This English-taught Master’s in Consumer Science at TUM School of Management is a distinctive programme in Germany, bringing together students from a wide range of countries and academic backgrounds. That diversity, paired with a broad, interdisciplinary curriculum, promotes the exchange of perspectives, builds intercultural competence, and equips you to work in international settings.
The curriculum blends approaches from several disciplines and is academically demanding. The first two semesters focus on providing a solid theoretical and methodological foundation, which prepares you for more specialised coursework in the final two semesters. A compulsory project-study module gives you practical, hands-on experience working in an interdisciplinary context.
Graduates leave as academically trained consumer-science specialists with expertise in their chosen focus areas. Career paths include roles in companies, government agencies, consumer organisations, research institutes and consultancies, and the programme trains students to operate in both European and broader international organisations.
Curriculum overview
In the first two semesters you build a strong methodological and theoretical foundation in consumer science, with core topics such as empirical research methods and consumer behaviour. Alongside these fundamentals, you begin a chosen specialisation and pick electives; specialisation and elective courses continue through semesters one to three. The programme includes a mix of lectures, seminars and practical exercises so you can shape the study path according to your interests and career goals.
A consumer-related project provides hands-on experience and rounds off the taught component, and the Master's thesis is scheduled for the fourth semester. You may also link the thesis to an internship at a company or a (market) research institution to gain applied experience. A study load of about 30 ECTS credits per semester is recommended to keep pace with the programme.
Key learning outcomes
Requirements / core components
This programme is intended for applicants who already hold a relevant undergraduate degree and have completed basic training in quantitative research. If your first degree was earned outside Germany, there are additional application steps and, for some countries, an exam requirement. Make sure you provide proof of English language ability as part of your application and consult the programme website for the full, current list of documentation and procedures.
Below is a concise checklist of the admission criteria and procedural requirements:
Winter Semester (International)
31 May 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
31 May 2026
Graduates are academically trained experts in consumer science and are prepared for roles across a wide range of organisations, including private companies, government agencies, consumer associations, research institutes and consultancies. The programme’s mix of quantitative methods, specialised knowledge and practical project experience equips students to contribute to consumer research, market and policy analysis, and strategy development in national and international contexts.
The hands-on project and the option to combine the master’s thesis with an internship make the programme attractive to employers and help graduates build applied experience and professional networks while studying.
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