Who this German-taught B.Eng. fits – and what you need to get in
This programme suits you if you want a recognised engineering degree in Germany and are ready to study in German in Bochum. Typical profiles include: recent school leavers with strong maths and physics aiming for careers in energy systems or automation; skilled workers or technicians seeking an academic upgrade alongside employment (part-time or praxis-integrated); and international applicants interested in robotics, IoT and power engineering who plan to build a career in Germany or the EU.
Admission requirements
You study on campus in Bochum; teaching and exams are in German. The programme is state-recognised and ASIIN-accredited (re-accreditation valid 2026–2034). Entry routes include school-based and professional qualifications:
- General higher education entrance qualification (Allgemeine Hochschulreife) or entrance to universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulreife).
- Admission for professionally qualified applicants, e.g. master craftspersons and state-certified technicians; general higher education entrance for qualified professionals is possible.
- Praxis-integrated track: an additional training contract with a partner company is required.
- Language: teaching language is German. International applicants must provide certified German proficiency suitable for university study; expect a CEFR C1 level for enrolment.
- Foreign certificates: international school-leaving certificates are assessed for equivalence to the German entrance qualifications. You must submit officially certified copies and translations where applicable.
- Start dates: winter semester (preferred); summer entry also possible. Full-time (6 semesters), part-time (9 semesters), or praxis-integrated (8 semesters).
There are no tuition fees; you pay a semester contribution. Campus location: Bochum (Ruhr area) with laboratory-based teaching.
Personal requirements
Success in Electrical Engineering requires solid foundations in mathematics and physics, curiosity for how systems work, and readiness for hands-on lab work. You should be comfortable with technical German (lectures, lab instructions, reports) and willing to build coding skills (e.g., C/C++/Matlab) during your studies.
- Time commitment: full-time about 35–40 hours per week in lecture periods (contact hours, labs, self-study); part-time roughly 15–20 hours; praxis-integrated around 20–25 study hours plus company hours.
- Self-organisation: plan weekly study blocks, keep lab deadlines, and prepare consistently for mathematics-heavy modules.
- Perseverance: early semesters are theory-intensive; sustained practice in calculus, circuit theory and measurement pays off later in automation and energy modules.
- Communication: sufficient academic German to follow lectures, write reports and collaborate in project teams; English reading skills are useful for technical literature.
- Practical mindset: enjoy troubleshooting, documentation, and safety-conscious work in laboratories and with electrical systems.
If you are relocating from abroad, factor in time for enrolment steps and settling in before lab work begins. Realistic planning and steady weekly routines are key to staying on track—especially in part-time or praxis-integrated formats where you balance study and work.
What will you study in the Electrical Engineering (B.Eng.) at Georg Agricola University of Technology?
This programme is taught in German. To enrol and follow classes, you need proven German language skills; the university lists German as the teaching language. The degree builds a solid foundation in mathematics, physics and core electrical engineering, then lets you specialise in Automation, Energy or General Electrical Engineering with strong lab practice and a final bachelor’s thesis.
You start with fundamentals that underpin all later work: higher mathematics and systems of physics, plus the electrical engineering basics you need for circuits and measurements. Computer science and programming run alongside, including tools such as Matlab and introductory microprocessor technology.
The core engineering block brings you into the modern toolbox of electronics: digital technology, components and circuit design, electrical measurement, control engineering and system theory. You apply these in supervised labs and guided projects, a hallmark of a Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences): teaching is application-focused and closely tied to industry methods.
Automation and robotics appear early and return repeatedly: microprocessor technology, industrial and building automation, sensor integration, Internet of Things (IoT) and test systems. You learn how data flows from sensors into control systems and how to program robust, real-time behaviour in production and smart buildings.
Energy engineering forms a complete pathway: electrical machines and drives, power electronics, power generation (from conventional plants to renewables), grid operation, high-voltage technology and energy networks. Sustainability and smart grids are addressed explicitly, including the role of AI and machine learning in power and automation systems.
Electives and specialisations: from the fourth semester (in full-time study) you focus on one track—General Electrical Engineering, Automation, or Energy. In part-time study the focus is General Electrical Engineering. You also take complementary subjects such as project management and business for engineers. The programme concludes with a bachelor’s thesis and a colloquium.
The university is staatlich anerkannt (state-recognised), which confirms the public-law recognition of the institution and its degrees. As a Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences), THGA emphasises hands-on labs and direct industry relevance throughout the curriculum.
