Overview Road traffic remains a backbone of the global economy, but expanding road space is increasingly impractical. To keep vehicles moving efficiently, modern transport relies on intelligent transport systems and extensive data exchange — not only between vehicles (V2V) but also between infrastructure and drivers or vehicles (V2I/V2D). At the same time, well‑designed highways and precise assessments of traffic infrastructure are essential prerequisites for widespread autonomous driving.
What you will study and why it matters This English‑taught, internationally oriented master’s programme prepares engineers to design and operate the road transport systems of tomorrow. Coursework and projects focus on intelligent highway design, traffic infrastructure evaluation, and the communication technologies and big‑data processes that enable connected and automated mobility. The programme also addresses the planning and implementation challenges that come with major international road projects, including the importance of stakeholder acceptance and cross‑border collaboration.
International outlook The programme is offered as an integrated international curriculum and is planned to become a double‑degree programme in cooperation with the Czech Technical University in Prague. It is particularly suited to students aiming for careers in intelligent transport systems, infrastructure planning, or international road engineering projects.
Key facts and requirements
The program’s curriculum builds technical and interpersonal skills across four semesters. Over the first three semesters you study core topics such as intelligent road transport systems, traffic flow optimisation, vehicle–road and vehicle–vehicle interaction, planning and design of road traffic facilities, and traffic simulation. Language training and intercultural competence courses are integrated into this phase to prepare you for work in international and multidisciplinary teams.
The fourth semester is devoted to the Master's project: students (WHZ students, where applicable) undertake a research-based thesis, typically carried out in close cooperation with a company or another external partner. The master’s thesis is a focused scientific study with access to university laboratories and a turnaround/timeframe of 18 weeks, giving you hands-on research experience and opportunities for industry collaboration.
This structure is designed to combine theoretical foundations, modelling and simulation practice, and applied research experience—preparing graduates to plan, optimise and evaluate modern road traffic systems and to work effectively in international professional environments.
Key modules
Typical learning outcomes
You must hold a completed undergraduate degree totaling at least 180 ECTS (or an officially recognised equivalent outside the EU) in a closely related engineering discipline. Eligible subject areas explicitly include traffic engineering, civil engineering and automotive engineering.
Note that 180 ECTS commonly corresponds to a three‑year bachelor's programme in the European credit system. If your degree was awarded outside the EU, the university will check whether it is comparable to the 180 ECTS requirement and to the named subject areas.
Winter Semester (International)
https://www.fh-zwickau.de/english/study/incomings/application/international-full-time-study/
Graduates are prepared for roles designing, operating and optimising road transport systems in public agencies, consultancies, infrastructure planners, traffic engineering firms, automotive and mobility technology companies, and suppliers of intelligent transport systems. Typical positions include traffic/transportation engineer, ITS specialist, road planner, traffic modeller/analyst, and roles in mobility data analytics and smart infrastructure projects.
The programme’s industry links and mandatory project work/thesis increase employability in practice-oriented positions and support entry into R&D and consultancy. The integrated German-language training and international focus also make graduates suited for international road planning projects and cross-border collaborations, especially where company-based thesis projects or internships are involved.
Technical University of Munich — München
Deggendorf Institute of Technology — Cham
SRH University — Heidelberg
RWTH Aachen University — Aachen