Mechanical Engineering for Industrial Systems RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau

Mechanical Engineering for Industrial Systems (MEfIS) is a four-semester Master's degree programme for Bachelor's graduates with a solid background in mechanical engineering and a strong interest in the industrial research, development and implementation of mechanical engineering related challenges. 

A total of 120 ECTS CPs must be acquired.

One of three possible specialisations must be selected during the application process.

• “Industrial Drive Technology”: Drive technology plays a role wherever things move – from machine tools and agricultural machinery to wind power. Drive technology is one of the largest industrial sectors in Germany. The specialisation therefore offers the best prerequisites for a successful career in R&D in one of the more than 250 drive technology companies, including many hidden champions, in Germany. You will receive excellent qualifications for simulating complex drive systems and will be able to develop analysis and design methods for new tasks.

• "Advanced Mechanics for Digital Engineering": The programme provides comprehensive knowledge in mechanical modelling, numerical methods, and the simulation of digital twins. Students learn to mathematically describe and analyse complex systems through simulations. Additionally, they develop skills in optimisation, parameter identification, and programming. These skills qualify graduates for roles in research and development, simulation and modelling, automation, digital product design, and smart manufacturing.

• "Digital Production Technologies": Providing comprehensive knowledge and skills in the field of digital production technologies, including digital modelling, process simulation, sustainable manufacturing and the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies in the production area such as digital twins to meet industrial needs

The Mechanical Engineering for Industrial Systems degree programme prepares you for the largest sectors of German industry: Drive Technology and Production Machinery. In designing the specialisations, we have consistently focused on the current and future needs of industry. A successful degree will qualify you for positions in large companies or in German small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with their many hidden champions.

Semesters one and two contain mandatory subjects in one of the three specialisations as well as compulsory elective modules from a catalogue consisting of modules of the other two specialisations as well as further modules suitable for the field.

The skills learned are applied in the third semester both in a three-month industrial internship and in a project at one of the local institutes.

Semester four is reserved for the Master's thesis.

The required industrial internship can be completed with our industrial partners, cooperating external research institutions or other suitable companies. Depending on the suitability of the content, working student activities can also be recognised as individual internship weeks.

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, with a focus on one of the selectable specialisations

English certificate (GRE recommended)

CGPA (cumulative grade point average): the Bachelor's grade (GPA) should be 2.0 or better according to the German grading system (which generally corresponds to “B” or "C" in the ECTS grading system) or equivalent qualifications.

Applicants are expected to have sufficient knowledge in the fields of higher mathematics, mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, measurement and control technology, material science, engineering design, engineering construction and machine elements as well as programming skills. In addition, successful applicants must demonstrate additional knowledge relevant to the field of specialisation they are applying for:

• "Industrial Drive Technology": Computer-aided design (CAD) or digital modelling techniques, Finite element method

• "Advanced Mechanics for Digital Engineering": Finite element method, continuum mechanics

• "Digital Production Technologies": Computer-aided design (CAD) or digital modelling techniques; manufacturing technologies

The required credit points or hours in the individual disciplines are published on the department website before each application period.

SOCIAL FEE: 350 EUR per semester (including public transport ("Deutschland-Semesterticket"), reductions at the RPTU canteen, university sports, etc.)

ASSESSMENT FEE (for verification of foreign certificates): 60 EUR

RECOMMENDED: German language & orientation course: 800 EUR

MONTHLY COST OF LIVING: approx. 850 EUR (including accommodation, health insurance, food, internet, phone, etc.)

More information:
Fees & Living Expenses — RPTU Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau

Student assistant jobs are available on a competitive basis at the university & its departments, at the affiliated research institutes of the Science & Innovation Alliance Kaiserslautern (including DFKI, Max Planck, Fraunhofer, etc.) or at nearby companies (John Deere, Daimler, BASF, etc.).

Excellent students have good chances of finding jobs in research projects, but these jobs are not usually granted in advance.

International Affairs RPTU supports international students in finding student jobs and in strengthening their professional networks, e.g. by organising networking dialogues with executives from science and industry.

Moreover, the university offers a student assistant job portal:
Hiwi-Stellenbörse — RPTU Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau

International Affairs RPTU supports international students in finding (student) jobs and in deepening their professional networks, e.g. by organising networking dialogues with executives from science and industry as informal career meetings.

Furthermore, we set up interdisciplinary workshops, seminars and information sessions focusing on the skills & competences students need to integrate in the German (business) culture.

More information on how to enhance your degree can be found on our related website for international students: https://rptu.de/international/master/current-students/enhance-your-degree.

