Subsurface Engineering (SubSurf) Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Owing to the international focus of the programme, all lectures and examinations are held in English.

The Master's programme in Subsurface Engineering is a specialised post-graduate programme that offers a fascinating teaching and research curriculum in the field of civil engineering, geosciences and underground engineering. The Master's course of study is embedded in a strong research environment with an excellent international reputation, which involves worldwide experts in a wide research area including tunnel engineering, geosciences, geothermal energy and geotechnical engineering. All courses and lectures of the Master's programme are held in English. Most of the lecturers spend an important part of their career in countries abroad, thus having profound teaching skills paired with a lot of international experience. The Master's programme in Subsurface Engineering takes four semesters (two years) to complete. After the first semester with fundamental courses, depending on their own qualifications, students can choose to focus on two directions to deepen their knowledge:

• Geotechnics and Tunnelling
• Subsurface Characterisation and Utilisation

In general, courses take place during the semester in the form of face-to-face lectures on campus. Some courses are held as online lectures/exercises or in a blended learning format. All courses are accompanied online at least by the availability of lecture notes or other recordings. However, the exams can only be written in person.

Non-EU applicants: 15 May for the following winter semester
EU and domestic applicants: 15 July for the following winter semester

The Master's programme starts every winter semester and takes four semesters (two years) to complete. During the first semester, all students attend basic courses in geology, hydrology and computational methods. During the second and third semesters, students complete some compulsory and several elective courses. The fourth semester is dedicated to the Master's thesis. Students are free to either write their Master's theses in an academic environment at various university departments or in the industry while being supported by a lecturer in the Master's programme. Due to the faculty's close connections to the industry, support can be offered to students in finding a suitable company with which to cooperate. After completion of the programme, the successful candidates are awarded the title Master of Science (MSc) by the Ruhr-Universität Bochum.

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No tuition fees

Students have to pay a social contribution fee of approx. 330 EUR per semester, including a semester ticket covering public transport in Germany (https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/re-registration-and-social-contribution).

Minimum of 950 EUR per month to cover personal and living expenses in Germany

Applicants can be admitted to the Master’s programme if they have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree in civil engineering, geosciences or a related engineering discipline.

The language of instruction is English. You thus have to furnish proof that you have sound English language skills. To be accepted to the programme, at least one of the following requirements must be fulfilled:

• completion of your first-degree programme in English (this means that ALL lectures must have been held in English).
• TOEFL: minimum score paper-based 550, computer-based 215, Internet-based 79 – The TOEFL score must not be older than two years.
• IELTS (academic): minimum score 6.0 (overall band score, the IELTS score must not be older than two years)

Non-EU applicants: 15 May for the following winter semester
EU and domestic applicants: 15 July for the following winter semester

Students with outstanding academic achievements and a high degree of social responsibility can apply for the “Deutschlandstipendium” grant. They will receive a one-year scholarship of 300 EUR per month from the Ruhr-Universität Scholarship Fund: https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/deutschlandstipendium-information-students

International students with good to very good academic achievements can apply at the International Office e.g. for financial support during their final phase of the study, such as graduation grants: https://international.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/scholarships-international-office.

In the city of Bochum, you can find different types of accommodation. On average, students in Bochum pay approximately 350 to 600 EUR per month for a single apartment, which is below the average rent in Germany. A room in a shared apartment is usually less expensive.

About 5,000 students in Bochum live in multiple student halls close to the campus, which are run by the Akademisches Förderungswerk (AKAFÖ). In the halls, students have their own single room and share a kitchen and bathroom with other students, they rent an apartment with a private bathroom and kitchen, or they share an apartment with one or several flatmates. 

More information on the student halls can be found at https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/de/wohnen.

In addition, private and church-affiliated student halls accommodate up to 1,000 students: http://www.stuwo.de/wohnheim-region/bochum/.

The programme coordinators offer individualised career counselling for all Subsurface Engineering students. In addition to this, the RUB Career Service checks students’ application documents, organises career-related events, workshops and counselling sessions, and provides information materials in German and English.