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  1. Home
  2. Coming to TUM
  3. Research stays for students
  4. Practical Project Students
Two female students working on a laptop
Students from abroad who are working on a research project at TUM can enroll as Practical Project Students. Photo: Andreas Heddergott / TUM

Information on enrollment as a Practical Project Student at TUM

Students who are matriculated at a university abroad and want to work on a research project at TUM or write their thesis during their Bachelor's or Master's studies can be enrolled as Practical Project Students for one to two semesters. However, it is not mandatory to be enrolled at TUM; working on a research project at a TUM chair is also possible without matriculation.

What are the requirements for enrollment? How do I prepare for my stay after receiving my admission? What do I have to do once I have arrived – and what before I leave? Can I do an internship without enrolling? We have answers to all these questions.  

Requirements for enrollment as a Practical Project Student

  • You must be enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's program at your home university during your entire stay at TUM. PhD students please contact the TUM Graduate School directly.
  • The search for a TUM supervisor has to be done on your own initiative, unfortunately TUM G&A cannot assist you. For this purpose, please contact the TUM Schools directly. Only after confirmation of supervision by a TUM supervisor it is possible to apply for an enrollment in the framework of PPS.
  • Endorsement from a supervisor at your home university is required. Your home university does not need to be a TUM partner university.
  • The collaboration on a research project or the writing of the thesis must take place at TUM. Your presence is mandatory. It cannot take place at an external institution or company. Online participation does not qualify for an enrollment.
  • A minimum stay of two months for research projects or writing your thesis at TUM is required; the maximum length of stay is two semesters.
  • Complete your application within the given deadline

Please note:

  • No regular courses may be taken at TUM. German courses are the exception.
  • You cannot receive ECTS for your stay at TUM.
  • Enrolled students will receive a certificate of participation from their TUM supervisor (not from TUM G&A) at the end of their stay.
  • The semester fee is to be paid per semester. There are no tuition fees.
  • Accommodation in a dormitory of the Student Union Munich-Upper Bavaria will not be offered.
  • The program language is determined in consultation with the TUM supervisor in advance.
  • The purchase of a health insurance policy or an exemption from a German statutory health insurance is mandatory. Health insurance contributions are to be paid from the first day of enrollment, even if you arrive later, and in some cases even for the entire semester. 

Benefits of enrollment

  • Visa for study purposes can be applied for, easier visa application process (visa application only after receipt of TUM admission letter)
  • Framework for stay at TUM is regulated, no need to sign an additional user agreement. Without enrollment, your supervisor must clarify your personnel law status individually. Unfortunately, the TUM G&A cannot be of assistance here.
  • Accident insurance on TUM grounds and during TUM related business travels.
  • Receipt of TUM Student Card which includes some benefits, e.g. TUM Student ID, discounted meals in canteens and caféterias and eligibilty of using the university library.
  • Purchase of the reduced Deutschlandticket (“Ermäßigungstickets”) for enrolled students (ticket for public transportation within Germany).
  • No tuition fee

How to apply

In order to apply for an enrollment at TUM within the PPS program, you will have to search independently for a supervisor at TUM and receive a “supervison agreement from a TUM chair/supervisor” in advance. Please upload the all documents mentioned below and submit your application via the online application portal (the corresponding templates can be found below at Downloads and Safety information).

  • Online application portal “Incoming Practical Project Student”
  • Transcript of records (only English or German)
  • Confirmation of supervision from a TUM chair (with signature and stamp)
  • Endorsement of your home university or Fulbright program (with signature and stamp)
  • Declaration of Insurances (information on mandatory and optional insurances)
  • CV (English or German)

Please note our application deadlines. Only complete applications received by the deadline will be processed by the TUM Global & Alumni Office and forwarded to the Admissions Office. After your acceptance , TUM will send you the official admission letter for exchange students along with important information and instructions on the enrollment process.

Downloads and Safety information

Supervision agreement from a TUM chair (PDF, 94 KB)

Letter of endorsement from your home university (PDF, 12 KB)

Declaration of insurance (PDF, 77 KB)

Safety information for your stay in Munich (PDF, 315 KB)

Important to-dos

After admission

  • Clarify entry requirements and apply for visa, if necessary
  • Enroll at TUM
  • Obtain health insurance and other insurances (optional)
  • Transfer the semester fee
  • Calculate your cost of living
  • Organize your trip to Germany
  • Get to know the university
  • Seek accommodation
  • Public transportation: subscribe to the "discounted Deutschlandticket" (Ermäßigungsticket), if needed  

Arrival & stay

  • Inform yourself about safety advice
  • Get your TUM Student Card
  • Register with the residents’ registration office and apply for a residence permit, if applicable
  • Open a (online) bank account
  • Determine if Confirmation of Stay is needed

End of your stay

  • Make sure to re-register, if you are staying at TUM longer
  • Obtain your Confirmation of Stay: Contact your TUM supervisor
  • Cancel your health insurance, Deutschlandticket and other contracts
  • Deregister at the residents' registration office
  • Become part of our alumni network

Accommodation search tips for international Practical Project Students

Are you coming to TUM to study within the framework of Erasmus+ or to gain practical experience at a TUM research institution and still need to find accommodation for your stay in Munich or Garching? Then this video is for you.

Accommodation search tips for Erasmus exchange students at TUM

More Info
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TUM Global & Alumni Office

Technical University of Munich
Arcisstr. 21
80333 Munich
Germany

Foto von Sandra Lessing

Sandra Lessing

  • Tel.: +49 (89) 289 - 25159
  • sandra.lessing@tum.de

Application deadlines for enrollment

Enrollment as of April 1:  Deadline: January 15

Enrollment as of May 15:  Deadline: April 1

Enrollment as of October 1: Deadline: July 15

Enrollment as of Nov. 15:  Deadline: October 1

Semester dates

Winter semester
October 1 – March 31

Summer semester
April 1 – September 30

Helpful contacts for international students

TUM Global & Alumni Office offers consultations regarding applications and admissions as well as other non-academic questions.

Besides this, TUM offers a number of services and contacts that may be important for you during your stay:

  • TUM Language Center
  • School student councils and AStA
  • International Campus Life
  • TUMi
  • Contacts at the Schools
  • Canteen
  • University sports center
  • Pastoral care
  • University library

Accommodation service

Colorful student bungalows in the Olympic Village in Munich
Image: Fred Romero

TUM receives a limited number of dormitory offerings for TUMexchange students. For all others, we gladly assist their search on the private market.

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