Brewing and Beverage Technology

In this comprehensive Bachelor’s degree program, you will gain in-depth knowledge of beverage production, from selecting and processing raw materials to creating the final product. Our curriculum integrates engineering fundamentals with biology, biochemistry, and advanced topics such as automation and digitalization. 

But there is even more to discover: imagine developing innovative beverages with biofunctional properties that are not only flavorful but also promote health. Delve into the world of quality control, where you will learn how state-of-the-art analytical techniques ensure the safety and health benefits of beverages. You will also develop key sensory skills to accurately assess product flavors and quality.

Situated at the intersection of tradition and innovation, Weihenstephan is home to the world’s oldest academic institution for brewing and beverage technology, making it the perfect place to join the TUM family. Here, you will benefit from a world-class education and an inspiring network of researchers, industry professionals, and fellow students. At TUM, one of Europe’s most prestigious universities, you can access a broad range of additional educational opportunities, providing excellent prospects for your future career.

Whether focused on sustainable production, innovative flavor experiences, or health-oriented products, this program offers a robust foundation for your career in a dynamic, forward-looking industry. Beyond the beverage sector, it also opens doors to opportunities in fields such as mechanical engineering, digital technologies, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. Become part of our network, where tradition and innovation converge uniquely. Engage in a degree program designed to foster both your professional and personal development, equipping you to shape the future.

The first two semesters allow you to acquire a comprehensive and fundamental knowledge of the natural sciences, especially in the fields of mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology. You will take the first specialization subject in the Beverage Technology module.

Building on this foundation, you will deepen your knowledge in engineering sciences and brewing and beverage technology from the third semester onwards. Important subjects include technical mechanics, apparatus engineering, biochemistry, microbiology, brewery plants, raw material and wort technology as well as yeast and beer technology. To bring your modules to life, we link the written theory to various laboratory practices.

During the Bachelor's program, we make sure that the focus on engineering science and brewing and beverage technology are intensified in parallel to ensure that knowledge is evenly acquired. The Bachelor's degree in Brewing and Beverage Technology does not forego the economic sciences that are essential today. In modules such as Business Administration of the Beverage Industry or Accounting, Cost Accounting, and Investment Calculation, you will learn the necessary knowledge to always have your products’ profitability in mind.

In addition to your required modules, you can begin to mold your own profile during your Bachelor's degree using elective modules and follow your own interests and talents.

At the end of your studies, you will apply your knowledge to a scientific problem in an area of your choice and write your Bachelor's thesis on it. In addition to your engineering and scientific knowledge, statistical expertise acquired during your Bachelor's degree will help you evaluate experiments you have planned and conducted independently.

A further component of your studies is a professional internship. Within 6 weeks, you will gain first impressions of the working world.

Interested? Take a look at our curriculum.

Whether in production, analytics, or quality assurance, you will know your way around and be well-prepared for a leading position in the food and beverage industry.

You will gain knowledge, skills and methodological competence in brewing and beverage technology as well as in engineering and process technology. You will be able to produce and test beverages, plan brewery plants, analyze profitability, understand and monitor production processes, ensure product protection, select raw materials, apply fermentation techniques, and much more.

Completing your Bachelor's thesis demonstrates your ability to plan and carry out research projects as well as structure, present and discuss results. You will learn to work scientifically and gain initial laboratory experience.

The TUM website on the application process provides a general overview. The following sections contain information specific to this degree program.
 

Application Requirements and Eligibility

Entrance Qualification

A higher education entrance qualification is the prerequisite for applying for a place in this degree program. This can be either a relevant school-leaving certificate or proof of sufficient professional qualifications. 

Admission Prerequisites

The admission to this degree program is unrestricted.
 

Verification of Language Skills

The language of instruction in this degree program is German. Therefore, it is necessary to prove sufficient German language skills with your application. Please check whether you need a language certificate and which types are accepted.

Preliminary Documentation (VPD)

Applicants who have obtained their higher education entrance qualification not at a German school require a preliminary documentation (VPD). First, you must apply for the VPD at uni-assist, and second, upload it with your application to your application account (see section “Online application” below). 

Please find further critical information on the TUM website for international applicants.

Application Period and Start of Program

The application period is from 15 May to 15 September each year for the following winter semester. We strongly recommend that international students apply as early as possible. You can start this program only in the winter semester. Please find the semester dates on the TUM website.

Semester fees and tuition fees at TUM

All students pay a semester fee for the Studierendenwerk.

Online Application 

You can only apply online via our application portal in TUMonline. There, you set up an applicant account (manual). Please upload all required documents to your applicant account by the end of the application period. Documents issued in languages other than German or English must be translated into German or English by a sworn translator. Both the original document and its translation must be uploaded as one PDF file. 

Enrollment

As soon as you have received a letter of admission for this degree program, you accept your study place in your applicant account. You then upload the remaining documents for enrollment and pay the semester fees. All relevant steps will be displayed in your TUMonline account. Additionally, you can learn the details of the enrollment procedure.

Questions

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the student advisor (see end of this page).

• Curriculum:
  The degree chart gives you an overview and recommendation, which modules you should take in which semester according to academic and examination regulations (FPSO).
• Timetable (TUM ID required for login):
  This timetable is intended to give you an overview of the planned compulsory and elective modules of a semester. It is for orientation purposes only and will not be updated during the semester!
  
  Via TUMonline you can have a timetable created for each semester according to FSPO.
  You can also create your own individual timetable, which can contain not only the dates of the selected courses but also your personal appointments.
  
  First steps with TUMonline

• General Academic and Examination Regulations at TUM (APSO)
• Academic and Examination Regulations (FPSO)

• Examination dates & registration via TUMonline

  Important: You can only take most of the exams if you have actively registered yourself via TUMonline within the registration period. The registration and deregistration period will be displayed at the exam date.
  Please note! In the basic and orientation exams (GOP) in the 1st and 2nd bachelor semester you will automatically be registered for all examinations during the respective semester, i.e. independent registration is not necessary in the 1st academic year.

• Further examination matters
  • Academic progress check
  • Examinations
  • Recognitions
  • Theses
• Board of Examination

The board of examination is a committee consisting of university professors and lecturers of the degree program. The chairperson of the board of examination of your degree program is Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Becker. Applications to the board of examination are received by the secretary and submitted to the board of examination for decision. You can reach the secretary by sending an email to examination.co(at)ls.tum.de.