What does an electrical engineering programme cost?

The cost range is enormous: a full bachelor's degree at a German state university starts at 3,726 EUR total. Private universities charge up to 15,063 EUR – a factor of four. For master's programmes, the spread is even wider: from 1,105 EUR (IfV NRW collaborative programme) to 13,716 EUR (Wilhelm Buchner University).

Bachelor – cost comparison

Master – cost comparison

Diplom-Ingenieur: a uniquely German degree

The Diplom-Ingenieur (Dipl.-Ing.) is the traditional German engineering degree – predating the Bologna system and still awarded by two universities in distance learning. It is formally equivalent to a master's degree under the European Qualifications Framework (EQF Level 7). In German industry, particularly in traditional manufacturing and among senior decision-makers, the Dipl.-Ing. title carries significant prestige. Only HTW Dresden and University of Mittweida still offer this degree in a distance learning format.

German tuition fees in international context

German state university programmes cost a fraction of international alternatives – and the degree is fully recognised across the EU and internationally through the Washington Accord for engineering degrees. Unlike on-campus programmes in Germany, distance learning does not require a student visa, so you can study from anywhere in the world.

Salary and career prospects

Starting salary by degree

Sources: StepStone Salary Report 2026, get-in-engineering. All figures are gross annual salaries for the German labour market.

The pay gap between bachelor's and master's graduates is around 5,400 EUR per year at entry level. Whether a master's pays off financially depends on programme costs: a state master's at 1,105 EUR breaks even within months; a private one at 13,000 EUR takes longer – but still pays off through higher salary growth and access to leadership positions.

Salary by industry

Your industry has a bigger impact on salary than your degree: a bachelor's graduate in aerospace earns more at entry level than a master's graduate in a smaller company. Company size matters too – large corporations with over 1,000 employees typically pay several thousand euros more than SMEs.

Job market: 100,000 engineers needed by 2035

Electrical engineering is one of the professions with the most severe skills shortage in Germany:

• 284 open positions per 100 unemployed in energy and electrical engineering (Q2/2025, Federal Employment Agency) – nearly three times as many openings as applicants.
• 100,000 additional electrical engineers needed by 2035, according to the VDE.
• High dropout rate in on-campus programmes: According to the DZHW, more than half of on-campus electrical engineering students drop out – those who persevere have excellent prospects.
• Energy transition and digitalisation as long-term drivers: grid expansion, e-mobility, Industry 4.0, and IoT create sustained demand for electrical engineering expertise.

Admission requirements

Bachelor: who can apply?

• Abitur or Fachabitur: The German general or subject-linked university entrance qualification is the standard route. No prior knowledge of electrical engineering is required – mathematics, physics, and programming are taught from scratch.
• Master craftsman or technician certificate: A Meister or Techniker qualification grants automatic university admission at all institutions.
• Vocational training + work experience: Applicants with a completed apprenticeship in a relevant trade (e.g. electronics technician, mechatronics technician) and at least 2 years of professional experience can gain admission through a university entrance examination.

Master: admission details

For international applicants

Language: All programmes in this category are taught in German. You will need German proficiency at B2 level or higher (typically DSH-2 or TestDaF 4). Individual study materials may be in English, but lectures, exams, and support are in German.

Visa: Distance learning does not require a student visa. You can study from anywhere in the world. If you are already living in Germany on a work visa, a part-time distance learning programme does not affect your visa status.

Credential recognition: Foreign school-leaving certificates and degrees need to be evaluated. The anabin database shows whether your qualifications are recognised. If your degree is not directly recognised, some universities accept applicants through a preparatory course (Studienkolleg) or entrance examination.

ECTS: All programmes use the European Credit Transfer System. Bachelor's programmes require 180–210 ECTS (equivalent to 3–3.5 years full-time), master's programmes 90–120 ECTS (1.5–2 years). ECTS credits are recognised across the European Higher Education Area and increasingly worldwide.

Study models and duration

Electrical engineering requires laboratory work – this distinguishes it from purely theoretical fields like business or psychology. How universities handle this determines your day-to-day study experience.

Blended learning vs. fully remote

State universities (IfV NRW, ZFH, HS Anhalt) use blended learning: approximately 70% self-study, 30% on-campus sessions. On-site phases include laboratory practicals, tutorials, and exams – typically 2–3 Saturdays per month or intensive block weeks. Lab work in circuit design, measurement technology, and instrumentation requires physical attendance.

Private universities (WBH, AKAD, IU) offer largely remote study. Lab experiments take place as compact block sessions (e.g. 2–3 consecutive days) or are supplemented by virtual lab environments. Exams can be taken at numerous centres across Germany or online (IU).

