Englisch 
Deutsch Who is the part-time M.Sc. in Acoustical Engineering suitable for?
This degree programme is aimed at employed engineers as well as natural scientists who wish to solve acoustic problems in a well-founded manner in the future. Typical profiles include: development engineer in the automotive industry (NVH) seeking in-depth expertise in vibrations and acoustics; civil or electrical engineer in a planning office who wants to cover room and building acoustics professionally; mechanical engineer in product development who aims to systematically optimise noise behaviour, vibrations and sound insulation of equipment. If you also come from media and audio technology and wish to underpin your practical knowledge with solid technical acoustics, the programme is a good fit—part-time and with clearly structured on-campus blocks in laboratories.
Admission requirements
For enrolment, you will need:
- A first university degree qualifying for a profession (Bachelor’s), with 180 ECTS credits in an engineering or natural science discipline and at least six theoretical semesters of study.
- The language of study and instruction is German. If your higher education entrance qualification was not obtained at a German-language institution, a German language certificate at C1 (CEFR) level is required; possible, for example, through TestDaF with an average TDN 3 in all four subtests or an equivalent certificate.
Organisation: part-time with monthly, three-day block courses (Thu–Sat) in the first academic year in Mittweida; in the second year, you will continue your studies in Munich. On-site dates are coordinated well in advance; you will be responsible for your own travel and accommodation planning.
Personal requirements
What matters in everyday study life: You bring an enthusiasm for physics, mathematics and signal processing—with a particular interest in vibration theory and measurement methodology. Having a “good ear” for acoustic details will help you in experiments, evaluations and laboratory work. At least as important, however, are self-organisation and perseverance: Between the block sessions, you will independently work on preparation and reviewing, exercises, projects, and application-oriented measurement tasks.
- Realistic time planning: Coordinate on-campus blocks (Thu–Sat) early with your team and your private environment; allow buffer times for arrival and departure.
- Continuous learning: Structure the distance learning phases, define weekly learning goals and review them regularly.
- Practical transfer: Directly apply what you have learned in your job—this will consolidate your knowledge and increase the benefit for your company.
- Teamwork and communication skills: Project work, colloquia and lab phases benefit from clear coordination and thorough documentation.
If you realistically assess these framework conditions, actively plan and stay on track, the degree is very compatible with your job and family—the compact in-person phases and excellent laboratory infrastructure support you in building up your skills in a targeted manner.
What will you learn in the Master’s in Acoustical Engineering at Hochschule Mittweida?
You will develop solid expertise in understanding, measuring, simulating and purposefully designing sound in products, buildings and mobility systems. The degree programme combines physics, perception and engineering – from the acoustic fundamentals to laboratory and project application.
Acoustic fundamentals and measurement technology: You will deepen your knowledge of technical acoustics, signals and vibrations, and learn how to record and analyse sounds precisely. This includes modern measuring methods, sensor technology, and quality assurance of measurements.
Simulation and systematic optimisation: You will work with numerical methods for the simulation of acoustic phenomena and transfer measurement results into models to acoustically improve components, rooms and systems – from the concept phase right through to validation.
Application fields from construction to vehicles: Topics such as room and building acoustics, noise control, low-noise design and vehicle acoustics (NVH) show how to integrate acoustic requirements early into development and planning.
Perception, media and law: Psychoacoustics links measurement data with auditory perception. Media and audio engineering bridges to audio production. Project management and contract law round off the hands-on project experience.
Specialisations and personal focus: Through project work, laboratory internships and your Master's thesis you can set your own priorities – for example, in vehicle and mobility acoustics, building noise control, developing low-noise products or in media and audio technology. The facilities at both locations – including rolling road test rig, acoustic laboratories, alpha chamber and recording studio – enable practice-oriented projects with direct transfer to your job.
How does the part-time Master’s in Acoustical Engineering work?
The degree is structured as a part-time programme: In the first academic year, three-day block courses (Thu–Sat) take place monthly in Mittweida; in the second year, you will continue the programme in Munich. In between, you learn and work independently and on project-based assignments – with clearly pre-scheduled compulsory attendance blocks.
