Heritage Conservation and Site Management Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg

Heritage Conservation and Site Management (HCSM) is an international joint degree Master's programme resulting from the cooperation between two partner universities: Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg and Capital University in Cairo. Upon successful completion of the study programme, students will be awarded a joint degree Master of Arts.

The programme is focused on transferring knowledge and methodologies necessary for the administration and management of archaeological sites. The curriculum brings together the following topics: conservation strategies and methods, strategic heritage management and planning, visitor management, presentation, and interpretation as well as general leadership skills and knowledge of the tourism sector.

The idea of a cooperation between Capital University and BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg originated from the great potential of heritage sites in the Arab states. As one of the cradles of human civilisation, they are home to some of the most spectacular heritage places in the world, many of them archaeological sites. These sites are not only icons of national and local identity but also important resources for scientific research and economic advancement. However, in their often inevitably incomplete state, archaeological sites do not easily lend themselves to interpretation by the untrained eye. Furthermore, they are often threatened by developments such as urban growth and the effects of tourism development, armed conflicts, and climate change. Many of these issues are not exclusive to the region of the Middle East but also need to be addressed in Europe and on other continents as well.

The Master's programme Heritage Conservation and Site Management includes:

• the mandatory modules "Academic Work and Research Methodology", "Heritage Conservation", "Archaeology", "Introduction to Heritage Site Management", "Principles of Tourism and Visitor Management", comprising 30 ECTS
• two study projects comprising 24 ECTS
• six compulsory-elective modules comprising a total of 36 ECTS
• the Master's thesis and its oral defence, comprising 30 ECTS

The standard period of study is four semesters (two academic years).

Applicants have to decide upon application whether they choose BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg or Capital University as their home university. The programme includes a mandatory mobility phase of at least one semester at the respective partner university, according to the following structure:

• semester one: at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg or Capital University, depending on which home university is chosen
• semester two: joint semester at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg
• semester three: joint semester at Capital University
• semester four: Master's thesis at the home university

Capital University, Cairo

Students are encouraged to do an internship at a heritage-related institution during the course of their studies. Internships are voluntary and are dependent upon the interests and focus of each individual student. The Heritage Conservation and Site Management programme has established a network of partnerships with various heritage organisations, and guidance may be offered in this regard.

The Leonardo-Office Brandenburg offers its services to students searching for internship opportunities within the European Union, for which financial support may be available.

https://www.b-tu.de/en/heritageconservation-ma/admissions#c266203

Applicants must hold a first university degree (minimum Bachelor's degree) in archaeology, tourism, architecture, conservation, history, or equivalent qualifications. Equivalence is determined by the examination board on the basis of the application documents submitted by the candidate.

Candidates with professional experience relevant to heritage are also encouraged to apply.

Apart from a few degree programmes, education offered at the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is without tuition fees. However, the university does charge a semester fee each semester (currently: winter semester 2026/27: 391.80 EUR). This covers costs for student services organisation, the Student Council as well as the semester ticket.

Studies abroad often have different types of expenses from the ones you know from your home country. You are responsible for covering your own living expenses. Accommodation and other essential living expenses will amount to around 780 to 1,000 EUR per month. Of course, this amount depends entirely on individual lifestyle. The following list gives you an idea of some fixed and variable costs that you should take into account for your stay in Germany.

Monthly costs:

• rent (including utilities): 250 to 450 EUR
• groceries: approx. 160 to 180 EUR
• health insurance, medical fees, medication: approx. 145 EUR
• miscellaneous (clothing, study materials, other activities): 170 to 220 EUR

Total: 780 to 1,000 EUR

The so-called "Deutschlandticket" included in the semester ticket allows you to travel using all local public means of transportation throughout Germany.

