Master of Science in Renewable Energy and Data Engineering Offenburg University of Applied Sciences

Supplying a world with a steadily growing population and wealth with sustainable energy is one of the biggest challenges of our time. It requires a fundamental transformation of the global energy sector – and it requires well-educated engineers to implement this transformation and manage future energy systems. You can become one of them by studying Renewable Energy and Data Engineering at Offenburg University!

The energy transition has started already, especially in Germany, but also in many other areas of the world. More and more, electrical and heating power is being generated by a multitude of smaller, decentralised renewable-energy systems. Both private and commercial consumers are increasingly installing local energy management systems with storage to optimise their energy supply. These systems are still connected to the local grids to balance their own power flows and to ensure supply. The local grids in turn are connected with larger transmission grids. All of this is organised by a growing number of stakeholders and is based on old and new market structures.

These new levels of complexity can only be managed on the basis of an efficient and secure IT infrastructure in combination with advanced methods of data engineering - combined with a deep understanding of the underlying energy systems.

Offenburg's "Renewable Energy and Data Engineering" Master's degree programme prepares you for exactly this exciting challenge. You will gain expertise in power generation based on solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and conventional fuels, on storage, transport, and distribution of energy via grids, and on final energy usage and management by customers. Furthermore, you will acquire modern methods of data engineering and data analytics and learn how to model and simulate power systems.

Many of our professors and lecturers have practical experience from working in global energy companies, engineering services or consulting firms. Through lectures and discussions, students learn all about the current hot topics of the energy sector. Studying Renewable Energy and Data Engineering means, first of all, developing comprehensive expertise in energy systems and energy management, but also taking into consideration the relevant economic, social, and political environments.

Graduates of our programme with its international orientation will be well prepared for leadership positions around the globe.

The first and second semesters consist of lectures in core subjects and elective courses. Attendance at core lectures is required, and students undergo continuous assessment. All coursework and exams for the first semester are in English. German is the medium of instruction and assessment in the second semester.

The third semester is dedicated to writing the Master's thesis. Research work for the thesis can be conducted in industry or at a research institution.

Applicants are supposed to have already gained some practical experience resulting either from an industrial internship completed during their Bachelor's programme or from a job.

The Master's thesis can be prepared either at Offenburg University, any other university or externally at a suitable company or institute of your choice.

31 March (non-EU residents)

15 July (EU residents)

Applicants should meet the following requirements or their equivalents:

• Above-average Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, Energy Engineering, or related field
• English and German language proficiency (see below)
• Willingness to integrate into an international environment in which different cultures, ideas, perspectives, and approaches will be encountered
• Readiness to attend German language courses in order to better learn about German culture and daily life in this country
• APS (only for applicants from India, China and Vietnam)

If you are interested in the programme Renewable Energy and Data Engineering, we invite you to enter your data into our HISinOne online application system.

The selection committee will then screen your online application. Within a few weeks, you will be notified as to whether or not you have been selected to provide a complete application. The selection committee will then make a final decision based on the scanned documents, which you are asked to send.

Please be aware that you will have to show your original documents at the registrar's office of Offenburg University after your arrival.

• 150 EUR service contribution
• 170 EUR administration fees

Approx. 1,000 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 240 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.

At Offenburg, a very limited number of partial scholarships are available; applications for these are only open to students enrolled in their second semester (or higher) who have shown high academic performance and a social commitment outside of class.

In addition, there are a few scholarships for international students. Through these scholarships, international students can be exempted from the 1,500 EUR state tuition fee for one year. To be entitled to apply, students must be enrolled at Offenburg University and be in their second semester (or higher).

Offenburg University's Career Center offers you a personal advisory service, directing you through your contemplated or chosen career path.

Seminars on "Applying in Germany" will get you ready for successfully writing applications and presenting yourself to companies.

The Career Center will also help to correct and translate CVs and letters of motivation.

In addition, Offenburg University hosts a career day at the university and participates regularly in recruitment fairs in Cologne, Hanover, or other bigger cities. At these fairs, students can directly contact companies, make enquiries about available positions, and discuss any concerns that they may have.

Field trips to companies such as Daimler, SMART, etc., provide an excellent window of opportunity for students to gain insight into organisations' work environments and structures as well as get a first-hand overview of career opportunities.

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, the Graduate School team can arrange accommodation (student residence hall or private accommodation) for you. The rent usually ranges from 350–400 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.

Around 4,500 students study at its two campuses. 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 offers ongoing support throughout the programme:

• 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.