Home » Rail and Urban Transport

Master of Science (M.Sc.)

Rail and Urban Transport

Type of Study
Full Time

Application period
1 Oct 2024 to 31 Mar 2025

Duration
4 semesters over 2 years

Next intake
August 2025

Credits
120 ECTS

Awarding university
TUM

The Master of Science in Rail and Urban Transport programme is designed to offer interdisciplinary learning that goes beyond traditional engineering, exploring the interdependencies and complexities of transport and railway systems while providing a solid foundation in their core concepts.

Featuring two specialised tracks in rail and transport, the programme presents students with two interconnected yet distinct pathways, equipping them with advanced engineering knowledge from multiple disciplines to address the challenges of the transport landscape. Graduates from either track will be able to exercise critical judgement and leadership, applying their comprehensive knowledge and skills to develop sustainable, accessible, and effective transport systems that take into account key factors such as demographics, geography, economic conditions, and infrastructure.

Highlights

Designed for engineers pursuing a specialised career in rail engineering, this programme is the only master’s degree offered in Singapore to go in depth into the engineering specifics of rail transport and planning. It focuses on Rail Infrastructure, Rolling Stock, Trackworks, Train Control, and Signalling Systems to develop a sustainable multi-modal public transport system.

Rail Track Engineering

Students will deepen their understanding of the rail track engineering required for the track design, construction, maintenance and renewal of tracks for a broad spectrum of rail infrastructure and forces acting between vehicle and track.

Integrated Multi-modal Transport Planning

Students will develop the competencies to analyse different transit modes and their capacity and integrate them into one multi-modal public transport system to ensure a smooth and seamless transport system.

Rail Safety and Train Control Engineering

Students will advance their knowledge in rail safety and train control engineering to develop cutting-edge signalling and train control systems of varying capacities.

An in-depth study into the design, management and operation of transport systems, this programme advances budding transport planners’ capabilities in leveraging transport modelling tools and methodologies to develop cost-effective, efficient transport systems and sustainable mobility solutions for urban cities.

Transport Planning

The programme deep dives into the principles of traffic flow and travel behaviour and its coherencies and interdependencies, in which students apply a range of transport modelling tools to analyse and forecast travel demand to develop strategies for future transport needs.

Transport Design

Covering topics on transport design, students will gain deeper insights into the iterative service design process through the analysis of risk methodologies and measures, shedding light on the complex relationship between user experience and transport infrastructure.

Transport Management

The programme combines economic theories and engineering concepts to examine the planning process, operating methods and maintenance procedures of key transport infrastructure such as airports and harbours, which enable students to make scientifically founded decisions through systematic and critical evaluations of their efficacy and possible consequences.

Rail Track Engineering

Rail Safety and Train Control Engineering

Students will advance their knowledge in rail safety and train control engineering to develop cutting-edge signalling and train control systems of varying capacities.

19^th in Engineering

QS World University Ranking by Subject

26^th

World University Ranking

Times Higher Education (THE) 2025

~300

International Students Graduated

Learning Outcomes

Awarded and developed by:

Graduates will be able to design progressive solutions leveraging their engineering skills and knowledge to execute strategic decisions confidently with skilful diplomacy to meet the evolving rail and transport priorities and demands of the future.

Develop the necessary competencies to address the evolving challenges in road- and rail-based passenger and freight transport that bolster the growth of a modern dynamic society towards sustainable mobility

Demonstrate expert knowledge of the complex intricacies of today’s transport systems, including rail, in its operations, design and interdependencies with the economy and city development.

Develop analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to examine critically and evaluate factors influencing the sustainable development and management of transport systems and traffic.

Illustrate proficiency in the sustainable planning, designing and operating transport systems, including rail, by applying a suite of analytical principles and methodologies to address the current issues and future trends of transport systems

Develop a high level of understanding of demand management, transport planning, infrastructure design, and transport management to design integrated, inter-modal multidimensional transport solutions for passengers and goods.

Develop a high level of critical and creative problem-solving skills capable of exercising critical judgement and expertise in the interrelationships of existing transport systems and traffic flow

Demonstrate the capability of integrating the different analytical methodologies and risk measures into public transport planning and design in optimising today’s transport systems

Establish a high level of leadership to assess and integrate the diverse range of strategic systems underpinning multiple modes of transport

Career Prospects

Graduates of the MSc in Rail and Urban Transport specialising in transport are trained to put the stakeholders at the heart of the planning process and deploy the various analytical approaches and methodological tools to develop innovative mobility solutions for the new transport era.