There are job opportunities both in town and on campus. Nevertheless, please do not come to Germany expecting to be able to finance your entire studies by working. The study load is high, it is not always easy to find a part-time job and you will need at least basic German skills for many of the available jobs. Students from non-European countries are allowed to work either 120 whole days or 240 half days annually. The 120-day rule is not affected by mandatory internships or student assistance jobs at university. Students from EU member countries, the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland can work without restrictions during their studies in Germany.

Studying at BTU is mostly free of (tuition) fees. Because of this, there are only limited scholarship opportunities for international students. The International Relations Office is nonetheless pleased to be able to award a limited number of scholarships to international students already enrolled at BTU. You can find more information on BTU scholarship opportunities on our websites.

The BTU Career Center offers extensive support to international students and graduates, ensuring that students experience a smooth transition into the job market. We help students on their journey to a successful career path by offering seminars, workshops and career advisory services to ensure that students succeed in their job application processes and land great positions.

Our offers include:

• BTU Job Market: online job board for students
• BTU Campus-X-Change and BTU Matching Day: annual job fair and online recruiting event to connect students with employers
• FIT@BTU: a DAAD-funded project that helps students make the transition to a successful career
• Start up your Career in Brandenburg: a project co-financed by the EU and Brandenburg, with the aim of preparing international students for the Brandenburg job market

BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is a university with three locations where numerous student dormitories are provided. Students can choose between different room types. The room capacities in our dormitories are limited, thus we recommend to apply as early as you receive your admission letter for an apartment in the dormitories.

In Germany, it is also very common for students to live alone or with friends. If three or more people share an apartment together, this is called a "WG" in German ("Wohngemeinschaft", which means a shared flat). A comprehensive list on student accommodation and housing options at BTU's three locations can be found on our websites, as well as a video about how students live in both Cottbus and Senftenberg.

Located on three campuses and with over 70 study programmes, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg offers a broad spectrum of market-oriented programmes as well as traditional degree programmes.

From the natural sciences and engineering to economics, cultural studies, and even health sciences, BTU offers a wide range of courses. Our 21 study programmes taught exclusively in English are very popular among both German and international students from all over the world.

BTU is partnered with over 220 universities throughout the world, which provides students with a multitude of excellent opportunities to spend part of their time studying or conducting research abroad. Furthermore, in cooperation with our international partner universities, BTU offers a wide range of double degree and joint degree programmes.

Cottbus is located in the northeast of Germany, between the country’s capital, Berlin (100 km), and Dresden (120 km). With a population of approx. 100,000 inhabitants, Cottbus is the second largest city after Potsdam in the federal state of Brandenburg. The Polish border is only approx. 30 km away. The location of Cottbus offers a convenient starting point for trips into the picturesque region of Lower Lusatia. The landscape of Lower Lusatia is characterised by the Spreewald with its small canals and waterways as well as by the Slavonic minority called Sorbs or Wends. Their language, similar to Polish, is still used and spoken in Lower Lusatia. For this reason, many of the road signs and informational boards in Cottbus and the surrounding region are written in both Sorbian and German. 

Cottbus gained importance as a trade centre in the 12th century. Parts of the original city wall from the 14th century as well as the beautiful townhouses around the old market square are proof of the city’s early splendour. Additionally, the city is characterised by buildings from the "Wilhelminian" times of rapid industrial growth in Germany, which occurred towards the end of the 19th century. The city that first rose to prominence with its cloth and linen weaving industry soon evolved into a growing centre of brown coal mining. Today, Cottbus is in the midst of a structural transformation. BTU supports this development with its engagement in the Lausitz Science Park megaproject, which aims to build an appealing innovation landscape.

Senftenberg is the centre of the Lusatia Lake District. Former excavation and mining pits have been flooded in order to create the largest artificial lake system in Europe, with a total of 23 large lakes. The water sports area "Senftenberger See", with its water surface of 1,300 hectares, offers exceptional sailing and surfing opportunities, and it is suitable for all kinds of water sports. Senftenberg has thus become a tourist attraction within the region.