ACCOMMODATION @ RPTU in KAISERSLAUTERN: The majority of our students live in residence halls located on or close to campus. The "Studierendenwerk" operates several large halls of residence in Kaiserslautern. Students submit housing applications directly to the Studierendenwerk. For international Master's or PhD students, International Affairs RPTU aims at arranging accommodation in these residence halls or in private accommodation within its pre-arrival service. The halls of residence have modern single, double or shared apartments with kitchenette, bathroom/WC, and modern facilities as well as internet access.

• Fully-furnished: kitchenette (no plates & pots, etc.), bed & mattress (no blankets & pillows), wardrobe, shelf, table, chair (no computer)
• Rent: approx. 250 to 350 EUR

Since accommodation is not automatically guaranteed with admission, a request for accommodation to International Affairs ISGS is advisable.

Optional: To help international students get started in Kaiserslautern, the "Studierendenwerk" offers a starter package for the apartment. This package can be purchased for 95 EUR: https://www.studierendenwerk-kaiserslautern.de/en/housing/international.

More information: https://rptu.de/international/master/prospective-students/travel-accommodation/accommodation

RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau is a top-ranked German research-oriented university (first place among 146 international universities in nine categories, such as learning, living, support services, and cost in the International Student Barometer 2023). Our university offers high-quality graduate education and (post)doctoral research training in innovative fields of the high-tech world, many of them as international (English-taught) study programmes. Our main features:

• International study environment highly affiliated with research  & industry
• “Science & Innovation Alliance” of high-profile research institutes on the nearby campus, offering (student assistant) job opportunities
• Zero tuition fees & low cost of living
• “University of Teaching Excellence" award for outstanding student-teacher ratio & efficient support structure for international students, including visa support
• Safe, modern & healthy study environment surrounded by beautiful nature
• 25 international graduate programmes (with more than 40 specialisations)

RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau offers over 140 study courses in the following 16 departments:

• Architecture
• Biology
• Business Studies & Economics
• Chemistry
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Science
• Cultural & Social Sciences (Landau)
• Educational Sciences (Landau)
• Electrical & Computer Engineering
• Mathematics
• Mechanical & Process Engineering
• Natural & Environmental Sciences (Landau)
• Physics
• Psychology (Landau)
• Spatial & Environmental Planning
• Social Sciences

By virtue of its internationally renowned faculties and their top-ranked international study programmes, RPTU attracts students from all over the world. Our extraordinarily high ratio of postgraduate and doctoral students underlines the university's focus on research, Master's studies, and doctoral research training.

With a current enrolment of approx. 16,000 students, 19% international students overall (and 29% international students at RPTU's campus in Kaiserslautern), the university has a manageable size and therefore ensures excellent guidance and close contact with professors. Thus, the university offers an outstanding support ratio of students per lecturer, e.g. three students per lecturer in the Department of Physics (national average: 12).

International Affairs RPTU has profound experience with international students and supports them in every phase of their studies or research. Besides effective pre-arrival communication, administrative support, and social services, International Affairs RPTU offers professional training for PhD students and postgraduates as well as qualified career counselling. Helping international students "feel at home" in a new (academic) culture at RPTU is of major importance within our service portfolio for incoming international students.

More information on why to choose RPTU:
https://rptu.de/fileadmin/isgs/pdf/07_Flyer_und_Broschueren/Why_RPTU.pdf
https://rptu.de/en/international/master/prospective-students
https://rptu.de/en/international/master/prospective-students-landau

KAISERSLAUTERN — a proud history and a bright future

Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa was convinced of the advantages of the Kaiserslautern region when he chose to build his imperial palace in the 12th century. Based on those historical roots, the city has developed into a cosmopolitan cluster of science and technology. K-Town is considered a prime location by many national and international companies (including Accenture and John Deere, etc.). The Science & Innovation Alliance Kaiserslautern,  a network of high-profile research institutes (including German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence, Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering, Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics, and Max Planck Institute for Software Systems), provides innovative solutions based on the latest technologies to students, scientists, and partners from industry. The topographic convergence of technology and nature makes the city both a vibrant urban centre and a natural oasis. Getting in touch with nature is particularly easy in Kaiserslautern, where Germany's largest interlinked woodlands are right at your doorstep. The forest of Rhineland-Palatinate is criss-crossed by a network of about 7,500 miles of well-marked hiking trails and a mountain bike park. UNESCO has recognised the exceptional value of the nature reserve as one of the 15 German biosphere reserves.

Kaiserslautern is home to people from over 140 nations who contribute to a diverse and vibrant city life. Most of the 100,000 inhabitants speak English, making it easy to quickly feel at ease. K-Town has a very good public transport service including high-speed intercity trains that offer quick and comfortable connections to Europe's biggest cities (Brussels, Paris, Berlin, etc.), airports (FFM), and business centres. Last but not least, K-Town is home to 1. FCK and loves to cheer for its soccer team in its well-known Betzenberg Stadium.