Aeronautical Engineering (M. Eng.)

How can you design your own airplane?

On the Master’s programme in Aeronautical Engineering at THI, you will deepen your knowledge and skills in the fields of aerodynamics, flight control, structures, loads, manufacturing and design, and apply them to real-world aircraft projects. You can study either full-time or part-time.

In the first stage of the programme, you will cover both structural physics disciplines and design methods, as well as aviation-specific, scientific, mathematical and interdisciplinary topics. Here, you will also carry out practical projects in aircraft development and work in a group to produce a preliminary design for an aircraft. In the second stage of the programme, you will write your Master’s thesis.

As a graduate of the Master’s in Aeronautical Engineering at THI, you will be in high demand on the job market – from project managers and design engineers to those responsible for aircraft programmes. The Ingolstadt region offers a wide range of opportunities, with the Airbus Group in Manching and Donauwörth, MBDA in Schrobenhausen and numerous regional medium-sized companies.

Degree
Master of Engineering (M. Eng.)
Duration
3 semesters (full-time), 6 semesters (part-time)
Start of studies
Summer & Winter
NC
Yes

Accreditation
Yes
Dual Study
Yes
Main teaching language
German

Location
Ingolstadt

In the Master of Aeronautical Engineering, the focus is on deepening and expanding knowledge and skills. This is primarily done through application to real aircraft projects. This is because within the theoretical study semesters, an aircraft is to be created in preliminary design in group work. This includes the design of the aircraft structure (fuselage, wings, tail units), the interior (cabin, cargo hold) and the propulsion systems. In addition, the other systems for operation (flight control, avionics) are also designed. All these steps require in-depth theoretical knowledge, the foundation of which was largely laid in the Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering. In the Master's programme, the important disciplines (aerodynamics, flight control, structure, loads, manufacturing and design) are related to each other and further deepened.

You have the option of completing your degree programme either full-time or part-time. If you study full-time, you will complete modules at the TH Ingolstadt in the first two semesters and write your Master's thesis in the 3rd semester. However, if you complete your studies part-time, you will spread the lectures at the university over four semesters and start your Master's thesis in the 5th semester at the earliest.

The study programme is divided into two study sections (full-time). The first study section comprises two theoretical study semesters with the following components:

Structural physics subjects and design methods: composite materials, higher FME, lightweight construction
Natural science and mathematics subjects: Aerodynamic methods, propulsion technologies, autonomous flying
Interdisciplinary subjects/integration: Aircraft system design, mechatronics
Project: Development, construction and testing of a small aircraft

The second part of the course comprises the final thesis (Master's thesis).

Aerostructural design in the Master's programme

Curriculum

Sommersemester

Verbundwerkstoffe
5 ECTS

Structure, mechanics, and manufacturing of fiber-reinforced composites, including laminate theory, damage mechanics, strength assessment, production processes, and aerospace application examples.

Simulation/Numerische Methoden
5 ECTS

Mathematical and numerical methods for engineering simulations, including model formulation, interpolation, numerical solution of differential equations, linear algebra, and simulation-based system analysis.

Flugzeugsystementwurf
5 ECTS

Integrated aircraft system design including systems engineering, subsystem design, full-system simulation, control-path analysis, and basic autopilot design with integration and testing.

Mechatronik
5 ECTS

Fundamentals of mechatronic systems including sensors, actuators, modeling, observers, discrete-time control, and microcontrollers, focusing on integrated mechanical, electrical, and IT systems.

Antriebstechnologie
5 ECTS

Fundamentals and current developments in aircraft propulsion, including turbomachinery, engine control, alternative energy carriers, emissions, and electric propulsion concepts for sustainable aviation.

Wahlfach
5 ECTS

Wintersemester

Aerodynamische Methoden
5 ECTS

Fundamental and advanced methods for analyzing airfoil, wing, and aircraft flows. Topics include potential theory, CFD, semi-empirical approaches, and experimental wind-tunnel aerodynamics.

Leichtbau
5 ECTS

Principles and calculation methods of lightweight design, including load-bearing structures, plate and shell theory, stability failure, torsion, and thin-walled structural design for mechanical and aircraft engineering.

Flugzeugstrukturentwurf
5 ECTS

Conceptual design of transport aircraft including market and trend analysis, design guidelines, aerodynamic layout, configuration selection, and cabin design. Team-based work on a realistic aircraft design task considering technical, economic, and societal constraints.

Höhere FEM
5 ECTS

Advanced finite element methods covering continuum mechanics, linear and nonlinear FEM, dynamic and stability analyses, and model validation using commercial FEM software.

Autonomes Fliegen
5 ECTS

Overview of automated driving functions focusing on sensors, functional safety, human–machine interaction, homologation, and testing and validation methods.

Wahlfach
5 ECTS

3. Semester

Masterarbeit
30 ECTS

Independent scientific work on a complex aerospace engineering topic, covering problem analysis, research, methodology, solution development, and academic presentation of results.

Quick Info

Application dates
Applications for this degree may be submitted through the online application system.
Requirements
Admission restrictions are decided for each semester and are usually published in April each year. The average mark required and the waiting time for receiving a place are not decided in advance, but depend on the number of applicants and available capacity.
Please find further information on our Master application pages.

Applies to applications for summer semester 2027 and beyond

With immediate effect, applicants from India 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/

The dual studies programme enables a combination of practical training elements in a company with the theoretical education provided by the university. There is a choice of either the joint model (academic study + vocational training) or the degree course with vocational experience (academic study + intense practical phases). There is an obvious advantage to students here: practically oriented academic study generally enables a particularly smooth transition from university to the world of work. What is more, the student usually receives financial remuneration from the company concerned.

In the joint model, students may start working at the company several months before the start of the first semester, depending on the company concerned. At the start of the course there is an alternation between theory (during the semester) and practical experience (between semesters and during the practical semesters). In order to embark on a dual studies programme, students have to apply to both a company and to THI (be sure to take note of company application deadlines!).

More info on our dual studies-pages, or check dual cooperation partner companies. Even if no partner company is currently active in this degree programme, you are welcome to contact us.

There are career opportunities in all areas of the industry for students who hold a master’s degree in aerospace engineering: in the course of their postgraduate study they will have been able to broaden their insights into development and design, testing and validation techniques, test engineering, aircraft certification, maintenance and repair services, production and assembly as well as avionics and propulsion systems.

As one of the most rapidly developing business regions in Europe, the Ingolstadt area is also home to the aviation industry with companies such as Airbus Group in Manching and Donauwörth, MBDA in Schrobenhausen and numerous regional SMEs. Areas of activity range from working as a project manager or a design engineer to taking on responsibility for aircraft programmes.

Advanced English skills (B2) are required. Very good English Skills for literature are recommended.

Contact Student Counselling

All about fees, financing, enrollment and examination

Apply online

Academic advisor

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Uli Burger
Phone: +49 841 9348-4321
Room: A230
E-Mail: Uli.Burger@thi.de

Module Handbook

The module handbook contains information on prerequisites, contents, learning outcomes, ECTS points, duration, work load, literature, references of the offered modules and lectures.

Modulhandbuch Master LT WS 2026_27

Study and Examination Regulations

Study and examination regulations (SPO) (German only) deal with judicial matters concerning your study course. For more information please turn to the pages of the legal department