Questions and answers

When does the program start / the Trend Seminar take place?

The Trend Seminar is the first core course of the CDTM curriculum and takes place in the last 7 weeks of the semester break following your application. Attendance is mandatory during that time (small exceptions can be made if you e.g. need to leave for some hours to take an exam). If you already know that you are not available at that time, please kindly apply for the following semester. The first week of the Trend Seminar is the Kickoff Week. The exact dates for the respective semester are communicated in the application tool.

How long is the program and what does the maximum number of semesters one can take to complete this program?

The standard period of study is four semesters, though it is technically possible to complete the program within two semesters after Trend Seminar. The maximum number of semesters students can take is six.

Can I pause the program for a certain amount of time?

Partly. The Trend Seminar and MPD are taken in one go, without a break in between. After MPD you can take a break, for example to go abroad, and then return to complete eLab.

What is the average class size?

The core courses have 26 students. Often, smaller teams of 4-5 people are formed for some part of the lecture. Elective courses typically have 10-20 students.

What is the teaching style like at CDTM?

The CDTM employs a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, case studies, team projects, writings, problem sets, presentations, company visits, guest speakers, and other theoretical and applied teaching methods.

Which courses does the CDTM offer?

A list of courses offered at the CDTM is available on our curriculum page. In addition to the three core courses, varying electives are offered each semester.

What is a Taskforce?

A Taskforce consists of CDTM students and a member of the Management Team. They work together on certain topics, such as maintaining the IT infrastructure or organizing CDTM events. Every CDTM student is member of at least one Taskforce.

Which Taskforces exist at CDTM? What if I want to start a new Taskforce?

There are a variety of Taskforces at the CDTM. They organize events or invite and host speakers, maintain the IT infrastructure, organize the recruiting process or take care of our big Alumni network. If there is an area that interests you, but is not represented through a Taskforce, we encourage you to start one.

Is staying abroad obligatory? Can this be also funded by a scholarship?

An abroad stay is not mandatory to complete the certificate program. However, experience abroad is one of the selection criteria to the program, and we strongly encourage our students to go abroad and support them in finding a stay and scholarships.

Do we as students choose where to go, when deciding for an abroad stay?

There is an application process for the abroad stays that are managed by CDTM. You will receive the information once accepted to the program. However you are encouraged to also look for other options.

What kind of degree do CDTM Technology Management Program graduates receive?

Upon completion of the degree requirements, candidates receive a Certificate in Technology Management issued by two of Germany’s leading universities, the Technical University Munich (TUM) and the Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU).

Is Technology Management a Master’s Program?

CDTM does not offer a stand-alone master’s program. Rather you will be enrolled in a Certificate Program in Technology Management. The program is pursued in parallel to your main studies. Therefore, you have to be enrolled in a regular university program at LMU or TUM in order to apply for CDTM. The Certificate Program can be studied during both the primary Bachelor’s and Master’s program.

What are the requirements for completing the Technology Management Program?

All students enrolled in the Technology Management Program starting 2025 complete a required core curriculum (27 credits) in addition to 6 credits of elective courses and 5 credits for their work in a Taskforce. The program is tailored to be completed within 4 semesters, but can be extended if you would like to pause the program due to a semester abroad or internship.

Do I have to learn or do computer programming?

Even though you might find yourself working on projects involving cutting-edge technology during your time at CDTM, learning to program a computer is neither a requirement nor a necessity. All projects are designed to be highly interdisciplinary.

Is it possible to transfer credits to my main studies?

As CDTM offers a certificate complementary to (and not integrated in) your primary studies, credit transfer is restricted, yet possible in some cases.

How much time do I have to invest for the program?

You will have to invest about 1.5-2 days a week for the program during the semester. For the first phase (Trend Seminar), i.e. during the semester break, it is a full-time program.

Is it possible to work during the program?

Yes, as long as you can be present during the compulsory lectures, it is up to you to coordinate your main university studies and job. Please keep in mind that the Trend Seminar requires you to be present for almost the whole day during its seven-week duration. In the semesters of MPD and eLab, classes usually meet for 1-2 meetings during the week, where attendance is required.

Is there a part-time program offered?

The Trend Seminar is a seven week full time course. Since it is a core course and attendance is mandatory for the seven-week period, you need to keep this time-period free. Please apply in the following semester if you cannot be present for the full seven weeks. For MPD and eLab you should be aware that the courses usually require 1.5-2 days of work a week.

There is no special part-time option.

Does taking part in the CDTM cost anything?

No, the CDTM is completely free of charge.

When is the next application deadline?

Apply until 30 May 23:59 CEST (fall term) for an intake in August and by 30 November 23:59 CET (spring term) for an intake in the following February.

I applied for a study program at LMU or TUM and am waiting for the response. Can I apply for CDTM?

Yes. If you are currently applying at LMU or TUM for a Diploma-, Bachelor- or Master-level study program, you are eligible to apply at CDTM. However, you have to present your acceptance letter and/or certificate of enrollment to the CDTM administration by the start of the new semester. Otherwise, we cannot enroll you in the CDTM add-on study program.

Does CDTM have rolling admissions? Are there advantages to applying early?

No, CDTM has two application deadlines per year (30 May and 30 November). The online application tool is available one month before the next deadline. There is no competitive advantage to applying earlier. An application after the final deadline is not possible as the decision process is well underway.

How many times can I apply for CDTM?

