Master of Science in Embedded Systems Engineering University of Freiburg

Master’s Programme in Embedded Systems – Key Technology for Tomorrow’s Innovations

Embedded systems drive today’s most advanced technologies – from medical devices and automotive solutions to aerospace, telecommunications, and media‑entertainment. By sensing the world, “thinking” through intelligent algorithms, and “acting” via actuators, these systems perform a staggering variety of tasks.

Our Master’s programme equips you with a comprehensive blend of computer‑science and engineering expertise, preparing you for roles as a research scientist, project leader, or technology strategist. You will master the “languages” of both software and hardware, learning to design, analyse, and optimise complex embedded solutions.

You can either pursue a broad, interdisciplinary curriculum that spans computer science and micro‑systems engineering, or focus your studies on one of the following specialisation tracks:

Artificial Intelligence – AI‑driven perception, decision‑making, and control for smart devices
Biomedical Engineering – Embedded solutions for diagnostics, therapy, and wearable health technology
Circuits and Systems – Design and verification of high‑performance analogue, mixed‑signal, and digital circuits
Cyber‑Physical Systems – Integration of computation, networking, and physical processes
Materials and Fabrication – Advanced materials, nanofabrication, and MEMS technologies for next‑generation devices
Photonics – Optical sensors, communication, and photonic integration in embedded platforms

What You’ll Gain

Interdisciplinary competence – Bridge the gap between software algorithms and hardware implementation.
Research and development skills – Conduct cutting‑edge projects and lead multidisciplinary teams.
Flexibility – Tailor your studies through electives, labs, and a thesis that aligns with your career goal.

The Master of Science in Embedded Systems Engineering is organised around two core pillars and offers a high‑degree of flexibility so you can shape your own specialisation.

Computer Science

• Core Modules – Choose three lectures that provide the fundamental knowledge required for embedded computing.
• Elective Modules – Select three courses from a vast offer of advanced lectures, seminars or projects in Computer Science.

Microsystems Engineering

• Advanced Microsystems – Choose three courses covering for example topics such as Micro-electronics, Micro-mechanics, Micro-optics, Sensors, or Signal Processing.
• Concentration Areas – Choose your favourite topics from a vast offer of lectures and lab courses to deepen your expertise in specific domains such as Biomedical Microsystems, Circuits and Systems, Materials & Fabrication or Photonics.

Optional Component

Customised Course Selection – Students may add courses from other faculties or a language course to complement their profile.

Master’s Thesis

In the culminating project, you join an active research group within the Faculty of Engineering and contribute to a real‑world research endeavour. The thesis work therefore blends academic rigour with practical impact.

Internships are not mandatory in the curriculum, but students are free to take a leave of absence to complete a placement at a company.

We welcome graduates who have built a solid foundation in computer sciences and engineering fundamentals. Ideal candidates hold a Bachelor’s degree in:

• Embedded systems
• Information technology
• Computer engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Electronics
• Mechatronics

or any closely related discipline with an outstanding GPA / final grade.

Previous knowledge in mathematics, computer science, physics and electrical engineering is required.

190 EUR per semester:

• Administrative fee: 80 EUR
• Contribution to the constituted student body: 7 EUR
• Contribution to the student union: 103 EUR

Participants must ensure that sufficient funding is available to finance their participation in a course of study. The average cost of living in Freiburg for one month is currently approx. 850 EUR to 1,000 EUR.

Some details:

• Rooms in private accommodation, including extra costs: 350 EUR – 700 EUR
• Rooms in student residences, including extra costs: 250 EUR – 550 EUR
• Private expenses amount to around 350 EUR per month.
• Health insurance is available for approx. 120 EUR per month.
• Transport: A special student ticket for regional transport costs approx. 96 EUR per semester.

Qualified students can secure research or teaching assistant positions within the Faculty of Engineering as well as at the many research institutes located in Freiburg.

Students who earned an excellent undergraduate record (a final grade of 1.5 or better on the German grading scale) are eligible to apply for the Deutschlandstipendium.

https://uni-freiburg.de/en/studies/during-your-studies/financing-your-studies/deutschlandstipendium/

The university offers the following career services:

• Company visits – on‑site tours and presentations at partner firms
• Employer talks & panels – direct conversations with recruiters and industry experts
• Application advice – personalised help with CVs, cover letters, and interview preparation

As Freiburg is an attractive city, finding a suitable and affordable place to live can take a little while. The University of Freiburg offers all newly enrolled international students the possibility to apply for student housing via the International Office. In addition to these dormitories, which are run by the Studierendenwerk Freiburg (www.swfr.de/en), several independent residence halls are listed on the university website (https://uni-freiburg.de/internationaloffice/housing/). The Studierendenwerk Freiburg and the International Office also offer a list of available private rooms.

The University of Freiburg was founded in 1457 as a classical comprehensive university, making it one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Germany. Awarded for its excellence in both research and teaching, the university also boasts a long history, with numerous Nobel laureates. Brilliant scholars and creative thinking distinguish it today as a modern, top-notch university, well equipped for the challenges of the 21st century. As an organisation with around 24,500 students, 288 degree programmes, and 6,536 employees (2021), the University of Freiburg is committed to family friendliness, equal opportunities, and environmental consciousness in its day-to-day operations. The structure of the university is multifaceted, ranging from 11 academic faculties – from the humanities and the social and natural sciences all the way to engineering – to 19 research centres. This goes to show that we are a dynamic, large-scale institution with a diverse educational offering. As studies, research, and continuing education are all an integral part of this offering, we maintain a close relationship with the city and the region as well as with the international academic community. Bilateral partnerships, research projects, joint study courses and memberships in international networks such as the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and of EUCOR – The European Campus are examples of the university's strong transnational relations. All our students, including those from abroad, can take courses at the Universities of Basel (Switzerland) and Strasbourg (France) without having to enrol. Via EUCOR, The European Campus mobility grant, they also receive allowances for travel expenses to their partner institutions.

Freiburg im Breisgau is a city in south-western Germany on the edge of the Black Forest. Freiburg was founded by Konrad and Duke Bertold III of Zähringen in 1120 as a free market town – hence its name, which translates to "free town". Freiburg holds a central position in Europe at the border triangle of Switzerland, France, and Germany, and is the city with the most hours of sunshine per year in Germany. It is nestled in one of the oldest cultural landscapes north of the Alps, a location which has had an unmistakable influence on the town. The university plays an essential part in the quality of life in Freiburg; both in the academic sphere and in the perception of the general public, the activities of the university are of central importance. Since its founding, teaching, learning and research have formed an indivisible whole.

With approx. 230,000 inhabitants, Freiburg has a friendly size, offering the safe surroundings of a smaller city whilst at the same time excelling in terms of culture, shopping and infrastructure. Both the inhabitants and the city government of Freiburg attach great importance to ecological values and sustainable development. This "green city" atmosphere influences many aspects of city life – from the numerous cyclists on the streets to cutting-edge solar energy research. Surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of the Black Forest and the wine-growing regions of the Rhine Valley, Freiburg is a popular destination for tourism and leisure activities.