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Deutsch Who is the Combined Mechanical Engineering Degree Suitable For?
This degree programme is primarily aimed at professionals from mechanical engineering or related technical fields as well as trainees who are seeking an engineering degree alongside their vocational training. The course is especially suitable for technicians, skilled workers with relevant vocational training, industrial foremen and forewomen, as well as professionally qualified individuals who want to specifically enhance their career prospects with a Bachelor of Engineering. Career changers with completed vocational training and several years of professional experience can also complete the programme, provided they meet the respective admission requirements.
Admission Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering
The formal admission requirements are as follows:
- Advanced Technical College Entrance Qualification (both academic and practical parts)
- General University Entrance Qualification (Abitur) or an equivalent recognised prior qualification
- Professionally qualified applicants without (technical) university entrance qualification:
- Master craftsmen/women, technicians, specialists (IHK), as well as graduates of two-year technical school programmes: direct application possible
- Applicants with relevant experience with at least two years of vocational training in a related field plus three years of professional experience: direct application possible
- Other professionally qualified applicants (with training and three years of professional experience but without field-specific relevance): admission via an aptitude test or trial studies
In case of doubt, the examination regulations specify the exact conditions. It is important to contact the student services of the university of applied sciences early on to clarify all deadlines and individual possibilities.
Personally, you should bring the following:
- A strong interest in technical problems, manufacturing, and development topics
- Willingness to allocate 15 to 20 hours per week alongside work or training for study and attendance events
- Self-motivation for independent learning and perseverance over nine semesters of the standard period of study
- Analytical and interconnected thinking as well as a solution-oriented approach
- Communication and teamwork skills, as practical projects and group work are an integral part
What content can you expect in the Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering as a combined study programme?
The part-time study programme in Mechanical Engineering alongside work and training provides you with solid engineering fundamentals and practical specialised knowledge. In the foundational studies, subjects such as mathematics, physics, technical mechanics, technical product documentation, computer science and electrical engineering are in focus. Afterwards, you deepen your knowledge in thermodynamics, materials science, fluid mechanics as well as in the areas of manufacturing technology, automation technology and fluid technology. Business administration topics such as industrial business management and cost accounting as well as applied statistics expand your competencies with economic perspectives.
In the main study phase you set individual specialisations in production engineering, plastics technology, business organisation or product development. You deepen working on complex engineering challenges and acquire the ability to solve new tasks by scientific methods. Project management, technical English and the implementation of practical projects are firmly embedded in the curriculum. The integrated laboratory practicals train your practical skills. The study programme concludes with the bachelor's thesis and a colloquium.
- Practice-oriented training with a focus on current industrial challenges
- Specialisation in elective courses: production engineering, plastics technology, business organisation, product development
- Development of key competencies: problem analysis, networked thinking, cost awareness
- Application of scientific methods to practice-related tasks
How is the part-time Mechanical Engineering degree structured?
The combined study programme is designed for a duration of nine semesters (4.5 years) and comprises 180 ECTS credits with a workload of about 4,500 hours. You start annually each winter semester. Usually, you complete four modules per semester and can choose your own study focuses from the higher semesters onwards.
The study programme is conceived as a combination of self-study and face-to-face sessions. At the beginning of a semester you receive the learning materials which you work through independently (approx. 15 hours per week). Face-to-face sessions mostly take place at the university every second Saturday (approx. 5 hours per week). Attendance at these sessions is mandatory or strongly recommended, as laboratory practicals, short presentations and personal exchange with lecturers take place here.
- Annual start of studies in the winter semester
- Self-study with flexible time allocation, presence phases on Saturdays
- Laboratory practicals with practical tests and written elaborations
- Examination formats: written exams, oral exams, written elaborations, bachelor's thesis plus colloquium
What career prospects open up as a graduate of the Mechanical Engineering combined study programme?
After successfully completing your Bachelor of Engineering, you are broadly qualified for numerous fields of activity. Mechanical engineers are in demand in almost all industrial sectors. Your fields of work include product development, design, manufacturing, sales, assembly, service, quality management, research and development as well as recycling, planning and testing. Typical employers are companies in mechanical and plant engineering, the construction and basic materials industry, the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, consulting companies, design offices, companies in the electrical industry and the automotive sector.
- Specialist and management tasks in industry and the service sector
- Career opportunities in quality management, technical sales as well as in development and production
- Possibility of specialising for a later teaching degree at vocational college
- Prospect of a master's degree for further scientific or managerial activities
What costs should you expect for the Mechanical Engineering combined study programme?
The costs for the study programme include the regular semester fees of Fachhochschule Südwestfalen as well as an additional media and service fee of €108.47 per semester (status: December 2025). The total costs amount to approximately €2,106 for the entire study duration of nine semesters, although changes are possible. The semester contributions include administrative fees and partly the semester ticket.
- Total costs during the standard period of study: approx. €2,106
- Payment per semester, no separate examination fees
- Funding possibilities: study financing via BAföG, education loan, possibly support from the employer or tax deductibility as continuing education expenses
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