Learning formats and materials: Attendance blocks plus self-study
Teaching combines compact block seminars at the Mittweida and Munich sites with supported self-learning phases. You make use of scripts, exercises and laboratory materials, and work on projects that bring together practical laboratory work (e.g. acoustic camera, alpha chamber, rolling road test rig) with analysis and simulation.
Assessment: Written exam, practical demonstration and project
Assessments cover all aspects of engineering practice: written exams, project and laboratory work, presentations as well as the Master's thesis with final colloquium. In this way, you will demonstrate theoretical expertise as well as practical measurement and modelling skills.
Attendance dates: bundled and plannable at two locations
In the first year, you will attend monthly three-day blocks (Thu–Sat) in Mittweida. In the second year, the focus shifts to Munich. Dates are coordinated in advance; you organise travel and accommodation yourself. A pure online version is not planned.
Workload and flexibility: realistically 12–18 hours per week
With 90 ECTS and a part-time focus, you should expect around 12–18 hours per week between block attendance periods – possibly more depending on prior knowledge and exam phase. The standard period of study is 5 semesters; attendance blocks mainly take place on long weekends. Free extension is possible, but decided individually.
How much does the Master’s in Acoustical Engineering at Hochschule Mittweida cost?
A tuition fee of €2,450 per semester is due plus a semester fee of €107. Over five standard semesters this amounts to about €12,785 in total, plus your personal travel and accommodation costs for Mittweida and Munich.
Additional costs for specialist literature and equipment for measurement and analysis tasks should also be factored in. As it is a postgraduate (continuing education) Master’s, an employer contribution is often possible – for example, via further training budgets or retention agreements. Expenses (fees, travel expenses, study materials) can usually be claimed for tax purposes as income-related expenses or special expenses.
If you need to extend your studies, extra semester fees may apply – so budget for the standard duration or clarify individual arrangements in advance.
What careers and salaries are possible after the Master’s in Acoustical Engineering?
With this degree, you position yourself for specialised engineering roles in development, testing and planning. Typical roles sit at the interface between measurement, simulation, and product or building optimisation – with excellent prospects in automotive, mechanical engineering, construction and audio technology.
- Acoustics engineer in vehicle development (NVH): Noise and vibration optimisation for drive systems, chassis and interiors. Salary range depending on experience and location approx. €60,000–€90,000 gross per year.
- Building and room acoustics specialists: Planning of noise control and room acoustics for buildings and industrial facilities, conforming to standards. Typical range €55,000–€80,000.
- Development engineer for vibration and noise reduction: Low-noise design, material and damping concepts in mechanical engineering. Around €55,000–€85,000.
- Experts in acoustic measurement technology and simulation: Test planning, data analysis, modelling and validation. Approx. €55,000–€85,000.
- Engineer for media and audio technology: Product acoustics, sound design, psychoacoustics in consumer electronics or pro audio. Roughly €50,000–€75,000.
For management and research roles, further specialisation or doctoral projects are possible – especially if your Master’s thesis focuses on simulation, NVH or building acoustics.
Who is the Master’s in Acoustical Engineering right for – and who is it not?
This degree addresses professionals with an engineering or science background who want to take on acoustic responsibility in projects. It is worthwhile if you value practical laboratory experience and are prepared to schedule attendance blocks.
- If you work in vehicle development, mechanical engineering, construction or audio technology and want to take a lead role on acoustic issues in future.
- If you wish to combine hands-on lab experience in specialised labs (e.g. alpha chamber, rolling road test rig) with simulation and psychoacoustics.
- If you prefer a part-time, block-based format with clearly plannable dates.
- If you are aiming for a recognised Master’s degree (90 ECTS) as the next step in your career or for future doctoral studies.
Not every life and learning situation is suited to this format. The following points are genuine hurdles that you should consider honestly in advance.
- If you are looking for a fully online course without mandatory attendance – here, attendance blocks at two locations are a key component.
- If you cannot or do not want to plan for travel and overnight stays between Mittweida and Munich.
- If you cannot currently invest the weekly workload of around 12–18 hours alongside your job.
- If you expect significantly lower costs than state-funded full-time programmes – this is a continuing education Master’s with fees.
- If you wish to start without a solid foundation in physics and mathematics – the programme is built on precisely these fundamentals.
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