BEng Mechatronics and Automation with Work-Integrated Option Hochschule Bielefeld – University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSBI)

All courses are taught in English.

The new English-taught study programme BEng Mechatronics and Automation addresses students of all nationalities, offering an ideal opportunity to get to know “technology made in Germany”. The degree programme is additionally offered as a work- integrated variant.

Combining elements from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science, the programme enables students to enhance technical systems’ performance during their development and production. In addition, they will learn how to bring complex technical systems into operation, to service and optimise them. To round off the training, strong project management skills and successful teamwork, also in international teams, are imparted. As part of the programme, students complete a mandatory internship in a company, making it possible for them to gain practical experience and allowing for a smooth start to their careers.

As the programme is taught in English, intercultural aspects are embedded into its contents and students from different cultural backgrounds work together, students are enabled to work in international company projects in an increasingly globalised world. In addition, the English-language programme is intended to prepare international students for the German labour market and to facilitate their access to it.

Students enrolled in the work-integrated study programme are employed by a company at the same time. This is what sets the work-integrated programme apart. Students receive financial remuneration for their employment in the company. Each semester consists of an academic term and a work term. The academic term comprises lectures, seminars and laboratory courses at the university. The subsequent work term takes place in the company for which the student is working. The work experience that is integrated into the programme is beneficial for both the student and the company, providing a solid foundation for a possible permanent position in the company after obtaining the Bachelor’s degree.

Starting in the (non-work-integrated) degree programme and switching to the work-integrated version later on is possible, as the courses of study are largely identical.

Please find further information on the BEng Mechatronics and Automation (work-integrated) on our website. Instructions on how to apply for the work-integrated degree programme can be found here.

For information on the regular study programme BEng Mechatronics and Automation (without a company), please check this website. Please find instructions on how to apply for the regular degree programme here.

Contact: admission@hsbi.de

Degree: Bachelor's

Study model: full-time study

Language of instruction: English

Cost: semester contribution (approx. 230 EUR/semester)

Duration of study: seven semesters

Start of study: winter semester

Study location: Gütersloh

Faculty: Engineering and Mathematics

EU applicants & non-EU applicants: 15 July for the following winter semester

Information on the programme content can be found on our website:

• BEng Mechatronics and Automation: https://www.hsbi.de/en/academics/academic-programs/study-programmes-english-taught/mechatronics-and-automation ("programme content" pop-up box)

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There is an opportunity to spend a semester abroad.

No tuition fees

Approx. 230 EUR per semester

The Abitur, Fachhochschulreife, an equivalent school-leaving certificate or an educational background that qualifies you for higher education is required.

B2 level in English is required; the following language certificates are recognised:

• IELTS: score of at least 5.5
• TOEFL (IBT): score of at least 72
• TOEFL (PBT): score of at least 543
• TOEFL (ITP): score of at least 543
• Telc B2 certificate
• UNIcert II
• Cambridge English Qualification: score of at least 160

Applicants with a German university entrance qualification (Abitur) can provide proof of their English language skills through their certificate (Zeugnis). The minimum grade in English as a foreign language is “sufficient” (ausreichend).

English natives and applicants with a high-school degree or an equivalent university entrance qualification obtained in an English-speaking country can provide proof of their English language skills with a document provided by their school or university stating that the language of instruction was English.

Language certificates not listed above are subject to individual examination.

German language skills do not have to be proven.

EU applicants & non-EU applicants: 15 July for the following winter semester

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Excerpt from the mission statement

“In teaching and research, HSBI makes a responsible contribution to social development, with particular commitment to its regional environment. Our teaching serves to educate academically, to qualify for specialist and executive roles and to spark interest in lifelong learning. In research and development, we address big societal challenges. Technology transfer and further education are oriented towards the region’s requirements. Diversity and equal opportunities are a matter of course for us. Our learning and working environment is open, inspiring, beneficial and cooperative. HSBI sees itself as a learning organisation.”

About HSBI

Founded in 1971, HSBI was one of the first universities of applied sciences in the first wave of Fachhochschulen to open in Germany.

• three campuses: Bielefeld, Minden and Gütersloh
• six faculties: Design and Art, Minden Campus, Engineering and Mathematics, Social Sciences, Bielefeld School of Business, Health
• 10,290 students (2023), 788 international students (2023)
• 219 professors (2023)
• 62 lecturers for special assignments (2023)
• 338 academic staff members (2023)
• 309 administrative staff members (2023)
• 42 Bachelor's programmes
• 28 Master's programmes
• seven certificate programmes
• six research institutes
• two research groups
• system-accredited by the AQAS accreditation commission: HSBI takes responsibility for quality assurance and continuous improvement of study programmes.
• certified as a family-friendly university

Eight good reasons to choose HSBI

1. Higher education with a practical approach: HSBI maintains close contacts with industries, businesses as well as social and cultural institutions in the region.
2. High study satisfaction among students (student survey 2019: 80%)
3. Studying in all circumstances: Pre-study and study-accompanied support, different study formats and a wide range of counselling services
4. The right study format for everyone: Full-time, work-integrated and part-time study programmes
5. Career opportunities: Most graduates find their first permanent job within three months of graduating. Most graduates are highly satisfied with their overall professional situation (student survey 2019: 71%).
6. The location: The region of East Westphalia-Lippe is one of the strongest business centres in Germany, especially for medium-sized companies.
7. Discover the world. More than 150 partner universities in nearly 50 countries
8. Bielefeld is a safe city. Bielefeld is the second safest city in Germany (as of 2021, source).

OWL – worth knowing

• Approx. 2.08 million inhabitants (2023)
• 6.9 million overnight stays per year (holiday region Teutoburg Forest)
• OWL (Ostwestfalen-Lippe – East Westphalia-Lippe) is one of the leading technology regions in Europe.
• 14 universities with over 67,000 students
• Economically strong region with about 140,000 companies, about one million jobs and a large international network – “hidden champions”
• Gross domestic product (GDP) of the region: around 75 billion EUR per year

Bielefeld – worth knowing

• Approx. 344,000 inhabitants (2023)
• Landmark: Sparrenburg (built approx. 1240)
• Places of interest: botanical garden, Kunsthalle museum, Dr. Oetker Welt
• Events: Bielefelder Nachtansichten (festival of light and arts), Weinmarkt (wine festival), Leineweber-Markt (city festival), Theater Bielefeld, DSC Arminia Bielefeld, Heimat-Tierpark Olderdissen (zoo)

Gütersloh – worth knowing

• Approx. 105,000 inhabitants (2023)
• The city park and botanical garden are part of the European Garden Heritage Network’s (EGHN) “Garden Route of Cultural Events”.
• Events: Langenachtderkunst (long night of arts festival), open-air concerts as part of the Gütersloh summer festival, Street Food Festival, Michaeliswoche (city festival), Klanggarten (sound garden)

Minden – worth knowing

• Approx. 85,500 inhabitants (2022)
• Biking and hiking trails around the Weser river
• Landmark: Germany’s only grinding mill
• Events: Blaues Band der Weser (water sports festival), Gourmetmeile (culinary festival), Sommernachtsgartenfest (city festival), Kultursommerbühne (cultural festival)