RMIT University
Courses are held in English. Participants can choose to write the Master's thesis in German or English.
The winter semester starts at the beginning of October. The summer semester starts at the beginning of April.
Each semester, an orientation day is organised to give detailed information about course structure, course details and organisational matters.
Non-EU applicants: 30 November for the following summer semester
EU applicants: 15 January for the following summer semester
Non-EU applicants: 31 May for the following winter semester
EU applicants: 15 July for the following winter semester
Move Technology Forward
Mobility, logistics, locomotion and global trade are changing at a faster pace than ever before. Two common features, however, remain constant: they all require means of transport to the remotest corners and, at the same time, they are hugely influential parameters for the economy, for prosperity, and for the climate. The world of automotive engineering is confronted with the complex task of reconciling these aspects. This only works with modern ideas, and above all, the global impact must be taken into account.
The Master's degree programme in "International Automotive Engineering" therefore imparts in-depth knowledge about existing and new technologies, the interactions between technology and sustainability and, last but not least, the globally networked activities in the automotive industry. To this end, the degree programme includes various practical trainings in the laboratory, and group work as well as more advanced modules aimed at educating you for your future path with enthusiasm and enjoyment.
In the first two semesters, the Master's degree programme comprises modules from the general engineering sciences on the one hand, and from subject-specific modules in the areas of vehicle development, drive engineering and vehicle interior on the other hand. These can either be chosen freely or pursued on the basis of a fixed specialisation (focus area).
Accordingly, the Master of Science in International Automotive Engineering can be obtained in the following ways:
The Master's thesis takes place in the third semester.
This programme will provide you with the necessary skills needed to solve problems and tasks from product development, research and quality assurance independently, in a team, or as a leader.
Optionally, the Master's degree is offered as a four-semester degree programme leading to the double degree of Master of Science and Master of Engineering. The last two semesters are completed at our partner university, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in Australia.
During the first and second academic semesters, students deepen their basic understanding of engineering sciences and widen their specialised knowledge in automotive fields, such as Environmental Impacts of Vehicle Propulsion Systems, Vehicle Acoustics, Vehicle Engineering – FEM, Powertrain Calibration or Global Automotive Homologation. In the third semester, students carry out their research for the Master's thesis. About 70% of the final projects are written in or in cooperation with industry.
Modules are presented in the form of lectures and tutorials. Many courses offer accompanying laboratory or workshop practice.
The collaboration in a qualification network group with outstanding selected partners from industry and research institutions is one of the unique characteristics of this course. Parts of the core subjects are organised by the qualification network partners.
Optional double degree
No mandatory internship is to be completed during the course of study.
About 300 EUR per semester
General Information
The degree programme International Automotive Engineering is a locally restricted Master's degree programme. This is why there are only a limited number of places available. The degree programme is held entirely in English. Find out how to apply and which requirements have to be fulfilled in the following sections.
The application takes place via the Application Portal of FH Aachen which will be opened four weeks before the application deadlines.
Academic Degree
The prerequisite for admission to the Master's course of study is a completed university degree of minimum seven semesters (210 ECTS) in one of the following fields:
For applicants who did not obtain their degree qualification within a member state of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), the assessment of the qualification is based on the final grade of the degree and the assessment of a GRE test score. These two components each make up 50% of the overall grade. Both must be submitted electronically (via the application portal) to the university by the application deadline at the latest. The minimum requirement for the GRE test is a score at or above the 83rd percentile (referred to as "percentile below") in the "Quantitative" section of the test. Applications without a GRE will not be considered. As the final grade is converted using the "Bavarian formula", proof of the minimum pass mark and the maximum achievable grade must also be submitted.
If you completed your undergraduate studies in China, India or Vietnam, you must present an APS certificate during application and during the visa process.
English Language Skills
Proof of English language skills is required for all applicants whose native language is not English or who have not completed their first professionally qualifying degree at an English-speaking university.
The following TOEFL/IELTS examination scores are considered as proof:
or
Proof of English language skills can be provided at the Language Centre of FH Aachen.
German Language Skills
Applicants whose native language is not German or who have not acquired their study qualification at a German-speaking university must prove their knowledge of German by taking the examination "Zertifikat Deutsch" and proving level A2 knowledge of the language. Certificates from the Goethe Institute are recognised without further assessment by the Registrar's Office.
