MEng Master's in Healthy and Sustainable Buildings Deggendorf Institute of Technology

Course language: English

This Master’s programme in Healthy and Sustainable Buildings has been taught at the European Campus Rottal-Inn (ECRI) since the winter semester 2019.

The programme qualifies students in a very comprehensive set of methods and technologies in the fields of healthy and sustainable buildings and neighbourhoods, including sustainable energy supply systems, combined with applications in various areas of the construction and real estate industries.

Students from around the world learn the historical development of sustainability, its current state, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and possible future scenarios and are able to transfer this knowledge to the specific situation in their country of origin.

Students will gain the specific skills required for the energy-saving, resource- saving, evidence-based, healthy and modern requirements in different economic, socio-cultural and ecological environments.

This Master's programme broadens students' existing knowledge from undergraduate programmes, such as architecture, construction engineering, technical building equipment, energy-efficient construction, or related programmes, and also from professional work experience.

Due to the diverse requirements that arise in the field of healthy and sustainable construction, this Master's programme is designed for a total of four semesters (three semesters of lectures and one semester for the Master‘s thesis). This ensures that graduates are perfectly prepared for the complex challenges in their working lives. In addition, students who have completed their Bachelor's degree programmes with 180 credits then go on to graduate from this Master's degree programme with a minimum pass grade are entitled to enter a doctorate programme.

During all three lecture semesters, the programme offers a generous set of excursions to top-notch companies in the construction sector, generally in combination with cultural highlights in the region.

The HSB lab provides trainings with different technologies, e.g. VR, augmented reality, measurements in the field of Indoor Environmental Quality, drones with thermal cameras, age-simulation suits, etc.

The IT lab guarantees access to professional software in the field of building performance simulations.

All lectures are held in English. Therefore, proficiency in the English language is an essential prerequisite. German courses are offered parallel to the Master's programme – an A1 level is required at the end of the Master's programme.

So far, about 80% to 90% of all graduates continue to work successfully as architects or engineers in Germany.

1 October until 1 December for March entries (summer semester)

WURI (World University Rankings for Innovation) – Ranking 2024:

• No. 16 worldwide in the category "Leadership"
• No. 20 worldwide in the category "Global Top 300"
• No. 24 worldwide in the category "Generative AI Application"
• No. 28 worldwide in the category "Student Mobility and Openness"

The Master’s programme in Healthy and Sustainable Buildings comprises three theoretical semesters and is concluded with a Master's thesis (in the fourth semester). Upon successful completion, the Master of Engineering degree is awarded.

First Semester

• Environmental Psychology
• Sustainable Buildings & Neighbourhoods
• Smart Buildings
• Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods   

   Second Semester

• Environmental Hygiene and Medicine
• Evidence Based Design 1
• Standards & Green Building Certification Systems
• Building Performance Simulations
• Sustainable Energy Supply Systems
• Ambient Assisted Working & Living 

Third Semester

• International Project Management and Implementation
• Building Safety & Security
• Evidence Based Design 2
• Refurbishment and Renovation
• Evidence Based Design – Consolidation
• Selected chapters Healthy & Sustainable Buildings & Neighbourhoods
• Smart Infrastructure & Artificial Intelligence
• R&D Project 

Fourth Semester  

• Master's thesis including presentation

No tuition fees

82 EUR student union fee per semester

Additionally, the international students from non-EU/EEA countries are required to pay the application fee of 60 EUR and the service fee of 500 EUR per semester. You can find more information about these fees here: Information for international applications and students | DIT.

Approx. 950 EUR per month

Click the following link to find a financial overview for students who are living and studying here: monthly expenses.

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent, 180 ECTS) in civil and environmental engineering, architecture, or related courses
• A successfully completed admission test – written test and interview

Please find the language requirements for this degree course here: https://www.th-deg.de/en/apply#language-requirements.

1 October until 1 December for March entries (summer semester)

If you are an enrolled DIT student, there are several opportunities to partially finance your studies through a scholarship.

Detailed information about funding opportunities is published here: https://th-deg.de/en/study-with-us/funding.

There are various job opportunities in and around Pfarrkirchen.

A supportive environment is vital for students to feel comfortable and do well in their studies. Therefore, we go to great efforts to support our students on personal, social and academic levels.

The International Office assists international students with all matters regarding accommodation.

In Pfarrkirchen, many flats are available in close proximity to the campus. View our flat rental website for private accommodation and get directly into contact with landlords: https://pmit-ext.th-deg.de/wb/search

For further information, please contact: accommodation-dit@th-deg.de.

Career service workshops and seminars are held throughout the year to help students with their job applications and interview techniques.

We provide the following:

• CV checks
• Workshops and seminars for job preparation
• University job fair

Furthermore, we offer the Job Rock-It programme, especially designed for international degree-seeking students. In this programme, a clever combination of seminars, workshops and lectures provides a basic understanding of the German economy and thus enables easy access to the German labour market. This programme can help students with their final theses, and it can lead to internships or even permanent positions after graduation.

