Master's in Embedded Systems Engineering (ESE) Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts

From University to High-Tech Industry – Join the English-taught Master's in Embedded Systems Engineering (ESE) multidisciplinary programme at the Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts (Fachhochschule Dortmund). Study in a friendly international environment, with projects turning cutting-edge knowledge into practical experience in the dynamically growing high-tech industries of the German Ruhr Valley region.

Mechatronics is everywhere – embedded system software in the domain of mechatronics is a driving force for today's and tomorrow’s technological progress impacting almost every industry with high-tech solutions. When you graduate with a Master's of Engineering in Embedded Systems Engineering, having a wide-range scientific and technological expertise, you will be highly proficient in at least one following of our curriculum specialisations:

• automotive systems
• robotics & computer vision
• microelectronics and hardware engineering
• embedded software engineering

Upon completion of this Master’s programme, you will be able to comprehensively research and provide state-of-the-art solutions for high-tech problems.

Our students have key advantages of studying ESE at the FH Dortmund:

• Wide research and job opportunities for our students and many career opportunities for our graduates in German and international companies, e.g. in the Ruhr Valley industrial region
  Our graduates work at Bosch, Siemens, Volkswagen AG, Daimler, to name a few.
• Culturally diverse international teams and class experience
• Interactive learning methods
• International events and conferences, as well as a semester abroad exchange programmes
• Research opportunities in our Research Institute for the Digital Transformation (IDiAL)
• Scholarship opportunities and dormitory access
• Hands-on experience, practical approaches
• International networking
• We are more than a university, we are family – we support students and staff in achieving an equitable balance between study, professional, and family life.

ESE students have the opportunity to participate in block courses or spend an entire semester abroad at one of our partner universities. Additionally, they have the opportunity to do a double degree with one of our partner universities:

• KU Leuven, Belgium
• ISEP, Porto, Portugal

The international Master's in Embedded Systems Engineering (ESE) programme is taught in four semesters including the Master's thesis. It is a full-time practice-oriented programme with a workload of 3,600 hours and 120 credit points (ECTS).

The first two semesters consist of five modules each. In the second and third semesters, students may study their chosen specialisation. The programme finishes with a Master's thesis.

Master's thesis topics comprise university research projects or industrial development/research. All classes and labs as well as course documentation and exams are in English. Students can use German for written assignments and write their thesis in German.

Compulsory modules (each Module 6 ECTS):

First semester

• Mathematics for Signals & Controls
• Distributed and Parallel Systems
• Embedded Software Engineering
• Requirements Engineering
• Scientific & Transversal Skills

Second semester

• Mechatronic Systems Engineering
• Microelectronics & HW/SW Co-Design
• R&D Project Management
• Signals and Control Systems 1
• Elective 1

Third semester – specialisation and research project

• Elective 2
• Elective 3
• Research Project

Fourth semester

• Master's Thesis (30 ECTS)

Elective Modules (each module 6 ECTS):

• Applied Embedded Systems
• Smart Home & Smart Building & Smart City
• SW Architectures for Embedded and Mechatronic Systems
• Signals and Systems for Automated Driving
• IoT & Edge Computing
• Robotic Vision
• Signals & Control Systems 2
• Formal Methods
• System on Chip Design
• Automotive Systems
• Hardware Project
• Model-Based Systems Engineering
• Software for Robots
• Embedded Systems Hardware Design and Rapid Prototyping
• Trends in Embedded and Mechatronic Systems
• Radar Systems
• ARV
• Research Seminar

The third semester can also be used as an exchange semester with one of the partner universities. Courses from a Master's programme on project management or a programme on digital transformation can be selected. The research project and the Master's thesis can be conducted in cooperation with a company or within a research project at the university.

Further information and detailed descriptions of each module can be found here:
Master's in Embedded Systems Engineering – Module Handbook

• University of the Basque Country, Bilbao, Spain
• Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
• KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
• Kiev National University of Construction and Architecture (KNUCA), Kiev, Ukraine
• West Ukrainian National University (WUNU), Ternopil, Ukraine
• IMC Krems, Krems, Austria
• KTU Kaunas, Lithuania
• University of Latvia (LU), Riga, Latvia

None
(The project and the Master's thesis can be done in combination with an internship.)

