Neuroengineering

The ENB Elite Master of Science programme in Neuroengineering (MSNE) at the Technische Universität München is a two-year graduate programme, with an optional Research Excellence Certificate, hosted by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Center of Competence on Neuroengineering. The programme is interdisciplinary and combines experimental and theoretical neuroscience with profound training in engineering. Besides taking a series of mandatory core courses, students will have the opportunity to choose from electives from multiple disciplines and to gain research experience under the guidance of world-renowned faculty. The programme aims to attract high-profile international students and will provide a unique skill set that will open up career possibilities beyond the conventional job market.

For a comprehensive description of the program, please refer to the degree program documentation:

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

The programme is designed as a two-year full time (120 ECTS) Master-of-Science training, with an optional Research Excellence Certificate (additional 30 ECTS). The curriculum is innovative in the sense that all mandatory modules include hands-on implementation of acquired knowledge in small-team projects with tight supervision to ensure the students are able to apply the relevant methods and techniques.

The Literature Seminar, Scientific Debating, Colloquium builds a framework for individual choice of a topic and related research papers, strengthening their ability to identify relevant research, analyse it, and convert it to their own contribution. Furthermore, the programme includes up to two individual research projects (of 8 and 12 ECTS, respectively) during the semester breaks to enable students to perform independent research early during their education. We offer a mandatory set of core courses to cover all basic aspects of neuroengineering from brain anatomy to neuro-recording, electronics, and computational processing; thereby MSNE students gain a rich toolbox and a deep understanding of neuroengineering concepts, despite the breadth of the field. The courses are conducted in a way that they set the framework for the topic it covers, but enables students during the tutorials and labs to focus on individual problems, thereby preparing the individual qualification towards research excellence. Students are free to select remaining courses (Learning Agreement). The overall timeline is three semesters of classes including hands-on projects, intense projects during the semester breaks (possibly abroad); with a fourth semester for the mandatory Master's thesis. MSNE graduates are trained to act out their future career in an ethically and societally responsible manner, being aware of, and addressing contemporary and future societal needs and challenges. 

• Program structure

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 English.

Graduates will not only enhance their knowledge in neuroengineering, but also develop research skills through the coursework and thesis. Apart from the cutting edge knowledge and technical skills acquired, graduates also develop their basic soft skills.

Beyond the skillsets of only one or two disciplines, MSNE graduates are proficient in neuroscience, engineering, mathematics, psychology, and informatics, which is specifically geared towards solving complex engineering problems with high societal impact.

Students opting to take the additional "Research Excellence Certificate" select additional elective courses, perform an additional research project, and present their research project results within their peer group at the NeuroEngineering Summit. Students that graduate with the certificate are able to combine several aspects of neuro-inspired systems and are able to define an own research focus, thereby going beyond the ability to conduct research with the ability to identify an individual research field that allows a smooth transition into doctoral studies.

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
• Curricular Analysis
• Essay
• Letter of Motivation
• Complete and Current Résumé
• Passport
• Preliminary Documentation (VPD) if the qualification for graduate studies (e.g. a bachelor's) is obtained outside the EU/EEA

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)
• Student Health Insurance Certificate

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 winter semester: 01.02.2023 – 31.05.2023

Information about applying for a higher subject semester

Applicants from outside the EU are advised to submit their application by March 15th in order to avoid time issues with regard to securing visa.

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 (Appendix 2, German) (PDF 431 KB)

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

The research projects after semester one (optional) and semester two (mandatory) give students first exposure to individual independent application of learned concepts.