Automated Driving and Vehicle Safety (M. Eng.)

How can you help shape the safe mobility of tomorrow?

The Master’s programme in Automated Driving and Vehicle Safety at THI provides you with excellent qualifications for the development of automated and safe driving systems.
During the first two semesters, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the components affected by automated driving: sensor technology, propulsion, braking, steering, as well as connectivity both inside and outside the vehicle. In addition, you will acquire knowledge of machine learning and integral vehicle safety. A key aspect of the Master’s programme is also learning methods for designing a system architecture or a functional safety concept, as well as methods for test concepts and the execution of tests and simulations. Finally, in the third semester, you will write your Master’s thesis, which you may also complete whilst working in a company.

With your Master’s degree, you will be qualified for challenging roles in the research and development of algorithms, safety concepts or sensor/actuator systems for safe automated driving. You will also have the option of pursuing a PhD or a career in academia.

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

Accreditation
Yes
Aptitude Procedure
Yes
Main teaching language
German

The Master's programme "Automated Driving and Vehicle Safety" comprises two full-time semesters. The third semester is used to write the Master's thesis, which can also be written in a company as part of the practical work. The modules of the study programme are mainly held in German and are supplemented by some courses in English.

Structure

The modules of the Master's programme were defined with the aim of further qualifying students in three areas important to the development of automated and safe driving systems:

components: Automated driving has an impact on all areas of the vehicle: drive, brake, steering, display instruments, navigation and sensors as well as networking inside and outside the vehicle. What is needed is a deep understanding of the components of these areas.
concepts: Automated vehicles must recognize patterns, make smart decisions, and process a variety of data based on image and sensor data to navigate the street. The basis of every development and further development of such systems are knowledge of the concepts of machine learning in connection with those of integrated vehicle safety.
methods: Of crucial importance for the successful realization of automated driving systems are methods of creating a system architecture or a functional safety concept, methods of test concepts and their management as well as the performance of tests and simulations.

Automated driving tests at CARISSMA

Contens

Curriculum

1. Semester

Vehicle Actuators
5 ECTS

Car2x-Communication
5 ECTS

Knowledge Modeling and Machine Learning
5 ECTS

Seminar on the fundamentals of driver assistance and active safety systems
2 ECTS

Ethics and Law
2 ECTS

Environmental Sensors
5 ECTS

Elective 1
5 ECTS

2. Semester

System Architectures and their Development
5 ECTS

Simulation and Test of Functions of Automated Driving
5 ECTS

Software Development for Automated Driving Functions
5 ECTS

Integral Safety
5 ECTS

Group Project
5 ECTS

Elective 2
5 ECTS

3. Semester

Master's Thesis
30 ECTS

Quick Info

Applying for a degree course
The programme starts in summer term (March 15th) as well as in winter term (October 1st). Please find all information on our master application pages

Admission
The prerequisite for admission to the Master's programme is a degree in engineering science, computer science or a related field with at least 210 ECTS credits.

Qualified applicants are subject to a suitability procedure in which an overall grade is determined for the ranking of the admission procedure, consisting of

the final grade of the Bachelor's programme with weight 0.6
a grade with a weight of 0.4, with which a subject-specific suitability, independent scientific work and experience in the field of the design of mechatronic systems is evaluated and determined on the basis of the following criteria:
- Knowledge in the areas of automotive engineering, control engineering, signal processing, sensors / actuators, modeling and simulation of mechatronic systems, electronics, microcomputer technology, programming, methods of artificial intelligence
- Practical experience (comparable to a practical semester) in the field of designing or testing mechatronic systems including their software development
- Project work in the Bachelor's programme with a thematic reference to the vehicle or methods of vehicle automation, which required knowledge of the areas design of mechatronic vehicle components, control engineering, electronics, modeling / simulation, control devices and their programming, methods of artificial intelligence.

The aptitude is considered to have been determined if the aptitude test is rated at least with the overall grade "good" (2.5).

Applies to applications for summer semester 2027 and beyond

With immediate effect, applicants from India with Bachelor’s degrees in the following fields

Engineering
Commerce / Accounting / Finance / Economics
Business / Management

must, in addition to the VDP from uni-assist, provide evidence of having passed the Digital Master Test (dMAT):

https://aps-india.de/

in order to obtain an APS certificate relevant for your visa .

Please check whether this applies to you based on your Bachelor's degree:

Programmes requiring dMAT (pdf)

The test costs 150 €. Registration is now open.

Timetable for applications for the 2027 summer semester:

September 15, 2026: deadline registration for dMAT
September 26, 2026: dMAT test date at 10 locations in India
October 12, 2026: certificate available

Full details can be found at: https://aps-india.de/dmat/

Please note: THI does not answer any questions regarding the test procedure or its impact on an offer of admission from our university!

Application period at THI for English-taught Master programmes for the summer semester 2027: 15 October 2026 to 15 January 2027

Admission to the master's program requires a completed degree in an engineering discipline, computer science, or a related field with at least 210 ECTS credits.
The main language of instruction is German. However, some modules are offered in English. Foreign applicants must demonstrate German language skills at level B2.

Detailed information on proving German and English language skills can be found in the relevant THI statutes.

Das duale Masterstudium an der THI bietet optimale Karrierechancen. Der duale Master umfasst neben dem regulären Studium eine intensive Berufspraxis im Unternehmen. Er ist konsekutiv und richtet sich sowohl an nicht duale als auch an duale Bachelorabsolvent/innen, die vorher ein Verbundstudium oder Studium mit vertiefter Praxis absolviert haben..

Während des dualen Masterstudiums erhalten Sie von Ihrem Unternehmen ein Gehalt. Die Höhe der Vergütung bei Masterstudiengängen sollte in angemessener Weise über der Vergütung in Bachelorstudiengängen liegen.

Besonderheit: Normale Studiendauer mit deutlich mehr Praxiserfahrung als im regulären Mastertudium

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:

Scientific director AImotion Bavaria; Programme director and Academic Advisor "Automated Driving and Vehicle Safety" (Master)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Botsch
Phone: +49 841 9348-2721
Room: K209
E-Mail: Michael.Botsch@thi.de

Module Handbook

The module handbook (MHB) is the guide to all modules in the Master programme. It contains information on prerequisites, contents, learning outcomes, ECTS points, duration, work load, literature and references.

Module handbook (german language)

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.