As the global race toward self-driving cars, intelligent transportation, and AI-powered mobility intensifies, Europe has become a leading hub for autonomous vehicle (AV) engineering. With investments pouring into smart mobility, computer vision, edge computing, and robotics, the demand for skilled engineers in this domain is surging.
Why Study Autonomous Vehicle Engineering in Europe?
Europe offers STEM students:
- Cutting-edge labs (e.g., TU Munich, ETH Zurich, KTH)
- Access to automotive leaders (Volkswagen, BMW, Bosch, Renault, Volvo, etc.)
- Government funding under Horizon Europe and national mobility missions
- Opportunities for hands-on projects with real AV platforms and simulators
- Multidisciplinary education combining mechanical engineering, computer science, and AI
1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Autonomous Vehicles (MAV)
Offered by: Consortium of top EU universities (e.g., Polytechnic University of Catalonia, CTU Prague, University of Genoa)
Target Group: International students pursuing advanced degrees in autonomous and connected mobility
Benefits:
- Full tuition scholarship
- Monthly stipend (€1,000–€1,400)
- Travel + installation grant
- Dual-degree across 2–3 European countries
Curriculum Focus:
- Perception systems (LiDAR, radar, computer vision)
- Vehicle control and decision-making algorithms
- V2X communication and smart transport networks
- AI/ML applications in AVs
High CPC Keywords: Erasmus autonomous vehicle master, self-driving car scholarships Europe, robotics mobility MSc funding
2. ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarships – Autonomous Systems Track (Switzerland)
Offered by: ETH Zurich – Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering
Target Group: High-achieving international Master’s students in robotics, control systems, and AI
Benefits:
- Full tuition waiver + CHF 12,000–18,000 annual stipend
- Research access to ETH’s Autonomous Systems Lab (ASL)
- Industry-linked projects with European automakers and AV startups
- Internship pathways with global leaders like Bosch and ABB
Topics of Study:
- Sensor fusion and SLAM
- Dynamic path planning and decision systems
- Embedded AI for real-time vehicle control
3. TU Munich (TUM) – Smart Mobility & AV Engineering Scholarships (Germany)
Offered by: Technical University of Munich in collaboration with DAAD
Target Group: MSc and PhD students in mobility tech, systems engineering, or AI in transport
Benefits:
- Tuition-free education
- Monthly stipend through DAAD EPOS or Helmut-Schmidt scholarships
- Research placement in TUM’s Drive-by-Wire Lab or Munich School of Robotics & Machine Intelligence (MSRM)
- Industry partnerships with Audi, BMW, and Valeo
Fields of Emphasis:
- Autonomous navigation
- Vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication
- Deep learning for real-time driving scenarios
4. KTH Royal Institute of Technology – Sweden’s MobilityTech MSc Scholarships
Offered by: KTH in collaboration with the Swedish Institute
Target Group: International Master’s students in intelligent transportation and control engineering
Benefits:
- Full tuition coverage + monthly living stipend
- Study at one of Europe’s top AV and urban tech research hubs
- Involvement in EU-funded AV pilot projects in Stockholm
- Access to Integrated Transport Research Lab (ITRL)
Focus Areas:
- Autonomous bus systems
- Cyber-physical systems and safety in AVs
- Sustainable and electric mobility integration
High CPC Keywords: Sweden tech scholarship, KTH autonomous vehicle MSc, Scandinavian mobility innovation
5. Politecnico di Milano – Intelligent Vehicle Engineering Scholarships (Italy)
Offered by: Politecnico di Milano – Department of Mechanical Engineering
Target Group: Master’s and doctoral students in automotive systems, autonomous navigation, and smart sensors
Benefits:
- Merit-based scholarships (partial/full)
- Research in vehicle simulation and control
- Collaboration with EU AV networks and Horizon Europe programs
- Dual specializations in AV & robotics or AV & AI
Trending Research Areas:
- Digital twins for self-driving systems
- Edge computing and real-time vehicle networks
- Vision-based navigation in urban environments
6. Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie PhD Fellowships – Autonomous Systems
Offered by: European Commission
Target Group: Early-stage researchers (ESRs) pursuing doctoral studies in autonomous driving, robotics, or connected mobility
Benefits:
- Fully funded 3–4 year PhD contracts
- Generous stipend (€3,400–€4,000/month)
- Mobility and family allowances
- Placement at multiple European universities or industries
Ideal For:
Students researching perception modeling, sensor networks, multi-agent coordination, or ethical AV decision systems.
7. EIT Urban Mobility Master Scholarships – Intelligent Transportation Systems
Offered by: European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)
Target Group: Students focused on the intersection of urban planning, AV tech, and smart mobility
Benefits:
- Full/partial scholarships
- Entrepreneurship and startup incubation support
- Dual-degree from two EIT Mobility partner universities
- Access to urban AV deployment projects
Specialization Tracks:
- Smart mobility innovation
- Digital mobility solutions
- AI for shared autonomous vehicles
How to Strengthen Your AV Scholarship Application
To stand out in 2025:
- Demonstrate interdisciplinary expertise (AI, robotics, electrical and mechanical engineering)
- Show real-world experience: projects, GitHub repositories, or competitions (e.g., RoboCup, Formula Student Driverless)
- Publish your work or blog about AV tech
- Tailor your Statement of Purpose (SOP) to each institution’s AV labs and ongoing projects
- Secure strong references from professors or industry mentors in automation or AI.