Master of Science in Rail and Urban Transport graduates specialising in railway will be highly needed globally for the deep level of knowledge in rail engineering to construct, design, renew and maintain a range of urban rail tracks and infrastructure. They will be able to apply analytical thinking and problem-solving skills in myriad situations in areas of planning and installation of rail infrastructure, taking environmental considerations into account to achieve safe, efficient, and sustainable transportation.

Railway

Rail Project Manager

Rail Consultant

Rail Operations

Safety and Maintenance Rail Engineer

Rail Design Manager

Transport

Transportation Planner

Transportation Analyst

Transportation Operations Manager

Infrastructure Planner

Traffic Design and Planner

Success Stories

Chan Xiang Yan
Assistant Manager, Land Transport Authority (LTA), Singapore

Class of 2024, Master of Science in Rail, Transport and Logistics

Programme Structure

The MSc in Rail and Urban Transport, totalling 120 ECTS, spans 4 semesters over 2 years, comprising a combination of core and elective modules (75 ECTS), a 3-month internship (15 ECTS), and a Master’s thesis (30 ECTS).

Curriculum

Core Modules

Statistical Methods for Transport and Logistic Processes

This module introduces students to transportation science, which involves analysing empirical data and applying statistical methods in real-world situations. Students learn to concise data by deploying the suite of analytical tools and software to identify patterns, gaps and opportunities to make scientifically founded business decisions. Through this module, they would be able to gain a deep level of understanding of probability and statistical concepts.

Traffic Impacts, Evaluation of Transport and Logistic Processes

The module focuses on sustainable transport solutions by deepening students’ understanding of the intimate relationship between transport and its environment. Through interactive discussions, hands-on exercises and group activities, students will learn more about the various strategies for achieving a sustainable transport system. In addition, students will also acquire the necessary knowledge of the principles and concepts to assess and evaluate transport and logistics systems while gaining deeper insights into the advantages and drawbacks of different assessment methods, including application areas and constraints of assessment procedures.

Decision Support Systems for Transport and Logistic Processes

This module equips students with the latest mathematical modelling approaches and computer-based support to address common logistical decision problems companies face today. Students will gain the necessary proficiency in problem-solving models and algorithms to represent different problem types and address real-world situations. They will be able to discern problem types, understand the limits of optimisation and appreciate the importance of having a decision support system in logistics.

Soft Skills

This module aims to enhance students’ communication and writing skills to enable them to communicate with confidence that is understandable and engaging for a wide variety of target audiences. Students will be equipped with various technical writing techniques for thesis, technical and scientific papers, motivation letters and technical presentations and acquaint themselves with various business communication styles. Lastly, the module will also cover the fundamentals of the German language to provide them with an insight into German culture.

Rail Transport and Rail Planning

This module emphasises the foundational requirements and procedures for rail infrastructure planning on the premise of running behaviour and the performance of rail vehicles. Through discussions and in-person lessons, students will examine closer into the specific wheel-rail interface, the effective forces guiding the wheel sets (equivalent conicity), the determination and evaluation of track quality, the requirements for designing track alignment and layout, the tools to determine cant and cant deficiency, the procedures to design transition elements, the tilting train technology, the operational demands and respective track arrangements. Through this lesson, students will be able to confidently plan and design rails for passenger comfort and safety.

Trackworks

This module advances students’ knowledge of trackworks, emphasising their understanding of forces acting between vehicle and track, the load distribution within the track superstructure into the substructure (Earthworks or civil structure), environmental impacts on the track performances, as well as the requirements for the design and construction of rail infrastructure. This module will pay particular attention to track design, the construction, maintenance and renewal of tracks for a variety of rail infrastructures (conventional and high-speed). In addition, students will also engage in intensive discussions on the conceptual design and structural performance of both traditional and ballastless track systems in learning about the logics and rationales behind the concepts.

Train Control and Signalling Systems

This module enables students to form a solid foundation in train control and signalling systems, in which the benefits and challenges of techniques used will also be closely analysed in lessons. The module will also deep dive into turnout, signals, track-based equipment, facilities, electronic interlocking and train control systems. Students will gain greater insights as the risk analysis and assessment of electronic systems and management of train schedules and transport risk are discussed in closer detail in this module.

Rolling Stock

This module advances students’ knowledge of rolling stock, focusing on the various rail concepts, such as high-speed trains and their interior designs, freight trains and freight wagons, and Mass Rapid Transit. The module pays particular attention to the wheel-rail interaction, running behaviour in curves and straight tracks, propulsion concepts, running gear and vehicle construction, body shells, bogie design, safety issues and environmental aspects such as energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission in rail transportation. Existing and emerging applications of various engineering concepts through case studies will also be discussed in closer detail.

