Mechanical Engineering/Mechatronics (MSc) Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences

The structure of the Master's course of study reflects our opinion that no one is more able than you to decide what is missing from your profile. That's why the programme does not include any obligatory modules, only elective modules. From the present "menu" of both English-taught and German-taught modules, applicants individually choose 60 ECTS. The Master's thesis (30 ECTS) completes the Master's programme. This programme is usually application-oriented. However, it can be considered research oriented if 30 ECTS have been earned at least in R&D modules and if the Master's thesis has a research-oriented specialisation. In that case, the research-oriented specialisation will be confirmed on the Master's certificate.

The following English-taught elective modules are currently available:

• Automotive engineering (10 ECTS)
• Climate-neutral process engineering (10 ECTS)
• Fibre reinforced plastics (10 ECTS)
• Fluid mechanics (10 ECTS)
• Image processing (10 ECTS)
• Numeric methods (10 ECTS)
• Product development: from need to market (10 ECTS)
• Simulation of mechatronic systems (10 ECTS)
• Software engineering for embedded systems (10 ECTS)
• Structural durability (10 ECTS)
• System level rapid development in mechatronics (10 ECTS)
• Virtual product development: tools and processes (10 ECTS)
• R&D module (10 ECTS; individual contents)
• R&D module (20 or 30 ECTS; individual contents; prerequisite: passed 10 ECTS R&D module; a total of 40 ECTS can be chosen for R&D modules)
• Mobility module (20 or 30 ECTS study abroad; only after completion of 30 ECTS in Kaiserslautern)

For elective courses taught in German, please check our website.

The course places a strong emphasis on cross-linking various disciplines. This is supported by at least two professors involved in co-teaching, each competent in their own field, in the case of each and every module. They look at a topic from different viewpoints and merge them in a diversified module (10 ECTS). This counts for every module.
In accordance with the module overview on our homepage, each module is attributed an allocation number "ME" for mechanical engineering and "MT" for mechatronics. The highest summation of the numbers of all the chosen modules defines the specialisation on the final certificate: either "mechanical engineering" or "mechatronics".
According to the structural requirements for all modules, we have integrated acquisition of knowledge, practical implementation in group work, assessment of economic consequences and development of leadership skills into each and every module. The modules are thus manifold in theme, but identical in structure and learning outcomes.

The programme has an innovative structure offering maximum flexibility with respect to content and organisation. There are no obligatory courses. Instead, applicants can choose any combination from a "menu" of available modules.
Studies can begin twice a year in either the winter or the summer semester. Each module is offered only once a year. To enable a choice of modules from mainly one semester (summer or winter), the Master's thesis can be started after successful completion of three modules (30 ECTS) and before the other modules are taken.
Upon agreement, every semester can include an R&D module of 10 ECTS. Furthermore, after passing a 10 ECTS R&D module, a 20 or 30 ECTS R&D module can be elected upon agreement (for R&D modules a total of 40 ECTS can be chosen).
Together with the Master's thesis, this means that 70 out of 90 ECTS in this programme can be gained in R&D work. The R&D module can typically be integrated into third-party-funded research work at the university or it can be done at a company. The university does not provide industrial contacts, but it attempts to match the applicant's interests to research work available in-house. The homepage provides further information and contact data about the responsible professor to whom participants' detailed interests/intentions should be communicated.
Depending on personal interests and upon agreement, in the second semester students can take a mobility module (20 or 30 ECTS) at a university abroad. This strengthens cross-cultural competence and foreign language skills. Furthermore, it enables students to acquire specialised in-depth knowledge beyond the scope of our own specialisations. Mobility modules can be taken not only at our partner universities but also at any other university in the world (i.e., upon agreement).
If a 30 ECTS mobility module is taken at University West in Trollhättan (Sweden), a double degree can be obtained.
Part-time studies are possible, but the programme is not specifically structured for part-time students.

The programme itself offers numerous possibilities for intensive practical academic training and project work, partly in combination with local companies. Depending on personal interests and upon agreement, students can complete an individual R&D module (10 ECTS) within a running research project. Furthermore, after passing a 10 ECTS R&D module and upon agreement, a 20 or 30 ECTS R&D module can be chosen within a running research project (for R&D modules a total of 40 ECTS can be chosen). The Master's thesis is usually performed at a company in or outside the region.

Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree (210 ECTS) with an overall grade/mark well above average (such as "with distinction", "excellent" depending on the grading scale) in

• mechanical engineering
• mechatronics
• industrial engineering with a specialisation in mechanical engineering
• or an equivalent qualification

As grading percentages differ substantially between the various countries and universities, we cannot give a minimum required value. All applications are evaluated individually and carefully.

For applicants from India, further rules apply; please see: https://www.hs-kl.de/en/angewandte-ingenieurwissenschaften/studiengaenge/master/mechanical-engineering-mechatronics.

Applicants with a degree of 180 ECTS (six semesters, three years) will require additional courses/credits of in total 30 ECTS before the start of their Master's thesis. These credits can be obtained by recognition of additional Bachelor's modules, additional study-abroad modules, work experience after completion of their Bachelor's degree or by successful completion of additional modules at HS Kaiserslautern - University of Applied Sciences. Please consider that the language of instruction in all our Bachelor's programmes is German. The Examination Board will decide on the contents individually.
Selection is based on four criteria: 1) academic quality, 2) résumé, 3) letter of motivation and 4) linguistic proficiency. Candidates are advised to follow the instructions described in the "Guidelines for Applicants" on our homepage.

Professional experience after obtaining the Bachelor's degree is not formally required (except for applicants holding a degree from a university in India), but it will often strengthen the application.

Approx. 250 to 300 EUR

Approx. 750 to 800 EUR is usually enough to cover personal expenses.

Due to the intensive nature of the programme, students have limited time for part-time jobs. Assistantships at the university can sometimes be offered, but they are not guaranteed before enrolment.

Student residences are typically spread over the city. The private market offers further possibilities. Rent is approx. 250 to 300 EUR per month.

HS Kaiserslautern - University of Applied Sciences perceives itself as a modern university for applied sciences and design. It offers over 40 different Bachelor's and Master's programmes. More than 6,200 students and around 160 full-time professors learn, teach and carry out research at five departments on four campuses in Kaiserslautern, Pirmasens and Zweibrücken. Numerous partnerships with national and international institutions and enterprises not only guarantee practice-oriented study programmes, but also high academic quality.

With approx. 100,000 inhabitants, Kaiserslautern is the industrial, technological and educational centre of the West-Palatinate region. Known as "K-Town", it is also home to an additional 48,000 US citizens based at Ramstein Air Force Base. Still, Kaiserslautern has maintained its character of a typical medium-sized German city with a wide range of social, cultural and economic activities. The woods around Kaiserslautern are hilly, ranging in height between 150 and 350 metres.
The name of the city refers to its medieval importance to Emperor (Kaiser) Frederick I "Barbarossa". In subsequent centuries, Kaiserslautern was involved in numerous political conflicts resulting in Electoral Palatinate (Kurpfalz), French and Bavarian rule at various times. Industrialisation started around 1850 and transformed Kaiserslautern from a provincial town into an industrial centre within a short time span. The city was heavily damaged during World War II and rebuilt afterwards.
Over the past 20 years, there has been a growing shift from mainly industrial activities towards dynamic spin-offs from both the Technical University and the University of Applied Sciences. Kaiserslautern also has a decades-long tradition in soccer, with the home team playing in the federal league. The city was one of the twelve host cities during the Soccer World Cup 2006 in Germany.