Study Aerospace Engineering in Germany

A degree programme in aerospace engineering will first provide you with the necessary knowledge of higher mathematics, physics, information technology, technical mechanics, material science, and design. Building on this foundation, you will then be taught engineering and application-oriented disciplines such as statics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, space flight, systems engineering, and aeronautic technology and propulsion systems. You may be able to specialise in, e.g., maintenance and system integration or autonomous flight.

Only a select number of higher education institutions offer aerospace engineering degree programmes. Sometimes, the general higher education entrance qualification or the advanced technical college entrance qualification or equivalent qualification is alone sufficient as a prerequisite for a Bachelor’s degree. In some cases, however, there are also additional admission restrictions, such as the numerus clausus (NC) or an online self-assessment; these are usually not set high, however.

Most higher education institutions that offer an aerospace engineering programme require you to complete an internship of several weeks prior to starting your Bachelor’s programme. This means that a pre-study internship may be compulsory for admission to the degree programme. As there are sometimes very specific requirements, you should find out in good time from your chosen higher education institution whether you have to cover specific activities and content in your pre-study internship. The requirements are often listed in the respective examination regulations or on the website of the degree programme.

For a Master’s programme, requirements are often limited to a first degree in a related subject of at least six semesters. Above-average grades may also be relevant to get into your favourite Master’s programme.

Depending on the higher education institution, Bachelor’s degree programmes have a standard period of study of five to eight semesters. The additional semesters are often set aside for practical phases, which are common in this subject. A Master’s degree usually takes three to four semesters.

At many higher education institutions, you can also complete the degree programme as a dual study programme. This allows you to integrate an even larger practical component into your studies.

In general, you should have a good understanding of mathematics, spatial awareness, discipline and motivation and, of course, a keen interest in science and technology!

Aerospace engineering programmes can mostly be taken at public technical higher education institutions. As a result, there are usually no tuition fees. However, there is usually a semester contribution to be paid, which includes costs for administration and the student union. These contributions are not tuition fees and are paid to the higher education institution per semester. The fee varies and is on average somewhere between 100 and 400 euros. Sometimes your semester contribution covers a ticket for local public transport or you can purchase a discounted ticket. Depending on where you study, this may be valid for the city, the region or even for all of Germany. Ask your higher education institution whether such an offer is currently available.

However, your biggest expense will probably be for rent. Your rent depends entirely on the city because there are big differences within Germany: big cities and popular student towns are often much more expensive. In shared flats or student halls of residence, however, you can live comparatively cheaply. Bear in mind that you should look for accommodation on time, as student halls of residence in particular often have waiting times. Here, you can find information on local halls of residence and the respective application process for most cities.

To finance your studies in Germany, you should also find out about scholarships. There are many different scholarship programmes and excellent grades are not the only deciding factor. You can learn more about scholarships here and find suitable programmes directly on My GUIDE.

Depending on your course of studies you will graduate with a Bachelor’s/Master’s of Science or a Bachelor’s/Master’s of Engineering.

Your future employment opportunities may lie in the development of aircraft, engines, satellites or launch systems, for example. You can also find work in the automotive and supplier industry, at energy supply companies, in aviation companies and airports or in engineering offices, authorities and research institutions. Of course, you could also start your own business, e.g. as a third-party expert.

This field offers many exciting challenges and opportunities for graduates, including the development of sustainable propulsion systems or the vision of improved mobility with air taxis. Thanks to the comprehensive and varied study content, you can also make a lateral move to pursue a career in other areas, such as the automotive industry or the energy supply industry.

This gives you the opportunity to choose from a variety of fields of activity, ranging from construction, maintenance and commissioning to quality management and technical sales. If you are aiming for a management position, you should definitely consider a Master’s degree, as this is often expected.

Generally, you have a good chance of finding a job quickly after graduation.