Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (trinational) Offenburg University of Applied Sciences

In the first year of study in France, students first acquire basic knowledge that will be needed later in their studies. The first two semesters serve as an orientation. In Germany from the second year onwards, in-depth electrical and information technology content is taught, such as communication technology, circuit design or signal processing. During the third academic year in Switzerland, students must then decide on one of two specialisations offered for further in-depth knowledge: automated systems or embedded systems. Students then come back to Germany for the last semester to complete their Bachelor's theses.

Students spend their first year in France at IUT de Haguenau. If they successfully complete the first year, they come together with the French and Swiss students to Germany at Offenburg University. The third year will be spent in Switzerland at Haute École Arc, which has a beautiful view on the lake of Neuchâtel. Students complete their studies at the Offenburg University with the Bachelor’s thesis in the seventh semester.

• Institut de Technologie de Haguenau, France
• Haute École Arc, Switzerland

During the sixth semester with a duration of 12 weeks

Higher education entrance qualification

In addition to proficiency in German, the bilingual programme requires a high level of French language skills. Applicants' language proficiency will be assessed during personal interviews.

173 EUR administration fees

Students need approximately 992 EUR per month to cover personal expenses. This includes accommodation at a cost of 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 280 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.

During the stay abroad, students receive a monthly grant from the Franco-German University. Further financial support via funds from the European Erasmus programme is possible.

The Deutschlandstipendium is also available.

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.

In the International Student Barometer, the largest survey of international students worldwide, Offenburg University was rated number one among German universities for its arrival assistance for international students.

Before your arrival, Offenburg University can arrange accommodation (student residence hall or private accommodation) for you. The rent is approximately 400 EUR per month.

Offenburg University is a research-rich, high-performance institution in the Black Forest, a German economic powerhouse. We are among the top five in applied research in the south-west and an active member of the European University Association. Offenburg is a highly-ranked university according to the CHE ranking, forming a thriving community with 4,000 students on two campuses.

The university is widely recognised for its international reach and was one of the first German universities with international Master's programmes.

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 members offer ongoing support throughout the programme, including the following:

• 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 from the coordinators of each programme
• individual academic advising
• German language course in September
• 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 as well as a farmers' market on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Inexpensive groceries can be 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 around 90 minutes.