BSc in Mechanical Engineering (International) Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), one of Germany’s Universities of Excellence, offers a world-class academic and research environment in engineering and the natural sciences. Within this setting, the English-taught BSc programme in Mechanical Engineering has been designed specifically for international students who do not speak German but seek to pursue their studies at a leading German technical university. Within this framework, the Carl Benz School of Engineering (CBS) provides an international college structure.

CBS is defined by three key programme elements for international engineering students:

• A Summer Programme for early orientation and introduction to engineering studies
• A Pre-Semester programme as an alternative to a traditional foundation year, preparing students with indirect admission for the eligibility examination required to enter the MEI track directly
• An integrated College Programme built on three core elements: international community, structured academic integration, and industry-oriented career preparation

To support the transition into the German higher education system, the CBS Pre-Semester focuses on physics, chemistry, mathematics, and academic English and prepares students for the eligibility examination, enabling them to begin their university studies directly.

In addition, CBS offers Academy Programmes for high school students, providing early exposure to engineering, project-based learning, and an introduction to studying at a German technical university.

At the Carl Benz School, students begin by developing their skills with fundamental courses (semesters one through five). In semester four and five, the students can choose one out of four specialisations according to their interests and strengths. In this way, they are given the opportunity to specialise in one of the most promising subjects relevant for the future of engineering. In the last semester of their studies (semesters six), the students have to do a 12-week internship in the industry and are going to write their Bachelor’s thesis.

In addition to the academic requirements, students must also complete a mandatory internship in the industry. At the Carl Benz School, we actively support our students who are enrolled in the College Programme in finding a suitable practical partner for their mandatory internship in the sixth semester of their Mechanical Engineering (International) studies. Thanks to many years of cooperation with renowned companies such as Mercedes-Benz, Bosch and Zeiss, we have an extensive network and the necessary contacts to offer students a wide range of opportunities for their internship. These partnerships allow students to gain valuable practical experience in world-class companies and apply their theoretical knowledge in real work environments.

The fundamental criteria for admission are excellent grades in mathematics and/or physics (top 80% of class). Furthermore, applicants need to have passed an English language test (if English is not their native language or language of education).

Applicants need to meet the following criteria:

• High school degree (recommended: International Baccalaureate (IB), A levels, German "Abitur" or similar)
• One of the following standardised tests:
  • SAT (1,200 points)
  • ACT (24 points)
  • TestAS (percentile rank of 75)
• One year of high school physics 
• English language proficiency (details below)
• Motivation letter

Additional information on the general admission requirements:

• In some countries, high school ends after the 11th, 12th or 13th year. As long as proof of official examination of high school education in the country the student graduated from has been successfully shown, applicants are eligible to apply.
• Transcripts with excellent grades in maths and physics, a proven strong interest in studying engineering and motivation to excel in one's studies increase one's chances for admission.

For more information, please visit our website.

Approx. 200 EUR

The estimated general living expenses per month for a single student are as follows: Food (approx. 200 to 250 EUR), leisure and personal expenses (approx. 150 to 200 EUR), public transportation (approx. 60 EUR with the "Deutschlandticket" for students), and health insurance. Students enrolled in a degree programme and under 30 years of age typically pay around 120 to 145 EUR per month for public health insurance. Note that prices may vary based on the city, insurance provider, and personal spending habits.

E.g. student assistant jobs at the university

Carl Benz School offers individualised study & career guidance through the College Programme:

The programme is an integral part of the BSc programme and includes workshops on learning styles and techniques, time management, taking notes as well as efficient exam preparation, academic writing, and career planning. In addition to these sessions, students meet with student counsellors to discuss and evaluate their progress and to define further steps.

Students making use of the CBS Study & Career Guidance are going to benefit from the development of solid soft skills. The students will get prioritised assistance when applying for internships. They will also receive a certificate which is a great asset when applying for an advanced internship or even the first job. Furthermore, special events, extra tutorials, and a guided study group programme are offered within this supplementary programme.

The Carl Benz School is integrated on the campus of the International Department of the KIT with its own campus accommodation. Carl Benz School guarantees a room to all College Programme participants. The campus offers single and double rooms, which are distributed over three floors. All rooms are comfortably furnished and include an en-suite bathroom. Groups of four to six students share one modern kitchen as well as a dining and working area.