We are a multi-award-winning university of applied sciences founded in 1994 and located in stunning Bavaria. Ranked as one of the best universities of applied sciences in Germany, we strive for academic excellence and are committed to producing global graduates with international degrees at multiple levels. The total student population of more than 9,100 includes 48% international students from all over the globe. The language of instruction is either English or German, depending on the degree programme. Study groups rarely include more than 50 students to ensure not only a personal atmosphere but also individual support for students to excel. All full-time degree programmes are free from tuition fees.

Explore our fields of study!

Let us inspire you:

• See the advantages of studying at DIT.
• Read through the International Prospectus.

Intensive support:

A supportive environment is vital for students to feel comfortable and do well in their studies. We go to great efforts to support our students on personal, social and academic levels. International students who wish to experience the Bavarian lifestyle in a family can join the “Host Family Programme”. “International tutors” provide social support for international students, while “study buddies” help students to understand challenging lecture content. The International Office supports with accommodation, visas, health insurance, scholarships, etc. in addition to organising an orientation week and intercultural training for all incoming internationals.

• Find out more about student support.

International experience:

Our 200 partner universities worldwide provide enrolled students with opportunities to gain experience and earn credits towards their degrees through foreign exchange semesters, or in some cases, through double-degree studies abroad.

Practical experience:

All undergraduate studies include a compulsory internship, giving students the opportunity to practice their hands-on skills. Postgraduate students have the opportunity to work on practical research and development projects on our own technology campuses. We cooperate with more than 500 companies, including global players such as BMW, MAN, Continental and Siemens, where students can gain invaluable work experience. The university's career service organises a range of practical workshops and seminars to prepare students for the job market, meaning our graduates are particularly successful in the job market; 87% enter into permanent employment directly after graduation.

Student lifestyle:

We consider a good lifestyle to be an important factor for the well-being of our students. They are supported with many facilities, such as a range of student clubs, an extensive sports programme, a big band, a campus cinema, an international week including an international food fair, and social activities or day trips organised by the Erasmus Student Network. Our annual campus open day and summer open-air music festival are firm favourites among our staff and student community.

Our three teaching campuses are located in Bavaria in Southern Germany, close to the city of Munich, the Austrian border and the Alps. Our main flagship campus is located in charming Deggendorf and is the base for most students. The European Campus Rottal-Inn (ECRI) is a dynamic and multicultural study environment where all classes are exclusively in English. The Cham campus is a cosy international hub for AI and mechatronics students.

View the campuses

Deggendorf Campus:

The Deggendorf campus is our largest campus, and it has recently undergone a vast extension to accommodate the expanding university community. It has a modern, central courtyard with a hovering deck over water where staff and students relax while having lunch, socialising, revising or just lounging. All lecture rooms, science labs, facilities and service centres are based on and around campus, creating an excellent studying environment.

The beautiful town of Deggendorf has a population of 40,000 and is located on the banks of the Danube river at the foot of the Bavarian Forest. Munich International Airport is one hour’s drive away and can easily be accessed by public transport. Our students enjoy vibrant social lives, as Deggendorf has plenty to offer: restaurants, cafés and pubs, plus many cultural festivals and events. It has an excellent network of bike trails, leisure cruise ships on the river and a surrounding hilly landscape that provides a stunning natural backdrop to enjoy countless recreational activities.

Newly built, self-contained student apartment blocks are within close walking or biking proximity to campus, the town centre and all local amenities.

European Campus Rottal-Inn:

At the European Rottal-Inn campus, all Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes are conducted exclusively in English, creating a dynamic study environment with a diverse and international student community.

The campus is nestled in the town of Pfarrkirchen among rolling, picturesque hills between the Danube and Inn rivers, close to the Austrian border. Pfarrkirchen has become culturally renowned in the area due to its exceptional art exhibitions, museum nights, festivals and events throughout the year. In summer, the old town festival tempts thousands of visitors with its multicultural culinary and musical events. All year round, students enjoy the relaxed Bavarian atmosphere in local cafés, restaurants and markets in the traditional town square. The surrounding beautiful Rott Valley has a range of appealing leisure activities, being well-known for its spas, golf courses, equestrian sports and extensive bike network.

Cham campus:

The Cham campus is our newest and most compact campus, with over 600 students, 75% being international students. Its Master's programmes are taught completely in English, and students benefit from intensive personal supervision in small study groups. The campus has a close relationship with regional and national companies in the field of mechatronics, so students learn in both an applied and scientific way.

Only a ten-minute walk from the town centre of Cham, the campus offers a unique atmosphere. Situated directly on the Regen River, students complete their studies in a relaxed and scenic country environment.

There are plenty of leisure facilities within walking distance of the campus: a leisure park with various sports facilities, a swimming pool with access to the river, a cinema, a climbing hall, shops and restaurants. It’s a great place to live and study!