Electrical Engineering (Electronics Design / Communication Engineering / Automation) University of Siegen

Siegen’s Master's in Electrical Engineering programme trains students with specific expertise in key areas of microelectronics design, communication systems and automation technology. In addition to in-depth knowledge, students also acquire soft skills including presentation, team work, management and leadership skills. They benefit from the close collaboration between electrical and computer engineering with a tight link to research projects conducted in both disciplines at our university. We conduct research in diverse areas including AI/machine learning, digital imaging, healthcare, automotive, industrial control, avionics and home automation, where Master's students get ample opportunities to participate.

Electronics Design and Technology 

This specialisation trains students in the design of micro and nano electronics devices and circuits. VLSI integrated circuits and photonic systems have revolutionised our lives with low cost, yet powerful computing and sensing devices, in form of hand-held computers, mobiles as well as high-end AI systems. This course trains engineers in design, build and test of electronic components required for these developments. They gain diverse experience ranging from cleanrooms fabricating nanoscale electronic devices and designing Analogue and Digital IC in state-of-the-art software. Sensory systems, including digital camera technology and machine learning/AI systems, are key themes of research at Siegen, which is reflected in our teaching portfolio as well.

Communication Engineering 

Communication is vital to our interconnected world and our lives have come dependent on secure, sustained and rapid communication. This specialisation trains students in theoretical and practical skills for analysis and design of a diverse range of communication systems as well as components required to build them. Of particular interest are communication systems applied to sensorics, optical and digital communication. The telecommunication and mobile market have been growing at a rapid pace and our courses prepare our students in all aspects of electronic communication systems in place as well as those being researched for future.

Automation Engineering

This specialisation focuses on control, energy conversion systems and measurement engineering. It addresses the automation of design and operation processes for intelligent dynamical systems and combines theoretical foundations with application-oriented problem solving. As an interdisciplinary offering, it also offers strong links to computer and mechanical engineering, enabling students to broaden their profile through courses in areas such as machine learning and mechatronic. Graduates pursue diverse careers including academic research, automotive, manufacturing, and power engineering, both in regional and in international firms.

Our Master's programme contains core modules covering a broad spectrum of theoretical, practical, and technical topics in the specialisations, together with team work. Specialised elective modules are then offered to cover advanced scientific knowledge.

This programme is structured as follows:

• Seven core modules (6 CP each)
• One fundamental module (9 CP) on Electromagnetic Field Theory
• Five elective modules (6 CP each)
• Research modules: project work (9 CP), Master's thesis (30 CP)

For Electronics Design and Technology, the compulsory modules offered cover fundamental courses in microsystems design, including:

• Semiconductor Electronics
• Analogue and Digital Integrated Circuits
• Embedded Systems
• Optoelectronics

Students are also offered a number of elective courses by various chairs of the university, including:

• Nanotechnology
• Memristors and AI Chips
• Advanced Analogue Circuits
• Radio Frequency IC Design
• Embedded Control
• Microelectronic Sensors
• Microsystems Fabrication and Test
• Photonic Devices

Similarly, Communication Engineering core modules cover:

• Signals and Systems
• Lightwave and Optoelectronics
• Data Communications
• High Frequency Engineering

The electives cover:

• Computational Imaging
• Synthetic Aperture Radar
• Advanced Data Communication
• Communications and Information Security
• Compressive Sensing
• Radio Frequency IC

Similarly, Automation core modules cover:

• Process automation
• Control systems, incl. nonlinear control
• Electrical Drives
• Measurement technology

The electives cover:

• Robotics
• Mechatronics
• Adaptive control
• Industrial communication

In addition, students can also select elective modules offered in other disciplines including mechatronics, artificial intelligence, ubiquitous systems, distributed systems, deep learning, visual computing, computer architecture, nanotechnology and quantum technologies.

We expect our applicants to have a good Bachelor’s degree equivalent to University of Siegen's Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. This could be a degree in Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Communication/Telecommunication Engineering, Computer Science/Engineering, Instrumentation/Control Engineering, Engineering Physics or Mechatronics covering at least six semesters.

The equivalent Bachelor's degree must have taught skills in the following areas to the specified minimum credit points: mathematical foundations (20 CP), scientific basics (15 CP), basics of electrical engineering and measurement technology (20 CP), theoretical electrical engineering (field theory, signal and system theory – 10 CP) project work (including Bachelor's thesis – 10 CP).

For admission to “Communications Technology", students should have studied a minimum of 20 CP in their Bachelor's covering theory and practice in the fields of "Communications Engineering", "Optical Communications Engineering", "High Frequency Technology", "Electromagnetic Field Theory" and "Signal and Systems Theory".

Similarly, for "Electronics Design and Technology", they should have studied 20 CP worth of "Semiconductor and Circuit Technology", "Semiconductor Physics", "Power Electronics" and "High Frequency Technology" or equivalent courses.

Similarly, for "Automation Technology", they should have studied 20 CP worth of "Control Technology", "Automation Technology" and "Power Electronics and Drive Technology" or equivalent courses.

Students have to pay a semester contribution of approximately 372 EUR, which is due before the start of each semester, as part of (re-)registration. This fee covers the cost of a public transport ticket (valid for six months in all of Germany), a social services contribution, and student activities.

The city of Siegen has very moderate costs for accommodation, offering attractive living conditions for students. Living expenses range from only 800 EUR to 1,000 EUR per month, including rent, health insurance, food, clothing, learning materials, phone/Internet, travel expenses, entertainment, and sports. This estimated cost of living can vary depending on lifestyle, type of accommodation, budget, and spending habits.

It is important that students plan and manage their finances throughout the duration of the degree programme to ensure they have enough funds to cover semester contributions and living costs.

Students can find part-time jobs with the help of the job placement service of the university. Siegen and the surrounding area are home to a large number of medium-sized industrial enterprises (SMEs), or so-called hidden champions in electrical and mechanical engineering. Some bigger examples include the companies SMS and Achenbach Buschhütten. A lot of smaller, yet very successful and quickly growing high-tech companies are located here as well, for instance, PMD Technologies and Asentics, which are spin-off companies of the university. Therefore, there are employment prospects in the region, particularly for positions that are available during the semester break and following graduation.

Students at the University of Siegen can apply for the “Deutschlandstipendium / Studienförderfonds”, which can cover part of the students' cost of living. Scholarships for doctoral students are available at the House of Young Talents of the University of Siegen.

The career services team helps with all questions regarding career entry and career planning. It offers information on occupational fields, helps with the career-related structuring of studies and provides direct support with individual coaching and consulting services when it comes to finding a good career start after graduation.

Furthermore, the programme "Forging International Talents - FIT in Siegen" specifically supports international students during their whole studies with a focus on preparation for the German job market. Additionally, the offers of the "Alumniverbund" provide a good opportunity to network and to benefit from the experiences of former students.

There are student residences (dormitories) of the "Studierendenwerk" (student services) close to the university. The rent for a room is between 240 EUR and 460 EUR. Please be aware that German universities do not usually have campus systems like universities in some other countries, where all students can find accommodation directly on the university property. Therefore, some students might have to find rooms on their own. The private accommodation costs per room are 400 EUR on average. Detailed information concerning general accommodation can be found here.

Early application/search is advisable.