Smart City Solutions Stuttgart Technical University of Applied Sciences

HFT Stuttgart’s Master of Engineering in Smart City Solutions (SCS) is designed for professionals in the fields of architecture, urban design, urban planning, infrastructure or engineering; equipping them to take leading roles in complex international projects.

Attracting experienced postgraduates from around the world, the Master's programme provides you with the knowledge and methods to work in smart city projects with a focus on strategy, concept and project implementation – self-employed, as a leading consultant for an international company or as a leading architect, urban planner or engineer.

Our flexible, modular structure allows students to study full-time or to combine their studies with part-time work.

SCS graduates move to strategic positions in the emerging smart city job market. Students enrolling at SCS have earned work experience after completing their first university degree. They are looking for exposure to new ideas, methods and knowledge outside their job, enabling them to reach the next career level. SCS furnishes them with a cross-sectoral understanding of disciplines like water, energy, mobility, and IT- and data-based solutions. SCS graduates are sought after by national and international municipalities, real-estate developers, utility providers, architectural design offices, engineering firms and research institutes.

Full-time and part-time curriculums can be found on our website.

The content is organised into ten modules and distributed across two semesters.

The first semester is dedicated to urbanism, buildings, and information aspects of smart solutions. Four content modules instruct the students in the basics of smart solutions, smart urbanism, smart buildings, and smart information modelling. One application module, the case study, channels teachings from the above-mentioned modules and applies them in a real-life scenario. The case study is extended to the second semester.

The second semester is organised similarly but dedicated to the infrastructure, finance, and management aspects of smart solutions. Four content modules instruct the students in smart energy and mobility; smart resources and resilience; smart sustainable finance; and smart governance, citizens, and management. The case study extends and applies content appraised in the second semester into a final interdisciplinary project.

The third semester is dedicated to the Master's thesis, during which students are supervised by experts, in both academic and professional fields, towards a contribution to smart city practices and developments.

We support our students taking the opportunity to do internships. However, this is not compulsory or integrated into the curriculum. The Master's thesis project can be combined with internships or student researcher positions in public and private institutions in Germany or abroad.

First university degree that qualifies for a profession

• Bachelor's, Magister, Diplom or equivalent.
• Comprising at least 210 ECTS* / a full-time study programme of seven semesters
• Suitable majors are city-related, planning, construction, and infrastructure-related subjects (e.g. architecture, urban planning, civil engineering, business administration or management).
• If you have a degree in another discipline, the admission committee will decide if SCS is a good fit for you.
• If you have a first university degree with six semesters or 180 ECTS*, please refer to the FAQs on our website.

Above-average academic grades 

Demonstrated knowledge of the English language at B2 level

At least one year of relevant full-time professional experience after completing your first higher-education degree

Academic-style essay (1-2 pages or 600-900 words – for instructions, please refer to our website)

*ECTS = European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System

Approx. 190 EUR per semester (can vary slightly)

From 1 January 2026, every international student is required to have a monthly capital of 992 EUR, or 11,904 EUR per year. This value is set by the German government as the minimum necessary for international students. The prices for food, accommodation, bills, clothes, and entertainment are basically in line with the EU average. Your monthly rent will be your largest expense.

Further information about living in Stuttgart: International Student Office (ISO)

The programme is designed to allow students to maintain part-time employment. A limited number of positions for students with specific backgrounds are offered by the office of the international Master's programme in Smart City Solutions. The Smart City Solutions Advisory Board and network or lecturers and colleagues also provide good opportunities linking to professional experience.

HFT has different kinds of scholarships. You can find more information about them on the following website:
https://www.hft-stuttgart.com/studies/while-you-study/funding/scholarship-announcement

These scholarships are available only for students who are already enrolled and at least in their first semester.

Advisory service of the University of Applied Sciences Stuttgart for establishing a company:
https://www.hft-stuttgart.de/studium/nach-dem-studium/gruendungsservice

General information about the university's career services:
https://www.hft-stuttgart.com/hft/news-and-information/job-karriere

The International Student Office (ISO) of the University of Applied Sciences Stuttgart provides information for international students about living, accommodation, and insurance matters in Stuttgart.

After admission and enrolment in the Master's programme, students can book a room in one of the student residences of the "Studentenwerk Stuttgart".

Why study at the University of Applied Sciences Stuttgart?

Practice-oriented teaching and applied research

Universities of applied sciences are successful due to their clear profile of translating scientific results into practice-oriented teaching and applied research. The range of subjects is oriented towards the labour market and is constantly being expanded. The central profile element is its strong practical relevance. Through an integrated practical semester, project work, laboratory events and excursions, students gain valuable insights into practical working methods. Professors have several years of professional experience outside the university sector and thus combine professional success with a scientific reputation. Therefore, universities of applied sciences offer high-quality, vocational training that is in demand in companies and public institutions.

Personal contact with professors

The students are the focus of attention. Innovative teaching methods and courses enable intensive learning and sustainable knowledge transfer. Courses take place in manageable seminar-style groups. Personal contacts with professors and individual advice create a suitable environment for successful and efficient studies. All study programmes are accredited by recognised agencies. The quality of the courses of study is continuously reviewed and developed. Modern technical equipment at universities offers students an optimal environment for studying, teaching and learning. A broad scientific qualification and professional skills complement each other in an optimal way during the course of studies. The unity of teaching and research has been achieved through numerous application-oriented research projects in institutes for applied research. In addition, all universities cooperate closely with companies, institutions and organisations. This can be done through practical projects with students, excursions or scientific cooperation.

Young talent in demand for the economy

Equipped with the necessary theoretical foundations and the knowledge to implement them in their professional field, graduates are in great demand as young professionals for the economy – nationally and internationally. More than any other type of higher education institution, universities of applied sciences primarily focus on engineering subjects. Thus, they make a central contribution to the training of highly sought-after, qualified specialists in all areas.

The campus of the University of Applied Sciences is located directly in the centre of the city.

More about the University of Applied Sciences Stuttgart on the official homepage.

Stuttgart is the capital of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg. The city pioneers urban and regional development with numerous active living labs. It is the centre of one of the most powerful industrial regions of Germany. The city is an excellent business location, with high entry opportunities into globally operating companies and innovative municipalities. Situated in the heart of Europe, neighbouring France, Austria, and Switzerland, Stuttgart is also the economic, cultural, sporting, and social hub of the region.

Further information about the city can be found on the official homepage of Stuttgart.

The city of Stuttgart is currently the host of the International Architecture Exhibition (IBA 2020-2027), which shows new concepts of urban engineering and architecture, presenting innovative social, cultural and ecological ideas.