FH Karlsruhe – University of Applied Science

Engineering Education in Germany (Land of Baden Württemberg)

The three academic institutions for higher education in engineering in Germany are:

1. University with the degree Diplom-Ingenieur (4.5 years of study)

2. University of Applied Sciences with the degree Diplom-Ingenieur (FH) (4 years of study)

3. Berufsakademie with the degree Diplom-Ingenieur (BA) (3 years of study) (only in Baden-Württemberg)

The Berufsakademie runs a coop programm of education during which the student is an employer of the company that sponsors his studies. The student takes one term of acadenic studies followed by one term of practical work within the company.

The engineering education at the University and the University of Applied Sciences is composed of two parts :

- “Vordiplom” (Intermediate degree), with a duration of 4 semester

- “Hauptdiplom” (Final engineering Degree), with a duration of 4 Semester at the University of Applied Sciences and 5 semester at the University

Vordiplom (Intermediate Degree)

At the University of Applied Sciences there exists a “practical Semester of studies” (basic technician internship) with a duration of 20 weeks during the “Vordiplom”.

At the University there exists a industrial basic internship with a duration of 6 weeks. It is emphasized to do this internship before the beginning of the study.

At both Universities no “Vordiplom” will be given (that means the continuation of sudy is not possible) if the industrial internship is not fulfilled.

Hauptdiplom (Final degree)

At both Universities the engineering industrial internship extends over a period of 20 weeks. At each University there exists a “Praktikantenamt” (trainee office). This office sets up the regulation of the industrial internships.

Diplomarbeit (Final Thesis)

In addition to the industrial internships mentioned above, it is a usual practice for students of an Univerity of Applied Sciences to do the Final Thesis with a duration of 4 month in the industry.

New Programmes at the University and at the Universtiy of Applied Sciences

- Bachelor in within six semester of study with the Grades: BEng, BSc

- Master in within 3-4 semester of study with the Grades: MEng, MSc