Mechanical Systems Engineering Offenburg University of Applied Sciences

The Bachelor's in Mechanical System Engineering is a modern degree designed to bridge the gap between traditional mechanical engineering and digitalisation. The programme targets both international students who want to enter the German job market and local students seeking an international edge, focusing heavily on AI, machine learning, and simulation. Students begin with engineering basics like CAD and materials science before specialising in virtual engineering methods and mechatronics. The curriculum is highly practical, featuring hands-on lab work with humanoid robots and electric race cars, a mandatory internship semester in the industry, and a final thesis completed at a company to build direct professional networks. Through integrated language training and a "digital-first" approach, the programme prepares graduates for high-demand roles in the evolving global industry.

The programme includes a mandatory internship (practical study semester) in the fifth semester. As part of the practical study semester, students must submit an activity report and a performance evaluation. In addition, a graded study paper must be completed as part of the module. These documents are assessed by the designated internship coordinator (full-time professor). The module comprises six credits towards the final grade.

for the following winter semester:

31 March (non-EU residents)

15 July (EU residents)

Admission requirements:

Academic admission requirements include a general or technical university entrance qualification, technical college entrance qualification ("Hochschulzugangsberechtigung", HZB), or APS (for applicants from China, India, and Vietnam). To determine whether an international student has equivalent school qualifications, the student must submit a "Vorprüfungsdokumentation" (VPD) issued by uni-assist or the Studienkolleg Konstanz.

Language requirements: 

English: level B2, see details below

• 150 EUR service contribution

• 173 EUR administration fees

Approx. 950 EUR per month are needed to cover personal expenses. This includes accommodation at a cost of 350 EUR to 400 EUR per month.

• On campus: A limited number of student assistant positions and tutoring jobs are available. Knowledge of English is usually sufficient for these positions.
• Off campus: Students are allowed to hold off-campus jobs for a maximum of 20 hours per week during the lecture period and to work a maximum of 240 half days per year (according to regulations for foreign students requiring a visa). At least a basic knowledge of German is usually required for off-campus positions.

A very limited number of partial scholarships from various sources (DAAD and STIBET, among others) are available. Proposals and decisions will be made individually, depending on students' performance within the curriculum and social engagement outside of classes.

The Career Center at Offenburg University offers a comprehensive programme of workshops and training sessions designed to prepare students for a smooth transition from academia to the professional world. Additionally, the university hosts its own Career Fair, which attracts over 100 companies annually looking to recruit talented students.

Before your arrival, the Graduate School team can arrange accommodation (student residence hall or private accommodation) for you. The rent usually ranges from 350 EUR to 400 EUR per month. If you wish, we can and put you in contact with a student mentor ("senior buddy"). The mentor will assist you in making preparations before you leave your home country, pick you up at the railway station, show you around, and help you on an individual basis during the first few weeks so that you can familiarise yourself with important aspects of life in Germany.

Offenburg University is a public university in Baden-Württemberg offering Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes in the fields of engineering, business, and media.

Around 4,000 students study at its two campuses. International students account for 12% of the student body. They benefit from the advantages of a smaller institution with an excellent student-teacher ratio and personal attention from instructors. State-of-the-art media, electronic, and mechanical laboratories and facilities help students put their ideas into practice. Wi-Fi access is provided throughout the campus.

The university is known for its emphasis on practical skills and applied research. Its close ties to the regional business community include many world-renowned companies. It is also strongly committed to providing an internationally oriented education. In particular, the English-taught Master's programmes of the Graduate School have won a number of awards, including the DAAD's quality label "TOP 10 International Master's Degree Courses Made in Germany".

The Graduate School's staff offers ongoing support throughout the programme:

• extensive assistance in finding accommodation
• "senior buddy" system (personal mentor for the first few weeks)
• assistance with immigration services and authorities
• guided tours of Offenburg and Gengenbach
• individual support and advice by the coordinators of each programme
• individual academic advising
• German language course in September and ongoing language courses during the lecture period
• cultural and social programme (excursions, get-togethers, company visits, etc.)
• "Senior Service" (an initiative bringing together local senior citizens and international students)

International students from all five continents choose to study at Offenburg knowing that their cultures will be respected and appreciated.

The friendly and safe town of Offenburg, population 60,000, is at the centre of the beautiful Ortenau region, situated between the Rhine Valley and the Black Forest and characterised by a comfortable climate with warm and pleasant summers and winter temperatures rarely dropping below zero.

With almost 900 years of history, Offenburg offers a historical centre with a baroque scenery, a variety of cultural events, hiking and cycling trails along the Kinzig river and the surrounding vineyards, and typical Baden gastronomy.

Although Offenburg is relatively small, it offers great cultural and recreational possibilities. There are various festivals and festivities throughout the year, including the famous German carnival season, wine festivals in autumn, and very popular Christmas markets.

Offenburg's city centre offers a variety of department stores and speciality shops, but also a farmers' market on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Inexpensive groceries are found at the major supermarket chains around town.

Nearby cities include Strasbourg (France), 25 km, capital of the European Union and seat of the European Parliament; Freiburg, 65 km; Karlsruhe, 75 km; Heidelberg, 110 km; Basel (Switzerland), 120 km; Stuttgart, 140 km; and Frankfurt, 200 km.

Offenburg is close (35/50/130 km) to the international airports of Strasbourg, Karlsruhe, and Basel-Mulhouse, which are mainly served by low-cost carriers (easyJet and Ryanair, among others). The main German airport hub in Frankfurt can be reached by high-speed train in only around 90 minutes.

More information on Offenburg can be found here.