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The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Mechanical Engineering under the number 1136822. 
Who this German-taught B.Eng. suits – and what you need to get in
This programme fits international applicants who want an accredited German Bachelor of Engineering (180 ECTS) fully online with mandatory on-site seminars. Typical profiles: working technicians in manufacturing or maintenance aiming to formalise their skills with a degree; IT or data-savvy professionals seeking a solid mechanical engineering foundation (e.g., automation, Industry 4.0); career starters with strong maths/physics who need a flexible, job-friendly pathway from abroad.
Admission requirements
Formal entry routes and language rules are defined by AKAD University (Baden-Württemberg law §58). You can qualify via school-leaving certificates, professional advancement routes, or a vocational path.
- With a university entrance qualification: Allgemeine Hochschulreife (Abitur), fachgebundene Hochschulreife, Fachhochschulreife, or an equivalent foreign higher education entrance certificate.
- Without Abitur – professional route: recognised advanced vocational qualifications (e.g. Techniker/in, Meister/in, Betriebswirt/in, Fachwirt/in, Erzieher/in) grant general access.
- Vocational training plus relevant work experience: either via a university aptitude test or by enrolling in a probationary study (Probestudium).
- German-taught programme – required language certificates (one of the following): DSH-2; TestDaF with level 4 in all parts; proof of German at C1 CEFR. In some cases, Probestudium may serve as an alternative route.
- Recommended prior knowledge (not mandatory): English at B2 (for the “English for technology” module), secure maths skills at university entrance level, basic PC user skills.
- On-site components: although delivered online, the degree includes mandatory one- to three-day seminars, usually at weekends, totalling about 49–51 days depending on your specialisation.
Personal requirements
Studying remotely from abroad demands consistent self-management. Plan for around 22 hours per week of study on average, more in exam phases. You should be comfortable reading technical material in German, revising maths and physics, and working independently with digital learning tools (CAD basics, programming in C/C++ appear in the curriculum). Build a realistic schedule around job and time zones, and factor in travel for the mandatory seminar blocks in Germany.
- Strong self-organisation and perseverance; ability to study in smaller daily units.
- Solid quantitative mindset; readiness to refresh calculus, mechanics and thermodynamics.
- Reliable internet access and a quiet study set-up; willingness to tackle new software tools.
- Clear German communication skills for assignments, labs and seminars; B2 English helps for sources and one module.
- Early planning of visa/travel arrangements for the on-site seminar days and potential assessments.
If you already hold relevant credits or advanced vocational qualifications, recognition can shorten your studies and reduce costs. This is particularly helpful when balancing work, family and on-site seminar commitments.
What will you study in the Mechanical Engineering (B.Eng.) at AKAD University?
The programme is taught in German (C1 level required). Typical proofs include DSH-2, TestDaF TDN 4 or an equivalent C1 certificate under the CEFR. You study as a Fernstudium (distance learning) at a German Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences), combining self-paced online study with a defined set of on-site seminars.
You start with the mathematical, physical and materials core of mechanical engineering. Representative modules include Mathematics I–II, Physics for Engineers, and Materials Science alongside Statics and Strength of Materials. These fundamentals are complemented by Drawing and Machine Elements so you can analyse loads and design components safely.
Design and development skills are built through Product Development and Design, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Engineering. You move from principles to application, including “Maschinenelemente” (machine elements) at basic and advanced levels, and rechnergestützte Konstruktion for 3D modelling and documentation.
Manufacturing, automation and control form a second pillar: Manufacturing Technology, Production Machines, Measurements, Control Engineering and a Control Systems laboratory. “Smart Factory” and topics from Industry 4.0 connect sensors, data and robotics to modern production environments.
Thermofluids and energy modules cover Technical Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, and Power and Working Machines. You also gain engineering-relevant business and management competencies, for example Project and Quality Management and Supply Chain Management, to handle projects and operations end to end.
Electives (Vertiefungen): you choose a specialisation such as Energy and Environmental Technology, Development and Design, Production Optimisation, Data Management, Process Engineering, Automation Technology, Vehicle Engineering, General Mechanical Engineering or Industry 4.0. This lets you steer your profile towards design, operations, sustainability, data or automotive topics.
Practice orientation runs throughout. Depending on your specialisation, the programme includes mandatory on-site seminar days (typically weekends). You conclude with a Bachelor’s thesis (part of the 180 ECTS workload). The distance course is approved by the ZFU (the German state authority for distance learning), signalling didactic and organisational quality for remote study.
How does the Mechanical Engineering distance programme work?
You study 100% remotely for theory and most assessments, with a defined on-site seminar component in Germany. Teaching materials and the online campus structure your week; exams can be taken online under remote proctoring or in person. The distance course is ZFU-approved (admission no. 1136822).
