Computational Engineering (CE), MSc FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg

All compulsory courses are offered in English. German language courses accompany the programme.

Computational Engineering (CE) is an innovative discipline fusing together the expertise of well-established engineering fields, computational sciences and applied mathematics. In addition to the traditional methodologies of theoretical modelling and experimental exploration, simulation has become an important tool in applications from fundamental research to product development. This innovation calls for experts who are able to model engineering problems in mathematical terms and produce software to solve them. The programme extends beyond classical engineering education and applied mathematics to prepare students fully for these challenges.
Depending on their individual interests, students may select one of the following technical application fields:

• Automatic Control
• Computational Materials Science
• Computational Mechatronics
• Computational Optics
• Information Technology
• Mechanics and Dynamics
• Medical Engineering
• Thermo and Fluid Dynamics

Students can obtain a second Master's degree from the Swiss cantonal Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) in Lugano, Switzerland. There are no tuition fees for the double degree programme. To receive this double degree, students must obtain a total of 120 ECTS with at least 30 ECTS from USI and 30 ECTS from FAU.

Non-EU applicants: 15 April
EU applicants: 15 July

for the following winter semester, respectively

The Master's programme in Computational Engineering consists of a seminar, the three sections Mathematics, Computer Science and Technical Application Field, and the Master's thesis. There is a standard study plan for each technical application field. Nevertheless, in the Master's programme all modules are elective. Students can choose modules from the module catalogue for the different Master's studies in the Computer Science, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, and Physics Departments.

Mathematics (at least 20 ECTS)
Mathematics modules for the Master's programme can be taken from the module catalogue offered by the department of applied mathematics and from the different departments of the School of Engineering. The modules must have a mathematical orientation.

Computer Science (at least 20 ECTS)
The student can select modules offered by the Computer Science Chairs for the Master's programme in computer science.

Technical Application Field (TAF) (at least 20 ECTS)
In this section, the student can select modules from all Master's programmes offered by the School of Engineering. The only exceptions are modules from the Department of Computer Science.

(Of the credits, 25 ECTS can be chosen individually from Mathematics, Computer Science or the Technical Application Field.)

Seminar (5 ECTS)
The seminar is part of one of the elective subjects mentioned above. Therefore, students can take a seminar of a Master's programme from the Department of Computer Science, the Department of Applied Mathematics or a department of the School of Engineering related to the technical application field.

Master's Thesis (30 ECTS)
The Master's thesis can be registered as soon as the student has successfully collected 70 ECTS credit points. It has a time frame of around 810 hours and has to be completed within six months of registration. The topic of the thesis must be related to subjects studied by the student during the Master's programme. A special thesis adviser is usually assigned to each student. The thesis may involve regular meetings with the thesis adviser and also participation in a larger research group. It can be written in English. An oral presentation of the results of about 30 minutes as well as a consecutive discussion are obligatory.

No tuition fees

FAU does not charge tuition fees. However, each semester students must pay semester fees consisting of student services fees (42 EUR) and a fee for the basic semester ticket (74 EUR).

General guidelines on the average costs that can be expected are provided by the results of the social survey undertaken by the German National Association for Student Affairs in 2021:

According to this study, students who no longer live with their parents should have an average amount of 1,106 EUR per month at their disposal. However, monthly expenditures for personal lifestyle vary a lot. For former West Germany, the study revealed the following details on average expenditure:

• Rent, including ancillary costs (in Erlangen, Nuremberg and surrounding areas): 410 EUR
• Food: 198 EUR
• Clothing: 46 EUR
• Travel costs (public transport and/or car): 89 EUR
• Study materials (depending on subject): 31 EUR
• Health insurance, doctors, medicine: 100 EUR
• Telecommunications: 31 EUR
• Leisure, culture, sports: 65 EUR

All applicants should meet the following criteria:

• Completion of an excellent Bachelor's degree or a corresponding qualification in Computer Science, in a related scientific or technical field, or in Mathematics including
  • Programming and Algorithmics with 20 ECTS credits,
  • Computer Engineering with 5 ECTS credits,
  • Mathematics (fundamentals of analysis, linear algebra, stochastics) of at least 20 ECTS credits and
  • Engineering Sciences in the sense of the technical application subject chosen for the application, with a total of 20 ECTS credits
• International Students
  • A solid command of the English language (details below)
  • Optional: It is possible to submit the "Graduate Record Examination" (GRE) in the form of the "Subject Test Physics", the "Subject Test Mathematics" and/or the "General Test", or a "Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering" (GATE). This is optional.
  • Students should be interested in a stay in Germany for at least two years.
• Students with a Bachelor´s degree in Computer Science (and Engineering) or similar – without a special engineering subject – are requested to apply for the TAF Medical Engineering.