Ballastless Track Systems

One of the ground-breaking innovations in the railway infrastructure space, ballastless tracks are increasingly adopted globally due to their superior ride comfort, safety and low levels of care and maintenance. In this module, students learn in depth the requirements and procedures for ballastless track system design for high-speed and conventional mainline rail infrastructure. This specialised module also deep dives into the special features of Metro and light rail systems, train-track interactions, alignment and track layout for urban rail systems, the sources, propagation and effects on surrounding buildings and measures to counteract noises and vibration. Through this lesson, students will learn to design a variety of state-of-the-art tracks, such as special floating slab tracks, green tracks, tram tracks and embedded track systems, and assess their environmental impacts.

Transportation Modelling and Simulation Tools

This module deepens students’ skills and knowledge in using macro- and micro-simulation to assess traffic engineering and transport planning measures. The theoretical background of the methods implemented in the tools will be reinforced through extensive practical exercises using state-of-the-art software, followed by systematic analysis and discussions on how real-world simulation projects are structured. Students will learn to demonstrate their capability to set up a realistic simulation by gathering real-life data within the Singapore road network.

Public Transport Planning

Public transport networks, beginning with an in-depth discussion about the advantages and disadvantages as well as the functional characteristics of transit modes and their capacity. The geometry and types of transit lines and transit networks will be closely examined during this module. In addition, students will also be acquainted with public transport schedules, learn how to organise transfers and increase the transit speed to improve the passenger convenience and the efficiency of the public transport network.

Elective Modules (Choose 3 modules)

Tunnel Works and Geotechniques

In this module, students gain a comprehensive overview of tunnel works and geotechniques, covering the key aspects of the investigations conducted prior to the start of the project. Students will learn about the fundamentals of soil investigation, the basics of foundation, and earth construction in traffic ways. The module will also dive into the tunnelling methods and the techniques covering the various calculating methods and the prediction of settlements by tunnelling in loose soils.

Modelling of Rail Infrastructure Using CAD-FEM-MBS

This module introduces students to some of the most important computational tools and methods of planning infrastructure. Using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, students will be able to apply these tools, requirements and rules set for railway planning proficiently on a student’s project. Students will also learn about Finite Element Method (FEM) for the modelling and analysis of track structures, subsystems and components used for the design and evaluation of performance. Different approaches to creating Geometry models of these elements will be explored, particularly for rail/sleepers using ANSYS. Students will also learn about the basics of importing geometry files for FE analysis using ANSYS Workbench, applying simple analysis meshing methods, and understanding the compatibility of data transfer across different platforms in depth. The module will also use Multi-Body Simulation to simulate and analyse dynamic effects activated by vehicles running along tracks equipped with different track geometry and quality.

Transport and Urban Planning

This module offers the foundational knowledge of transport, mobility and urban planning in which students advance their understanding of the reasons for traffic, spatial and temporal traffic distribution, the relationship between planning and design of the infrastructure and the assignment of functions in cities and conurbation, dependencies between supply and demand. Students will also learn to apply travel demand modelling using the 4-step algorithm to estimate travel demand.

Introduction to Business Logistics

The module will begin with the core principles of business logistics, where students gain insights into the functional process of logistics and the pivotal role logistics play in a competitive landscape. Providing an incisive portrait of the various aspects of logistics processes, students learn how logistics processes can be optimised, which in turn gives them an opportunity to develop their critical thinking on the potential of information technology and digitisation in logistics.

Introduction to Supply Chain Management

This module provides students with an insightful overview of the fundamental concepts, theories, and applications of supply chains, covering its main challenges and planning methods. It aims to stimulate critical thinking and equips students with the strategic ability to find the insights behind theories that will help them to match the right supply chain for different types of products, align their supply chain planning in inventory management, procurement and sourcing as well as risk management to create value in supply chains.

Planning of Intralogistics Systems

This module provides students with a solid foundation of some of the key methods and procedures in the field of material flow and logistics planning. Students will learn to apply the range of tools and assessment methods to develop different planning alternatives by beginning the module with the actual collection of data for detailed analysis. Students will also gain proficiency in applying qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods to select the best planning alternative. The module will also place an emphasis on intensifying students’ theoretical foundation through working on a practical case study conducted in small groups.

