Overview This fully accredited, international Master's programme examines the growing overlap between automation technology and information technology. Taught in English, it brings together industrial automation and computer science in an interdisciplinary curriculum, reflecting two decades of IT-driven change in both hardware and software. The course emphasizes hands-on learning through well-equipped laboratories and active collaboration with industry partners, giving students practical experience in a rapidly evolving field.
What you'll study The programme concentrates on modelling and simulation, smart automation and robotics, optimisation methods, and core IT topics such as data science, machine learning and AI. It also covers industrial communication, industrial IT and IT security, providing a broad technical foundation for work at the intersection of automation and information systems.
Why choose this programme With its industry links and research facilities, the course is designed for students who want to work on real-world automation and IT challenges. The interdisciplinary approach prepares graduates to engage with both the hardware aspects of automation and the software/IT solutions that increasingly drive modern industrial systems.
Key facts & how to find more information
This four-semester master’s curriculum is built to move students from technical foundations to independent, applied work. The first and second semesters concentrate on delivering technological know-how through a mix of lectures, tutorials and hands-on laboratory courses, giving you both theoretical background and practical experience in automation and IT-related engineering topics. Teaching formats are designed to reinforce understanding through regular guided practice and experimental work.
In the third semester you apply what you’ve learned in small, multidisciplinary teams of three to five students by working on real-world case studies. These team projects emphasise problem-solving, system integration and collaborative engineering — simulating the kinds of challenges you will face in industry or advanced R&D. The final semester is dedicated to an individual Master’s thesis, where you carry out a sustained research or development project and demonstrate your ability to plan, execute and report on complex engineering work.
On completion of the programme you are awarded the Master of Engineering (MEng). The course structure and assessments are geared toward producing graduates who can translate theory into practice, work effectively in teams, and carry out independent research or development projects in the automation and IT domains.
Key focus areas
Typical learning outcomes
Admission requirements
To be eligible for the Master's programme you must hold a completed Bachelor's degree (or an equivalent qualification) in electrical engineering or a closely related discipline. International applicants should ensure their prior degree is comparable to the German Bachelor level in a relevant field.
Applications must include several standard documents: an officially certified copy of your degree certificate, a tabular curriculum vitae, evidence of English language ability, and a two‑page motivation statement written in English that outlines why you want to study the programme and your intended research interests. Additional details, checklists and up‑to‑date instructions (including specific language requirements and deadlines) are published on the programme’s information pages and may change — always verify the current “How to Apply” information before submitting your application.
Required documents and notes
Winter Semester (International)
Please see the "How to Apply" section of this programme:https://www.th-koeln.de/en/academics/automation--it-master--how-to-apply_6812.php
Graduates are prepared for technical and engineering roles at the intersection of automation and IT, such as automation engineer, control systems engineer, robotics engineer, industrial IT specialist, system integrator, and roles focusing on data-driven optimisation and machine learning for industrial applications. The programme’s emphasis on industrial communication, IT security, and practical lab experience also suits positions in industrial cybersecurity and IoT/Industry 4.0 integration.
Potential employers include manufacturing companies, automation and control-system suppliers, robotics firms, industrial IT consultancies, and research institutions. Demand is growing as industries adopt smart manufacturing, automation and AI-driven optimisation, so graduates with combined automation and IT skills are well-positioned for roles in design, implementation, and maintenance of modern automated production systems as well as R&D and technical consulting.
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