Aerospace Engineering Schools and Programs in Germany

Aerospace Engineering Studies in Germany

Aerospace engineering in Germany is a university engineering degree in its own right, called Luft- und Raumfahrttechnik in German. At the schools listed here it follows the bachelor's and master's structure: a Bachelor of Science of six semesters and a Master of Science of four semesters and 120 ECTS credits. Students cover aircraft and spacecraft, from sustainable aviation to rockets and satellites, and specialise in the master's degree.

SpainExchange lists 3 schools in Germany under Aerospace Engineering: two in Munich and one in Stuttgart. They are the Universität Stuttgart, the Technische Universität München (TUM) and ESPACE, a master's programme of TUM on satellite applications.

How the degree is organised

• Universität Stuttgart, B.Sc. Aerospace Engineering: six semesters, taught in German, starting in the winter semester. Admission is restricted, the application deadline is 15 July and an internship is required
• Universität Stuttgart, M.Sc. Luft- und Raumfahrttechnik: four semesters and 120 ECTS credits, taught in German, with a start in the winter or summer semester. Students choose two specialisations, and the master's thesis counts for 30 ECTS credits
• TUM, B.Sc. Aerospace: six semesters and 180 credits, fully taught in English, at the Garching and Ottobrunn sites. Applicants go through an aptitude assessment and must show a pre-study internship of at least eight weeks
• TUM, M.Sc. Aerospace: four semesters and 120 ECTS credits in Garching. It can be studied completely in German, in English or in both, and starts in the winter or summer semester
• TUM, M.Sc. Earth Oriented Space Science and Technology (ESPACE): four semesters and 120 ECTS credits in Munich, in English. It trains specialists in the use and development of satellites for earth system science, remote sensing and navigation, and offers a double degree option with Wuhan University in China

Admission and language

The language depends on the programme. Stuttgart teaches both degrees in German, while TUM's bachelor's degree and ESPACE are in English. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) states that most higher education institutions require German at B2 level of the CEFR or above for programmes in German, and that international programmes can usually be entered without proof of German but with proof of another language, usually English. The TestDaF is offered in around 100 countries; the DSH is taken in Germany.

Application periods differ. For the winter semester, TUM accepts bachelor's applications from 15 May to 15 July and ESPACE applications from 1 January to 31 May. Stuttgart's master's degree takes applications from 15 May to 15 July for the winter semester and from 1 December to 15 January for the summer semester.

A school-leaving certificate from an EU or EEA country or Switzerland that gives access to university there is usually accepted. Applicants with other certificates may first need a Studienkolleg, a preparatory course. Applicants from outside the EU apply through uni-assist or directly to the university, depending on the institution.

Costs and visa

According to DAAD, state higher education institutions generally charge no tuition fees for bachelor's degrees and most master's degrees, but both schools listed here are in states with fees for students from outside the EU:

• Baden-Württemberg, the state where Stuttgart is located, charges non-EU citizens €1,500 per semester
• TUM states that tuition fees for students from non-EU and non-EEA countries are usually €2,000 or €3,000 per semester for bachelor's degrees and €4,000 or €6,000 for master's degrees, depending on the programme. For students starting from the 2027-28 winter semester they rise to €2,300 or €3,400 and €4,600 or €6,800

All students also pay a semester contribution, which DAAD puts at between €70 and €430; TUM lists student fees of €97. DAAD estimates living costs at between €900 and €1,200 per month.

Citizens of EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland only need a valid identity card. Students who need a visa apply at the German embassy or consulate in their home country. As of 1 January 2025 they had to prove funds of €992 per month, and a visa can take months to be issued.

Careers

Graduates work in aircraft and spacecraft development, in research institutions and in the satellite sector. The Universität Stuttgart points out that its aerospace engineers are also in demand in the automotive and renewable energy sectors.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study Aerospace Engineering in Germany in English?

Yes. TUM's B.Sc. Aerospace is fully taught in English, as is its ESPACE master's programme. The degrees at the Universität Stuttgart are taught in German.

How long does an aerospace engineering degree take?

The bachelor's degrees at Stuttgart and TUM take six semesters. The master's degrees take four semesters and carry 120 ECTS credits.

Do I need an internship before I start?

TUM requires proof of a pre-study internship of at least eight weeks for its bachelor's degree, and Stuttgart's bachelor's degree also requires an internship.

How much are the tuition fees for students from outside the EU?

€1,500 per semester in Baden-Württemberg. At TUM, usually €2,000 or €3,000 per semester for bachelor's degrees and €4,000 or €6,000 for master's degrees.