Technology Studies

The STS Master's programme is empirical, interdisciplinary, reflexive, and research-oriented.
From biotechnology to energy transitions, automated mobility to data security, the big challenges facing societies today are inseparably scientific, technical, and social. The Master's programme Science and Technology Studies (STS) will teach you how to reflexively research, develop problem-solving skills, and critically intervene in the big socio-technical issues of our time.
In the Master's programme, you will learn

• empirical research methods and analytical skills that can be applied to the study of the conditions and consequences of contemporary science and technology
• interdisciplinary approaches to urgent questions about regulation, responsibility, and sustainability of science and technology

Alongside the STS Master's programme, we offer specialisations in Philosophy of Science and Technology or History of Science and Technology.
The STS Master's programme is research-oriented. The programme prepares you for future academic research and teaching (PhD) as well as careers in science and technology management, science communication and journalism, and in funding agencies.
Studying the Master's programme STS will equip you to both deal with the challenges and embrace the opportunities of today's technologised societies.

Educational organisation

First semester:
Module STS 1: Practices and Politics of Science and Technology (10 ECTS)
Module STS 2: Philosophy of Science and Technology (5 ECTS)
Module STS 3: History of Science and Technology (5 ECTS)
Module Lecture Series and Academic Skills (5 ECTS)
Module Methods 1 (5 ECTS)

Second semester:
Module Core Topics (3 x 5 ECTS), elective module
Module STS-MINT (10 ECTS) (MINT: mathematics, informatics, natural sciences and technology)
Module Methods 2 (5 ECTS)

Third semester:
Module Advanced Topics (3x5 ECTS), elective module
Module Fields of Practice (10 ECTS) (students become familiar with professional fields)
Module Research Practice (5 ECTS)

Fourth semester:
Master's thesis (30 ECTS)

Study abroad unit(s)

Stays abroad are not integrated into the programme, but they are possible.

Forms of assessment

Mix of oral presentations and written exams

Course objectives

Graduates are able to analyse, discuss, and concretise the conditions, forms, and results of socio-technical developments concerning problems and options for action. They know about the historical and the philosophical foundations of scientific-technological production of science as well as its practical and political conditions and effects.
Graduates are prepared for future academic research and teaching (PhD) as well as careers in science and technology management, science communication and journalism, and in funding agencies.

Language requirements

Students who are not English native speakers or have not studied in English have to prove their skills through:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Minimum requirements:
Internet-based test: 88
Paper-based test: 605
If you send TOEFL to us via ETS, please use the following TOEFL CODE: university: 7806; department: 99
Please note: TOEFL ITP is not accepted.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Only a minimum score of 6.5 and the Academic Module will be accepted.
The British Council can send it to us directly. Please give our exact address:
TU München
Immatrikulationsamt
Arcisstraße 21
80333 München
Germany

Cambridge Main Suite of English Examinations
CAE (Cambridge Advanced English), Level A,B,C
CPE (Cambridge Proficiency English), Level A,B,C

Proof of German university entrance qualifications
School leaving certificate in Germany (Abitur or vocational school diploma):

• good grade in English (minimum of 10 points on average)
• language of instruction is/was English

Evidence in the form of certificates or citizenship is required. Semesters spent in an exchange programme or internship are not sufficient.

Please see: http://www.tum.de/en/studies/application-and-acceptance/german-language-skills/english-language-skills/

Academic requirements

A six-semester Bachelor's degree in
a) sociology, ethnology, history, philosophy, political sciences, communication sciences, psychology
b) mathematics, informatics, natural sciences, technical sciences & engineering
c) life sciences and medicine
Additionally, a certificate of a successfully completed module covering social sciences methods and theories is needed.

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Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Enrolment fees

Approx. 115 EUR per semester
The fee includes a semester ticket covering public transport in Munich.

Costs of living

In order to cover personal expenses while studying in Munich, we recommend a budget of at least 800 EUR per month.

Arrival support

TUM's International Center offers a special programme tailored for international students, TUMinternational (TUMi). The TUMi programme provides help and advice for new students as well as a cultural programme with events scheduled both prior to and during the academic periods.
The service desk of the Student Service Center is the first contact point for international students. We are here to help you with issues such as applications, enrolment, student ID cards, etc. Furthermore, we offer various three- to six-week summer schools combining academics with a rich menu of educational and social activities as a foretaste of university life. For international students who have been admitted to a degree programme, the Student Service Center offers a four-week pre-study course designed to help you get started at the TUM. Students new to TUM are invited to the service fair "Fit for TUM", which takes place before the semester officially starts, to get an overview of the various offerings of support services at TUM. See: http://www.tum.de/en/studies/international-students/.
Learning German: While the language of instruction for many of TUM's postgraduate programmes is English, learning German and thus being able to participate in daily German life at a deeper level enriches the experience of studying and living in Munich. TUM's Language Centre offers language classes for students at all levels, both prior to and during the semester: See: http://www.sprachenzentrum.tum.de/en/startseite/.

Services and support for international students

In addition to support services offered by TUM International Center and the Student Service Center (SSZ), the faculty also has its own adviser for international students.

Accommodation

It is not easy to find a place to live in Munich - but it is not impossible either! TUM supports students and employees in their search for accommodation, providing personal advice, in-house listings and useful information to ensure that you can quickly find a place to call your own. See: http://www.tum.de/en/university-life/accommodations/.
With high rents and not enough rooms in halls of residence, the Munich rental market is one of the most competitive in Germany - especially for students. The city boasts over 1.4 million inhabitants, with more people moving to Munich every year - many of them attracted by the excellent study opportunities that Munich has to offer.
Student halls of residence usually offer affordable accommodation for students. The Munich Student Union runs most of these halls of residence. For more information, see: http://www.studentenwerk-muenchen.de/en/accommodation/.