Automotive Engineering

Automotive engineers primarily work in product development for major players in the automobile industry, including manufacturers, suppliers and R&D services. You work in development teams at manufacturers, suppliers or engineering service providers – often on an international scale. Whether it’s passenger cars, commercial vehicles or specialised vehicles: your work combines technical innovation and problem-solving skills with mobility solutions for the future of technology, the economy and society.

The first three semesters focus on the fundamentals of engineering: mathematics, materials science, manufacturing technology, engineering mechanics, data processing, electrical engineering and the fundamentals of design.

In the fourth semester, the programme delves deeper into automotive engineering: the complete vehicle, powertrain, chassis, machine elements, control engineering and mobility economics provide a comprehensive understanding of the design and development of vehicles, assemblies and functions.

From the fifth semester onwards, you can tailor your studies to your individual interests and abilities and deepen your knowledge in one of three specialisations:

• Bodywork development
• Powertrain and Chassis
• Commercial and Special-Purpose Vehicles

The specialisation is defined by five compulsory elective modules, which can be chosen from a range of 17 modules.

In the seventh semester, you will undertake a 22-week industrial placement, which you will conclude with your Bachelor’s thesis – often directly within a company.

Semester Abroad
Fancy a degree with an international twist? Whether in Hanoi, Paris, Barcelona or at one of our many other partner universities – international experience can be easily integrated into your automotive engineering degree. This not only takes your specialist knowledge to the next level and introduces you to new perspectives and cultures, but also improves your language skills and helps you build contacts that will advance your personal and professional development. | International

To be happy and successful studying Automotive Engineering, you’ll need a keen interest in the interaction of mobility and technology and should be enthusiastic about solving complex issues from engineering science.

A strong ability in mathematics or physics is essential. You’ll do well in this course if you have good spatial awareness, robust logical thinking skills and are a creative team player. More importantly: you need to be curious! If you enjoy working independently and want to develop new technical solutions, studying automotive engineering will take you a long way.

Did you complete your secondary education outside Germany?

• If you want to do your bachelor's degree in Germany, you need an academic qualification that corresponds to the German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife. Here you will find all the information for international prospective students.
• Please note that you must provide proof of German language skills at C1 level.

The following applies to all applicants:

• You are required to provideproof of proficiency in English at the B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference

Did you complete your secondary education in Germany?
You can apply directly for this course if you hold one of the following qualifications:

• Allgemeine Hochschulreife
• Fachhochschulreife
• Fachgebundene Hochschulreife (subject-specific HE entrance qualification)
• A similar qualification

You can find information about the selection process and the numerus clausus (NC) from the previous semester here: Applying for a Bachelor's degree course/Selection criteria

We only accept online applications. Before applying, applicants must register with www.hochschulstart.de. If you would like to apply for the dual study programme, you do not need to register on hochschulstart. Information is only available in German at Dual degree in Engineering and Computer Science.

During the application period (for the winter semester: 1 June–15 July; for the summer semester: 1 December–15 January) you can find the online application and detailed information about the application process on the Applying for a Bachelor's degree course page.

International applicants are also required to apply during the application period.
To make the process easier for you, we have compiled a step-by-step checklist: International applicants