Systems Engineering

Overview The Systems Engineering M.Sc. is an innovation-driven engineering programme designed for students who want to work at the interface of mechanical, electrical and software systems in modern manufacturing and product lifecycles. It responds to the growing need for professionals who can oversee and coordinate complex, networked production environments—from initial product concept through to recycling—by combining solid physical engineering foundations with interdisciplinary know-how.

What you will learn You will gain balanced grounding in mechanical engineering, computer science and electrical engineering so you can communicate across disciplines and apply the software and technologies used to control complex systems and processes. Teaching combines theoretical modules with hands-on lab courses, practical assignments and seminars that engage you in research and development early in the programme. You can tailor your studies by choosing one of several specialisation tracks, and complete your master’s thesis within a departmental research group or with a collaborating research institute or industrial partner, either in Germany or abroad.

Career prospects Graduates are attractive to a wide range of industries—automotive and mechanical engineering, microelectronics and automation, medical technology and communications, among others—and are qualified to enter industrial R&D, systems integration or project management roles. The programme also prepares students who wish to continue in academia to pursue a doctoral degree in the engineering sciences.

Key information (at a glance)

• Languages of instruction: German and English
• Specialisations available: production systems; systems design; sensor–actuator systems; information and communication systems; sustainable engineering; integrated systems
• Core teaching areas: informatics (computer science), materials science and materials engineering, and economics
• Practical components: lab courses, practical assignments and seminars with early involvement in R&D projects
• Master’s thesis: possible within department research groups or with external research institutes/industrial partners, domestically or abroad
• Typical career paths: industry roles in automotive, mechanical engineering, microelectronics, automation, medical and communications technology; option to pursue a PhD in engineering sciences

Curriculum overview and structure

The master’s programme is built around a total workload of 120 ECTS credit points (120 CP), combining in-depth specialist study, practical experience and research. The curriculum is deliberately balanced to give you both focused technical depth in a chosen systems-engineering specialisation and broader interdisciplinary skills through electives, management topics and transferable-skills courses.

Key components and learning experiences

You will complete a minimum share of core and supplementary modules in your selected area of specialisation to ensure strong subject-matter expertise, complemented by seminars and hands-on project work that develop your ability to apply methods to real problems. The course includes a structured master’s thesis phase (30 CP) supported by a thesis seminar (12 CP) and a mandatory industrial placement/internship (9 CP) to strengthen practical, industry-relevant competencies. Optional modules—such as organisation and management, language and soft-skills courses—allow you to tailor the programme to career goals and improve leadership, communication and interdisciplinary collaboration skills.

Learning outcomes

Graduates leave with advanced technical knowledge in systems engineering, the capacity to design and analyse complex socio-technical systems, and project management and organisational insight. The programme also develops independent research competence through the thesis, practical problem-solving via the internship and project seminars, and improved professional communication and teamwork from elective and supplementary courses.

Requirements (credit-point breakdown)

• Total: 120 ECTS (120 CP)
• Core modules in chosen specialisation: at least 20 CP
• Supplementary modules in chosen specialisation: at least 20 CP
• Organisation and management modules: up to 12 CP
• Elective modules: up to 26 CP
• Seminars and project seminars: minimum 3 CP, maximum 12 CP
• Other university courses (e.g., languages, soft skills, tutoring): up to 5 CP
• Industrial placement / internship: 9 CP
• Master’s thesis seminar: 12 CP
• Master’s thesis: 30 CP

Graduates are in demand across sectors that rely on integrated mechatronic and cyber-physical systems, including automotive and mechanical engineering, microelectronics and automation, medical technology and communications technology. Typical career paths include roles in systems design, production and automation engineering, R&D and technical project management.

For those interested in academia, the programme also provides a solid foundation for pursuing doctoral studies in engineering sciences, supported by research collaborations and international partner networks.