However, the "Zertifikat Deutsch" at level B1 is required for registering the Master's thesis.
Non-EU applicants: 30 November for the following summer semester
EU applicants: 15 January for the following summer semester
Non-EU applicants: 31 May for the following winter semester
EU applicants: 15 July for the following winter semester
Applicants should not count on financing their stay in Aachen by working part-time during their studies. However, many students are successful in finding part-time jobs either at the university or research institutions and engineering companies around the Aachen region.
Generally, each student lives in a private room in a shared apartment. Living areas, bathrooms and cooking facilities are shared. Furnished rooms start at about 300 to 350 EUR per month plus about 150 EUR per month for electricity, water and heat. Most rooms require the first month's rent and a security deposit of one to three months' rent in advance before you can move into the room.
FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences was founded in 1971 after the merger of several technical colleges and vocational training centres. Additionally, it looks back on more than 100 years of practice-oriented educational tradition.
Theory and practice are closely linked during the entire course of study. A professionally qualifying and scientifically sound course of study is ensured by the close connection with professional practice and the staff of 240 professors and approx. 900 employees engaged in teaching and research.
More than 15,000 students benefit from this. The FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences offers them a first-rate education in modern and trendsetting professions. Close cooperation with regional and international business enterprises as well as renowned research institutions such as the Jülich Research Centre (FZJ) are reflected in the quality of the courses offered. At the FH Aachen, new job requirements are seen as a chance to constantly adjust and expand the curriculum in terms of content.
At present, prospective students can choose from about 100 Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes in engineering sciences, business studies and design. Additionally, some degree programmes are offered as dual and extra occupational study programmes.
An added, special advantage of the FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences is the central location of Aachen and Jülich, in close proximity to Belgium and the Netherlands. This internationality in teaching and studies is an essential and unique feature of the FH Aachen. We enable our students to prepare for the demands of a globalised working world and to develop the capability of cross-cultural collaboration. To this end, we support the mobility of our students and teaching staff during the course of study and in joint projects as well as through international degrees in cooperation with our partner universities. At this time, the percentage of students from abroad totals more than 19%.
By choosing Aachen for your stay in Germany, you have opened the door to a beautiful, historical and youthful city. Aachen is located at the centre of "Euregio", the border area between Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.
The unique location of Aachen in a tri-border region (Dreiländereck) allows for a cross-border exchange of knowledge, culture, and lifestyle that has come to fruition. People from neighbouring countries come to Aachen to work, and Aachener and Aachenerinnen (that's what people of Aachen are called!) travel to nearby Lüttich (Liège) or to Maastricht, an equally old, yet youthful, lively city. The motto "Stadt im Herzen Europas" refers to the fact that European ideals like freedom and living together in harmony without borders are a way of everyday life in Aachen. In this tri-border region, Europe has existed for a long time, outside institutions and treaties.
Today, with around 250,000 inhabitants, Aachen is a large city and the westernmost city in Germany. It is located directly on the border with Belgium and the Netherlands. The 40,000 students working in four universities, industry, and trade keep thriving beyond its borders. Every year, people from all over the world travel to Aachen to enjoy the international and easygoing atmosphere. A special annual attraction is the CHIO (Concours Hippique International Officiel), one of the most important international equestrian tournaments. Beyond that, even more is happening in town. The ''Aachener Kultursommer'', held every year in July, brings renowned musicians to one of "Germany's most beautiful open-air stages". Naturally, there is the carnival in February, when people cast out the winter with costumes, parades and festive cheer.
In the "Euregio", there are not only interesting and lively cities like Maastricht or Lüttich with numerous shopping possibilities, but also cosy and inviting cafés. There region has a rich cultural offering with many concerts and parties. The entire region has a lot to offer - old hamlets in Limburg province, placid lakes and woods in the Eifel and, again and again, cross-cultural encounters with open-minded and interesting people.
If you want to leave the city behind for a while, you can do this in the forests of the Eifel in the south of Aachen, or in the Hohes Venn, a unique high moor landscape directly at the gates of the city. In summer, you can easily travel by train or car to the seaside at Oostende or Zeeland and enjoy the sun and the sea.
In Aachen, there is a lot to see and experience, and we hope that we can offer you a glimpse of that. If you're already curious, then come over and see it for yourself.
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