Electrical Power Engineering – Major of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology

Overview

This major approaches electrical power engineering as a systems-oriented discipline. Students gain deep expertise in selected power domains and combine it with methods from related fields to model, identify, and optimize complex systems. Coursework and hands-on exercises teach you to build analytical models for power systems and components, allowing you to formulate technical and scientific problems clearly and to develop practical solution strategies.

You will learn to design answers to real-world challenges—safe, reliable, economical, and environmentally responsible electricity supply—across areas such as electrical appliances, electrical drive trains, power grids, electromobility, power systems engineering and economics, and renewable energies. The programme emphasizes translating theoretical concepts into implementable steps, managing projects within multicultural teams, and communicating proficiently in current technical English, both orally and in writing.

Application & programme key facts

• Important: You must apply to the Master's programme in "Electrical Engineering and Information Technology"; after acceptance and enrolment you select your major (Electrical Power Engineering is one of five majors).
• Available majors (choose one after enrolment): Electrical Power Engineering, Micro- and Nanoelectronics, Systems and Automation, Communications Engineering, Biomedical Systems Engineering.
• Language of instruction: English.
• Core subject areas include: High‑Voltage Engineering; Battery Storage Systems; Power Electronics; Electrical Machines; Electrical Drives; Power Systems; Power Economics.

This two-year, full-time master’s programme is designed to deepen specialist knowledge in electrical power engineering while providing broad interdisciplinary options. The standard study period is four semesters, and the course may be started in either semester. The curriculum combines a core set of mandatory and mandatory-elective modules that establish the programme profile, complemented by extensive laboratory classes, project work and seminars. Students can also choose from courses across other faculty master’s programmes and the wider RWTH course catalogue, including economics, soft skills and language classes.

Hands-on preparation and professional integration are central. All students undertake an 18‑week industrial internship with established industry partners to apply engineering methods to current problems and to gain workplace experience (often a gateway to employment). The programme culminates in an independent Master’s thesis: a predefined scientific project carried out over six months and concluded with an oral presentation and defence. Every student must complete the “Scientific Integrity” module to ensure adherence to ethical standards in research. Students without proof of German at B1 level are required to take German language courses.

Teaching formats are varied to support different learning goals: lectures for systematic presentation, tutorials for problem-solving and consolidation, seminars requiring oral presentations and literature-based discussion, and compact intensive courses. Additional opportunities to develop technical competence include semester and Master’s projects, excursions and practical laboratory work closely tied to lecture content. Overall learning outcomes focus on advanced problem-solving in power engineering, independent scientific research and communication skills, practical laboratory and industry experience, and the ability to integrate multidisciplinary perspectives.

Requirements and key facts

• Standard duration: 4 full-time semesters (2 years); programme may be started in either semester
• Total credit requirement: 120 ECTS for graduation
• Core departmental modules: minimum of 20 ECTS from the CORE department (mandatory)
• Mandatory completion of the “Scientific Integrity” module (research ethics)
• German language: compulsory German courses for students without certified B1 level
• Practical training: 18-week industrial internship with industry partners
• Master’s thesis: independent scientific project, 6 months’ duration, finished with oral presentation and defence
• Teaching and assessment formats: lectures, tutorials, seminars (with student presentations), intensive courses, laboratory and project work, excursions
• Elective options: modules from other faculty master’s programmes and the full RWTH course programme (including economics, soft skills and languages)

For detailed module lists and the visual credit-point structure, consult the programme’s module catalogue (PDF).

Graduates are prepared to analyse, model and optimise electrical power systems and components; they can develop solutions for electrical appliances, drive trains, electricity grids, electromobility, power systems engineering & economics, and renewable energies. The programme’s emphasis on practical laboratory work, industrial internships and project management in multicultural teams readies students for technical and project-oriented roles.