Consumer Science

The Master in Consumer Science (MCS) at TUM School of Management is one of a kind in Germany. It guarantees you a unique academic experience with fellow students from many different countries and academic backgrounds. This diversity, combined with the broad curriculum of the program, nurtures the exchange of different perspectives, fosters intercultural skills and prepares you for a successful career in an international setting. For a comprehensive description of the program, please refer to the degree program documentation:

• Degree program documentation for the master's program in Consumer Science (PDF)

The first semester concentrates on the required Basics of Consumer Science.

In the second and third semester, the focus lies on the courses of the chosen specialization – "Innovation and Entrepreneurship", "Management and Marketing ", and "Economics and Econometrics" and the project studies. The program is completed with the Master’s Thesis in the fourth semester.

Im Detail:

• Overview degree program structure
• Module Catolog: Description of program content

Required language skills for admission:

You need sufficient English language skills if you wish to apply for this program. Evidence of your language proficiency has to be submitted before the end of the application deadline. Learn more about recognized certificates and other ways to prove your English language skills.

This evidence of your language proficiency confirms that you comply with the minimum language requirements for admission to the program. Depending on the program and your individual background, it may be necessary for you to keep working on your language skills during your studies. Be sure to take a look at the services of our Language Center.  

Language of instruction:

The language of instruction for this program is usually English. This means that most of the modules are offered in English. Some courses may, however, be taught in German.To learn more about the language of instruction for each module, contact the departmental student academic advisor of this program.   

The MCS program combines perspectives from a variety of disciplines, which makes it particularly challenging. You will need a sound theoretical and methodological foundation. This is provided mainly by courses during the first semester, preparing you for more specialized courses in your second and third semester.

The program includes a mandatory Project Studies module that provides you with hands-on experience in a practical, interdisciplinary environment.

In today’s interconnected world, consumer science is becoming more and more important. Companies, governments, NGOs and research institutions all over the globe are looking for graduates who understand how consumers operate in their economic, social and environmental contexts, against the backdrop of ongoing digitalization. As a specialist in consumer research with interdisciplinary and international experience, you will be in an excellent position to meet the requirements of future employers.

Minimum requirements to apply for a Master's program at TUM are a recognized undergraduate degree (e.g. a bachelor’s) and the successful completion of the aptitude assessment procedure. Aptitude assessment allows the TUM school or department to which you are applying the opportunity to evaluate your individual talents and motivation for study.

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents.

If you receive an offer of admission, you will additionally have to submit individual documents as notarized hardcopies by post to be enrolled.

Generally, applicants with a qualification for postgraduate studies (e.g. a bachelor’s) obtained outside of the EU / EEA must have their documents reviewed in advance through uni-assist.

In detail:

• Applying for a master’s program: Application, admission requirements and more
• Important information about your application from the TUM school or department

• Degree Certificate and Diploma or Subject and Grade Transcript of Studies to Date
• Transcript of Records
• Proof of English Language Proficiency
• Essay
• Curricular Analysis
• Complete and Current Résumé
• Passport
• GMAT (optional)
• Preliminary Documentation (VPD) if the qualification for graduate studies (e.g. a bachelor's) is obtained outside the EU/EEA

If you earned your bachelor's degree in China, India, Pakistan, Egypt, or Bangladesh, you must provide a GMAT with a score of at least 640.

The new GMAT Focus edition will also be accepted with a score of 585 AND a percentile of at least 64,8%. For more information please click here.

For applicants from other countries, the GMAT remains optional. However, depending on the GMAT score, additional points will be awarded at the first stage of the assessment procedure.

We may require additional documents depending on your educational background and your country of origin. Complete the online application to receive a comprehensive list of the required documents. 

• Application for Enrollment (signed)
• Degree Certificate and Diploma (certified copy)
• Transcript of Records (certified copy)
• Most Current Photo (as for ID)
• Digital notification of your health insurance status from a German public health insurance provider (requested by applicant)

We may require additional documents depending on the type of educational background you earned and your country of origin. After accepting an offer of admission in TUMonline, you will receive a list of documents you must submit to TUM in hardcopy for enrollment.

Application period for the winter semester: 01.04. – 31.05. 

Information about applying for a higher subject semester

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents. Please be aware that we can only process your application if you upload all required documents within the application period.

We will review your application as soon as it is complete. Please check your TUMonline account regularly, to see if we have any queries to your documents or if you have to amend one or more documents.

After receiving admission, you will see in TUMonline which documents you have to submit for enrollment, and in which form. Please note that you always have to send the signed application for enrollment and all notarized hardcopies by post.

We recommend that you submit the documents for enrollment as soon as possible after receiving admission. If individual documents are not available by then, you can submit them up to 5 weeks after the start of the lecture period. You will, however, only be enrolled once we have received all documents.

You can check the status of your application at any time in your TUMonline account.

Selection takes place through an aptitude assessment procedure. Aptitude assessment is a two-part procedure after the submission of an official application to a program. In this procedure, the TUM school or department determines whether you meet the specific requirements for its master’s degree program.

In the initial stages, the grades you obtained during your bachelor's program, as well as your written documents, will be evaluated using a point system. Depending on the amount of points accumulated, applicants are either immediately admitted, rejected or invited to an admissions interview. 

• Aptitude Assessment for Master
• Description of the Aptitude Assessment (PDF 263 KB)

The online application process takes place through our application portal TUMonline.

This degree program does not encompass a compulsory internship nor is an internship a requirement for admission. However, it is recommendable, as a rule, to gain practical experience as soon as possible.

• Internship office: Your contact for questions regarding the internship