Teaching language and certificates
The language of instruction is German. For admission you need German at approximately C1 level (examples: DSH-2, TestDaF TDN 4, or an equivalent C1 certificate under the CEFR). Technical English appears in selected modules (“English for Technology”), but it does not replace German as the teaching language.
Learning format and study materials
This is a Fernstudium (distance learning) at a German university of applied sciences. You learn via a digital campus with interactive content, study guides and recorded inputs. Study is self-paced and designed for working professionals. Practical elements (e.g. control systems lab) are integrated either in virtual formats or scheduled during on-site seminar days.
Exams and taking them from outside Germany
Most written exams can be taken as online proctored exams from anywhere, or at German exam centres if you prefer. Project work, presentations and some practical assessments are organised online; selected lab or seminar assessments are linked to the mandatory on-site sessions.
Mandatory on-site sessions in Germany
The programme includes one- to three-day seminars (usually on weekends). Depending on your specialisation, the total on-site time across the degree is substantial at about 49–51 days. Plan for multiple short trips to Germany; these sessions are part of the curriculum and assessed learning. A purely remote pathway therefore does not require a visa, but do check your country’s short-stay entry rules for repeated visits.
Workload, time models and live sessions
The programme carries 180 ECTS. Expect around 22 hours per week of study in the standard pace. Three time models are offered: 36, 48 or 72 months. Live online tutorials, when scheduled, follow Central European Time (CET/CEST) and are typically recorded for later viewing if you live in other time zones.
What does the Mechanical Engineering (B.Eng.) cost?
Tuition is paid in monthly instalments in euros. Regular, undiscounted options are: €357 per month for 36 months, €319 per month for 48 months, or €219 per month for 72 months. This results in tuition totals of €14,004 (36 months), €15,312 (48 months) or €15,768 (72 months), plus a one-time €960 exam fee.
Across the standard duration, your overall cost therefore ranges from about €14,964 (fastest track) to €16,728 (longest track). Each model includes a free support extension (approx. 12 months for the fast track, 9 months for the 48-month track, 3 months for the 72-month track), which can help you absorb peak workload without extra tuition. Payments from abroad are possible; you continue paying monthly in euros throughout your enrolment.
Budget also for travel and accommodation during the mandatory on-site seminar days in Germany. Learning materials are included in tuition; resit fees or optional services, where applicable, are charged separately.
What careers and recognition does the Mechanical Engineering (B.Eng.) offer?
You earn a Bachelor of Engineering (180 ECTS) under the Bologna system. AKAD University is a state-recognised German university of applied sciences. The programme is re-accredited through 2030 and the distance format is ZFU-approved. For international careers, this means your degree aligns with European standards (ECTS) and is widely comparable for postgraduate entry and employer screening.
European accreditation frameworks (Bologna/ECTS) help admissions offices and HR map your learning volume and level against local qualifications. While licensure for regulated engineering titles varies by country, the B.Eng. is a standard first-cycle award that supports graduate roles and postgraduate applications, including master’s degrees across the EU and many other regions.
Typical roles after graduation include:
- Mechanical design engineer or CAD/CAE engineer in product development
- Manufacturing, production or operations engineer focused on process optimisation
- Automation/controls engineer working on PLCs, sensors and Smart Factory integration
- Process engineer in chemicals, food, or energy sectors
- Project engineer or technical project manager at the interface of engineering and operations
Salaries vary by country, sector and prior experience. In Germany, entry-level mechanical engineers commonly start in the mid five-figure euro range, with higher packages in automotive, automation and energy. Internationally, roles in advanced manufacturing and Industry 4.0 skills (data, controls, robotics) often command a premium.
Who is the Mechanical Engineering (B.Eng.) right for – and who not?
This programme targets working professionals and career-changers who want a German engineering degree with flexible, online delivery and structured on-site practice. If you are comfortable studying in German and can plan several short trips to Germany, it offers a robust path into mechanical engineering.
- You want a state-recognised German B.Eng. you can complete largely online.
- You have the time and discipline for around 22 hours/week of self-study.
- You value Industry 4.0, automation and CAD/CAE skills alongside core mechanics.
- You prefer monthly instalments and a choice of 36/48/72-month study speeds.
- You can travel to Germany for mandatory weekend seminars and hands-on labs.
There are also clear cases where this programme is not suitable. Read these carefully to avoid friction later in your studies or application.
- You need a programme taught fully in English. This course is delivered in German at C1 level.
- You cannot attend mandatory on-site seminars in Germany (approx. 49–51 days across the degree).
- You are seeking access to a regulated engineering licence in a country with specific local requirements the B.Eng. alone does not cover; always check national rules.
- You require a fully campus-based experience with daily in-person teaching; this is a distance-learning format.
Lade… 
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