Proficiency in English (TOEFL paper-based test score of at least 560 or equivalent) is required. Alternatively, a confirmation from the university that the Bachelor's degree programme was taught in English suffices.

Non-EU applicants: 15 April
EU applicants: 15 July

for the following winter semester, respectively

There is a wide range of scholarships available for outstanding students. In addition to requiring applicants to have excellent grades, most scholarship programmes have additional conditions regarding cultural, political, religious, or social involvement. If you have any questions about the application procedure or selection criteria, you can contact the Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) or speak directly to FAU’s liaison officer for the scholarship organisation you wish to apply to.

https://www.fau.eu/study/prospective-students/financing-your-studies

The cities of Erlangen, Fürth, and Nuremberg offer a very good standard of living. They are popular places to live, meaning that accommodation is in high demand but often in short supply. This is particularly the case during the period before the start of a new semester. We therefore recommend that you start looking for accommodation as soon as possible. If you are flexible and also look in the surrounding area, you will have a better chance of finding somewhere affordable to live. The region has an excellent public transport system, so you should not have any problems getting to your place of study or work.

It is worth checking the available accommodation on the Internet every day, as new accommodation becomes available on a day-to-day basis. It pays to be flexible when it comes to the price, location, and available facilities of your accommodation.

Student Services Erlangen-Nürnberg runs its own student accommodation in Erlangen and Nuremberg. You will be informed about how to apply for a room in Student Services accommodation while you are in the process of applying to be admitted to FAU.

The Career Service of FAU will provide you with information on career opportunities and the specifics of an application procedure in Germany. For information, see: http://www.fau.eu/study/current-students/career-service.

Founded in 1743, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) is now one of the largest research universities in Germany with 40,996 students and 276 degree programmes. The five faculties cover the entire spectrum of modern academic disciplines – from humanities, social sciences and theology to medicine, law, economics, sciences and engineering.

One of FAU’s defining features is its commitment to interdisciplinary teaching and research, which frequently go beyond the boundaries of individual subjects.

FAU’s outstanding research and teaching is reflected in top positions in both national and international rankings as well as the high amount of DFG funding that its researchers are able to secure.

FAU is based in three cities – Erlangen, Fürth and Nuremberg. Each of the FAU campuses is closely connected to the social and economic pulse of these cities. Studying and city life at FAU go hand in hand, so much so that it’s hard to tell city and campus life apart.

"Moving Knowledge" is our motto and guiding principle at FAU. Therefore, we strive to generate knowledge to shape the future responsibly and openly share knowledge with all stakeholders in society to drive prosperity and create value. We also use knowledge to improve our world for future generations.

FAU’s two main sites, the cities of Erlangen and Nuremberg, are located at the heart of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region. Both Erlangen and Nuremberg have their own unique charms. Erlangen is a city of 100,000 inhabitants, was the former home of the Huguenots, and it is a key location for Siemens. Nuremberg is a city with a metropolitan flair and a population of half a million. The opera, theatre, and museums, along with a lively pub scene and nightlife, offer plenty of opportunities to relax after a day in the lecture theatre, lab, or library. The highlights of the cultural calendar in Erlangen include the "Hörkunstfestival" (acoustic art festival), International Comic Salon, "figuren.theater.festival" (puppet theatre festival), "Poetenfest" (poetry festival), and the "ARENA… of the young arts" theatre and performance festival. A wide range of cultural institutions open their doors to visitors during the Blue Night in Nuremberg, and once every two years, the Long Night of Sciences gives the public a chance to take a look inside research institutions in Erlangen, Nuremberg, and Fürth. In summary, the mixture of academia, innovative companies, art, and culture makes the region the perfect place for creative minds. There is also plenty on offer for keen athletes and nature lovers. Fränkische Schweiz, a paradise for climbers and walkers, is located to the north of Erlangen and is at FAU’s doorstep. Water sports enthusiasts will love the Franconian lakes and the university’s water sports centre, which is located just south of Nuremberg.