Civil Engineering Schools and Programs in Germany

Civil Engineering Studies in Germany

You can study civil engineering in Germany at the Berlin University of Applied  Sciences. Source.

Civil engineering is called Bauingenieurwesen in Germany. It covers the planning, design, construction and maintenance of buildings, bridges, tunnels, roads, railways and water systems. The subject is taught at universities and technical universities as a bachelor's degree followed by a master's degree, and at bachelor's level the teaching language is normally German.

SpainExchange lists 8 universities in Germany that teach civil engineering, each in a different city: Aachen, Stuttgart, Munich, Hannover, Kassel, Weimar, Wuppertal and Duisburg.

How the degree is organised

The first degree is a Bachelor of Science. According to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), a bachelor's degree in Germany usually has a standard period of study of six semesters, and a master's degree takes between two and four semesters. The civil engineering programmes follow this pattern, with some variation:

• Technische Universität München (TUM): six semesters and 180 ECTS credits; the first two semesters cover mathematics, engineering mechanics, materials, informatics and surveying, and in the fifth semester students choose a main profile from structural engineering, water and environment, or transport and infrastructure
• Universität Stuttgart: six semesters, taught in German, with a compulsory internship
• Leibniz Universität Hannover: a six-semester bachelor's degree in Bau- und Umweltingenieurwesen (civil and environmental engineering), which prepares for master's degrees in structural engineering, water, environmental and coastal engineering, computational engineering or wind energy engineering
• Universität Kassel: seven semesters, including 12 weeks of integrated practical training

Most students continue with a master's degree, where the specialisation takes place. The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, for example, lists master's degrees in civil engineering, building material engineering, environmental engineering, Digital Engineering and Natural Hazards and Risks in Structural Engineering.

Practical experience is part of the subject. TUM asks applicants for a relevant pre-study internship of at least six weeks, Stuttgart requires an internship, and Hannover recommends one before the start of the course.

Admission and language

The bachelor's programmes at Stuttgart, TUM, Hannover and Kassel have no admission restriction (no numerus clausus): applicants who meet the formal requirements and apply on time are admitted. All four start in the winter semester only. Deadlines differ: TUM takes applications from 15 May to 15 July, Stuttgart until 15 September, and Kassel from 1 March to 15 July for applicants with foreign certificates.

The formal requirement is a school-leaving certificate that is recognised as a higher education entrance qualification in Germany. DAAD explains that applicants whose certificate is not recognised attend a Studienkolleg, a one-year preparatory course that ends with an assessment test (Feststellungsprüfung). Applicants from outside the EU and EEA apply through uni-assist or directly to the university, depending on the institution. Kassel sends applicants with foreign certificates to uni-assist, and Hannover asks non-EU applicants for a uni-assist preliminary review (VPD) or a passed Feststellungsprüfung.

Because teaching is in German, proof of German is required. DAAD states that most higher education institutions ask for at least CEFR level B2; Hannover asks international applicants for German at C1 level. Accepted proofs include the TestDaF and DSH exams. English-taught options exist mainly at master's level and can be searched in DAAD's International Programmes database.

Costs and visa

According to DAAD, state higher education institutions generally charge no tuition fees for bachelor's degrees and most master's degrees. There are two exceptions that matter for this subject. The state of Baden-Württemberg, where Stuttgart is located, charges non-EU citizens €1,500 per semester. In Bavaria, institutions may charge fees to students from outside the EU and EEA and set the amount themselves; TUM lists tuition fees for international students among the costs of its civil engineering bachelor's degree. All students also pay a semester contribution of between €70 and €430.

Citizens of EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland do not need a visa. Students from most other countries apply for a student visa at the German embassy or consulate in their home country and, since January 2025, have to prove funds of €992 per month.

Recognition and careers

The professional title Ingenieur (engineer) is protected by state law in Germany. In Bavaria, for example, the engineering act allows the title to be used by graduates of a technical or scientific degree at a state or state-recognised German higher education institution with a standard period of study of at least six semesters and at least 180 ECTS credits. People who trained abroad need a permit to use the title there.

Graduates work in construction companies and engineering offices, in municipal building authorities and public administration, in the housing and energy sectors, and in research institutions and universities, according to Leibniz Universität Hannover.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to study civil engineering in Germany?

A bachelor's degree takes six semesters at most universities (seven at Universität Kassel). A master's degree adds between two and four semesters.

Can I study civil engineering in Germany in English?

The bachelor's programmes checked for this page are taught in German and require proof of German, typically at CEFR level B2 to C1. English-taught programmes are found mainly at master's level and are listed in DAAD's International Programmes database.

Are there tuition fees for civil engineering in Germany?

State universities generally charge no tuition fees. Non-EU students pay €1,500 per semester in Baden-Württemberg, and institutions in Bavaria may also charge fees to students from outside the EU and EEA. Every student pays a semester contribution of between €70 and €430.