 club alumni. TEG | The Entrepreneurial Group e.V.
Understanding the financial market: This club organizes training seminars and encourages members to develop their own theories on financial developments. TU Investment Club
Working with companies: This student initiative organizes lectures, seminars and excursions with economic and political decision-makers. TUM Business Club e.V. (German)
Networking, project work and more: We offer students a network for their studies and their later professional life - whether with excursions to companies or meetings with other universities, as well as seminars, workshops, regulars' tables, hikes and even soldering courses. One of our projects is the VDE School Initiative, in which students bring technology into schools. Munich universities’ group of the VDE Verband der Elektrotechnik Elektronik Informationstechnik for South Bavaria