There is no limit for the number of applications. Nevertheless, especially If you have been part of the interviews, we recommend you to outline how you developed since the last application.

What are the general selection criteria and desired qualifications for admission?

General Criteria

We look for students whose personal characteristics suggest that they will make the most of the opportunities at CDTM, both in academic and non-academic areas. We also seek those whose presence will enhance the experience of other students. Therefore, we value characteristics such as motivation, involvement, interpersonal skills, entrepreneurial aptitude, leadership quality, creativity, analytical skills, and open mindedness.

Desired Qualifications

The admissions committee looks for excellence - applicants with high academic achievements, strong motivation, and leadership potential. High academic potential is normally reflected in excellent academic records. Motivation and leadership is usually shown in relevant experience, your essays, and recommendations.

Formal Criteria

Students have to be registered for a Diploma-, Bachelor- or Master-level studies program at LMU or TUM. Most of the CDTM students come from the fields of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Management. However, students of all fields are highly encouraged to apply.

You should have completed (or are this term completing) your undergraduate studies (e.g. Vordiplom) and your Abitur (Abitur, A-Level, International Baccalaureate or High School equivalent) with above-average results.

Do I need to be enrolled in a university program to apply for CDTM?

Yes. You have to be enrolled at either LMU or TUM (Diploma-, Bachelor- or Master-level study program) to apply for CDTM.

Are Ph.D. students eligible to apply for the program?

The study program is mainly dedicated for Bachelor and Master students of LMU or TUM, and you need to be enrolled as such at the time of your application, therefore a PhD-Degree-Program is not eligible.

Do I need to have completed a certain number of ECTS to apply?

Yes. To ensure that every student can contribute skills from their main studies to the program, we require that the student has completed 60 ECTS at the time of applying to CDTM. If you are in your Master’s, you automatically fulfill the requirement.

Can I apply for the program even if I will finish my studies soon?

Yes. As long as you can find the time to do the core courses in parallel to your studies or future employment, there is no formal requirement that prevents you from applying. However, you should be aware that the courses MPD and eLab usually require 1.5-2 days of work a week.

I am finishing my Bachelor’s degree at TUM/LMU and starting my graduate studies at an university abroad in the next semester. Can I still apply or is it a hard requirement to be enrolled at TUM or LMU?

As long as you are enrolled at LMU or TUM the semester in which you apply or the following, you are formally fulfilling the application requirements. However, our study program takes place primarily in person, hence it is important for you to be in Munich while your CDTM studies.

Can you tell me my chances given my study background and work experience?

It is unlikely that an admission committee member would be able to assess your chances for admission without first seeing a completed application. Please instead try to assess the overlap of your personal and professional activities with the core values of the CDTM.

Do I need to be among the top students of my class to be accepted for the program?

While a good academic performance certainly plays a role within the assessment, it is only one among other selection criteria. Thus, candidates can balance their grades with (1) being active in other areas, such as volunteering or working experience as well as (2) their well-defined motivation to join the CDTM and contribute to the community (find more details in “What are general selection criteria and desired qualifications for admission?“)

Do I need to have work experience to apply?

While it is possible to apply to CDTM without any previous work experience, this is one of the selection criteria to the program. Students who already have some work experience, during which they applied the knowledge from their studies in practice generally get more out of the program and can better contribute to discussions and tasks.

Do I need an English language certificate?

No. There is no need for a language certificate for the application. However, the application is to be written in English and the whole program is in English. Therefore, good written and oral English skills are expected. We may also conduct part of the personal interviews in English to confirm these skills.

Do I need to be in Munich for the interview days?

In general yes, however there will be a possibility to partake remotely in case you are abroad.

Can I apply although I am not available full-time during the Trend Seminar?

No. Since it is a core course and attendance is mandatory for the seven-week period, you need to keep this time-period free. Please apply in the following semester if you cannot be present for the full seven weeks. For more information about the course dates, see "Program Structure" below.

Would you like to share some insider tips for a strong profile to get into the CDTM program?

We do not provide individual evaluations or insights. We recommend you to inform yourself on the program and our values on our website or visit our (info) events.

Can I apply and, in case of admission, delay the start to the next semester?

No. Please only apply for the semester in which you can start the program and attend the Trend Seminar. Admissions are only valid for the corresponding semester and will not get carried over to the next semester.

How many people apply? How many are admitted?

Of the over 600 applications per semester for the Technology Management program, 60 students are invited to a personal interview. 26 students of those invited to the personal interview are admitted to the program.

Do you give feedback on denied applications?

We understand that being denied admission can be a disappointment, and it is reasonable that you want to know the reasons behind the admission board’s decision. Therefore, as time allows, on request you can get the opportunity to get feedback from one of the interviewers. Please understand that the decision of the admission board is final. Due to time constraints, we cannot give feedback on written applications unfortunately.

Can I apply again if my application has not been successful before?

Yes, you certainly may. If you feel like you have personally improved (e.g. after a semester abroad or after an interesting internship), you are always welcome to apply again. We recommend you to highlight what you have learned since your last application.

Do I need to adjust my application, if I am applying for a second time?

Yes, please include your personal improvements in your second application so we can see your progress since your first application.

Do you require recommendation letters?

Recommendation letters (e.g. from past employers or your university) are not required throughout the CDTM application process.

Anything not answered here, write to recruiting@cdtm.com, or see how to apply.