House front of TU University in Munich.

Technische Universität München (University)

Excellent Research and Award-Winning Teaching Concepts

The TU München (TUM) is one of the best technical universities in Europe. Ever since it was founded in 1868, it has focused on the great challenges of the future, describing itself as a driver of change in German higher education policy.

The TUM has undergone a remarkable development. The number of students has steadily increased to around 40,000 (as of 2019). In 2006, the university became one of the top three German elite universities within the Excellence Initiative. It defended its title in 2012 and has long been regarded as one of Europe’s best research universities.

It’s no coincidence that the TUM has produced so many important scientists, architects, engineers and entrepreneurs, including Karl Max von Bauernfeind, Rudolf Diesel, Claude Dornier and Carl von Linde. It all started with new scientific discoveries and the advancement of technology in the 19th century. This laid the foundations for the academic teaching of engineering. There was clearly a need for a “university of all technical studies”, but this role was initially assigned to the long-established Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (Ludwig Maximilian University, LMU).

But King Ludwig II recognised the signs of the times and founded the newly structured “Polytechnische Schule München” (Munich Polytechnic) as a university institution in 1868. It became officially known as the “Technische Hochschule München” (TH) in the 1877/78 academic year and quickly moved into the new building designed by Gottfried von Neureuther on Arcisstrasse.

The former “TH München” became authorised to issue doctorates in 1901, and women began to study there in 1906. During this period, the university temporarily overtook the TH Berlin as the largest technical university in Germany.

An increasing amount of subjects were added in the years that followed, and the university took over other smaller institutions like the “Handelshochschule München” (Munich School of Commerce) and the “Hochschule für Landwirtschaft und Brauerei” (School of Agriculture and Brewery) in Weihenstephan. The university had five faculties in 1940: General Sciences, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Agriculture and Brewery. But things weren’t going to stay that way forever … There are now over ten faculties like Computer Science, Sports Science, Architecture and Environmental Engineering, as well as a research reactor for physics and lots more at four locations in Munich, Garching, Freising-Weihenstephan and Straubing.

And lots of things are still happening today. New research centres and institutes are emerging. It’s been known as the “Technical University of Munich” since 1970 and is now boosting its cooperation with partners from industry and society, giving students good chances on the labour market. And the university is becoming increasingly international. A growing amount of degree programmes are offered in English. The TUM even launched its expansion abroad in 2002 by opening a campus in Singapore. This was followed by locations in Beijing, Cairo and Sao Paulo.

It’s also interesting to note that the TUM is now moving away from purely technical subjects to the fields of social sciences and economics, offering degree programmes like Business Administration with a focus on technology and Life Science Economics and Policy. The Munich Centre for Technology in Society was established in 2012, offering degree programmes that focus on the social importance of modern technology. The TUM recently took over the School of Politics at the Ludwig Maximilian University. This clearly highlights its intention to focus more on the humanities.

 

 

Foto: Dominik Morbitzer
A church window in the Salvatorkirche in Munich

Munich's church windows

The most beautiful windows of the city

Michael Mayer of Mayer’sche Hofkunstanstalt presents the most spectacular church windows.

Fascinating people for centuries: Michael Mayer of Mayer’sche Hofkunstanstalt presents the most spectacular church windows the city has to offer.

The monument to Max I. Joseph in front of the Residenz

Munich's royal monuments

Four kings and a prince regent

In Munich there are fantastic monuments to admire. Where they are and what makes them so special.

In Munich there are several fantastic monuments to admire. Where they are and what makes them so special: an overview.

The tour guide Alvestad-Aschenbrenner stands in the Museum for Abgüsse Klassischer Bildwerke Munich

Ludwig I of Bavaria

When Munich became an „Athens on the Isar“

Ludwig I of Bavaria converted Munich into his "„Athens on the Isar“, many buildings still remind us of this today. An interview.

Ludwig I of Bavaria converted Munich into his "„Athens on the Isar“, many buildings still remind us of this today. An interview with a tour guide.

Young woman sitting at a window in a tram in Munich.

Column

A vacation in my own city

Our author used to be a travel blogger. Now she has started to explore her own city: Munich!

Our author used to be a travel blogger. Now she has started to explore her own city: Munich!

View from the inside of a figure of the carillon in the New Town Hall in Munich.

New Town Hall

The Glockenspiel in ten pictures

An exclusive look behind the scenes.

The Glockenspiel on Marienplatz has been enchanting visitors and locals for over 100 years. An exclusive look behind the scenes.

Panoramic view of Karlsplatz / Stachus in Munich with the Frauenkirche in the background photographed from the air.

Munich's city centre

Classical and curiosities

Numerous Munich stories can be told along the roughly one-kilometer-long route between Karlsplatz-Stachus and Marienplatz square. A city walk.

Numerous interesting Munich stories can be told along the roughly one-kilometer-long route between Karlsplatz-Stachus and Marienplatz square. A city walk.

Weissenburger Platz in Munich photographed from above with a drone.

Haidhausen and Au

A village in the city

Haidhausen and Au have developed from working-class quarters into popular residential areas.

When strolling along the narrow streets of the districts Haidhausen and Au with small shops and green courtyards, it almost feels like being in a village in the middle of the city.

The Academy of Fine Arts in Munich in autumn.

Schwabing

From artists and writers

Around 1900, it was the artists and writers who settled around the university and the art academy and shaped the spirit of Schwabing.

In the heyday of the Schwabinger Bohème around 1900, it was the artists and writers who settled around the university and the art academy and shaped the spirit of Schwabing.

Flowerbed at Gärtnerplatz in Munich.

Gärtnerplatz and Glockenbach

Where the night begins

Independent labels, hip bars, pubs and cool inns attract the young and the young-at-heart.

The Gärtnerplatz and Glockenbach neighbourhoods are known as trendy quarters. Their independent labels, hip bars, pubs, cool inns and calm backyards attract the young and the young-at-heart.

Munich Card & City Pass

Discover Munich in a relaxed and uncomplicated way: discounts for the diverse range of art, culture and leisure activities with our guest cards.

Public transport is included

Many discounts with the Card, many things for free with the Pass.

Online or at the tourist information offices

Munich's Palace of Justice

Justizpalast Tour

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Book now for only 20€ !

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Small meeting room of the Neues Rathaus in Munich

New Town Hall Tour

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Book now from 20 €

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Magistrates, Monachia and magnificent celebrations: explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Exterior view of the Hofbräuhaus Munich at dusk.

Hofbräuhaus Tour

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Book for 28€, Mass beer included!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Towers at Marienplatz in Munich

Old Town Tour

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Book now for 18 €!

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Wort kettle at the Spaten brewery in Munich.

Spaten Brewery Tour

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

Book now for only 22 €!

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

A woman with varnished fingernails holds a gift with the inscription "simply Munich".

Vouchers

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

A stone jug with the inscription Oktoberfest Munich.

Order now!

Oktoberfest Shop

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

A woman in the exhibition "Der Blaue Reiter" in the Lenbachhaus in Munich

Discovery trip incl. City Pass

2 nights in your selected hotel and - thanks to the City Pass - free admission to 45 museums, sights and attractions: our travel package for explorers.

3 days from 313 € for 2 Pers.

2 nights in your selected hotel and - thanks to the City Pass - free admission to 45 museums, sights and attractions: our travel package for explorers.

Bag on green background

Vouchers

Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.