Introduction to Power Systems

This module enables students to form a solid foundation in power systems, covering the key concepts and structures of power systems, such as generation, transportation and distribution, electricity consumption, and common power plant types, including new renewable technologies. Students will also enhance their understanding of the dynamics of electricity demand, especially due to new electronic services, and appreciate the new possibilities offered by smart demand technologies to make power systems more flexible by learning more about energy economy, electricity markets and smart grids.

Non-Technical Elective Modules (Choose 1 Module)

Business Administration

This module provides students with a solid business foundation for the theory and practice of managing different forms of enterprises, focusing on the various financing instruments, capital budgeting methods, corporate valuation procedures, methods and requirements of internal and external accounting, and human resource management and theories. Through this module, students will be able to create a business plan and harness the suite of financing instruments to determine the profitability of investments and the value of firms.

Innovation and Technology Management

This module provides students with foundational knowledge in developing technologies and innovation by combining business theory with practical guidance. Through engaging in discussions on the dynamics of technological development through innovation and related management issues and practices, students will be able to proficiently navigate the various dynamics in technology- or innovation-based business environments. Students will also be able to demonstrate the principles of the primary four forces of innovation and identify the critical role that finance plays in innovation to lead to job creation and economic growth.

Project Management Principles

This module introduces the principles of Project Management, which addresses the key aspects of the project management processes and frameworks for successful projects. The skills and understanding of principles of project management is a key for the project manager to lead, plan, and implement projects to help their organisations succeed by achieving the common objectives within designated scope, cost, and timeline. The module introduces tools, techniques, and frameworks to engage effective stakeholders’ communication, monitor the project life cycle, and consistently develop the project with its deliverables. In this module, the student will learn how to initiate, manage, monitor, and then close the project. This module will also include a basic understanding of predictive and adaptive approaches commonly used in various projects and various industries.

Core Modules

Statistical Methods for Transport and Logistic Processes

Traffic Impacts, Evaluation of Transport and Logistic Processes

Decision Support Systems for Transport and Logistic Processes

Soft Skills

Basics of Traffic Flow and Traffic Control

This module provides students with a comprehensive insight into traffic flow and its numerous facets, coherencies, and interdependencies, as well as into urban traffic management and signal control. Students will first be introduced to the foundations of traffic flow before diving into the numerous modelling tools, such as macroscopic modelling of endogenous estimation of traffic relations and more. In addition, students will also learn how to manage and control urban traffic, calculate and design signal systems, and manage traffic using toll systems.

Highway Design

This module advances students on their knowledge of dynamic vehicle behaviour, thus deepening their fundamental concepts, theories, and applications used in the planning and design of safe, highly efficient, and sustainable road infrastructure linking cities. The module will also deep dive into the driver-vehicle-infrastructure interactions that govern the geometrical design and the requirement for pavement works by using case studies to equip students with an integrated set of road planning strategies and tools for road design. In addition, students will also learn more about the construction and maintenance of road infrastructure as well as its environmental issues.

Transport and Urban Planning

Traffic Operation and Control (ITS)

This module enhances students’ understanding of the general approach to traffic control and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in the urban and motorway context. It offers a critical understanding of the principles of different systems and their technical approaches while placing emphasis on the analysis of ITS applications in urban, extra-urban and integrated systems. The module will also deep dive into the objective, measures, methods, and algorithms of implementing ITS, building on students’ knowledge gained in the modules “Basics of Traffic Flow and Traffic Control and “Transportation Modelling and Simulation Tools”.

Public Transport Planning

This module equips students with the foundational knowledge in public transport planning and organising of public transport networks, beginning with an in-depth discussion about the advantages and disadvantages as well as the functional characteristics of transit modes and their capacity. The geometry and types of transit lines and transit networks will be closely examined during this module. In addition, students will also be acquainted with public transport schedules, learn how to organise transfers and increase the transit speed to improve the passenger convenience and the efficiency of the public transport network.

Rail Transport and Rail Planning

Transportation Modelling and Simulation Tools

Elective Modules (Choose 3 modules)

Introduction to Business Logistics

Airport and Harbour Design

This module gives an in-depth insight into the necessary components of airports and harbours and the planning processes for developing these sites. Students will enjoy the intellectual stimulation as the module reviews the various methods for operating airports and harbours through the lens of multiple aspects of the pre-planning process, such as environmental impacts leading to the ultimate choice of the location. Students will also learn about the important components of airports, including the fundamental design concepts and operation and maintenance procedures necessary to successfully manage key infrastructures.

