Subsurface Engineering (SubSurf) Ruhr-Universität Bochum

The Master's programme in Subsurface Engineering is a specialised post-graduate programme that offers a fascinating teaching and research curriculum in the field of civil engineering, geosciences and underground engineering. The Master's course of study is embedded in a strong research environment with an excellent international reputation, which involves worldwide experts in a wide research area including tunnel engineering, geosciences, geothermal energy and geotechnical engineering. All courses and lectures of the Master's programme are held in English. Most of the lecturers spend an important part of their career in countries abroad, thus having profound teaching skills paired with a lot of international experience. The Master's programme in Subsurface Engineering takes four semesters (two years) to complete. After the first semester with fundamental courses, depending on their own qualifications, students can choose to focus on two directions to deepen their knowledge:

• Geotechnics and Tunnelling
• Subsurface Characterisation and Utilisation

The Master's programme starts every winter semester and takes four semesters (two years) to complete. During the first semester, all students attend basic courses in geology, hydrology and computational methods. During the second and third semesters, students complete some compulsory and several elective courses. The fourth semester is dedicated to the Master's thesis. Students are free to either write their Master's theses in an academic environment at various university departments or in the industry while being supported by a lecturer in the Master's programme. Due to the faculty's close connections to the industry, support can be offered to students in finding a suitable company with which to cooperate. After completion of the programme, the successful candidates are awarded the title Master of Science (MSc) by the Ruhr-Universität Bochum.

Applicants can be admitted to the Master’s programme if they have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree in civil engineering, geosciences or a related engineering discipline.

Students have to pay a social contribution fee of approx. 380 EUR per semester, including a semester ticket covering public transport in Germany (https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/re-registration-and-social-contribution).

Minimum of 950 EUR per month to cover personal and living expenses in Germany

Students with outstanding academic achievements and a high degree of social responsibility can apply for the “Deutschlandstipendium” grant. They will receive a one-year scholarship of 300 EUR per month from the Ruhr-Universität Scholarship Fund: https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/deutschlandstipendium-information-students.

International students with good to very good academic achievements can apply at the International Office, e.g. for financial support during their final phase of the study, such as graduation grants: https://international.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/scholarships-international-office.

The programme coordinators offer individualised career counselling for all Subsurface Engineering students.

The Career Service for International Students offers:

• Events & workshops: From networking events to online seminars – learn the best tips from career experts and meet start-ups from the region.
• Digital Career Guide: The Moodle course “Career Service for International Students” prepares you for starting a job in Germany.
• FIT4Job – Mentoring for Internationals: RUB alumni share their professional expertise and good practices 1:1 with you.
• Counselling services: Identify your talents and career goals in a personal counselling session. Our RUB Career Service team provides support in preparing application documents and interviews.

In the city of Bochum, you can find different types of accommodation. On average, students in Bochum pay approximately 400 to 800 EUR per month for a single apartment, which is below the average rent in Germany. A room in a shared apartment is usually less expensive.

About 5,000 students in Bochum live in multiple student halls close to the campus, which are run by the Akademisches Förderungswerk (AKAFÖ). In the halls, each student has a single room and shares a kitchen and bathroom with other students, rents an apartment with a private bathroom and kitchen, or shares an apartment with one or several flatmates. 

More information on the student halls can be found at https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/de/wohnen.

In addition, private and church-affiliated student halls accommodate up to 1,000 students: http://www.stuwo.de/wohnheim-region/bochum/.