Study Mechanical Engineering in Germany

A course of study in the field of mechanical engineering will provide you with the knowledge to successfully contribute to the planning, design, operation, and selling of modern mechanical systems. As a mechanical engineer, you will be proficient in design engineering and technology, and be responsible for the mechanical subsystems.

You can already focus on a selected industry during your Bachelor’s programme. So, if you already know what career interests you, you can choose the university that offers the corresponding specialisation. Mathematics, physics, electrical engineering, and chemistry form the foundation of mechanical engineering, so your first semesters will be all about learning the mathematical and scientific basics. Computer science and training in various computer programmes will also be part of your degree programme. These will teach you to design with CAD programmes or calculate mathematical models with complex simulations. You will also learn about sales and management tasks as well as the efficient use of resources and energy.

A Bachelor’s programme in mechanical engineering usually lasts six or seven semesters and a Master’s programme three to four semesters. Only a small number of higher education institutions continue to offer courses leading to the degree of “Dipl.-Ing.”. Such a diploma course would usually take eight or ten semesters.

Some higher education institutions require you to do an internship before you start your studies, others require you to provide evidence of such an internship before you reach a certain semester. You should read the application requirements very carefully once you have found a mechanical engineering degree programme that interests you.

To study in Germany, you need a school-leaving certificate that is recognised here as a „higher education entrance qualification“, which usually means that your certificate corresponds to the German Abitur. You can check whether this is the case right here on My GUIDE.

If you already have a Bachelor’s degree and apply to a Master’s programme, you usually have to prove in your application that your first degree was completed in a related subject. Your application may also be required to include language certificates, letters of motivation, internships or a minimum grade. It’s best to find out early on which certificates are required by the higher education institution of your choice.

In Germany, a distinction is made between courses of study with open admission and those with restricted admission. In principle, all applicants who meet the necessary admission requirements are admitted to open-admission programmes; in the case of restricted-admission programmes, there is usually a selection procedure individually managed by the higher education institution if there are not enough places for all applicants.

In an international comparison, studying in Germany is not that expensive. The fact that Bachelor’s programmes at state higher education institutions usually do not charge tuition fees is particularly significant. The situation can be different for Master’s programmes, where tuition fees may be charged. At all higher education institutions, however, you have to pay a so-called semester contribution which ranges from 100 to 400 euros, depending on your institution of higher education. 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.

Rent will be by far the biggest item in your budget; depending on the city you will be studying in, it may be easier or harder to find a cheap apartment or room. Rents vary depending on the city you want to study in. In large cities, housing is often scarce and expensive, while in smaller cities it is comparatively affordable. In any case, student halls of residence are usually your cheapest option. As soon as you have decided on where you want to study, you should start looking, as halls of residence can fill up quickly. Here, you can find information on local halls of residence and the respective application process for most cities. The institutions in smaller or less popular towns are also not as crowded, so you may have an easier time with your application and may receive more individual support from teachers during your studies.

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.

Mechanical engineers have plenty of career opportunities in the sizeable German engineering industry. It can be particularly easy to kick-start your career if you study in a dual study programme. The majority of graduates of a dual study programme are taken on directly by their training company. A dual study programme has firmly integrated practical phases during the training, which helps you apply your theoretical knowledge while still studying. You will also get a taste of daily routines in your chosen sector.

Large companies offer dual studies more often than small and medium-sized companies. Here, your starting salary is also higher; however, your degree will also factor into the amount you can expect. With a Master’s degree, you can get the most out of salary negotiations. Whether you studied at a university of applied sciences or a (technical) university makes only a small difference. As a graduate with a Bachelor’s degree, your starting salary will be lower.

Most graduates in mechanical engineering start as trainees; as a specialist engineer, the starting salary is somewhat higher, as is also the case for a project manager. However, for entry directly into such a management position, it is important for you to have gained practical experience during your studies and that you can provide the right references.