Overview

This exchange program is restricted to students enrolled in the following majors:

Bachelor's in Engineering:
Chemical Engineering; Computer Science; Engineering Management; Electrical Engineering

Master's in Engineering:
Aerospace Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Computer Science; Industrial Engineering; Mechanical Engineering

*Biochemistry and Chemistry majors may also apply
 

Location Details

Munich, home to approximately 1.35 million people, is a friendly and vibrant city. It is in an attractive location in close proximity to the Bavarian Alps. With a number of famous museums, art galleries, theatres and opera houses, the capital city of Bavaria is a major European cultural center.

The city is home to 10 universities and approximately 100,000 students who ensure that university life does not only consist of lectures and tutorials.

Often ranked as the world’s ‘most liveable’ city, Munich is a city of many charms. Aside from its beautiful architecture, gardens and manicured green parks, it is also famous for its locals’ boundless ‘joie de vivre’ and Epicureanism, as well as their love of folklore and all things traditional.

Visa Information

U.S. citizens will require a residence permit* in order to participate in this program. Limited information about the visa application process may be provided by the ASU Study Abroad Office and/or your host institution, but it is your sole responsibility to research, apply, and secure a visa. Failure to obtain a visa may result in your inability to participate and, ultimately, your withdrawal from the program, subject to the terms of the Study Abroad Withdrawal Policy. 

Consult this page for additional information regarding visas. If you need assistance securing a U.S. Passport, visit the ASU U.S. Passport Acceptance Office in Tempe.

PLEASE NOTE: Visa requirements for non U.S. citizens may differ from those for U.S. citizens; students who are not U.S. citizens are advised to contact their International Coordinator and begin independently researching the visa requirements for their nationality as soon as possible.

*At the time of writing. This information is subject to change without notice; students should independently confirm this requirement with the relevant consulate/embassy.

Academic Program & Courses

In order to have an idea of what classes are available, you should visit the Technical University of Munich website.  Some courses are offered in German and some in English.  In the top right corner of the course site is a small, square button with “de en” written in it.  Select this button to change the language of the web page into English.  Once you have changed the site to English, you can click on the Academic Department that you are interested in from the left navigation bar.  Then choose the Module Catalogue link to view the courses.

When looking for courses, be sure that you are looking at courses for your degree level (Bachelor's or Master's) only and that you are looking at classes in the correct term of study. Also, please pay careful attention to the language the course is taught in. 

Note- anytime the website defaults back to German, look for the small “en” in the upper right hand corner of the webpage.

You will need to be sure that you are registered as a full time student according to the Technical University of Munich and ASU.  That means you will need to take at least 24-30 ECTS credits (12-15 ASU credits) each semester. Thus, most students take four to five classes a term at the Technical University of Munich. It is not possible to take classes as not-for-credit or pass/fail.

Orientation
TUM provides an orientation program designed to help students find their way in Munich. The program starts 2 weeks before classes begin each semester and is divided into about 36 instructional units that are designed to not only help you get through the paper work upon arrival, but also acquaint you with the cultural possibilities in and around Munich. You can attend an introductory German course for € 45 (subject to change). For more information please see: http://www.tumi-muenchen.de/

German Language Classes
TUM strongly advises that students take a German language class during the semester.  For an additional fee, TUM also offers an intensive German language program --  Spring (five weeks) and Fall (two weeks) during their semester break.

The following departments have lectures at the main campus: Electrical and Computer Engineering, Civil, Geo and Environmental Engineering, TUM School of Education, Architecture and TUM School of Management.

The lectures of Mechanical engineering, Chemistry, Informatics and Mathematics take place in Garching.

The spring academic calendar for classes within certain disciplines at TUM can conflict with ASU's academic calendar. For this reason, students interested in this program should contact their international coordinator to determine whether accommodations are possible. Students studying at TUM in the spring semester [when accommodations may be made] should be prepared to stay onsite through early-mid August.

Access a list of courses other ASU students have taken and view current course equivalencies.

Credit & Grade Conversion Scale

Click Here to view how credits and grades at TUM will convert to ASU credits and grades.

Program Housing

In general, international exchange students can use the same methods to find accommodation in Munich as regular TUM students. These include searching for an apartment or a room on the private market, as well as applying for a room in a dormitory run by a social or private organization. In contrast to regular TUM students, however, international exchange students may not directly apply for a dormitory room run by the Munich Student Union (= Studentenwerk München).

Reference TUM's website for more detailed information on accommodations.

