Automotive Engineering
Automotive engineering is a key driver of economic development and industrial innovation in Germany and worldwide. Individual demand for mobility solutions is rising, which calls for us to rethink and reimagine the ways we get around. Only new and creative approaches to design and compatibility will enable us to develop exciting products which are easy on both the earth’s resources and people’s budgets.
HAW Hamburg’s Bachelor’s degree course in Automotive Engineering is recognised within Germany and beyond and provides an opportunity to take the first step in an engineering career in line with up-to-the-minute research and guided by academic staff with strong track records in industry. We ensure genuine real-world orientation and insights into all new developments in the market by working closely with the automotive sector. There is special support on offer for students interested in spending a semester outside Germany.
Your future career
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Automotive engineers primarily work in product development for major players in the automobile industry, including manufacturers, suppliers and R&D services. Their day-to-day tasks involve body design and simulation or work on dashboards or interiors. They plan and design vehicle engines, drives or chassis systems, or run tests on newly developed engines and parts for cars, commercial and special purpose vehicles.
Course content and structure
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The first two semesters focus on the subject’s theoretical basis, encompassing mathematics, data processing, materials science, engineering mechanics, key principles of design, and descriptive geometry.
During semesters 3 to 6, you work on a focal area chosen from the following:
- Powertrain and chassis systems
- Automotive body engineering
- Commercial and special purpose vehicles
The seventh semester consists of a 22-week industrial experience phase, which usually forms the basis of the Bachelor thesis that follows.
Your interests and skills
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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 and self-starter.
Interested – but not quite sure yet whether this is the right course for you? Our self-assessment test can help you make up your mind. Take it here: HAW Navigator.
Admission requirements
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Higher education entrance qualification
You can apply directly for this course if you hold one of the following qualifications:
- Fachhochschulreife
- Allgemeine Hochschulreife
- Fachgebundene Hochschulreife (subject-specific HE entrance qualification)
- Meister*in (vocational qualification – master tradesperson)
- Fachwirt*in (certified specialist)
Applicants who do not hold a higher education entrance qualification but have completed vocational training (Berufsausbildung) and at least three years of subsequent work experience can apply under Section 38 of the Hamburg Higher Education Act, which sets out special provisions for these applicants (Besonderer Hochschulzugang für Berufstätige).
Find out more at Applying for a Bachelor's degree course / Selection criteria.
Pre-course experience
Students on this course are required to complete 13 weeks of pre-course experience. You don’t need to have completed it before you enrol, but you must have done so by the time you complete your second year of study. We strongly recommend that you fulfil this requirement before you begin the degree course.
International applicants
If you completed your schooling outside Germany and want to study here for a Bachelor’s degree, you need to hold an academic school-leaving qualification which entitles you to admission to higher education; that is, it needs to be comparable to a German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife. The organisation uni assist will check your certificates from school and any degree-level studies to establish comparability.
You can find more information about HAW Hamburg’s application criteria at International applicants.
Application process
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We only accept online applications. Applications can be submitted between 1 June and 15 July for the following winter semester and between 1 December and 15 January for the following summer semester. Before applying, applicants must register with www.hochschulstart.de.
You can find the online application system (available only during the application periods specified above) and details about the procedure at Applying for a Bachelor's degree course.
More information (in German) about the numerus clausus process and the minimum grades accepted for admission in recent semesters is provided at Applying for a Bachelor's degree course / Selection criteria.
International applicants should also submit their applications online during the relevant application period.
We’ve prepared a step-by-step checklist to guide you through the process: International applicants
Questions about selecting a course, applications, admissions and degree courses
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Applications and admissions
Student Admissions and Registration Office (Studierendensekretariat)
Stiftstraße 69, 20099 Hamburg (ground floor)
T +49.40.428 75-9898
Contact us with your questions about applications and admissions
Drop-in hours: Monday/Tuesday: 11:00 am–1:00 pm; Thursday: 2:00–5:00 pm
Infothek opening hours: Monday–Thursday: 10:00 am–4:00 pm; Friday: 10:00 am–1:00 pm
Advice and information by phone: Monday/Tuesday: 9:00–10:00 am; Thursday: 9:00–11:00 am
Due to the restrictions resulting from the corona pandemic, drop-in office hours are not being offered at the moment. You can reach us by telephone during these times. The Infothek is closed until further notice.
For general queries on HAW Hamburg degree courses and course choice
Student Counselling Team (Zentrale Studienberatung)
Stiftstraße 69, 20099 Hamburg, rooms 121/122
T +49.40.428 75-9110
studienberatung(@)haw-hamburg.de
Advice and information by phone: Monday/Tuesday: 10:00 am–1:00 pm; Thursday: 1:00–5:00 pm
Contact person for applicants with disabilities or chronic health conditions
Meike Butenob
Alexanderstraße 1, 20099 Hamburg, room 4.10
T +49.40.428 75-7220
meike.butenob(@)haw-hamburg.de
Current office hours
Contact the department
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Subject-specific enquiries:
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dirk Adamski
Berliner Tor 9, 20099 Hamburg
Tel.: + 49.40.428 75-7822
dirk.adamski(@)haw-hamburg.de
Enquiries about the cooperative degree programme:
Coordinator for cooperative degree programmes in engineering:
Berliner Tor 21, room 127, 20099 Hamburg
Tel.: + 49.40.428 75-8610
dualstudium_technik(@)haw-hamburg.de
Queries around pre-course experience:
Practical Experience Advisor:
Prof. Dr. Eckart Nast
Berliner Tor 5, 20099 Hamburg
Tel.: + 49.40.428 75-7896
eckart.nast(@)haw-hamburg.de
At a glance
Degree
Faculty / Department
No. of semesters
Applications accepted
Selective / restricted entry
Language of instruction
Fees/charges
Full-/part-time
Location
Information about this degree course is available in German only.
