Master's in Automotive Production Engineering (MAPE)

This master’s programme equips students with the technical and managerial skills needed to design, plan and control production systems specifically for the automotive industry. You will build a strong understanding of contemporary manufacturing and engineering technologies and develop the ability to deepen your professional expertise. An important focus is preparing graduates for work in international teams and for handling intercultural challenges in a global automotive environment.

The curriculum combines theory and applied work: students engage in project-based group work and a scientific research seminar, explore digital and automation technologies, and study cost and risk aspects of production. Electives allow for specialization, while a master’s thesis provides the opportunity to conduct an extended research or development project. The degree awarded is Master of Arts and the programme is taught in English.

Graduates are prepared for specialist and managerial roles across the automotive value chain. Typical areas of employment include production planning, plant and equipment engineering, and production operations with car manufacturers, suppliers and plant/equipment manufacturers. The training also aims to enable participation in and management of complex projects within those organisations.

Curriculum (modules and components)

• Advanced manufacturing technologies
• Engineering processes in the automotive industry
• Production and logistics networks
• Production system and plant development
• Cost engineering & risk management
• Automation and equipment technologies
• Group projects
• Scientific research seminar
• Technology development and management
• Digital technologies in engineering
• Electives I–II
• Master’s thesis

Programme facts

• Degree: Master of Arts
• Field: Mechanical Engineering (focus on automotive production)
• Language of instruction: English

Overview

This full-time master’s programme runs over three theoretical semesters, with the final (third) semester dedicated primarily to the Master’s thesis and accompanying seminars. It equips students with a deep, integrated understanding of automotive production systems — spanning theoretical foundations, technical methods and hands-on practice — and goes beyond operational and planning topics to link production-system development closely with product development. The course emphasis is application-focused, preparing graduates to design, optimise and manage modern automotive manufacturing environments.

Core learning content and outcomes

In the first semester you develop capabilities in technology development and innovation management, engineering processes, production and logistics networks, advanced manufacturing technologies, cost engineering and risk management, plus a scientific research seminar. These modules build analytical and research skills, enable you to assess production and supply-chain challenges, and introduce contemporary manufacturing methods.
The second semester focuses on production system and plant design, automation and equipment technologies, and digital technologies in engineering. A mandatory group project gives practical experience of working through all project phases in a team setting. Two individual elective modules (for example: design, artificial intelligence, negotiation, entrepreneurship) may be chosen in either the first or second semester to tailor your profile. By the end of these semesters you should be able to conceptualise and specify production systems, apply automation and digital tools in engineering contexts, and lead or contribute to complex engineering projects.

Practical experience, internships and thesis

Practical elements are embedded across all modules: laboratory work, visits to companies and trade fairs, and project or thesis topics provided by industry partners (especially for students in the dual-study variant). The third semester concentrates on the Master’s thesis, supported by seminars and the option — in the dual programme — to take a full practical semester before the thesis. Language and culture courses run during teaching periods to support integration; German students additionally have the chance to study another foreign language.

Program structure and key requirements (concise)

• Standard duration: three theoretical semesters (full-time)
• Semester 3: primarily reserved for Master’s thesis plus seminars
• Semester 1 core modules: technology development & innovation management; engineering processes; production & logistics networks; scientific research seminar; advanced manufacturing technologies; cost engineering & risk management
• Semester 2 compulsory modules: production system & plant design; automation & equipment technologies; digital technologies in engineering; mandatory group project
• Electives: two individual electives (e.g., design, AI, negotiation, entrepreneurship) selectable in semester 1 or 2
• Practical orientation: labs, company/fair visits, industry-set project and thesis topics (notably in dual programme)
• Dual-study option: internships recommended during semester breaks; companies organise internships and may offer a full practical semester before the thesis (companies should align internships with the programme curriculum)
• Ongoing language and cultural courses during semesters; additional foreign language option for German students

Graduates are prepared for skilled specialist and managerial positions in production planning, plant engineering and production operations within the automotive industry. Typical employers include car manufacturers, automotive suppliers, factory outfitters and equipment manufacturers.

The programme equips students to participate in and manage complex projects — from production system design and automation to cost and risk management — and to work in international, interdisciplinary teams.