Design and Development in Automotive and Mechanical Engineering Esslingen University of Applied Sciences

Build your network of knowledge in engineering design and development

The Esslingen MEng in Design and Development in Automotive and Mechanical Engineering (DDM) is focused on the design and development of complex engineering systems. In order to work in modern simultaneous engineering, graduates need specialised knowledge and the ability to work in interdisciplinary and international teams.

DDM students gain core competence in problem-solving abilities, based on networked knowledge in design, development, simulation, and production technology. A strong focus is placed on the ability to communicate confidently in the international environment of modern industry.

The aim of this course is to prepare students for a challenging job in the core areas of design and development within the globalised mechanical engineering and automotive engineering industry. Graduates of the DDM programme usually continue to a career in one of the following areas: the automotive industry and its component suppliers, the mechanical engineering industry, the process engineering industry, and engineering consultancy.

Study in the heart of the European automotive and mechanical engineering industry

Esslingen University of Applied Sciences has a long tradition in educating mechanical and automotive engineers. Founded in 1914 as the Royal College for Mechanical Engineering, the university has always taken advantage of its location in one of the major centres of European industry and is therefore closely linked with the nearby companies. These include many global technological leaders in mechanical and automotive engineering, such as Mercedes-Benz Group, Audi, Bosch, Festo, Porsche, Index, Mahle, Behr, Trumpf, and many others. These strong connections to the industry are especially important when it comes to the placement of the student’s Master's thesis.

Learn to work in an interdisciplinary and intercultural environment

The DDM programme reflects the needs of globally oriented companies. We offer the opportunity for students from diverse cultural backgrounds to study, work, and live together. This is made possible through active contact with partner universities in many countries throughout the world. The intercultural co-operation of project work is also of added value to Master's students.

The Esslingen "Master of Engineering in Design and Development in Automotive and Mechanical Engineering" (DDM) programme focuses on communicating advanced knowledge and abilities in the area of design and development of complex engineering systems. It aims to enable students to successfully deal with the various facets of modern, simultaneous engineering development projects. Besides advanced technical/scientific lectures and lab work, cross-cultural, interdisciplinary student projects are part of the programme. Through these, students are given the opportunity to share not only their specialised knowledge but also their cultural backgrounds in real-life working scenarios.

First semester:
Advanced Strength of Materials:

• Lightweight Design, Advanced Finite Element Method

Integrity of Structures:

• Integrity of Structures
• Failure Analysis

Vibration Acoustics I:

• Vibration and Acoustics Measurement, Lab Vibration and Acoustics Measurement

Dynamics:

• Multibody Systems
• Simulation of Multibody Systems

Design and Development I:

• Design Methodology, Ecological and Economic Design, Reliability

Numerical Methods in CAE:

• Numerical Mathematics, CAE Methods and Algorithms

Second semester:
Design for Manufacturing:

• Production-Oriented Product Design
• Production Life Cycle Management with Laboratory

Vibration Acoustics II:

• Vibrations, NVH in Automotive Systems, Lab Computer-Aided Vibration Analysis (CAT)

Advanced Materials Technology:

• Advanced Engineering Materials
• Surface Technology
• Composite Materials

Design and Development II:

• Advanced CAD, Design of Experiments (DoE)
• Project work 
• Applied Machine Learning for Engineers with Laboratory

Third semester: Master's thesis
In their final thesis students demonstrate the full extent of their scientific and practical engineering knowledge of a specific subject. Master's theses can be completed either at the university or, preferably, within a company.

The duration is six months, including training in soft skills.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or an equivalent area of engineering with a focus on design and development
• Overall grade of A or B (top 35%)
• Minimum credit point workload in Bachelor's studies in the following areas:
  • CAD (Pro/E or CATIA): 5 CP
  • Design/Machine Elements: 15 CP
  • Strength of Materials/Mechanics: 10 CP
  • Mathematics: 8 CP
• A letter of motivation, one page
• Two letters of recommendation
• Online application
• The APS certificate is required for applicants whose first degree is from PR China, Vietnam or India.