For further information, see our website:
https://www.carlbenzschool.kit.edu/on-campus-housing.php

As "The University in the Helmholtz Association", Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) fully utilises its synergistic potential, which results from combining tasks of national research with those of a state university. To fulfil its three core tasks of research, higher education, and innovation, KIT is organised in five divisions: Biology, Chemistry, and Process Engineering; Informatics, Economics, and Society; Mechanical and Electrical Engineering; Natural and Built Environment; and Physics and Mathematics. KIT has been successful in important rankings, for example, those of the Times Higher Education journal (THE).

KIT's research profile is determined by the disciplines pursued and by work on topics sharpening this profile. In response to society's demands, a particular focus is placed on energy, mobility, and information. Excellent young scientists are strategically recruited and supported. Eight KIT centres pool joint research activities across disciplines. These include the following: energy; information/systems/technologies; mobility systems; elementary particle and astroparticle physics; climate and environment; materials; mathematics in sciences, engineering, and economics; humans and technology.

KIT stands for a research-oriented and student-oriented teaching and learning culture. After having completed their studies, students are prepared for assuming responsible positions in a globalised world with densely networked media. Studies at KIT enable students to develop sustainable solutions with the help of scientific methods. Study programmes have an international orientation. KIT offers Bachelor's and Master's programmes in both German and English. Eleven KIT departments organise all higher education activities and academic affairs. These include the following: architecture, civil engineering, geosciences, and environmental sciences, chemistry and biosciences, chemical and process engineering, electrical engineering and information technology, humanities, and social sciences, informatics, mechanical engineering, mathematics, physics, as well as economics and management.

KIT understands the application of scientific findings as a basic principle. KIT's research and innovation activities are in line with the federal government's high-tech strategy and the continued Joint Initiative for Research and Innovation of Germany's federal and state governments and science organisations. This enhances the networking of good education, excellent fundamental research, and applied research in science and industry.

As part of the internationally renowned Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the Carl Benz School offers a high-quality undergraduate Bachelor's programme as well as summer schools in mechanical engineering in a college-like structure. The international programmes are English-taught and perfectly prepare students from all over the world for engineering careers. Furthermore, students in the CBS College Programme benefit from an individual study and career guidance as well as exclusive on-campus housing in one of the safest regions worldwide.

KIT's campus lies on the Kaiserstrasse, the main street of Karlsruhe, and it borders on the Hardtwald Forest, a perfect place to take a stroll. The campus is almost 60 hectares large. The proximity to Alsace and the mild climate of the Rhine River give the Baden metropolis an almost Mediterranean flair in the summer. Known worldwide, the city has a fan-shaped ground plan thanks to the Margrave Karl Wilhelm von Baden-Durlach. Founded in 1715, Karlsruhe is the second-largest city in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg.

It is also known as the "Residence of Justice" because the seat of Germany's two supreme courts (the Federal Constitutional Court and the Federal Supreme Court) is located in Karlsruhe.

Karlsruhe lies in south-western Germany on the western edge of Baden-Württemberg and has over 300,000 residents. Located on the Rhine River, the city area borders on the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate in the north-west and the country of France in the west.

In Karlsruhe, welcoming new citizens has a special significance and tradition. This is reflected by the fact that the "Bürgerstiftung Karlsruhe" rewrote the original "Privilegienbrief" (Charter of Rights), with which the city's founder attracted new inhabitants. It was rewritten as the "Karlsruher Bürgerbrief" in 2015.

Karlsruhe enjoys many diverse leisure, culture, and sports options, which offer something for everyone. The city boasts a wide variety of cultural attractions, including the Baden State Theatre, numerous private theatres, cinemas, museums, and art galleries. "Das Fest", one of Germany's largest open-air festivals, takes place in Karlsruhe once a year.

The local economy is based on a well-developed structure of medium-sized businesses, particularly in forward-reaching technologies such as computer science, multimedia, control systems, energy technology, and environmental science as well as nanotechnology. Several major companies, among them Bosch, Siemens, Daimler AG, and Michelin, have production facilities in the region. Major research and development institutions (e.g. Fraunhofer Institute, Intel research campus) are part of the reason why the innovative potential of this city and region are well known worldwide.