How does studying in the Electrical Engineering (B.Eng.) work?
Teaching language: German as the medium of instruction
All modules are delivered in German. You should be comfortable studying technical subjects in German and be able to participate in labs, exams and projects. Suitable proof of German proficiency is required for admission; plan time for language preparation if you are not already fluent.
Study model and where you will study
You study on campus in Bochum, at the Georg Agricola University of Technology (THGA). The degree is available full-time in six semesters, part-time in nine semesters, or practice-integrated in eight semesters with a company partner. Bochum is a major student city in Germany’s Ruhr area with good public transport and a compact campus; THGA also operates its own student residence and cooperates with local housing providers.
Learning format: labs first, projects throughout
Expect a continuous mix of lectures, exercises and laboratory work. Practical sessions are distributed evenly across semesters so theory is always paired with application. You will work with modern automation setups, measurement equipment and power engineering demonstrators, and take part in project work that mirrors industry tasks.
Assessments you can expect
Engineering programmes at universities of applied sciences typically combine written examinations with assessed lab work, project reports and presentations. Your studies culminate in the bachelor’s thesis and a final colloquium discussing your results and methods.
If you choose the practice-integrated route
In the practice-integrated model you study while working with a partner company. Around a quarter of your time is spent in the company, giving you paid work experience and a direct path into the labour market. This track begins in the winter semester.
What does the Electrical Engineering (B.Eng.) cost?
There are no tuition fees. You pay a semester contribution of about €237, which covers student services and a public transport ticket (Germany Ticket). Over the standard six semesters this totals roughly €1,422. If you opt for the nine-semester part-time route, plan for nine contributions; the practice-integrated route runs for eight semesters.
For international students, paying the semester contribution from abroad is straightforward via standard bank transfer once you have your enrolment details. The practice-integrated route can reduce your net costs because you earn a salary with the partner company alongside your studies.
Living costs in Bochum are moderate by German standards. As a guideline, budget €850–€1,100 per month to cover a room in a shared flat or residence, health insurance, food, local transport beyond the included ticket, and personal expenses. Rents vary by location and room size; student housing on or near campus can lower costs.
What careers and recognition does the Electrical Engineering (B.Eng.) offer?
The university is state-recognised, and the programme is accredited without conditions by ASIIN through the German Accreditation Council (current period: 2026–2034). Accreditation verifies academic quality, learning outcomes and industry relevance. The degree follows the Bologna framework with ECTS crediting, which supports recognition across the EU and international comparability for master’s entry or employment abroad.
Career paths are broad in Germany and internationally. Typical roles include:
- Development engineer in electronics, drives, power electronics or embedded systems
- Automation engineer for factories, process plants or building automation
- Power systems engineer for generation, transmission, distribution and smart grids
- Hardware design and test engineer in sensor technology, IoT and measurement systems
- Project engineer or technical consultant in energy transition, e-mobility and Industry 4.0
Germany’s energy transition and reindustrialisation drive strong demand for electrical engineers, particularly in grid expansion, renewables integration, automation and robotics. Salaries vary by sector and experience; entry roles typically improve quickly with hands-on project responsibility and company size.
Graduates can continue directly into a related master’s degree in electrical and information engineering to deepen expertise or prepare for leadership roles.
Who is the Electrical Engineering (B.Eng.) right for – and who not?
This programme fits you if you want a practice-focused engineering education with labs from the start, a choice of specialisations, and excellent value thanks to the absence of tuition fees. Solid German skills are essential to benefit from lectures, labs and exams.
- You are comfortable studying in German and want to apply engineering theory in hands-on labs
- You are interested in energy engineering, automation/robotics, IoT and digitalisation
- You value specialisation options from the fourth semester (full-time) and industry-linked projects
- You are comparing costs internationally and appreciate a state-recognised, accredited programme with only a semester contribution
- You like the option to study full-time, part-time, or practice-integrated with paid company experience
Some applicants will be better served by a different programme or provider. Check these points before you apply:
- You need an English-taught bachelor’s; this degree is delivered in German
- You are looking for a distance-learning/online format; this is an on-campus programme with compulsory labs
- You cannot relocate to Bochum or commute regularly to campus and laboratories
- You prefer a highly theoretical or research-only curriculum; as a Fachhochschule, THGA emphasises application and industry practice
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