Urban Road Design

This module provides students with foundational knowledge and analytical skills on urban road design in megacities by beginning with a detailed evaluation and discussion of the characteristics of various modes of transport and their advantages and disadvantages. Students will be able to appreciate the design rationale behind every single road design as they learn to analyse the challenges and needs of transport infrastructure in urban areas of big cities and agglomerations and consider correlations such as land use, capacity of passenger transport and environmental issues. Through this module, students will be able to proficiently apply the knowledge they have learned in planning, designing, and organising urban streets as spaces for living and develop solutions to organise transport efficiently for all modes and mobility needs.

Introduction to Supply Chain Management

Planning of Intralogistics Systems

Non-Technical Elective Modules (Choose 1 Module)

Business Administration

Innovation and Technology Management

Project Management Principles

*Disclaimer: Specialisation and Elective modules available for selection are subject to availability. Unforeseen circumstances that affect the availability of the module include an insufficient number of students taking up the module and/or the unavailability of the professor. TUM Asia reserves the right to cancel or postpone the module under such circumstances.

Global Internship

Gain real-world experience through internships where you can take an active approach in securing internship at your choice of their company anywhere in the world.

The internship programme is one of the hallmarks of all our master’s programmes designed to provide structured and supervised work experiences. Students complete a three-month internship with the industry or an academic institution of choice related to his or her field of study at TUM Asia.

Internship can be completed anywhere in the world.

Students are empowered and given the freedom to pursue internship in their desired fields anywhere in the world and explore the possible career pathways developed from their field of study based on their career goals and aspirations.

Master’s Thesis

A six-month journey that enables you to apply the best of your knowledge and skills acquired through course work and research assistantships

Through this guided learning experience, students work in collaboration with industry partners or other researchers on a project of mutual interest and gain the opportunity to publish manuscripts.

The master’s thesis is fully practical based. Theoretical frameworks or conceptual models can be occasionally used to guide research questions.

Admission Criteria

Eligibility

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree (completed in at least three years) and its equivalent in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Geodetics, Mechanical Engineering, Geography, Computer Science, Communications Engineering, Economics, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Architecture, Environmental Engineering, or in a closely related discipline

Language Requirements

Required Test Scores

For applicants whose native language or language of instruction from previous studies is not English, a TOEFL / IELTS score is required.
For more information:

TOEFL (www.toefl.org): Recent score with a Minimum 88* for the Internet-Based Test (TOEFL code: 7368)
IELTS (www.ielts.org): With academic IELTS result of at least 6.5

Akademische Prüfstelle (APS) Certificate Requirements

For applicants with a Chinese, Vietnamese or Indian university degree, an Akademische Prüfstelle (APS) certificate is required.

For applicants whose native language or language of instruction from previous studies is not English, a TOEFL / IELTS score is required. For more information:

TOEFL (www.toefl.org):
IELTS (www.ielts.org):

IELTS

6.5

With academic IELTS result of at least 6.5

TOEFL

88+

Recent score with a Minimum 88* for the Internet-Based Test (TOEFL code: 7368)

For applicants with a Chinese, Vietnamese or Indian school or university degree, an Akademische Prüfstelle (APS) certificate is required.

For more information, please visit here.Link

Fees & Finances

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees are payable upon acceptance of offer across 3 instalments throughout the academic year.

Payment can be made through:

	Registration Fee	1^stInstalment	2^nd Instalment	3^rd Instalment	Total*
Payment Schedule	Upon acceptance of offer	15 July	1 December	1 July (of the next year)
Gross Amount* (before GST)	S$5,000.00	Payable across 3 instalments			S$33,000.00
Final Amount* (after GST)	S$5,450.00	Payable across 3 instalments			S$35,970.00

Total programme fee: S$35,970* (inclusive 9% GST)

All fees quoted are in Singapore Dollars and are inclusive of the prevailing Goods and Services Tax (GST) imposed under the Singapore GST Act. The GST rate has been adjusted to 9% starting from 1 January 2024
Tuition fees are subject to changes in Government Legislation or duly determined by the University Management. Students will be informed accordingly.

Additional Information

Tuition fees are also inclusive of:

Matriculation fees at TUM, teaching and examination fees
Lab materials and expenses
Expenses for intercultural program, may include tickets for events and industry excursions
Soft copy files of all teaching materials
IT usage: Internet access
Excursion and off-campus expenses for mandatory events
Usage of all university facilities at TUM and TUM Asia

Registered students will be subjected to the following fees:

Student Medical Insurance Fee (payable to TUM Asia)
Student Visa Processing and Issuance Fee (payable to Immigration & Checkpoints Authority Singapore (ICA)