Below you will find information that may help you in planning for your study abroad experience. Early discussions and planning can help to support you in having a positive experience abroad. We invite you to meet with the International Coordinator for this program to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.

Physical Considerations

Study abroad participants may find themselves walking or taking public transit abroad more frequently than they are accustomed at their home campus.

Disability Accommodations Abroad

Individuals with disabilities can and do study abroad, but may find accessibility and accommodation in one of more of this program’s locations very different from the United States. For example, in Germany, older city sections and more rural towns are less accessible due to centuries-old architecture, which promises cobblestone streets, narrow staircase entry-ways, and small indoor spaces. 

In general, the Study Abroad Office cannot guarantee access to public transportation, buildings, or public sites on this program. Any student who anticipates needing any kind of special accommodation due to a disability should contact the ASU Study Abroad Office early in the planning process to investigate the availability of accommodations (including accessible facilities) on this specific program. Contact Student Accessibility and Inclusive Learning Services and your Disability Access Consultant to include them in the discussion; be sure to give your Disability Access Consultant permission to speak with the Study Abroad Office on your behalf. You can find additional information and resources on our Students with Disabilities page.

LGBTQIA Students Abroad

Students of diverse sexual orientations or gender identities will find that the social climate, laws, and norms of other cultures will often differ from the U.S. If you identify as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or queer student - or if you are still exploring your identity - you may face unique challenges when traveling abroad. 

We encourage students who identify as members of the LGBTQIA community to visit the U.S. Department of State website for helpful information about laws and attitudes in this program’s locations, including pre-travel tips and advice on staying safe while abroad. You can find additional information and resources on our LGBTQIA Students page.

Gender Identity Abroad

When traveling abroad, you may find different gender roles and norms than you’re used to. It’s possible that you may be treated differently or be expected to treat others differently based on your (or their) gender identity. 

You can find additional information and resources on our Gender Identity Abroad page.

Racial and Ethnic Minorities Abroad

Students of different ethnic and racial backgrounds may encounter unique challenges transitioning from life here in the United States to life as a student living abroad, including but not limited to access to personal care products and services. For example, in Germany, racism and discrimination do occur, but seem to be directed more towards immigrants from Africa or the Middle East.

You can prepare yourself for the situations you may experience by researching the ethnic composition of your host country and exploring its history of racial and ethnic relations. We encourage students to start that research on our Racial and Ethnic Minority Students page.

Cost Information

Exchange program participants will pay ASU tuition and fees for the term of the Exchange program, according to the individual student's classification and degree level. In addition to ASU tuition and fees, participants are also responsible for paying the following fees:

• $50 Application Fee (non-refundable)
• $400 Administrative Fee (non-refundable)
• Carbon Offset Fee*
• International Travel Service Fee (Including Insurance)*

The program may allow for time which can be spent in non-program activities. Participants may wish to travel, sightsee or participate in activities or events in which they have a personal interest. Please note that the participant is fully responsible for making arrangements and for all costs of transportation, lodging, food and additional expenses that may be associated with any non-Program activities.

*The actual amount of the International Travel Service Fee charged to each student depends on the program duration and the Carbon Offset Fee will increase annually (in July) by approximately $2.
 

Funding Your Study Abroad Program

Studying abroad is an investment in your future, which requires careful planning and management. However, the personal, academic, and professional rewards that you will gain from this experience will last a lifetime. You should carefully consider costs, budgets and financing when selecting and preparing for your experience abroad. If you have questions at any step of the process, we encourage you to reach out to your International Coordinator for guidance.

Steps to Financing Your Study Abroad Program

1. Review the Considering Costs Table for a general overview and cost comparison of popular programs.
2. Be sure to reference the Spring Semester Cost Sheet or the Academic Year Cost Sheet to find a breakdown of program expenses.
3. Attend a Financing Your Study Abroad Workshop.
4. Consider your Financial Aid options.
5. Search and Apply for Scholarships and Grants.
6. Exhaust your options by exploring Additional Funding Resources including our Community-Based Funding Guide.
7. View our  Financing Your Study Abroad Program Handbook for more information, including Payment Information.

Unique Funding Opportunities for This Program

• Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
• DAAD Funding

Photos

Links to Additional Resources

• ASU Study Abroad on Facebook
• U.S. Department of State
• ASU U.S. Passport Acceptance Office
• STA Travel Airfare Deposit Program*
• German Newspaper*
• Germany's Top News Stories*

*The ASU Study Abroad Office does not officially endorse, administer or monitor the content of these links.