International Automotive Engineering (M. Eng.)

Important innovations of recent years, carried out in the areas of engine control, comfort functions, driver assistance, infotainment or networking and communication, have been based on electrics / electronics. The automobile has become a complex system of various mechatronic technologies which still have to be adapted to individual needs but with a future demand of intensive use of intelligent connections between technology and communication. Among others the following perspectives point towards the direction to the kind of changes that are coming and that affects traditional OEMs and suppliers, potential new players, regulators, consumers, national car markets, and the automotive value chain. Electrified vehicles are becoming viable and competitive. Once technological and regulatory issues have been resolved, the percentage of new cars which are partly or fully autonomous will increase. Car manufacturers are seriously looking into researching technologies that would enable future cars to communicate with each other and with objects around them. These technologies will transform the way we drive and increase automotive safety dramatically.

In the field of automotive development, strong efforts should be made on national and international level to adequately prepare students for coping with the technical exigencies of future automobiles. Engineers with interdisciplinary knowledge in mechanics, electronics and computer science are particularly wanted. The Master-programme International Automotive Engineering (IAE) wants to impart dedicated engineering approaches for the development of automotive mechatronic systems and to give instructions for solving specific problems of developing automotive electronic systems in general as well as for vehicle safety systems specifically.

Information related to the requirements for this programme is available at the bottom of the page.

Degree
Master of Engineering (M. Eng.)
Duration
4 Semester
Start of studies
Summer & Winter
NC
Yes

Accreditation
Yes
Dual Study
Yes
Language
English

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline with 180 ECTS credit points is required. For application, we ask for a copy of the degree certification as well as of the transcript of records/grade sheet. Provisional certificates and transcripts as available are accepted. However, in case of admission the final certificate must be shown at registration/enrollment. Master's applicants with relevant previous studies outside Germany require a VPD from uni-assist.

Documents

In addition, we ask for sufficient English language skills, documented by a certification of level B2. The proof is not required provided the university entrance qualification certificate (certification of secondary school) or the Bachelor's degree was acquired in English or the applicant possesses the citizenship of a country in which English is the native language.
Knowledgeof the German language at level A1 is required for the further course of study. A certification is not required for admission, but must be provided by the end of the first semester.

Selection for Admission: Aptitude Test

Due to the large number of applications we are forced to apply a strict selection procedure in which we evaluate how well an applicant fits to the programme. The aptitude procedure is carried out by the selection committee in two stages. In the first stage, the professional qualification is assessed by a curricular analysis of the documents submitted (Bachelor's certificate). Modules from fundamental areas (automotive engineering, electrical and communication engineering, microcontrollers and signal processing, programming and software engineering) in which the skills required for the Master's degree program in International Automotive Engineering must be acquired are considered.
In the second stage, motivation, professional qualifications and communication skills are determined and assessed in an interview. Applicants with sufficient marks in stage 1 will be invited to the aptitude interview for stage 2. The aptitude interviews take place in June and July (application for the winter semester) and in January February (application for the summer semester).

Structure

Compulsory modules of the curriculum impart well-founded specialist skills in the following areas: functions and structures of electrified drives, features and application forms of vehicle-specific sensors and actuators, function development, realization and validation of driver assistance and vehicle safety systems as well as on the hierarchical process of developing such systems. This enables students to specify and implement mechatronic driver assistance and vehicle safety systems. In projects and seminars, students also acquire skills and abilities relating to communication, cooperation and conflicts in intra- and intercultural contexts.

English as language of instruction and internationally composed groups of students encourage foreign language skills as well as dealing with cultural differences. However, acquisition of knowledge of the German language at level A2 is encouraged by means of a compulsory language course.

Curriculum

1. Semester

Principles of Programming and Software Development

Principles of Signal Processing, Data Analysis and Machine Learning

Principles of Mathematical Modelling and Control Engineering

Automotive Electrical and Electronic Technology

Engineering Project

Research Methods

2. Semester

Automotive ECUs and Software Architectures

Testing and Simulation Methods for Vehicle Safety Systems

Integrated Safety and Assistance Systems

Vehicle Dynamics

German Language Elective

Scientific Elective

3. Semester

Automotive Systems Engineering Processes

Electric Drive Train

Sensor Technology and Statistical Signal Processing

Power Supply and Energy Distribution

Team Project

Scientific Elective

4. Semester

Master-Thesis and Master-Colloquium

Quick Info

Applying for a degree course
The programme starts in summer term (March 15th) as well as in winter term (October 1st).