Standard duration and realistic timelines

• Bachelor: 7–8 semesters standard. Most part-time students take 10–14 semesters (5–7 years). All private universities offer free extensions of at least 1–2 semesters.
• Master: 4–6 semesters standard, part-time 5–7 semesters (2.5–3.5 years).
• Diplom: 8–9 semesters standard, part-time 10–14 semesters.
• Weekly workload: 15–25 hours depending on prior knowledge. Many students spread their study time across 2–3 weekday evenings and half a Saturday.

Key universities at a glance

IfV NRW (Institute for Collaborative Studies) – combines part-time study programmes from state universities in North Rhine-Westphalia. Bachelor and master's in electrical engineering are among the cheapest options available (bachelor: 3,726 EUR, master: 1,105 EUR). On-campus sessions take place at universities in NRW.

ZFH (Centre for Distance Learning) – coordinates distance learning across universities in Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, and Saarland. Multiple electrical engineering programmes, including specialised master's degrees in Reliability Engineering and Digital Engineering. Offers master's admission without a bachelor's via an entrance examination.

University of Duisburg-Essen – the only university-level M.Sc. in electrical engineering available as distance learning. Research-oriented with a strong theoretical focus, for just 2,500 EUR total. Requires an undergraduate electrical engineering degree with a grade of 2.5 or better.

Anhalt University of Applied Sciences – bachelor's and master's in electrical and information technology at moderate cost (bachelor: 5,850 EUR, master: 5,700 EUR). Master's admission involves a selection procedure.

Wilhelm Buchner University (WBH) – Germany's largest private distance learning university for technology. The B.Eng. in Electrical and Information Technology offers 5 specialisations (automation, ICT, energy information networks, embedded systems, signalling and safety). Maximum flexibility with no mandatory on-campus attendance – but also the highest fees among master's providers.

AKAD University – bachelor's and master's in electrical engineering with a sprint study option (accelerated format). Private university based in Stuttgart.

IU International University – B.Eng. Electrical Engineering with maximum flexibility: no on-campus requirements, online exams, start any time. The most expensive bachelor programme in this category.

HTW Dresden and University of Mittweida – the only Diplom-Ingenieur programmes in electrical engineering available via distance learning. HTW Dresden offers a Dipl.-Ing. (FH) in Electrical Engineering / Communication Technology (1,800 EUR). Mittweida offers Electrical Engineering and Industrial Engineering as Diplom programmes.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I study electrical engineering in Germany without Abitur? Yes. A master craftsman or technician certificate (Meister/Techniker) grants automatic university admission. With a completed vocational training and 2 years of work experience, you can enter through an entrance examination. Requirements vary by university.
• What is the total cost of a distance learning programme? The range goes from 0 EUR (Dipl.-Ing. Industrial Engineering, University of Mittweida) to 15,063 EUR (B.Eng. at IU). State bachelor's programmes cost between 3,726 and 5,850 EUR, state master's programmes between 1,105 and 10,580 EUR. Additional costs include textbooks, travel to on-campus sessions, and exam fees.
• Are any programmes taught in English? No. All electrical engineering distance learning programmes in Germany are taught in German. You need German language skills at B2 level or higher. Some study materials may be in English, but exams and coursework are in German.
• Is the Diplom-Ingenieur still worth it? The Dipl.-Ing. is formally equivalent to a master's degree (EQF Level 7) and still highly valued in German industry – especially in traditional manufacturing. Disadvantages: longer study duration than a bachelor's, and only 2 universities still offer it in distance learning.
• Electrical engineering or mechatronics – which should I choose? Electrical engineering makes you a specialist for electrical systems. Mechatronics is broader and combines electrical engineering with mechanical engineering and computer science. If you know you want to work in energy, telecommunications, or automation, choose electrical engineering. If you want to keep your options open, mechatronics offers more flexibility.
• How much do electrical engineers earn in Germany? Starting salary is 49,400 EUR with a bachelor's and 54,800 EUR with a master's (gross annual). After 5 years, 60,000–75,000 EUR is realistic. Top industries: aerospace (64,100 EUR entry), medical devices (63,600 EUR), mechanical engineering (63,000 EUR).
• Do I need a student visa? No. Distance learning programmes do not require a student visa. You can study from anywhere in the world. If you are already in Germany on a work or residence permit, a part-time distance programme does not affect your visa status.
• Can I enter a master's programme with a non-electrical-engineering bachelor's? Partially. Private universities (WBH, AKAD) accept engineering or natural science degrees that are not specifically in electrical engineering. State universities generally require an electrical engineering undergraduate degree. The ZFH offers an alternative entrance examination.

Related programmes

• Mechatronics – interdisciplinary: electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science
• Mechanical Engineering – design, manufacturing, and production technology
• Business Engineering – combining technology with business administration
• Computer Science – software development, algorithms, data structures
• Data Science & AI – data analysis, machine learning, artificial intelligence