Applicants who want to specialise in Systems and Automation must submit their application to the Master's programme in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. After admission and enrolment into that Master’s degree, students may select one of five majors — including Systems and Automation. The instruction language for the programme is English.
The Systems and Automation major develops a systems-level perspective by integrating deep knowledge of systems and control with insights from related engineering disciplines. The curriculum emphasizes control theory and its use in designing systems to achieve prescribed behaviours, together with analysis, modelling and control of dynamic systems. Students are expected to build on foundations in calculus and physics and to strengthen practical programming skills used in system analysis and design.
Automation is a central technology across many industries and is closely linked to economic performance. Graduates leave the programme able to translate technical-scientific problems from practice into well-formulated engineering tasks, to apply methods such as system identification, modelling and optimisation, and to interpret mathematical results in terms of physical system behaviour. Clear written and oral reporting in contemporary technical language, along with effective communication in English (as well as the student’s native language), are emphasised throughout the course.
This two-year, full-time Master’s programme is organised over four semesters and may be started in either semester. The curriculum combines compulsory and mandatory-elective modules that establish the degree’s technical profile, supported by substantial practical work: laboratory courses, project work, and research-oriented seminars. Students may also choose from a wide range of courses across the faculty and the wider RWTH offering, including electives in economics, professional (soft) skills, and languages, allowing you to tailor the degree to your career goals.
Teaching is delivered through lectures, problem-solving tutorials, seminars with oral presentations, and compact intensive courses—all designed to develop advanced analytical and methodological abilities. Hands-on learning is emphasised via semester and Master’s projects, excursions to industrial facilities, and laboratory work directly linked to lecture material. Expected learning outcomes include independent scientific thinking and research competence, practical engineering skills in systems and automation, teamwork and project management experience, and professional communication (oral and written).
All students must complete a mandatory “Scientific Integrity” module to meet ethical standards in research and practice. The Master’s thesis is an independent, predefined scientific project completed within six months and concluded with an oral presentation and defence. A total of 120 ECTS are required to graduate; at least 20 ECTS must come from CORE-department modules. For detailed module descriptions and the full curriculum, consult the programme’s module catalogue (PDF download).
Key requirements and facts (concise)
You must hold a completed Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Engineering, or an equivalent degree from an internationally recognised university. Your prior studies need to meet the programme’s subject-specific prerequisites (summarised below); the Faculty’s website has the complete, detailed mapping and clarifications on acceptable courses and equivalents. When applying, prepare transcripts and course descriptions so the faculty can verify how your coursework corresponds to the listed ECTS requirements.
All applicants (except those exempted, see below) must have taken the GRE General Test before submitting their application. The achieved GRE score must satisfy the minimum thresholds set out in the current examination regulations. Citizens of EU/EEA countries and applicants with prior higher-education qualifications from Germany (so-called “Bildungsinländer”) are not required to submit GRE scores.
Conditional admission can be granted; in such cases you will be required to complete specified additional study components before or during the master’s programme. You must also demonstrate adequate proficiency in English — please consult the programme’s language requirements for accepted tests and minimum scores.
Minimum subject-related requirements (from your completed Bachelor or equivalent)
Other application conditions
For full details, score cutoffs, and the precise equivalence rules for transferring courses into the required ECTS categories, consult the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology’s admissions webpage.
Winter Semester (International)
1 March 2026
Summer Semester (International)
1 September 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 July 2026
Summer Semester (EU/EEA)
15 January 2027
Graduates acquire strong skills in systems analysis, modelling, control design, system identification and optimisation, preparing them for roles designing and maintaining automated systems. Typical positions include control systems engineer, automation engineer, systems engineer, process control specialist, robotics and mechatronics developer, and roles in industrial R&D, consulting or software development for automation solutions. Graduates are also well positioned to enter research or PhD programmes in systems engineering, control theory, robotics or related fields, and to work across sectors where automation drives performance such as automotive, manufacturing, energy, aerospace and instrumentation.
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