Application dates
November 15th – January 15th in case of admission for the summer term;
May 2nd – July 15th in case of admission for the winter term;

Please apply online in our Primuss portal - please find all information on master application follwing this link.

Dubious Application Agencies

Currently, THI is receiving an increasing amount of information regarding fraudulent activities in connection with student applications to THI. Therefore, it is important for you to know the following:

THI does not work with agencies. Please apply directly to THI via the Primuss application portal.
THI never asks for money via agencies for application purposes.
THI only sends emails from @thi.de.
THI never asks for money before you receive your admission letter. If you need a VPD from uni-assist, you will have to pay a processing fee to uni-assist. However, uni-assist only checks certain documents and does not grant admission to THI.
The application process is conducted in the THI Primuss portal. Only there will you be able to access your application progress.

As of winter semester 2024/25, THI charges service fees of 500 euros per semester for students from third countries (outside the EU and the EAA (European Economic Area) . If you have any questions, please go to Contact for prospective students

Please note: No service fees for exchange students, visiting students, participants of summer school!

The dual Master's programme at THI offers optimal career opportunities. In addition to the regular degree programme, the dual Master's programme includes intensive work experience in a company. It is consecutive and is aimed at both non-dual and dual Bachelor graduates who have previously completed a combined degree programme or a degree programme with in-depth practical experience.

During the dual Master's programme, you will receive a salary from your company. The salary for Master's degree programmes should be appropriately higher than the salary for Bachelor's degree programmes.

Special feature: Normal duration of study with significantly more practical experience than in a regular Master's programme

In addition to the professional and international orientation, the attractiveness of the programme is enhanced by the possibility of obtaining a double degree in which two degrees are acquired with an additional expenditure of up to one semester: Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt awards one degree, while the other is awarded by a foreign partner university. This possibility opens graduates excellent prospects in the increasingly global labor market.

Universidade Federal Do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, and Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Joinville, Brasilien
The double degree agreement exists with a master's program in mechanical engineering (Mestrado em Engenharia Mecânica) or with one in electrical engineering (Mestrado em Engenharia Elétrica). It impresses with its research-oriented characterization, opening up explicitly the prospect of further qualifications after the Master's degree in the direction of doctoral degree. The agreement stipulates that the first semester have to be completed at the THI. In the second semester, theoretical courses as well as an individual project has to be passed at UFPR (language of instruction will be English). In the project, the thesis is being prepared thematically and methodically. The third semester is reserved for the preparation of the final thesis.
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), Melbourne, Australien
Another double degree agreement exists with the Master's program "International Automotive Engineering". In the first two semesters, the courses of the THI program either of the core area "Vehicle Electronics" or of the core area "Vehicle Safety" with some restrictions related to electives have to be completed. Then, additional two semesters at RMIT theoretical courses have to be attended and a final thesis has to be written.

Basically, graduates will work as a development engineer for electronic/mechatronic systems of automobiles used to increase comfort and safety.

FAQs

Yes.

Currently, we accept between 20 and 25 students each semester.

Yes, the programme is open for mechanical engineers as well as electrical engineers. You must be open for electronic/mechatronic subjects. The programme is not a specialization in a specific area of the mechanics of automobiles.

First, the term 'International' in the programme's name indicates that our aim is to prepare our students to collaborate in international teams. Second it refers to fact that the language of instruction is English.

After completion of the programme you have the opportunity to do a PhD at a university. Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt cannot directly award PhDs but there may be the opportunity to do a cooperative programme with us. Generally, we can say that other universities in Germany accept the master degree from our university. In some cases, you have to rework some field of study. However, this depends on the faculty of the university where you do your PhD.

We look forward to receiving your application!

To the online application

Contact for questions about the application or other topics

Contact only for content-related questions:

Programme director and Academic advisor " International Automotive Engineering" (Master)
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Armin Arnold
Phone: +49 841 9348-7980
Room: B204
E-Mail: Armin.Arnold@thi.de

Module Handbook

The course description contains information on prerequisites, contents, learning outcomes, ECTS points, duration, work load, literature, references of the offered modules and lectures.

Module handbook (pdf)

Study and Examination Regulations

Study and examination regulations (SPO) deal with judicial matters concerning your study course. Please turn to the pages of the legal department for Statutes of this course.

For any questions on requirements, exams regulations and more, please turn to the Service Center Study Affairs.