Academic admission requirements include the completion of a “Diplom” or Bachelor's course of study of Information Technology, Electrical Engineering or (Technical) Computer Science at a university of applied sciences ("Fachhochschule") or a university, or the completion of a corresponding accredited Bachelor's qualification programme at a university of cooperative education ("Berufsakademie") with an overall grade of at least “good” (2.5).
In addition, competences in the field of study of Embedded Systems and Software Engineering on a sufficient level need to be demonstrated. It must be evident that previous studies included a thesis.

A semester contribution (social contribution) must be paid by each student per semester in order to be able to start or continue their studies at Fachhochschule Dortmund.
The semester fee is in a mid three-figure EUR range. Find the current fee here.
Please find more detailed information here.

Please find some helpful information on the cost of living in Dortmund here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/leben-und-wohnen/kosten-finanzierung.php?loc=en-US.

The Fachhochschule Dortmund provides an online job market, where students can find jobs related and unrelated to their studies, internships in Germany and abroad, Bachelor's or Master's thesis topics and graduate positions.
Please find more information here:
https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/vorbereiten/studium-finanzieren/stellenmarkt.php?loc=en-US.

Students have good chances to find a paid internship or student job, especially in the third and fourth semesters.

Please find all information on scholarship possibilities here:

https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/vorbereiten/studium-finanzieren/stipendien.php?loc=en-US

More information on support programmes for international students:

https://www.fh-dortmund.de/international/foerderprogramme/studienfinanzierung-fuer-internationale-studierende.php?loc=en-US

The Fachhochschule Dortmund's International Career Service (ICS) will accompany you on your way — from initial orientation to successful entry into the German job market.

https://www.fh-dortmund.de/international/international-career-service/index.php?loc=en-US

Students can find accommodations on the private market. Rent for a single room in a student hall of residence is approx. 450 EUR.

Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts does not have an internal accommodation office. It is the responsibility of each student to find their own accommodation.

Please find information on accommodation possibilities in Dortmund here:
https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/leben-und-wohnen/wohnen.php?loc=en-US.

Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts (Fachhochschule Dortmund) is future-oriented with a more than 100-year-old history. The world is changing – and our modern university is changing, too.

• Study and teaching here are geared towards practical problem-solving.
• Our highly experienced professors are cementing the link between theory and practice.
• Internationality and diversity: Engaged worldwide, we motivate our students to take at least one semester abroad at our partner universities in the EU.
• We are a family-friendly university, providing the best balance between studying and personal life.
• The university offers over 80 study options in eight faculties:

1. Computer Sciences
2. Information Technology
3. Mechanical engineering
4. Electrical engineering
5. Applied Social Sciences
6. Economics
7. Architecture
8. Design

We have years of experience in international education, successfully offering several international Master’s degree study programmes:

• Master's Embedded Systems Engineering (ESE) offered by the Faculty of Computer Sciences
• Master's Digital Transformation (MDT) offered by the Faculty of Computer Sciences
• European Master's in Project Management (EuroMPM) offered by the Faculty of Business Studies
• Master's in Digital Design (MDD) offered by the Faculty of Computer Sciences and Design

Furthermore, we offer the Ruhr Master's School.

We motivate our students to go abroad for at least one semester to extend their professional network and experience, improve the language skills and develop intercultural competences.

The Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts welcomes international students who wish to study at the Faculty of Computer Science—whether as degree-seeking students or exchange students planning to spend one or two semesters here.

The Faculty of Computer Science welcomes international students from all over the world. They usually come from partner institutions and follow a course of study agreed with their home institution, or join our international Master’s programmes as degree-seeking students.

International students have full access to all campus facilities and receive assistance from the International Office with matters such as enrolment, housing, and visa requirements. For general information, including application forms and health insurance details, please visit the following website: International Office – Dortmund University.

To learn more about the city of Dortmund, including its offerings and impressions of life in this dynamic Ruhr area city, visit: Explore Dortmund.