International Programmes 2023/2024

Automation & Control (A&C) Automation & Control (A&C)

RPTU University of Kaiserslautern-Landau • Kaiserslautern

Degree
Master of Science (MSc)
Teaching language
  • English
Languages

The core programme is taught in English only. Elective courses and the thesis can be in English or German.

Full-time / part-time
  • full-time
Programme duration
4 semesters
Beginning
Winter and summer semester
Application deadline
  • Summer semester: 31 October
  • Winter semester: 30 April
Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Combined Master's degree / PhD programme
No
Joint degree / double degree programme
No
Description/content

Automation & Control (A&C) is a four-semester Master's programme. A total of 120 ECTS CPs must be acquired.

The compulsory subjects are:

  • Logic Control
  • Nonlinear and Adaptive Controlling
  • Digital Signal Processing
  • Robust Control
  • Mechatronic Systems
  • Lab Automation and Control
  • Methods of Soft-Control
  • Modelling and Identification
  • Seminar (with a selectable topic)

The elective part of the programme can contain the following elements:

  • A wide range of modules from the EIT department
  • Subject-related modules from other RPTU departments
  • Individual projects, carried out either at an RPTU chair or in industry
Course organisation

For regulations and administrative details, see: https://eit.rptu.de/en/studies/master-in-english
At the beginning of each semester, we hold an introduction session in which we present the generic study plan and provide further information about the recommended structure and organisation of your studies.

A Diploma supplement will be issued
Yes
Certificates for specific modules are awarded
Yes
International elements
  • International guest lecturers
  • Projects with partners in Germany and abroad
Integrated internships

Internships are not an integral part of the curriculum, but they can be carried out on a voluntary basis.

Course-specific, integrated German language courses
No
Course-specific, integrated English language courses
No
Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Semester contribution

Enrolment fee: approx. 260 EUR per semester, includes e.g. free transport in the area around Kaiserslautern (up to 100 km), more than 50 free university sports courses, and more

Assessment fee: 60 EUR single payment for verification of foreign certificates (you will get an invoice after submitting your application)

Recommended: German Language & Orientation Course for international Master's students: 800 EUR single payment

Costs of living

High standard of living at low cost
Monthly costs: in total approx. 800 EUR to cover all personal expenses, e.g. accommodation: approx. 350 EUR; health insurance: approx. 110 EUR; food: approx. 300 EUR

Cost of living – a snapshot of regional prices:

  • Meal in refectory: 2.75 to 4 EUR
  • Loaf of bread: 3 EUR
  • Orange juice (1 litre): 1.50 EUR
  • Rice (1kg): 1.60 EUR
Funding opportunities within the university
No
Academic admission requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or an equivalent foreign degree in a related field
  • TOEFL or IELTS (GRE is recommended)
  • CGPA (cumulative grade point average): The Bachelor's grade shall be not lower than 1.7 in the German grading system (in general relates to "B" in the ECTS grading system) or equivalent.
Language requirements

A good knowledge of English is required for admission to this programme of study. You will need to prove your English language skills for this Master's programme as follows:
TOEFL Test minimum:

  • 550 points (on the paper-based test)
  • 213 points (on the computer-based test)
  • 79/80 points (on the internet-based test)

and/or
IELTS: band score of 6.0

Application deadline
  • Summer semester: 31 October
  • Winter semester: 30 April
Submit application to

https://eit.rptu.de/en/studies/master-in-english

Online application only, no paper documents

Possibility of finding part-time employment

Student assistant jobs are available on a competitive basis at the university, the partner institutes of the Science & Innovation Alliance Kaiserslautern (including DFKI, Max Planck, Fraunhofer, etc.) or at nearby industry companies (John Deere, Daimler, BASF, etc.). Excellent students have good chances of finding jobs in research projects, but these are not usually granted in advance. 

Accommodation

The majority of our students live in residence halls located on or close to campus. Unlike in other countries, German dormitories are not owned or operated by the university but by external institutions. The "Studierendenwerk" operates several large halls of residence in Kaiserslautern. Students submit housing applications directly to the Studierendenwerk; typically, there is a waiting period for rooms. For international Master's or PhD students, the Department of International Affairs 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. 350 EUR

Since accommodation is not automatically guaranteed with admission, a request for accommodation to ISGS (RefIntA) is advisable.

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

Career advisory service

Available together with a highly frequented job portal provided by the university

Support for international students and doctoral candidates
  • Welcome event
  • Buddy programme
  • Accompanying programme
  • Specialist counselling
  • Cultural and linguistic preparation
  • Visa matters
  • Pick-up service

RPTU University of Kaiserslautern-Landau

Content Bild
Campus RPTU in Kaiserslautern © Thomas Koziel / RPTU

RPTU University of Kaiserslautern-Landau is a technology-oriented university and offers over 110 courses of study 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 as well as its compact size and locations, RPTU attracts a large number of talented 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. 20,000 students (share of international students: approx. 23%), 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).

The Department of International Affairs 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, the Department of International Affairs (RefIntA) offers professional training for PhD students and postgraduates as well as qualified career counselling. The task of helping students "feel at home" and "not get lost" is of major importance in RefIntA team's efforts.

https://rptu.de/en/international/master/prospective-students

University location

Kaiserlautern - proud history and bright future

Already Emperor Friedrich I. Barbarossa was convinced of the advantages of the Kaiserslautern region when he chose to build his imperial palace in this location 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. The list of enterprises operating out of the Kaiserslautern PRE-Park is extensive and encompasses the automobile and technology industries. These companies, including Accenture and John Deere, are located in an area of over 100,000 square metres, offering companies plenty of room to grow and collaborate. As a centre of innovation, the futuristic PRE UNI-Park, a technology site with modern architecture, constitutes the core of the Science Alliance. This consortium of numerous high-profile science institutions such as the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence, the Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering, the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics, and the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems forms a highly specialised multidisciplinary network that provides innovative solutions based on the latest technologies and newest methods 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. Blessed with favourable surroundings, 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 is known for its mountain bike park. UNESCO has recognised the exceptional value of the nature reserve and in 1992 designated it one of the 15 German biosphere reserves.

There is no such thing as being a foreigner here - 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. The Kaiserslautern region offers superb public transport. Trains run hourly every day, and fast intercity trains at the ICE train station in Kaiserslautern offer quick and comfortable connections to Europe's big cities, airports, and business centres. Kaiserslautern is centrally located within the European Union, between the River Rhine in the east and France in the west. Only two hours by train from both Frankfurt and Stuttgart, Kaiserslautern offers excellent travel connections. The people of Kaiserslautern have a zest for life; they are urban, friendly, and open-minded, and they also appreciate the importance of their regional roots. In the old part of the city, with its variety of restaurants, cafés, and original pubs, you will meet the dyed-in-the-wool "Pfälzer" (natives of Rhineland-Palatinate) who are cosmopolitan while at the same time still proud of their regional specialities. Many visitors from all over the world feel welcome and at home here.

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