195 EUR per semester

In addition to the study fees and in order to cover personal expenses during the study programme in Esslingen, we recommend that participants budget around 1,000 EUR per month for accommodation (350–420 EUR), health insurance, books, excursions, and other expenses. For a residence permit, the amount of 992 EUR per month (17,856 EUR for 18 months) is required.

The "Deutschlandstipendium" supports a very limited number of new or advanced students who have excellent academic and professional promise. For more information, see:
https://www.hs-esslingen.de/en/study/advice-support/praxis-beruf-karriere/job-search-contacts-to-companies/deutschlandstipendium-german-scholarships.

Company scholarships are also a possibility, and interested students should contact the respective company directly for further information.

Career services are available at the university:
https://www.hs-esslingen.de/en/study/advice-support/praxis-beruf-karriere/careers-orientation.

Most of our students live in modern single apartments with a bathroom/toilet and modern facilities located in student residences. There are student dormitories in the immediate vicinity of the City Campus or the Hilltop Campus in Esslingen. A room in the dormitory is guaranteed for one year. The monthly cost is between 340 EUR and 420 EUR per month.

For more information: https://www.hs-esslingen.de/en/international/coming-to-esslingen-uas/international-masters-programmes-graduate-school/general-information-about-studying-and-living-in-esslingen

ESSLINGEN – AN IDEAL LOCATION TO STUDY

Esslingen University of Applied Sciences focuses on engineering studies, business studies, and social sciences.

Currently, more than 6,000 students are enrolled in the university's six faculties and are divided between three campuses: the city centre campus lies in the heart of Esslingen; the hilltop campus is located on a hill overlooking the city; and the Goeppingen campus is situated 32 km away from Esslingen. A new, sustainable and modern campus is set to be inaugurated in Esslingen in the near future.

Esslingen University of Applied Sciences is continually adapting to meet current demands in all its fields of work. Our business studies and industry-oriented degree programmes foster intensive contact with many important companies in Germany. They are part of a network that has been growing continually over the past 50 years.

The central philosophy of Esslingen University of Applied Sciences is to offer degree programmes that are not only practice oriented but also state of the art. Small classes enable intensive cooperation between staff and students. Practice semesters, project work, group work, and a thesis in industry all contribute to successfully preparing students for an academically sound professional career.

Its excellent reputation and the quality of the scientifically and professionally grounded training have ensured that the University of Applied Sciences Esslingen is regularly placed among the top universities in various university rankings.

A PIONEER IN GRADUATE EDUCATION

In 1999, the Esslingen Graduate School was founded to run the university's English-language Master's programmes. The Esslingen Graduate School is responsible for coordinating the international English-taught programmes. These are all challenging, dynamic, and career-building Master's programmes. The Graduate School guarantees a comprehensive service for students from all parts of the world.

ESSLINGEN – AN AMAZING PLACE TO LIVE

The city of Esslingen has a population of over 96,000 inhabitants and lies nestled in the vineyards overlooking the Neckar valley. Stuttgart, the capital city of Baden-Wuerttemberg, is only 15 kilometres away and can be reached by train in just a few minutes. This cultural hub of Germany offers a wide range of leisure activities

Near the Esslingen university, there are many hiking paths through the vineyards and forests that can be explored on foot or by bicycle. Within the city, there are many parks, the city castle, waterways, street cafés, and theatres. In the winter, the old city centre lights up with a Christmas market; in the summer, live music, open-air cinemas, and artisans’ markets make Esslingen come to life. Esslingen’s historical city centre, with its half-timbered houses, its cafés, and its diverse cultural life, offers an ideal environment for studying.

Esslingen has a history reaching back over 1,250 years – a history in which tradition and progress have gone hand in hand. Since its industrialisation, Esslingen has been a major centre for engineering education because of this mixture of technical prowess and cultural tradition.